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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is noted for its superior overall sound quality and larger soundstage, providing an immersive experience, and it scores slightly higher in comfort. These features make it well suited for critical listening and enjoying a wide variety of music genres. However, both the Etymotic ER4XR and the Thieaudio are not wireless, do not support active noise cancelling, and don't have built-in controls or mics, which means they are not the best options for calls or exercise scenarios. Given that the Etymotic is significantly less expensive, it offers strong noise isolation and build quality, making it a cost-effective choice for focused listening in quieter environments, but with lower overall sound quality. The Monarch Mk II, while more expensive, might be preferable for its sound quality and comfort if budget is not the primary concern. 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 ER4XR
- The Etymotic ER4XR 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
8.0
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Etymotic ER4XR is very good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.4
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Cost
$234
$999
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 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 ER4XR are both only fair for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 ER4XR 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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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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