ThieAudio Prestige LTD 9 Driver IEM

The original Prestige debuted one of the best utilizations of the electrostatic (EST) driver in the IEM market. With a sustained EST output from 10kHz until 20kHz, the Prestige demonstrated the full potential of the EST driver and the treble extension that it could achieve in the IEM format. However, the high ultra-treble output could strain some listeners.

The Prestige LTD features the same treble-extension capacity as the original Prestige, with near constant output from 10kHz to 20kHz. However, the high peaks at 12kHz and 15kHz have been eliminated by smoothing out the extension.

The Prestige LTD offers a modified tuning for a more comfortable listening experience, retaining the treble extension while eliminating high peaks that may affect listeners.

Like the original Prestige, the Prestige LTD features the same extensive and comprehensive engineering strategy. 4 Sonion electrostatic drivers + 2 Knowles mid-treble balanced armatures + 2 Sonion low-mid balanced armatures + 10mm dynamic subwoofer are used per each side of the Prestige LTD. With an over-engineered 5-way crossover tuning strategy, the Prestige provides extreme layering and texture across the whole spectrum.

The Prestige LTD has a slightly modified tonal signature compared to its predecessor. With modifications to the 10mm Dynamic Driver, the bass shelf has been tightened to 200Hz. With a better controlled and tighter bass, the sub-bass impact is more focused and faster, helping create a cleaner overall sound signature. THIEAUDIO’s classic flat mids are retained in the Prestige LTD to achieve a professional studio-monitor accurate sound. Besides the smoothing of the ultra-treble, the upper mids and trebles have also been cleaned up to provide a more natural treble curvature. In sum, the Prestige LTD provides a more listener-friendly sound signature that is easier to enjoy, while staying true to its professional technical capacities.