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!
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🙏
Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad you're happy with your purchase of the ThieAudio Monarch MKII IEM.
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.
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Compared to the original BTR5 from 2020, the 2021 model adds MQA support, a new DAC chip for better performance and noise ratio, and an improved USB audio adapter mode that disables charging during USB DAC use. It comes with a short skin-friendly USB-C cable and a redesigned packaging.
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After a lot of deliberation I bought this as my first IEM. Loved it at my first listen. Still my go to IEM. It has a slight u shape that gives a musical tone to the sound. Caters to a lot of genres. It can be driven by 60mW cheap dongle DAC and amps. Absolute value for money.
I was having a huge dilemma switching from a budget IEM to a midrange IEM and I got this masterpiece... KEFINE KLEAN provides Tank like Build ✅ "Sufficient" bass To Power up Any Tracks and Sound stage Was Better than any Other Iems at this price. As Named The Audio Was Very Clean And Smooth So There'll Be No Distortion At Any Point ...
I purchased the EarAcoustic STA Hi-End Series IEM from The Audio Store in Pune about two weeks ago, and I’m extremely happy with both the product and the overall experience.
Starting with the store — the atmosphere was excellent and very comfortable for auditioning different IEMs. The owner himself assisted me personally, and I truly appreciate the warm and professional treatment I received. Despite it being after office hours, he patiently stayed back late just to help me choose the perfect IEM according to my sound preferences — something you rarely experience nowadays.
Coming to the EarAcoustic STA Hi-End IEM, after two weeks of regular use, I can confidently say it’s a brilliant performer in its price range. The soundstage is wide and natural, with crisp highs, balanced mids, and a tight, detailed bass response. It handles every genre — from vocals to instrumental and EDM — with ease. Build quality feels premium, and comfort during long listening sessions is gets better as you use them daily. My ear adapted these according to their shape though after 2-3 hours a very little pain felt sometime.
Overall, both the product quality and the buying experience exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend The Audio Store, Pune for any serious audio enthusiast looking for genuine advice and a premium shopping experience.
Recieved before 2days of targeted shipment date.
Quality is awesome.
This is my first IEM, and coming from Sony MDR 7506 and Airpods Pro i feel this sounds more richer and detailed.
It was great purchase and I'm happy from the output of this one. And as much as i love music , i have specific demands to meet like well balanced mids and highs but also good punchy bass. I'm happy with this purchase and i love it.
This was my first purchase from The Audio Store, and I was a bit hesitant at first, but they proved me wrong! The whole process was seamless, and I even received my order earlier than expected. The IEMs are really good and totally worth the money.
If this is your pick than go for it blindly!!!👌🎧
These are a great pick if you love a balanced sound. The best thing about them is the vocals — clear, natural, and full of emotion. You can really feel the singer’s presence without any sharpness or muddiness. Everything just sounds right, especially for long listening sessions.
Audiocular packaging is premium always give a small pouch which can be very handy.Initially Right side was not working in my KZ Harman target Balanced version. Date Recd 7th Oct 2025! every thing is awesome Love Pritam for being Down to earth.I am going crazy at age 51 with this music world man
Some online product selling giants didn't understand how to package product because it delegate and wants to handle with care and I really appreciate your customer support thank you great product delivery app in reasonable rate
It’s a neat dongle with crisp sounding music, it’s on a brighter side of music
one of the best earbuds in this price range.
As a beginner audiophile I did research on all budget IEMs but this KZ EDC Pro stood out in all reviews as best and most affordable no-nonsense IEM without distortion in sound output that drew my attention to it. And I am glad I made the choice, this deserves every bit of praise for the price & sound output better than my 5000INR TWS from reputed brands, a little bit EQ Tweaks just enhances the experience multifold... Must but for those who looking for affordable yet best sounding wired earphones/IEM. Brilliant build and sound quality for the price. A Must buy on a tight budget, and Thanks to audiostore for delivering package before scheduled delivery time.
Great DAC for the price in terms of build and aesthetic. When paired with a good IEM definitely makes the experience worth investing. Just go for it, must buy for a beginner/intermediate audiophile...!
