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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the Koss Porta Pro with a mic and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II, consider your preferences and use cases. The Koss Porta Pro is more budget-friendly, and the included microphone makes it suitable for hands-free calls and online meetings. They are lightweight and have a retro design that's comfortable for long listening sessions. On the other hand, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is a premium product with superior sound quality ideal for audiophiles. If critical listening is your priority and you're okay with a higher price, the Monarch Mk II could better satisfy your needs. However, these earbuds may not have a microphone, which could be a drawback if you need to communicate frequently. Consider the Koss for cost-effective, versatile use, and the Monarch Mk II for high-fidelity music enjoyment without the need for a built-in microphone. 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 Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
- Very good for gaming
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
8.2
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good.
Gaming
8.2
6.7
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.1
5.1
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is poor.
Cost
$60
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has a price of $60 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
6.0
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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How the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro (with mic) | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones.com
Sebastian Taboada | February 2022
"It’s clear to see why these have been such a popular choice amongst listeners for nearly four decades. It’s a charming pair of headphones that delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience and one that I think punches well above its weight."
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 Koss Porta Pro (with mic) or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Koss
Koss is an American headphone manufacturer established in 1953. In 1958, they created the first set of stereophones, that is headphones with stereo sound, and in 1984 they released the world-famous Porta Pro, a set of on-ear headphones that has remained essentially unchanged for more than 30 years and that is still made, sold and loved by many audio enthusiasts around the world today.
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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