A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Moondrop Nekocake is a budget-friendly option with a stemmed design and a closed-back, offering integrated touch controls and medium isolation, suitable for everyday casual use. In contrast, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is significantly more expensive and provides a stemless design. It is praised for its sound quality due to its hybrid driver setup including balanced armature, dynamic, and electrostatic drivers, which deliver a more nuanced and detailed sound, ideal for audiophiles and critical listening. It lacks touch controls but supports balanced audio, which can appeal to users with high-end audio equipment. Moreover, the Monarch Mk II's larger size hints at potentially superior noise isolation. If cost is a primary concern, the Nekocake offers functionality at a lower price, but if you seek top-tier audio fidelity and have the additional budget, the Monarch Mk II is the exemplary choice. 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 Nekocake
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.7
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
4.6
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
6.1
5.1
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
TV and Video
5.0
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.0
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$39
$999
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Moondrop Nekocake has a price of $39 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 Nekocake has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Moondrop Nekocake are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Moondrop Nekocake and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Nekocake | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$39 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.6/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 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 | 5.4/10 | 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 | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Moondrop Nekocake
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
See more
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 Nekocake 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Moondrop Nekocake vs. Turtle Beach Recon 70
VS
Compare Moondrop Nekocake vs. Sony WH-CH520
VS
Compare Moondrop Nekocake vs. Steelseries TUSQ
VS
Compare Thieaudio Monarch Mk II vs. HifiMan Arya Stealth
VS
Compare Thieaudio Monarch Mk II vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay H95
VS
Compare Thieaudio Monarch Mk II vs. Audeze LCD 2 Classic
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,800
Recommendations made
18,570
Consumer hours saved
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.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
