Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.6/5 (#41 and #47 of 450 in-ear headphones), so choose on features and fit.
What the Moondrop Marigold does well: Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 81.6 with only 1.3 dB of deviation from target, an unusually even response for a single 10mm dynamic driver. The tradeoff: Treble and air sit about 1.5 dB under target, and a 7.4 dB dip near 10.9 kHz takes some sparkle off cymbals and room ambience.
The case for the ThieAudio Monarch MKII: A preference score of 81 from crinacle’s measurement and just 1.45 dB of deviation make it one of the most accurate in-ears available. The catch: Those measurements show a 5.6 dB dip near 6.5 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB below target, which softens cymbal attack slightly.
Buy the Moondrop Marigold or the ThieAudio Monarch MKII on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Marigold | ThieAudio Monarch MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.00 | - |
| Ranked | #41 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #47 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 81 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.30 dB standard deviation | 1.45 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 6 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 36 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Sensitivity | - | 108 dB/mW |
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- DUNU Kima Classic vs ThieAudio Monarch MKII
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Moondrop Marigold: $19.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 81.6 with only 1.3 dB of deviation from target, an unusually even response for a single 10mm dynamic driver. Sub-bass holds within a fraction of a dB of target down to 20 Hz, so bass lines keep their weight, and a gentle lift of about 1 dB through the bass and low mids gives voices and instruments a warm body. It matches the DUNU Kima Classic and Shanling Tino on rating while costing a little less, and the 32 ohm load plus inline mic make it an easy phone companion.
Cons: Treble and air sit about 1.5 dB under target, and a 7.4 dB dip near 10.9 kHz takes some sparkle off cymbals and room ambience. A narrow 3.5 dB peak around 8.1 kHz can make a few sibilant recordings sound edgy despite the otherwise relaxed top end.
Full Moondrop Marigold review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.30 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ThieAudio Monarch MKII AliExpress eBay
Pros: A preference score of 81 from crinacle’s measurement and just 1.45 dB of deviation make it one of the most accurate in-ears available. Across 19 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, sub-bass and bass sit within half a dB of target down to 20 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass have full, tight weight. Its 108 dB/mW sensitivity and 36 ohm impedance mean a phone drives it easily, and the hybrid layout combines a dynamic woofer, six balanced armatures and two electrostatic tweeters.
Cons: Those measurements show a 5.6 dB dip near 6.5 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB below target, which softens cymbal attack slightly. Air above 10 kHz rises about 3.4 dB over target, peaking near 11.8 kHz, which listeners sensitive to treble may hear as a touch of glare.
Full ThieAudio Monarch MKII review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.45 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 6 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,833 Hz | +3.8 dB | 2.05 |
| Peak | 2,005 Hz | -1.3 dB | 1.08 |
| Peak | 319 Hz | -0.9 dB | 1.20 |
| Peak | 9,387 Hz | +2.0 dB | 3.00 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,445 Hz | +2.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,134 Hz | -2.0 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 811 Hz | +0.4 dB | 2.29 |
| Peak | 81 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.93 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons