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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Skullcandy Dime 2 are budget-friendly, compact, and suitable for casual listening or gym use due to their wireless convenience and durable design. However, they may not offer the best sound quality or noise isolation. On the other hand, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are high-end in-ear monitors offering superior audio fidelity and soundstage, ideal for audiophiles or professional use. They are likely to be more comfortable for extended listening and provide better noise isolation, but are more expensive and may require a wired connection or a separate DAC/amplifier to realize their full potential. Consider the Skullcandy for affordability and convenience, or the Thieaudio for top-tier sound quality at a 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 Skullcandy Dime 2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.0
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
Gaming
4.7
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.2
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.1
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
6.0
The Skullcandy Dime 2 and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Skullcandy Dime 2 is somewhat better.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$30
$999
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Skullcandy Dime 2 has a price of $30 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 Skullcandy Dime 2 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.8
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for phone calls.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Skullcandy Dime 2 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Skullcandy Dime 2 | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Skullcandy | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.8/10 | 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 | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 8.5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 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 | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.5 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Skullcandy Dime 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2022
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
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 Skullcandy Dime 2 or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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