Discover ThieAudio GHOST. A full-size headphones from a well-known IEM brand.

This is my comprehensive review of the ThieAudio Ghost, a full-size open-back headphone from the company.

ThieAudio Ghost is a new dynamic open back headphone from the company. It features a 40 mm Sapphire dynamic driver, with a diaphragm made out of ceramic-metal composite, balanced turning, and a de-attachable ribbon cable.

Disclaimer: I am not paid to make this review or offer any specific opinions about this product, and all thoughts expressed in this review are solely my own.

The headphones arrive in a large stylish black box with a sleeve. There is a branding, model name and headphones picture on the front of the sleeve while the list of technical specifications are on the side of the box.

In the box we have

• ThieAudio GHOST headphones
• 1.5m long de-detachable ribbon cable
• 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter
• Carrying case
• and a user manual

Impedance of Ghost is 60 Ω and the sensitivity is 91 dB. The headphones weight 270 g without a cable.

Design and Build

Immediately after unboxing I noticed that Ghost looks like a combination of certain models from Shure and Sennheiser and I think those familiar with the product lines can easily spot the similarity.

The outer part of the headband is made from steel spring and it’s covered with memory foam which is wrapped in a soft pleather. The padding is okay, but from my experience soft pleather tends to peel off quite fast, so only time will tell how long it will last on this pair.

There are also two plastic inserts on both sides of the headband with a branding and channel indication. The clamping force is slightly above average, and it provides a good fit and seal. The yokes that attach the headband to the cups are made from metal which is good.

To adjust the headband, you simply move each yoke along the steel part of the headband up or down. The mechanism works well, but has no click. The ear cups don’t swivel horizontally at all and vertically; they swivel about 15 degrees inside, which results in a limited fitting position.

There are also small rubberized platforms on the both metal yokes, that prevent ear cups plastic from hitting the yokes. The ear cups are made from hard plastic. The outer part of the ear cups is covered with a metal grill, hence making this design a full open-back.  There is also a golden ring bordering the grills on both sides which in my opinion is unnecessary detail.

On the bottom part of each ear cup there is a 3.5 mm connector socket. The headphones come with velour memory foam ear pads and they have an oval shape. The ear pads are 110 mm in height and 85 mm across. The opening of the ear pad is 65 mm in height and 45 mm across. The depth of the earpad is 25 mm. The ear pads are soft and comfortable but the velour quality in my opinion is lacking and I found them irritating my ears a bit during long listening sessions.

The cups host 40 mm drivers which are protected with foam filters. Overall the build quality is good, and the only two things that can be improved in my opinion are earpads quality and a headband soft pleather that could be replaced with a more dense one.

Fit and comfort

Weighing a mere 270g without the cable, the ThieAudio Ghost provides a lightweight and comfortable fit. The ear pads are spacious enough to accommodate large ears, enhancing the overall comfort level. However, individuals with larger heads may find the above-average clamping force and fit to be a concern.

The velour memory foam ear pads, although soft and comfortable, exhibit a quality that leaves room for improvement. During extended listening sessions, I found them slightly irritating, a drawback that may require some getting used to.

Cable

The included 1.5-meter de-attachable 4-core ribbon cable features a straight 3.5mm TRS connector on one end and two 3.5 TRS connectors on the other. The connectors fit snugly into the ear cup sockets and provide a satisfying click upon connection. While not the best in its class, the cable performs well, with its lightweight design and low microphonics. Moreover, its aesthetic appeal adds to the overall positive experience.

Please note that all the sound impressions I’m sharing on this channel are completely subjective, so please take them with a grain of salt. 

Ghost offers a smooth and laid-back sound presentation with a balanced tuning, warm bass, organic tonality, and slightly recessed treble.

Bass

The bass response on the ThieAudio Ghost is warm and characterized by gentle punch. While it begins to roll off around 80Hz, the mid-bass takes center stage, showcasing more impact and note weight. Surprisingly, complex and fast recordings remain clear, avoiding muddiness. Some recordings may exhibit additional warmth in this region, which could be a matter of personal preference.

Midrange

The midrange on the ThieAudio Ghost is lush, linear, and relaxed. Vocals and instruments sound warm and full, although they are not particularly forward. There is a slight bass bleed into the mid-range, but overall, the midrange remains uncluttered and well-defined. The upper mid-range share the same relaxed character as the lower mid-range, which may be a point of contention for those who prefer more energy and definition in this range. Nevertheless, the vocals, whether male or female, are rich and have good resolution.

Treble

The treble on the ThieAudio Ghost is subtly recessed, delivering a smooth and relaxed presentation. While it lacks sparkle, air, and energy, this tuning appeals to individuals sensitive to treble. However, for those seeking extensive technical performance and detail retrieval, other options may be more suitable. The overall smoothness with a hint of darkness makes it a comfortable choice for extended listening sessions.

Sound stage, imaging, and details

The soundstage of the ThieAudio Ghost is of average size, with a wider than deep presentation that benefits from its open-back design. The sense of distance is conveyed well, and the imaging accurately places instruments. Although details and micro details retrieval are only average, the layering remains satisfactory, although instrument separation is affected by the warm nature of the headphones.

Conclusions

ThieAudio Ghost is a pair of well tuned, quite affordable pair of open-back headphones for relaxed music listening and it stands out in their price range with their laid-back tuning.

Pros

• Solid build and a good fit
• Smooth and laid-back sound presentation
• Lush and relaxed mid-range
• Good stock carrying case
• Great performance per dollar ratio

Cons

• Velour ear pads are not the best quality
• Tight clamping force out of the box
• Bass quantity can be a deal breaker for some people
• The treble is a very relaxed and lacks sparkle
• And the headphones are hard to drive and are source dependent

It’s obvious that ThieAudio put a lot of their knowledge into making the ThieAudio Ghost. As a result it’s a good all-rounder pair of headphones with a laid-back tuning, good build & comfort.

While It’s not capable of providing a great technical performance, it’s a well rounded and safe pair of headphones that I can recommend to anyone looking to buy their first pair of open-backs, especially if you are looking for warm laid-back tonality, relaxed sound presentation, linear midrange and soft treble.

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