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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Moondrop Chu offers great overall sound quality for a budget price, making them an excellent value if you prioritize good audio without spending a lot. They have built-in in-line microphone, which is handy for calls. However, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II, while significantly more expensive, has superior sound quality and soundstage, which can be important for an audiophile seeking the best listening experience. They do not have a microphone, so they're not ideal for calls or meetings. Both models are wired and have similar comfort and build quality, but they are not suitable for exercise due to their design and lack of sweat resistance. 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 Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.9
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Gaming
8.0
6.7
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.8
5.1
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
TV and Video
7.5
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Cost
$134
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Moondrop Chu has a price of $134 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 Moondrop Chu has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Moondrop Chu are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The Moondrop Chu and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Moondrop Chu and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Chu | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$134 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 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 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Shopping
Moondrop Chu
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
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 Moondrop Chu or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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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