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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex are open-back headphones which generally offer a wider soundstage, making them better for an immersive experience in quiet environments, but they leak sound and don't isolate well from ambient noise. Conversely, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are closed-back earbuds with a sound that is more isolated from your environment and leak less sound, making them suitable for use in noisier settings. Note that the headphones are more likely to provide a more comfortable fit for long listening sessions due to their over-ear design, but earbuds offer more portability. If connectivity is a concern, both lack Bluetooth. If you value sound personalization, the Monarch Mk II allows for balanced audio with the purchase of separate cables, enhancing the sound quality for audiophiles. Consider how and where you'll primarily use them to decide between these two premium options. 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 Focal Elex
- The Focal Elex has no clear advantages over the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II.
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
Key differences
Music
7.7
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.3
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Focal Elex are both very good for TV and video, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Cost
$749
$999
$350
$360
$370
$380
$390
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.9
6.7
The Focal Elex and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for gaming.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Elex
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Dig into reviews and images
Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
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 Focal Elex or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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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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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