A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and need earbuds primarily for TV and video, the Sony MDREX15AP will serve you well with excellent performance in that area and good comfort, plus they are very portable. However, if sound quality, especially for music, is your top priority and you don't mind spending more, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II offers best-in-class audio with a superior soundstage. Neither are the best for calls, meetings, or exercise, and both lack wireless capabilities and active noise cancelling. The Monarch Mk II has a detachable cable and more advanced driver types, which may contribute to its high-end sound experience. 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 MDREX15AP
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Sony MDREX15AP is very good.
Phone Calls
3.5
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.0
The Sony MDREX15AP is good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Cost
$20
$999
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Sony MDREX15AP has a price of $20 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.7
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
9.3
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony MDREX15AP to be excellent for TV and video, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good.
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How the Sony MDREX15AP and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDREX15AP | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2014 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.6/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 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) | 3.1 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sony MDREX15AP
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Dig into reviews and images
Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
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 MDREX15AP 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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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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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