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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality, especially for music, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II outperforms the Soundcore Space A40, and also scores higher for TV and video enjoyment. However, the A40 is designed for wireless use with features like active noise cancelling, making them a good fit for air travel and exercise, while the Monarch Mk II is wired and lacks noise cancellation, which could be limiting for active use. The A40 is more suitable for use during calls due to its integrated microphone and wireless capabilities. Consider the Monarch Mk II for the best audio fidelity, but choose A40 for convenience, portability, and a wider range of usages at a lower 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 Soundcore Space A40
- 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
7.7
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Soundcore Space A40 is good.
Gaming
4.9
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.9
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
TV and Video
5.3
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Soundcore Space A40 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
8.0 Hours
N/A
The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 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 Soundcore Space A40 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 Soundcore Space A40 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.8
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Soundcore Space A40 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Soundcore Space A40 | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Soundcore | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 8 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.8 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 32 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | 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 | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Soundcore Space A40
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
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 Soundcore Space A40 or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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