Short answer: the ThieAudio Monarch MKIV, if you are buying new. The ThieAudio Monarch ranks higher than it (#72 vs #119 of 749 in-ear headphones, 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the ThieAudio Monarch MKIV is still sold new at $1,149.
The case for the ThieAudio Monarch: 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.
The case for the ThieAudio Monarch MKIV: Across 14 squig.link measurements it posts a preference score of 79.0 with a very smooth 1.31 dB spread. The tradeoff: Presence sits 2.7 dB below target with a 3.7 dB dip near 6.4 kHz, so vocals and strings lose some immediacy.
Buy the ThieAudio Monarch MKIV, since the ThieAudio Monarch is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ThieAudio Monarch | ThieAudio Monarch MKIV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $1,149.00 |
| Ranked | #72 of 749 in In-Ear Headphones | #119 of 749 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Tribrid | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 6 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic | 2 x 8mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | - |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 79 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.59 dB standard deviation | 1.31 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.39 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.43 (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 (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Back | - | Closed |
| Sensitivity | - | 100 dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 10Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How ThieAudio Monarch compares with other leading options:
- ThieAudio Monarch vs ThieAudio Monarch MKIII
- ThieAudio Monarch vs ThieAudio Monarch MKII
- Symphonium Audio Helios vs ThieAudio Monarch MKIV
- ThieAudio Monarch MKIII vs ThieAudio Monarch MKIV
- 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 MKIV: $1,149.00 Linsoul $1,149.00 eBay
Older models: the ThieAudio Monarch MKIII (ranked higher, rated 4.9/5), the ThieAudio Monarch MKII (ranked higher, rated 4.6/5) and the ThieAudio Monarch (ranked higher, rated 4.6/5). See every ThieAudio Monarch generation.
Pros: Across 14 squig.link measurements it posts a preference score of 79.0 with a very smooth 1.31 dB spread. Sub-bass and bass sit within half a dB of target, so the dual 8 mm dynamic drivers give clean, accurate low end, and a 5 dB air lift near 12 kHz from the electrostatic tweeters adds shimmer and space. It rates above the SoftEars RSV.
Cons: Presence sits 2.7 dB below target with a 3.7 dB dip near 6.4 kHz, so vocals and strings lose some immediacy. The Moondrop Dark Saber rates well above it for less money, and the Symphonium Audio Helios rates higher at a similar price.
Full ThieAudio Monarch MKIV review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 6 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 2 x 8mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons