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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE is a great choice if you're looking for high sound quality at a lower cost, excellent noise isolation, and don't mind a snugger fit which some find less comfortable. They have a dynamic driver and a very high sound quality score. In contrast, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II offers a higher sound quality and a better soundstage, which could be more appealing if you prioritize immersive listening experiences. They also rate better for comfort and have a combination of balanced armature, dynamic, and electrostatic drivers, suggesting a potentially more detailed and nuanced sound. However, they come at a higher price. Neither have built-in microphones or controls and are not designed for exercise or heavy sweating. Both use wired connections, maximizing audio fidelity, and are suitable for quiet listening environments such as during air travel. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- The Etymotic ER2SE has no clear advantages over the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II.
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.8
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Etymotic ER2SE is very good.
TV and Video
7.8
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Cost
$100
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.2
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Etymotic ER2SE are both only fair for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
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 Etymotic ER2SE or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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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.
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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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