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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and frequent phone calls, the Sony WF1000XM3 with its good mic quality, portability, and active noise cancelling, at a midrange price, can be a solid choice. In contrast, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II delivers superior overall sound quality and is more suited for critical listening and TV, but is often significantly more expensive, wired, and lacks a microphone for calls, which makes them less versatile for daily use or travel. Consider your primary use case and budget when making your decision. 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 WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- 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
7.5
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is good.
Gaming
5.6
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.2
5.1
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.7
7.9
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good.
TV and Video
5.7
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$180
$999
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sony WF1000XM3 has a price of $180 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II both have excellent build quality.
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How the Sony WF1000XM3 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM3 | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$180 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2019 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 9 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
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 Sony WF1000XM3 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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