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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize staying aware of your surroundings and comfortable, lightweight wear, the Shokz OpenMove with bone conduction technology allows you to keep your ears open. However, for audiophiles seeking top-tier sound quality with deep bass and detailed high frequencies, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II offers superior audio performance suitable for critical listening but at a higher price point. The Shokz OpenMove is more suited for sports and outdoor activities given its secure fit and sweat resistance, whereas the Monarch Mk II is tailored for studio-like listening where isolation from external noises is preferred. If you are on a budget and need something for casual, everyday use where ambient sound is important, the OpenMove is an excellent choice, but if sound quality is paramount and you are willing to invest more, the Monarch Mk II is the superior option. 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 Shokz OpenMove
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
4.8
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Gaming
4.9
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8
5.1
The Shokz OpenMove is good 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 Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Shokz OpenMove has 6 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$80
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Shokz OpenMove has a price of $80 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 Shokz OpenMove has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Shokz OpenMove are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Shokz OpenMove and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Shokz OpenMove | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Shokz | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 4.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.1/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 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 | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
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 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 29 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Shokz OpenMove
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Shokz OpenMove are a bit more affordable than the company's other bone conduction headphones, making them a more appealing option for athletes on a budget. These headphones support premium features like multipoint connectivity and a durable build, but you lose other niceties like fast charging and a long battery life. Still, for less than $80, these are nice bone conduction headphones that will keep you safe when exercising."
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 Shokz OpenMove 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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