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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience, app-based customization, active noise cancelling, and a stem design that supports AAC and AptX Adaptive codecs for low latency, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX would be a suitable choice; they're also sweatproof, making them great for exercise and travel. However, if you seek the highest sound quality for music with a wired connection and don't mind lack of built-in controls, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II excels in this area, also offering unique drivers including BA, dynamic, and electrostatic; note they have a more limited use case, being less suited for calls, gaming, and portable use due to no wireless option and no active noise cancelling. Consider the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II if your primary focus is on superior audio fidelity in a quiet environment. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.9
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is good.
Gaming
9.3
6.7
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$999
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
5.1
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
8.9
8.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 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 | 22 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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