Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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MUSIC: Best in Class—9.5/10
CALLS: Poor—5.1/10
GAMING: Fair—6.7/10
TV: Very Good—8.8/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Good—7.9/10
EXERCISE: Poor—4.5/10
AIR TRAVEL: Fair—6.4/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Fair—6.0/10
BUILD QUALITY: Excellent—9.0/10
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds are a high-end choice known for outstanding sound quality with a combination of balanced armature, dynamic, and electrostatic drivers that deliver a rich and detailed listening experience. They feature a closed, stemless design and come with a detachable 1.2-meter cable. Given their very good soundstage and build quality, along with excellent performance for music and video, they are well-suited for audiophiles. However, they do not have wireless capabilities and their comfort and built-in controls are rated only as good and poor, respectively, which could be significant if convenience and ease of use are priorities for you. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Exceptional overall sound quality
- Excellent build quality
- Detachable cable for convenience
- Good noise isolation capabilities
- Balanced audio with specific cables
Cons
- Poor microphone quality
- No wireless functionality
- Not sweatproof or dustproof
- Limited functionality for gaming
Ratings by Category
Music:4.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II boasts superb overall sound quality with a closed enclosure that enhances bass response and noise isolation and is wired, which allows for a high-fidelity connection free from compression artifacts common in wireless codecs. The earbuds also offer a very good soundstage and imaging, providing an engaging and spacious listening experience that is particularly well-suited for music enjoyment.
TV & Video:4.7
This score evaluates the earbuds or headphones when used to watch videos, movies and TV. In the case of wireless products, it takes into account latency - the perceived delay between the action on screen and the sounds playing in your ears. The score also considers soundstage quality, whether they have a virtual surround feature, and overall comfort.
It’s important to note that the device paired with the earbuds heavily influences their performance in regards to latency or delay.
Podcasts & Audiobooks:4.4
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Portability:4.1
The Portability score is based on an overall assessment that includes volume and maximum dimension of the product (and case, if relevant), and its weight. Special features like foldability for headphones are also taken into account.
Gaming:3.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds have a "Very Good" score for soundstage/imaging, which is crucial for accurate spatial awareness in gaming, but their microphone quality is rated "Poor," which can affect in-game communication with teammates. They are wired, eliminating latency issues, but the mic issue may detract from the gaming experience where team coordination is essential.
Air Travel:3.4
This score evaluates the product for use on airplanes and other similar kinds of travel. It takes into account noise reduction and portability, including case shape, case size, and weight. It also incorporates the battery life of the product, long-haul comfort, noise reduction (both active and passive), and sound quality. We generally consider wireless products to be more suitable for air travel.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $999 | ||
Brand | Thieaudio | ||
Release Date | October 1, 2020 | ||
Form Factor | Earbuds | ||
Connectivity | Wired | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 9.5/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 6.8/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | No | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 9/10 | ||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | ||
Size | Large | ||
Weight of single earbud | 9 Grams | ||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | ||
Shopping
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."
Comparison charts
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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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