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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Audio Technica ATH M30X may suit your needs for casual listening and studio monitoring with a decent sound quality. However, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II, while more expensive, offers superior sound quality with more detailed and nuanced audio, which could greatly enhance your listening experience if you're an audiophile or a professional who requires high-fidelity sound for work. Additionally, the Monarch Mk II may come with features such as detachable cables or a more premium build quality compared to the ATH M30X. Remember that investing in the Monarch Mk II means committing to a higher price point for potentially significant gains in audio performance and build quality. 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 Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Cost
$89
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.6
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both only fair for gaming.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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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 Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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