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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for earbuds that are more affordable, provide wireless convenience, and are suitable for a variety of activities including exercise, phone calls, and casual gaming, the JBL Tune Flex would be a good choice. They also offer active noise cancelling and are optimized for use with both Android and Apple devices, with added features like an app equalizer and touch controls. On the other hand, if you prioritize the highest sound quality for music and are willing to pay more for a premium listening experience, especially with wired audio, then the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II could be the right pick. However, the Thieaudio earbuds lack wireless features and aren't suited for exercise or travel due to their large size and poor portability. They also don't provide active noise cancelling or app-based customization. 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 Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Gaming
8.5
6.7
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.3
5.1
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
7.9
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good.
TV and Video
7.8
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Noise Reduction
6.5
6.0
The JBL Tune Flex and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for noise reduction, though the JBL Tune Flex is somewhat better.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The JBL Tune Flex has a price of $60 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 Tune Flex has very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune Flex and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Flex | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.3/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.1/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 9 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
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 Flex 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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