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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality, especially for music listening, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II significantly outperforms the Google Pixel Buds A Series with richer audio detail. However, if you need earbuds for calls and meetings, or value the convenience of wireless listening with features like sweat resistance and low-latency mode for video and gaming, the Google Pixel Buds A Series are more suitable. They also offer a better fit for exercise usage. For overall use including portability and simpler user experience, with the added benefit of being substantially cheaper, the Pixel Buds may be the better choice, unless audio fidelity is your top priority. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.4
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
6.7
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.5
5.1
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$58
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
7.4
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Google Pixel Buds A Series to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Thieaudio | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
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 Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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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