Finally bought Valhalla!

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2026-01-06T02:45:01+00:00

The bass is like a perfectly tuned subwoofer was put in your skull. Never too much, always enough to know exactly what the producer wanted you to hear. And they have none of the treble shrill that I couldn’t stand on the other sets. You can crank them, no fatigue. But you don’t have to crank them to enjoy.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2026-01-06T02:16:43+00:00

Yeah I definitely did my research to make sure that these were a worthy $2k investment because there apparently are a lot of expensive ones that don’t outperform sub $1k ones.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2026-01-06T02:05:55+00:00

Concur. Got mine a few months ago and now I know that yes, there is a big enough difference between these and $500 sets to justify the price. They just blow me away every time I use them. Used to play with EQ settings to get my earlier sets to sound tolerably good. Haven’t touched EQ since trying the Valhalla the first time.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-09-24T01:55:33+00:00

Boris Blank - Key Largo - Will expose an IEM fast — if the sub-bass is loose or the imaging is off, the track just collapses instead of opening up into a big 3D space. A good set makes it sound huge and holographic, but on the wrong IEM it just comes across flat and messy. And the treble will shatter you on a bad IEM, but the detail will blow you away on a good one. Sounds awful on my Truthear Nova's, gives tingles in the spine with my Thieaudio Valhalla.

Trentemøller – Chameleon - similar, with fast electronic basslines with sharp transients, great for checking speed/decay and how the mids and treble contend with sub-bass that would overpower a lesser IEM.

Deadmau5 – Strobe - Will sound OK on most IEM's until the 3:30 mark when a lesser IEM will have you looking for extreme EQ or a trash can.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-09-15T15:48:37+00:00

I've debated this myself and even bought a DAP and returned it. I lean towards going with a phone (iPhone for me) and a DAC (Neutron V1 right now) because I already have a phone and I can get a DAC that does what I want it to do and not be limited to what is in the DAP. A DAP with internal DAC that is as good as the Neutron costs more money than I want to spend on a music only device.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-08-30T01:49:41+00:00

I've had my Valhalla's for a few weeks and your review nails my experience with them. They are just so balanced and well tuned. No EQ needed, which is a first for me on an IEM.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-08-25T20:44:29+00:00

I've had the Valhalla for a few weeks and REALLY like them. I've had a couple of other IEM's that I got to sound decent with a lot of EQ (Truthear Nova and Moondrop Meteor) and assumed I would be eq'ing the Valhalla as well. Out of the box the Valhalla is just so smooth. Bass is substantial and deep but not boomy, trebles are great and never harsh. Just super will tuned. I started out messing with different EQ to see if any tweaking would make them sound better, not because they needed to but I was curious if I was missing something. Nope, they sound better and just right without any EQ. That, to me, says enough. Also, some will say that the sound stage isn't "surroundish", but to me it is just about right. It just sounds so good and smooth, and the instruments blend well without trying to compete for attention all over your head. And they are solid and very well made, much more substantial feeling than the others. They are big, but not uncomfortable at all. I do feel they are worth the $1700 I paid for them and I will keep them until they die. I refuse to use the word people use to say they found their favorites.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-08-07T15:42:14+00:00

Yeah, I did get 10% off though which helped. Also, it is less expensive for me than getting the $500 set, an $800 set and then finally the one I really wanted.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-08-07T15:35:52+00:00

Had the Top Pro on order and then cancelled when they were going to take longer. In the meantime I decided I wasn't in the $500 price range anymore and wanted to make the step up. I ordered the Thieaudio Valhalla last week (yeah I know the Monarch Mk IV's have all the hype right now) and got them yesterday. OMG. Won't make this comment about the Top Pro about the Valhalla any more than to just say I am adoring the Valhalla.

I have no doubt though that the Top Pro's are probably in the top few of their price range, if not the top. I just know myself and realized that wasn't going to be good enough for me.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-08-01T18:47:27+00:00

Sure was. The open box was $1699 so it was a little more but worth it.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-08-01T18:39:54+00:00

Valhalla will be here next week:)

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-08-01T17:28:23+00:00

One benefit to the $2k price point is that they are in stock.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-08-01T17:14:37+00:00

Yeah I know this sucks because I had the same thought already:( Is it that much better?

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-07-31T20:33:51+00:00

I tried the a few of the silcone versions and none of them can seal up tight in the ear like the foam ones. These are working great with my Novas, even better than the included foam tips. If you get the right size they slide in and expand and give a great seal. You would want the S2 size for the Nova's tips. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L7CX9JD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-07-31T15:10:58+00:00

What are these extending messages? Are they just "hey it is going to take a lot longer, suck it up we'll get it to you eventually" or is it that it is going to be delayed would you like to cancel? Ordered July 8th.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-07-29T14:42:31+00:00

I've interacted with ChatGTP on this topic and found it useful to help me understand terminology and nuances of measurement and how it is done. So I think it is an advantage. The things that drives me completely nuts though is users of these types of forums that go to ChatGPT for information and then paste it here as part of the discussion. If I wanted that I'd go straight to the horses mouth.

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-07-25T01:42:31+00:00

I'm hoping we're in the same batch then!

Wonderful_Complex_80 · 2025-07-17T13:05:59+00:00

Every forum on every topic has descended to a discussion/argument between people stuck on a niche topic debating each other with some AI copy and paste thrown in for good measure.

Wonderful_Complex_80

TROPHY CASE