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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Arya Stealth headphones and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds both cater to high-end audio experiences. If you prefer open-back headphones for a more spacious soundstage and own or are willing to invest in a dedicated amplifier to get the best performance out of them, the HifiMan Arya Stealth might be ideal for you. However, if you are looking for versatile in-ear monitors that are easier to carry around and don't require an amplifier, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II would be more suitable, although they come at a slightly higher price point than the Arya Stealth. Additionally, the Arya Stealth's open-back design may not be as suitable for noisy environments compared to the Monarch Mk II's closed design. 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 HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Arya Stealth.
Key differences
Music
10.0
9.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both best in class for music, though the HifiMan Arya Stealth is somewhat better.
TV and Video
9.4
8.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Cost
$649
$999
$300
$320
$340
$360
$380
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $649 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.1
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to be good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$649 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
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 HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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