A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value convenience and versatility, the Apple AirPods Pro are a great choice, offering active noise cancellation, a portable charging case, and seamless integration with Apple devices, which is perfect for everyday use, especially if you're on the go. However, if you're an audiophile looking for the highest sound quality and are willing to invest more, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds provide superior audio with detailed highs and deep, controlled bass, making them ideal for critical listening, but they lack the wireless convenience and extra features like noise cancellation that the AirPods Pro offer. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.4
5.1
The Apple Airpods Pro is good for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$260
$999
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Pro to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Pro and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple Airpods Pro and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Audiophile On
Audiophile On | August 2021
"No other earphone I have listened to in the past 12 months has given me as much joy as the Thieaduio Monarch MKII. One of those IEMs will make you question where we can go from here. The sound is jaw-dropping, leaving you wanting more and more. It makes you want to run through your entire music library and reevaluate. It makes you not feel bad about paying full price for them, especially in a hobby where buyers' remorse is genuine. For me, it's top tier, rivaled by a few but not surpassed."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Thieaudio
Thieaudio is the in-house brand of Linsoul Audio, a Chinese earbud and headphone retailer specializing in what the community lovingly calls Chi-fi, that is high fidelity brands out of China. Thieaudio was established in 2019 as the creative engineering branch of Linsoul. As of today, they market three different lines of earbuds, Voyager, Legacy and the extremely well-received Monarch.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple Airpods Pro vs. Bose Quiet Comfort 45
VS
Compare Apple Airpods Pro vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare Apple Airpods Pro vs. Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
VS
Compare Thieaudio Monarch Mk II vs. HifiMan Arya Stealth
VS
Compare Thieaudio Monarch Mk II vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay H95
VS
Compare Thieaudio Monarch Mk II vs. Audeze LCD 2 Classic
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
124,100
Recommendations made
18,615
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
