Reference-Class Tuning | Open-Back | Genuine Lambskin Lining | Stainless Steel+Carbon Fiber Surface | Aerospace-Grade Aluminum Housing
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Among seasoned audiophiles, THIEAUDIO is a name that requires no introduction. The brand embodies a true zero-to-hero story paired with a Robin Hood-inspired vision to redefine the audio industry’s price-to-performance ratio.
The Cypher is THIEAUDIO’s comeback chapter into the world of premium headphones. The Cypher embodies all of THIEAUDIO’s hard-earned lessons and delivers an industry-leading reference sound signature wrapped in a modern-heritage design.
From a small DIY-enthusiast brand to becoming one of the best renown names in professional audio, THIEAUDIO’s goal has remained the same: redefine the standards of audio performance and value. The Cypher is the culmination of a decade of acoustic engineering and innovation, designed and developed to bring the pinnacle of sound to every audience.
An over-engineered feat of audio mastery, the Cypher is an open-back dynamic driver headphone capable of delivering a reference-class tonal signature and unmatched audio resolution.
The Cypher is designed around a newly developed 50mm dynamic driver consisting of a 20-core N45 magnetic array and a semi-crystalline polymer-rubber composite diaphragm.
Each component and structure of this driver was meticulously engineered to enhance driver efficiency under variable loads, including a new high-tension copper-aluminum composite voice coil.
Developed specifically for professionals, the Cypher’s new dynamic driver delivers exceptional responsiveness and unmatched audio resolution.
The Cypher’s tonal signature is the culmination of over a decade of audio perception studies combined with analyses of the world’s most renowned headphones. Through this rigorous research, THIEAUDIO has developed a new reference target for open-back headphones: a reference tuning characterized by powerful, yet controlled, bass and unparalleled neutrality in the mids and trebles.
The Cypher’s tuning features an impactful, yet surgical bass shelf with sub-bass extension, providing a deep, yet articulate bass response. The midrange is held completely flat, delivering a truly neutral and reference-grade reproduction of vocals and instruments. This tuning ensures an absolutely honest and precise reflection of the way in which the music was mixed and mastered.
The trebles are engineered with a pin-point accurate pinna gain to perfectly match the ear’s perception, coupled with a natural decay for an airy and detailed treble extension. As an open-back headphone, the Cypher is developed for the most accurate audio playback, exhibiting life-like soundstage and reproducing every sonic detail with immersive precision.
The Cypher’s dynamic driver is precisely engineered and tuned to deliver a reference-grade tonal signature, marked by technical precision and acoustic accuracy in its sound. The level of detail retrieval and immersion is intended to satisfy the most demanding audio engineer, musician, and audiophile. The Cypher is the dedicated tool developed for artists, listeners, and gamers.
The Cypher represents the sound and design vision of THIEAUDIO. From its reference tonal signature to its elegant design, the Cypher was developed to evoke a premium experience in every aspect.
Every detail was meticulously planned, from the stainless steel with carbon fiber-like surface treatment, genuine Coby lambskin lining, to the vintage speaker-inspired grille design. Even the internal driver grilles feature the matching neo-vintage design, highlighting the attention to detail within the Cypher.
The Cypher is as much a premium headphone as it is a reliable tool. The overall design language embodies the amalgam of modern precision with heritage authenticity.
The Cypher allows wide compatibility for each usage scenario, featuring a premium detachable cable with 3.5mm connections with the headphones and a termination in 3.5mm plug. A 6.3mm (1/4in) adapter is also included for use with professional amplifiers as well as performance gears.
Add-On 4.4mm Upgrade Cable
Driven by community feedback and our commitment to excellence, we have upgraded our 4.4mm balanced cable to meet higher audiophile standards.
This premium upgrade cable uses higher-grade materials carefully selected to complement the Cypher’s sonic profile. It comes standard with a 4.4mm balanced termination and includes a 4-pin XLR adapter for maximum versatility across portable and desktop audio setups.
CNC-Machined Single-Block Aerospace-Grade Aluminum Earcups
Precision sound, enabled by precision engineering. Meticulously crafted from solid blocks of aerospace-grade aluminum, these earcups provide a rigid, non-resonant housing that eliminates unwanted vibrations. Through an advanced CNC-milling process, we’ve sculpted internal acoustic chambers with micron-level precision.
The calculated internal chambers are tuned specifically for the Cypher’s dynamic driver, allowing a seamless cohesion in the acoustics. This combination delivers a remarkably clean, natural output with a vast, layered soundstage that places you right in the center of the performance.
Featherlight Stainless Steel-Carbon Fiber Headband with Genuine Lambskin Trim
Experience the pinnacle of structural design. This headband utilizes a high-tech composite of stainless steel and carbon fiber, achieving a “featherlight” profile without sacrificing structural integrity. By merging industrial-strength materials with a genuine Coby lambskin lining, we’ve created a zero-pressure fit that feels virtually weightless.
Engineered specifically for professional creators and audiophiles, it ensures that even after hours of use, the only thing you’ll notice is the audio.
Soft Velour Ear pads with Memory Foam Comfort
Elevate your audio experience with earpads engineered for the true audiophile. Combining the breathable luxury of soft-touch velour with the customized fit of slow-rebound memory foam, these cushions provide a fatigue-free seal for even the longest listening marathons.
Forget the struggle of traditional replacements; our integrated magnetic mounting system allows you to snap your pads on and off in seconds. Whether you’re refreshing your current setup or swapping styles on the fly, these pads offer the perfect balance of acoustic isolation and plush, all-day comfort.
Professional 1.5-Meter Braided Audio Cable
Experience uncompromised signal integrity and total freedom of movement. This 1.5-meter (4.9ft) premium cable is engineered for the serious listener, featuring a rugged nylon-braided exterior that resists tangling and microphonics.
Equipped with both 3.5mm and 6.3mm gold-plated adapters, it bridges the gap between mobile devices and high-end desktop amplifiers. The detachable design ensures your setup is future-proof, allowing for effortless replacements or boutique upgrades whenever you choose.
The Cypher was engineered from the ground up as a true reference tool, delivering the exacting precision required by professional musicians, audio engineers, audiophiles, and gamers. Combining a revolutionary new dynamic driver, premium aerospace-grade construction, and a reference tonal signature, the Cypher transcends conventional acoustic performance, offering a realistic and deeply immersive audio playback.
Often referred to as the “flagship killer“, THIEAUDIO is well-established as a global leader in the world of Hi-Fi audio.
For more than 8 years since THIEAUDIO’s initial launch, international audio communities and audiophile critics have praised THIEAUDIO’s product lineup for their extraordinary performance and remarkable value.
THIEAUDIO’s products are consistently featured on “Best of” lists, a testament to its commitment to engineering excellence and its vision for continually raising the standards of the audio industry.
THIEAUDIO is unafraid to challenge the industry’s most established (and often more expensive) brands in its efforts to redefine the price-to-performance ratio.
THIEAUDIO’s acclaimed lineup, including the Monarch, Oracle, and HYPE series, stands as a testament to the brand’s ability to consistently exceed even the most exacting standards of professionals and audiophiles. This legacy of top-tier audio performance, craftmanship, and consistency is the foundation upon which the Cypher was built.
A Full Circle Moment. THIEAUDIO’s first product was the Phantom headphones, a planar magnetic open-back headphones beloved by the community for its modability. Since then, THIEAUDIO’s fame has been built upon its impressive lineup of industry-defining in-ear monitors, including the Monarch, Clairvoyance, and Valhalla. The Cypher is a return to THIEAUDIO’s roots, showcasing THIEAUDIO’s evolution in the headphones arena.
The audiophile world was once operated by an unspoken rule: true flagship sound demanded flagship prices, often stretching well into the multi-thousand dollar range. THIEAUDIO was launched in 2019 by the Linsoul Collective with a revolutionary mission: to deliver premier sound quality and technicalities at a fraction of the cost of established brands.
This vision was evident by THIEAUDIO’s first in-ear monitor: the Voyager 14. A 14 balanced armature driver (per side) IEM, the V14 not only showcased exceptional audio performance, but was priced at an unfathomable price – more than a third of what competitors had priced similar tier products. Since then, THIEAUDIO’s product lineup has consistently echoed this vision, pushing the limits of audio performance while continually lowering the pricing tier.
THIEAUDIO’s legacy can be defined by a singular product: the Monarch. THIEAUDIO was a pioneer in the Tribrid (dynamic driver + balanced armature + electrostatic drivers) technology – a complex and expensive configuration that was reserved for only the most elite and costly IEM’s.
Prior to the Monarch, the global standard for IEM tuning was a “V-shaped” tuning, resulting in bloated and muddy low-mid range. The Monarch utilized a completely novel tuning approach, being among the first to feature a distinct sub-bass shelf, a ruler-flat midrange, and an accurate treble decay curvature. Today, the global IEM industry has adopted the tuning strategy that was first introduced by the Monarch and Clairvoyance, highlighting THIEAUDIO’s industry-leading capabilities.
The Monarch not only competed with top tier IEM’s; it redefined the very definition of “top tier”, while completely disrupting the price-to-performance ratio. The Monarch was instantly hailed as a legend, praised for its masterful reference-grade tuning and astonishing technical performance. The overwhelming consensus from critics and fans was clear: THIEAUDIO had made “endgame” performance achievable for hundreds, not thousands, of dollars.
Since the inception of the original Monarch, several iterations have been developed, including the MKII, MKIII, and MKIV, with each generation showcasing new technological innovations, such as the IMPACT2 dual sub-bass system, which THIEAUDIO first introduced into the market.
The continued success of the Monarch, as well as the Oracle, Prestige, and HYPE series, have cemented THIEAUDIO’s place in the global IEM market. The Monarch series is recognized as the Tribrid King, the benchmark against which all new high-end IEMs are measured. These IEM’s continue to be regarded as the highest ranked IEM’s by audio critics worldwide.
At even lower price tiers, the Oracle and the HYPE 4 series are lauded for introducing a tuning that is both scientifically correct as well as musically engaging. They represent the absolute limit of diminishing returns for audiophiles who seek world-class sound under the $400-600 range.
Having dominated the mid-tier price range, THIEAUDIO moved on to establish its dominance among premium IEM’s. The Prestige, V16 Divinity, and the flagship Valhalla. Even with such an impressive configuration, THIEAUDIO maintained the bare minimum pricing compared to contributors, with the goal of making the top-of-the-line market accessible to a wider range of audiences.
These products continue THIEAUDIO’s legacy of no-frills audio performance, technological innovation, and tuning creativity. Today, the Valhalla is acclaimed as the one of the most resolving and impressive IEM’s by global audiences.
This commitment to innovation and value has propelled THIEAUDIO from a small group of DIY enthusiasts to a premier name in the global audiophile community. THIEAUDIO’s products are celebrated not only for their technical performance and sound quality, but for making high-fidelity audio truly accessible to all.
After THIEAUDIO’s first headphone, the Phantom, THIEAUDIO had previously attempted two other headphones, the Wraith and the Ghost. However, THIEAUDIO would be the first to admit that, at the time, their headphones platform was not up to the standards of the global headphones market.
With this lesson learned, the headphones R&D team committed to taking a hiatus, taking the necessary time to relearn the fundamentals of driver design and acoustic engineering behind headphones. The team vowed not to release a new headphone until they could develop a product worthy of THIEAUDIO’s name.
This time, the headphone’s tuning was considered at each stage of the driver development. This meant that each minor adjustment to the target tuning was made within the structural component of the driver itself, rather than simply modifying exterior components (such as earpads or foam dampening). This painstaking process showcases the full technicalities of the driver, without dampening its clarity or soundstage, while simultaneously achieving the desired tonal signature.
With this new approach, the Cypher represents THIEAUDIO’s re-entry back into the headphones arena. The Cypher features an undeniably exquisite sound, comfortable user experience, and a premium look. The Cypher is poised as the stepping stones upon which THIEAUDIO strives to establish itself as a premier name in the headphones market. The Cypher represents THIEAUDIO’s commitment to the audio community – upholding its dedication to relentlessly challenging the price-to-performance ratio even in the headphones arena.
We believe we have already demonstrated the pinnacle of audio performance in the past, and we will continue our pursuit of pushing this boundry further and further with each product.
Driven by a passion for sonic perfection, THIEAUDIO will continue to invest in in-house research, acoustic innovation, and manufacturing excellence.
By pushing the boundaries of driver technology and precision engineering, we are dedicated to shaping the future of High Fidelity. Your support on Kickstarter directly fuels this mission, allowing us to deliver professional-grade, neutral-tuned instruments that redefine the global standard for the modern audiophile community.
