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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony Linkbuds are an open-back, stemless design providing a unique fit and the ability for ambient sound to pass through, making them suitable for outdoor activities. They're wireless, offer app customization, and are sweatproof, which makes them convenient for exercise. They have a moderate battery life and support features like ear/head-detection, wireless charging, and virtual surround. On the other hand, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds, more expensive, offer a high sound quality with a closed-back design that's ideal for immersive listening and good for noise isolation, but they lack wireless capability and active noise canceling. If you prioritize higher sound quality and isolation in a wired form over the convenience of wireless features and cost, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II could be the better choice. Otherwise, the Sony Linkbuds offer a versatile wireless experience at a more accessible price point. 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 Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.6
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
6.8
5.1
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$178
$999
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sony Linkbuds has a price of $178 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Sony Linkbuds are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.3
9.0
The Sony Linkbuds and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the Sony Linkbuds and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony Linkbuds | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | 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 | 6.7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 17.5 | 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 | Yes | 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 | 9.3/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 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
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
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 Sony Linkbuds or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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