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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 provides wireless convenience and features like active noise cancelling, sweatproof certification, and aptX low latency, making them suitable for everyday use and exercise. They have an integrated mic of good quality, making them handy for calls. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II, while significantly more expensive, offers superior overall sound quality, which might be better for critical listening and a more immersive music experience, yet they lack wireless capacity and active noise cancelling. If budget is a concern and you value features over ultimate sound quality, the PI7 could be your choice. Conversely, if sound quality is paramount and price less so, the Monarch Mk II is a commendable option. 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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- Very good for gaming
- Very 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
6.8
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
6.7
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$999
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Thieaudio Monarch Mk II to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | 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 | 5.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 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 | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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