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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more expansive and natural soundstage, the HifiMan Sundara headphones would be a better choice with their open-back design and strength in delivering an immersive audio experience, especially for music listening at home. However, they're larger and not as travel-friendly as earbuds, and they lack noise isolation due to their open-back nature. On the other hand, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds offer excellent overall sound quality with better noise isolation, making them suitable for noisier environments and travel. They are also more versatile, usable during exercise, and come with a variety of fit options. Their closed design, however, does not provide the same open soundstage as the HifiMan Sundara. If price is a significant factor, remember that the Sundara comes at a significantly lower cost, which could make them a more valuable choice if you primarily listen to music in quiet environments. 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 Sundara
- Good for gaming
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
Key differences
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Cost
$279
$999
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
9.3
9.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Thieaudio Monarch Mk II to be best in class for music, while the HifiMan Sundara is excellent.
Gaming
7.2
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Sundara to be good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and HifiMan Sundara are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
8.8
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and HifiMan Sundara are both very good for TV and video.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 8.2/10 | 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) | 394.6 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
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 Sundara 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.
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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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