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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience, battery life, and features like active noise cancelling for everyday use and exercise, the JBL Live Beam 3 is better suited for you. They are also versatile with a smart charging case, wireless charging option, and are sweatproof. However, if you prefer the absolute best sound quality for music and are willing to manage a wired connection with a detachable cable, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II may be the choice for you; though they lack the modern wireless functionality and are not optimized for workouts or travel due to their inferior isolation and portability. Keep in mind, the JBLs cost less, so if budget is a consideration, they may provide a better value for a wider range of activities. 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 JBL Live Beam 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is good.
Gaming
5.4
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
12.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$216
$999
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JBL Live Beam 3 has a price of $216 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.1
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both poor for phone calls.
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How the JBL Live Beam 3 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Beam 3 | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$216 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2024 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 12 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.8 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
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 JBL Live Beam 3 or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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