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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're mindful of your spending, JBL Tune 660NC headphones offer a lower midrange price and are a good choice, especially with features like active noise cancelling, a 42-hour battery life, and both wireless and wired options. However, they may not be the best for TV and video due to low sound quality in those areas. Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds, on the other hand, deliver best in class music quality and have excellent build quality, but are priced at the high end and lack wireless functionality. They're great for high-fidelity listening but less convenient for exercise or travel due to their larger earbud size and lack of features like noise cancelling or sweatproof certification. 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 Tune 660NC
- 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
6.1
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the JBL Tune 660NC is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.7
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Battery
42.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$50
$999
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The JBL Tune 660NC has a price of $50 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune 660NC has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The JBL Tune 660NC and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The JBL Tune 660NC and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the JBL Tune 660NC and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune 660NC | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$50 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 42 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 172 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JBL Tune 660NC
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Chase Bernath | April 2023
"The JBL Tune 660NC is the best value you can get from a set of on-ear headphones. There's no companion app so you don't get many additional features, but everything the JBL Tune 660NC sets out to do, it does well. At this price, the JBL Tune 660NC is an easy recommendation for on-ear headphone lovers"
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 Tune 660NC 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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