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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for wireless convenience and active noise cancelling for travel or noisy environments, the Soundcore Space Q45 might be better suited for you, and they're more affordable. They also have a much longer battery life, which is beneficial for extended use without the need to recharge. However, if sound quality is your top priority and you prefer earbuds over headphones, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II delivers superior audio performance, albeit at a higher price. Note that the Monarch Mk II lacks wireless capability and active noise cancelling, but they come with different driver types for detailed sound reproduction. 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 Q45
- Excellent 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
7.1
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is good.
Gaming
5.4
6.7
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.9
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.7
6.0
The Soundcore Space Q45 is very good for noise reduction, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Battery
41.0 Hours
N/A
The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life. The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II does not have a battery.
Cost
$130
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Soundcore Space Q45 has a price of $130 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 Q45 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.1
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II and Soundcore Space Q45 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Soundcore Space Q45 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Soundcore Space Q45 | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$130 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Soundcore | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.8 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
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 | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Soundcore Space Q45
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Sound Guys
Riley Ballantyne | June 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
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 Q45 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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