Short answer: the ThieAudio Monarch MKII, if you are buying new. The ThieAudio Monarch measures as well as it (#72 vs #60 of 749 in-ear headphones, 4.6/5 vs 4.6/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the ThieAudio Monarch MKII is still sold new at $999. The ThieAudio Monarch’s replacement, the ThieAudio Monarch MKIV, is rated 4.4/5 at $1,149.
What the ThieAudio Monarch does well: Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 81 with a 1.59 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
What the ThieAudio Monarch MKII does well: 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 ThieAudio Monarch MKII if you want one new; the ThieAudio Monarch is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ThieAudio Monarch | ThieAudio Monarch MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $999.00 |
| Ranked | #72 of 749 in In-Ear Headphones | #60 of 749 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Tribrid | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 6 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | 36 ohms |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 81 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.59 dB standard deviation | 1.45 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Back | - | Closed |
| Sensitivity | - | 108 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How ThieAudio Monarch MKII compares with other leading options:
- ThieAudio Monarch MKII vs ThieAudio Monarch MKIII
- DUNU Kima Classic vs ThieAudio Monarch MKII
- ThieAudio Monarch MKII vs Tin HiFi C2
- Moondrop Marigold vs ThieAudio Monarch MKII
- ThieAudio Monarch MKII vs ThieAudio Monarch MKIV
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
ThieAudio Monarch Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the ThieAudio Monarch MKIV, ranked lower, rated 4.4/5, released Jul 2025. See every ThieAudio Monarch generation.
Pros: Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 81 with a 1.59 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat. It uses 1 x 10mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic with an easy 26 ohm load.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. A 4.5 dB peak near 7.9 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Full ThieAudio Monarch review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.59 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Tribrid |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 26 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.0 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 | -5.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 75 Hz | +4.0 dB | 0.72 |
| Peak | 8,151 Hz | -2.4 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 1,416 Hz | -1.4 dB | 1.83 |
| Peak | 771 Hz | +1.0 dB | 1.40 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,303 Hz | +1.8 dB | 2.97 |
| Peak | 4,753 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.73 |
| Peak | 5,521 Hz | -2.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 2,110 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.48 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ThieAudio Monarch MKII: $999.00 AliExpress $999.00 eBay
Newer model: the ThieAudio Monarch MKIV, ranked lower, rated 4.4/5, released Jul 2025.
Older model: the ThieAudio Monarch (ranked lower, rated 4.6/5). See every ThieAudio Monarch generation.
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