TAS Commitment
Description
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.
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you're enjoying the ThieAudio Monarch MKII IEM. We also appreciate your insights on the comparison between the MK3 and MK2. We're glad to know that the MK2's timbre and tonality have exceeded your expectations. We hope you continue to enjoy your listening experience with us.
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.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed and helpful review of the ThieAudio Monarch MKII IEM. We truly appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear that you are enjoying the product. We take great pride in the craftsmanship and design of our IEMs, and we are glad to hear that it has met your expectations.
We apologize for the initial discomfort you experienced with the fit, but we are happy to hear that it has improved over time. As you mentioned, sometimes it takes a little time to adjust to new earbuds, but we are glad that you found them comfortable after some time.
It's wonderful to hear that the Monarch MK2 provides a well-balanced sound signature and accurately represents the mix. We are thrilled that you are enjoying the bass, mids, and treble, and that you find the mids to be the highlight of the product. Thank you again for your review, and we hope you continue to enjoy your Monarch MK2 IEMs.
Any song will play effortlessly. Mids are clear and treble is also good, Bass is good.
I connected it with questyle m15 bang on.
Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear that you are enjoying the ThieAudio Monarch MKII IEM's all-around performance, with clear mids, good treble, and strong bass. It's great to know that you have also found a perfect match with the Questyle M15. Happy listening!
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
Wow, thank you for your great review of the Thie Audio Monarch MKII IEM! We're glad to hear that you're happy with the sound quality of the IEMS and that they tune perfectly to your personal preferences. We think that they're great for all types of music - from classical to metal - and would be happy to hear your thoughts on other genres too!
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Awesome Product!
Absolutely bang for the buck. Best beginner IEM under 2000 Rs and I am not even kidding or exaggerating.
This is my second KZ EDC pro set actually. I ordered it for my brother because I like it a lot. If you want for gaming or on limited budget, definitely buy it. It can be driven buy any normal 3.5mm device, but buy a dongle DAC if you can it will enhance your experience with cleaner sound.
Read the detailed review below.
The tuning is lot balanced with slight V shape is how everyone describes it. So far from friends, I got to try Moondrop chu II, Tangzu Wan'er SG 2, Blon bl03 I, KZ ZSN pro X and KZ EDC pro(my own) all with DAC (for first three it was with Audiocular spark). I will say I prefer EDC pro over all of these. Might sound like a madlad here preferring a 700rs IEM over ~2000 rs IEM but it's just that good.
Tuning: It comes to preference, but what's good is it is not the usual KZ like tuning, and it's V shape enough to enjoy but not too much to crush all details. It's tuning is close to moondrop chu II I would say, and Blon bl03 if you reduce sharpness of the treble. Or other way to describe would be little more bass than Tangzu Wan'er SG 2. But it does feel little sharp sometimes on highest volumes with something like trumpets playing.
Technicalities: I am a noob, yes. But from my understanding, it's very head to head with tangzu wan'er SG 2 and blon bl03 in terms of soundstage. Well, in busy tracks seperation (I listen to J-pop a lot), all of the IEMs I tested so far have failed (the best set I could experience was Fiio ft1 pro open back, so my judgement of seperation and soundstage comes according to that). And a heads up, its sensitivity is high, so it will produce hissing noise with DACs that have Amp chip with higher noise flour than it's sensitivity.
Cons:
1. It starts to struggle at higher volumes, becomes little sharp (ear piercing treble) with things like trumpet, but again you will never require higher than 60-70% in quite listening.
2. Other IEMs in under 2k range have smaller sizes, this one is just way bigger in the ears, but due to that it's a snug fit. People with smaller ears will find it way bigger.
Thanks for reading!
Also thanks for the audio store team for cooperating about the Spark DAC hissing issue even when it was clearly my mistake. It seems it's not publicly known that IEM sensitivity should be checked before buying a dongle DAC+Amp.
Great headset for comfort and neutral sound. The headband is excellent and fits my large head with no issues and the pads are isolating and comfortable too. The sound is basically neutral, the bass is present and textured but not boosted by much. Mids are spectacular and tame but not recessed at all. The treble brings the mids out even more without harshness and is pretty well extended at least to the uppertreble. Air frequencies are somewhat subdued but still not a problem for the sound. The treble is just a bit emphasized as it's oriented for mixing, so for casual listening it's a little sharp but it's my preference that way. If you're okay with a set that brings out details through Treble you'll like this.
Best IEMs
Quality of their products are excellent and great customer support
Working great the perfect dac!!!
Best experience so far. delivery is fast and the after sale support also prompt
Excellent 👌👌👌
The Fosi Audio K5 Dac is perfect for gaming enthusiasts. I use it daily with my DT 990 Pros. I received a genuine product with fast secured delivery. Thank you The Audio Store!
If you prefer neutral, natural sound (for classical, acoustic, or detailed listening), or want maximum comfort for long wear, you might want to try something lighter or more neutral-sounding.
The Audiocular Spark Hi-Res portable DAC and amp is a compact, budget-friendly device powered by the flagship CX31993 DAC chip and MAX97220 amplifier, delivering studio-quality audio with clear vocals, rich bass, and detailed highs. It provides up to 63mW power output suitable for most IEMs and headphones, improving volume levels and sound clarity significantly over phone. Its solid build quality, portability, and seamless Type-C to 3.5mm compatibility, make it on-the-go music listening experience for me. Some minor background hiss may be audible with sensitive earphones, but overall it offers excellent value for a high-resolution audio upgrade at a very affordable price. This DAC+amp is very good option to be considered under 1,000 rupees, balancing sound quality, convenience, and durability effectively
Works like a charm!
It is good for the budget
In the budget category, these offers LDAC and planar magnetic drivers for truly clean, balanced sound and a unique design. It may have less extra features than other earbuds, but its core audio quality is far better than the usual bass-heavy options.
This is a really great product and the build quality is phenomenal. Thank you guys.
