ThieAudio Monarch MKII IEM

I happen to be one the few people who owned the Monarch MK3. But recently I came across Crinacle’s review of the MK3 where he mentioned that he’d still prefer the MK2 over the MK3.
So it got me thinking about what did I miss and so I ordered the MK2 as well. And ever since it has reached my hands, I’ve been unable to put it down. The timbre of the MK2 is better that the MK3 and because of the lower bass, subjectively at least to me, it sounds more natural. Tonality is definitely superior to the MK3 but it’s not a day at night difference. I still do enjoy my
MK3 for R&B, Hip-hop kind of music, but every time I have to listen to something classic, I’d rather pick up the MK2 because the timbre is so correct and beautiful.

Build Quality and Design

The Monarch MK2 stands as a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. Its resin construction feels both substantial and refined. My piece features textured gold on the faceplate, emphasizing functionality over flashiness. In an era where aesthetics often overshadow true merit, the Monarch MK2’s practical design is a welcome change.

Comfort and Fit

The fit of the Monarch MK2 can be challenging for those with smaller ears. Initially, my left ear struggled with discomfort. However, I am of a generation accustomed to enduring initial pain for lasting comfort, much like old shoe bites. Within a month, my ear adapted, bruised, and healed, allowing me to wear them comfortably for hours on end. This willingness to endure discomfort speaks to my affection for these IEMs.

Sound Quality

Overall Sound Signature:
The Monarch MK2 is remarkably well-balanced, providing a perfect blend of bass, mids, and treble. They accurately represent the mix, making stellar recordings shine while rendering even poor mixes more listenable.

My signal chain is straightforward: Audirvana Studio (Tidal and local lossless and hi-res FLAC) -> RME Babyface Pro -> Optical input of a Mojo2 -> Monarch MK2.

Bass:
The bass is adequately textured with a fantastic presence. Sub-bass is full and satisfying, while mid-bass delivers tight, fast punches with remarkable clarity. The Mojo2 enhances the bass, making it well-layered and distinct. Contrary to some reviews, I found the bass separation excellent, reflecting the mix accurately without spilling into the lower mids. The bass has superb natural timbre, with fast transients and articulate heft.

Mids:
The mids are the highlight of the Monarch MK2. Vocals and instruments sound stunningly realistic, each note resolving with breathtaking accuracy. The timbre is the most lifelike I have encountered. Using my Moon Audio Dawn Pro, Nat King Cole’s “L.O.V.E” revealed an abundance of vocal detail and fullness with the Mojo2, showcasing the Monarch MK2’s scalability. These IEMs, hailed as the king of mids at any price, make Diana Krall’s voice feel present and thrilling. Whether it’s Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Stratocaster or Steve Vai’s tender “Surrender,” the Monarch MK2 captures the essence of each instrument with fidelity.

Treble:
The treble was a deciding factor in choosing the Monarch MK2 over the MK3. As a drummer, I crave the authentic timbre of cymbals and snares, and the Monarch MK2 delivers. Each ride and splash carries a heft that feels accurate, making Keith Carlock’s performances a learning experience. Despite their detailed treble, these IEMs avoid harshness or sibilance, even in poorly recorded tracks.

Performance with Different Genres:
The Monarch MK2 excels across genres, a rare feat due to its balanced nature. Thie Audio has truly struck gold with this creation. I revel in natural music—electric guitars, organs, and other mic’d instruments sound superb. While I don’t listen to EDM or similar genres, the Monarch MK2 performs exceptionally well with classical, rock, metal, and jazz. The soundstage, while not expansive, is deep and rich with detail. Each silence brims with resolving information, the details astonishing with the Mojo2. Imaging is precise, offering sharp clarity and depth.

Accessories and Packaging

The provided accessories are more than adequate. The silicone ear tips included are of good quality, though I found the AZLA SednaEarfit Crystal Standard tips to offer a better fit and build. The cable, with its vintage aesthetic and cloth texture, is functional and covers all plugs save for a 6.5mm one. The case, though pedestrian, reflects Thie Audio’s focus on investing in the IEMs themselves rather than extras—a philosophy I appreciate.

Value for Money

The Monarch MK2 offers exceptional value for its price. After extensive research on head-fi.org, I concluded that no IEM above this price point matches the Monarch MK2’s balance of bass, mids, and treble, combined with perfect tuning and timbre. Though some may find this balance mundane, it is precisely this equilibrium that sets the Monarch MK2 apart, making it an exceptional value at any price.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

The Thie Audio Monarch MK2 IEMs exceeded my expectations. Their remarkable balance, timbre, and tonality make them a must-have for audiophiles. Should fate befall them, I would replace them without hesitation. For anyone considering IEMs in this price range, the Monarch MK2 is an obvious choice over the MK3 and other competitors. These IEMs deliver an unparalleled music experience that doesn’t require any additional enhancements ;)

In the end, the Monarch MK2 offers a journey through sound so profound that it leaves one in awe, craving for nothing more than to bask in its pure, unadulterated musical beauty.

Any song will play effortlessly. Mids are clear and treble is also good, Bass is good.

I connected it with questyle m15 bang on.

Just the right amount of treble...extra clear mids(u can hear each n every instrument...it is a detail expert)...and right amount of boosted bass to make it enjoyable !!! Does justice to all fenres of music. Using it with fiio KA5 which just gives it a wider soundstage and textured bass...makes it better than with ibasso dc06 which is more clearer...but very close n intimate which i dont prefer. Using it with spinfit w1 which gives better fit and comfort... as the stock tip are quite stiff causing discomfort. Love the monarch mk 2 :D

This is probably the best iem I’ve ever heard
20 hours of burn in will open up the drivers,
The sound is neutral, feels airy, I’m totally happy with the purchase .
Thanks to Pritham for suggesting me this gem🙏

This IEM will stay with me for a very long time. Superb for daily listening and also an excellent refrence point for premium IEM's.

I have been using these daily (5+ hours) for more than a week now. It took me a few days to truly realize what a marvel these Monarch MKIIs are! Read on.
My setup includes using these on my laptop via my iFi Audio - ZEN DAC V2 and iFi Audio - ZEN CAN Signature HFM (Amp) via the 4.4 balanced output as well as on the Quedlix 5k DAC-Amp via the 2.5 balanced output. Source: Apple Music, Youtube Music (Premium).
You can run through these excellent test tracks to examine various aspects of your headphones/IEMs and trust me, you will see your equipment’s capabilities in a new (and hopefully good) light after that. https://www.whathifi.com/features/10-best-tracks-to-test-your-headphones OR https://hifigo.com/blogs/guide/7-best-tracks-to-test-your-headphones-and-in-ear-monitors-i. Btw, I think the Monarch MKIIs slayed all these tracks and it was difficult for me to fault it anywhere. You can of course find faults if you search hard enough but then as a consumer, you listen to music for enjoyment and not to look so hard for faults (with a microscope).
An important observation- for me, the Monarch MKII’s sound quality improved a lot after 2-4 days of usage (daily 5+ hours). Everything became more pronounced, tighter, clearer, separated, and airier. The in-ear fit also improved for me as the days passed. I am using the ‘S’ foam tips. I also note that if you’re using these IEMs over Bluetooth, LDAC is your best bet for exploiting the full potential. The iPhone's AAC is just not good enough over Bluetooth.
Physical aspects: As my first flagship IEM, I initially found the size to be a little bigger than usual. I was not used to this category and type of IEMs before. However, after use, I see that it sits fine in my medium-sized ears offering long (3+) hours of listening sessions with comfort. The passive sound isolation is also very good with low (20-25%) volume music being enough to mask any sounds that still trickle in, including human voices. The build quality is superb, and the cable is something you must see and touch to understand! Basically, one can carry around and use this with confidence. No flimsy or delicate parts, wires, jacks, or joints on this one. The case is also spacious, well-built, and on the larger side. Do note that the IEMs themselves are very delicate and handle them with care when picking them off or placing them on tables and other hard surfaces.
Sound Quality: The sound quality is very impressive! Many times, it's as if it has almost entered open-back headphone territory (I own the Hifiman Ananda too). All this coming in such a small, pocket-friendly, and portable package is mind-blowing! You cannot carry a full-sized open-back headphone during travel. But carrying this IEM is surely an option and it helps to get sound quality so much closer to open backs.
The sound is not overly analytical/critical or flat. It has the right tuning to give a fun but natural sound. It’s the kind I can listen to for hours. The bass is hefty and good, but never overpowering. Mids. are well-presented and very visible when they must be (vocally intense songs). Treble and clarity too are very nicely presented, but never harsh or sibilant. Layering and separation are also very good - complex tracks with busy passages having excessive multiple instruments playing simultaneously are delivered well. The soundstage is average though – it is more of a ‘most sounds coming from the left & right at shoulder width’ case. In some tracks, you will feel the base at the jaw while the treble is a little higher. But it’s never the kind of soundstage that will make you look at the door when you hear a knock in the music/movie. The sounds keep around (mostly left-right) and close to your head.
Additional observations- the Monarch pairs exceptionally well with the Quedelix 5k DAC-Amp. The sound is at another level! This works so good for a portable setup in the house as well as while traveling.
One more thing- make sure you talk to Pritam from TAS once before you finalize your purchase. Explain your music preferences, likes, and dislikes to him. He is knowledgeable and hence guides the purchases very well.

This is really good IEM. Very sturdy IEM. Little more bass for my taste. Clean mids. God spacious sound stage. However I find Fiio FD7 much more dynamic, with right amount of bass, more cleaner, holographic imaging and good soundstage. This could be just personal choice.