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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers convenience with wireless charging and active noise cancellation, ideal for everyday use and travel. However, if you're an audiophile looking for the highest sound quality and don't mind the absence of features like noise cancellation or wireless charging, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II, while more expensive, provides superior audio fidelity and a more enthusiast-level listening experience. Keep in mind that the Thieaudio earbuds are wired and may not be as convenient for active or on-the-go usage compared to the wireless Samsung. Consider when and where you'll be using them to make the best choice for your needs. 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- 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
8.0
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good.
Gaming
8.3
6.7
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.0
5.1
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
TV and Video
7.7
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
4.8 Hours
N/A
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has 4.8 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$188
$999
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has a price of $188 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$188 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4.8 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.1 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 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 | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.5 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"Consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as your next pair of buds for its excellent active noise canceling (ANC) of low frequencies and comfortable fit. For Samsung users, the integration with your devices is handy and good for productivity."
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 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Samsung
Samsung is a multinational conglomerate with over 85 years of history. They are mostly known to consumers for their high-end smartphones and TVs, however they are invested in many other markets like semiconductors and automotive. Samsung owns Harman International which itself owns other audio specialized companies like Harman Kardon, JBL and AKG who help engineer most, if not all, of Samsung audio products of their Galaxy line.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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