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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prefer high-quality sound for serious music listening, Thieaudio Monarch Mk II's superior overall sound quality would be more satisfying. However, they lack wireless capabilities, require a wire, and offer less convenience for use during exercise compared to the 'Nothing' Brand Ear (2), which is wireless with a feature set optimized for both Android and Apple devices, includes touch controls, active noise canceling, and is more suitable for a variety of activities like calls, meetings, and sports. Also, the Nothing Ear (2) is lighter and offers better portability. Keep in mind, the 'Nothing' Brand Ear (2) is less expensive, making it a more cost-effective choice for general use, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is typically pricier, primarily focusing on audio fidelity. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- 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
Key differences
Music
7.0
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
8.5
6.7
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.9
5.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.1
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good.
TV and Video
8.0
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both very good for TV and video, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.0
6.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
6.7 Hours
N/A
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$149
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has a price of $149 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | "Nothing" Brand | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.7 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3. | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8/10 | 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 | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.4 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) 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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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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