http://www.maxxis.com/other-bicycle-information/bicycle-technology/compounds
Maxxis explaining it
3c are 3 compounds in one tyre
<span style=”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; font-family: Geogrotesque-Semibold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #666666; font-size: 16px;”>3C TRIPLE COMPOUND MOUNTAIN</span><br style=”box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Geogrotesque-Regular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;” /><span style=”color: #666666; font-family: Geogrotesque-Regular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;”>Maxxis 3C Triple Compound mountain technology uses a harder, longer lasting base layer and two progressively softer top layers in order to optimize traction and stability. Maxxis offers three different configurations of our 3C Triple Compound mountain technology: Maxx Speed, Maxx Terra and Maxx Grip.</span>
So a bit more than just which is softer, I’d guess looking at the stats it’s the same stuff on the outside just different under it