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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're prioritizing cost and perhaps a more casual listening experience, the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick may be a suitable choice. In contrast, if you're seeking high-fidelity audio and are willing to invest more, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is likely to offer superior sound quality and detail for a more immersive listening experience. Consider how you will use them: if your primary use is for everyday activities and convenience is key, the more affordable Ear Sticks are practical, but for audiophile-quality listening or professional use, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II will serve you better despite the higher price. 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 Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.1
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
6.7
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.6
5.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$99
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has a price of $99 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | "Nothing" Brand | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.2/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 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 Stick
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
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 Stick 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
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