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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The KZ ZSN Pro with Mic is a budget-friendly option with a microphone for calls, suitable for those who need an affordable earbud with versatile functionality. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II, significantly more expensive, offers a higher level of audio fidelity with components like balanced armature, dynamic, and electrostatic drivers that cater to audiophiles seeking top-notch sound quality. Neither is suitable for activities requiring low latency, such as gaming. If phone call capability and value for money are priorities, go for the KZ ZSN Pro; if sound excellence is your main concern and you are willing to invest more, pick the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II. 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 KZ ZSN 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
7.7
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
Gaming
8.0
6.7
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.9
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
Cost
$24
$999
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has a price of $24 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$24 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | KZ | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.5/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 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) | 7 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Shopping
KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
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 KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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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Why trust us
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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