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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're on a tighter budget and need versatility for activities like gaming, the HyperX Cloud II would be a practical choice due to its lower cost and good functionality for various uses, including a microphone for in-game communication. However, if audio quality for music is your top priority and you're willing to invest more, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II offers superior sound fidelity, which can provide a more immersive and detailed listening experience. Remember, the Monarch Mk II is geared towards audiophiles wanting the best sound for music, but its higher price reflects this specialization. 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 HyperX Cloud II
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.7
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Gaming
8.6
6.7
The HyperX Cloud II is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.5
5.1
The HyperX Cloud II is good for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and HyperX Cloud II are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Cost
$64
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HyperX Cloud II has a price of $64 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The HyperX Cloud II has best in class build quality, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The HyperX Cloud II and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the HyperX Cloud II and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HyperX Cloud II | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$64 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HyperX | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2015 | 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 | 7.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 317.5 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Shopping
HyperX Cloud II
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Rhys McIntyre | December 2022
"My overall impression of the HyperX Cloud II gaming headset is overwhelmingly positive. In my opinion, this is one of the best mid-priced gaming headsets currently on the market.Solid sound quality, superior comfort, and a sleek, lightweight design – this headset delivers all of the important aspects that a gaming headset should."
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 HyperX Cloud II or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About HyperX
Starting originally as a high-performance and gaming line of memory modules within Kingston and later acquired by HP, HyperX is a dedicated esports and gaming division focused on developing peripherals, microphones and headsets. Providing budget-friendly, comfortable and highly functional products, HyperX has become the go-to for many gamers around the world, resulting in sales of over 20 million headsets throughout the years.
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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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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