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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is an over-ear, closed-back headphone known for good sound quality and durability at a lower price, making it budget-friendly. It's versatile for everyday use but might not block out all noise since passive noise isolation is limited without active noise cancellation. On the other hand, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is a high-end set of earbuds with multiple driver technologies, offering likely superior sound quality, especially detailed treble, due to its combination of balanced armature, dynamic, and electrostatic drivers. However, it's significantly more expensive and may need additional cables for balanced audio, which increases the cost further. Consider the Monarch Mk II if audio fidelity is your top priority and budget is less of a concern, or choose the M40X for good overall performance at a more accessible price. 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 M40X
- Good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Cost
$99
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.0
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audio Technica ATH M40X to be good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
TV and Video
8.7
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $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 | 8.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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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 M40X 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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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