ThieAudio - Monarch MKIII

I have both the HD800 and the Monarch MKIIIs at my desk and I almost always use the Monarchs. I much prefer something in my ear over something clamping my head for longer sessions like gaming or work. The Monarchs are also ridiculously good and is not as source dependent as the HD800 (using Audio-gd R2R11 for the HD800 and JDS Element II for the Monarchs).

Left to right Everyday desktop listening: 1. Linsoul x Hbb Jupiter 2. Theaudio Monarch MKIII Relaxed listening: 3. FIIO FX15 On the go: 4. Theaudio Hype4

No i went from monarch mkiii to jupiter. However between these two the upper treble is different which I find quite interesting. Without looking at a graph it seems like the jupiter has different peaks than the traditional thieaudio sound. I haven't come to a conclusion on which I like better but it's just different. Also more sub bass than the mkiii. Very spacious sound which I don't really typically hear or care about but after hearing the jupiter, I get it.

The only one in your list I have experience with is the supermix 4 and I agree with you. I have the Tea Pro now and it's pretty darn good for FPS gaming. The imaging is spot on to my ears. It has, what I feel, is the max sound stage an IEM can do. I even tested my friend's Monarch MK3 against them and the gaming performance was similar with the mk3 edging them out in bf2042. Both are tremendous for gaming. The mk3 is amazing at everything imo.

I went from the EM6L > Kiwi Ears Quintet > Orchestra Lite > Tea Pro > Monarch MK3. I head a difference with every step up. I prefer the Quintet over the Tea Pro because the Tea Pro treble is darker and smoother and sounds less detailed imo. The Monarch MK3 is just absolutely amazing imo. I hear details in songs I've never heard before. The detail in every aspect is just amazing, and they're fun to listen to. They also do some black magic with soundstage and imaging. The MK3 sounds bigger than some openback headphones I've owned.

Amongst the thieaudio iems I’ve tried  Valhalla > prestige Ltd > v16 divinity > monarch mk3 > monarch mk2 

Monarch MK3 is not bright. It’s incredibly warm. I’m shopping in $2000 bracket. If you want all rounders, Monarch is not it. Prestige LTD is more up your alley. Also Thieaudio.

Ok so this if from my personal experience.... I have several iem range from sub 100 until 500 some I lent to my friends or I just keep on my house...I have several friends which audio hobbyist they have audio store so I have opportunity to try before I buy one..so someday I want buy 1000usd iem, read reddit and head-fi forum then go to my friend store...so I tried moondrop chu2 compare to my kadenz yes the quality is very different, compare again with letshuoer s15 the s15 better than my kadenz for my taste...so when I put monarch mk3 it's blow my ear, damn this iem so amazong and I decide to bought it....then several weeks later my friend call me then say I have 64audio tia demo and annihilator just come....with fully excited I'm going there when I tried both of them, I dont feel WOW like I tried monarch mk3 the first time then at that time I realize, mk3 is my peak and I cant tell the significant difference between mk3 - annihilator and tia So thats why I like to try and buy several 100-500usd iem and sometimes sub100 too because I can tell the difference and I can choose whats signature I want..like a week ago I choose simgot ea500lm rather than ew300 because I found the sound more aggresive because mostly my iem is warm and neutral.... So from my story, I have limitation and taste for me, spent 1000 iem in monarch mk3 is one of the best choise I ever made and beyond that price point my ears cant tell fhe difference so..but back again thats my experience and opinion....

Monarch mk3 is larger than common iem so sometimes it's exhausting for long time usage, everytime I bought new iem I always change tips mostly using spinfit W1 to make me comfortable...about build quality I dont think thats the problem....again about build, sound quality it's back to personal preference...

better than variations in terms of micro details but not really an upgrade. Mk3 bodys the 5est in tech

It’s my go to IEM- truly amazing. Buuut the headphone jack connector disconnects really easily and I’ve noticed a small rattle in one of the buds- I don’t hear it while listening to music, but I can when I pick them up and move them around

Valid concern. The resin seems pretty solid on mine, but something internally definitely got loose after about a year of using them. I carry them around in my backpack all the time, so that might have something to do with it. Pretty bummed considering how much they cost.

It 100% depends on what genre of music you enjoy listening to. Monarch mk3, but it would surprise you how many iems sound just as good, at half its price.

If price is really no problem, get yourself a pair of the ThieAudio Monarch MKII or MKIII. I am pretty sure you will like them. Why not?

Thieaudio Monarch MK3, InEar Prophile 8S, Fiio FA19. Any of these three are out of the box able to reproduce the sound how it was intended and also fully capable to be EQ'ed to whatever you want. Fiio - the most logical buy for any customer. InEar, the mix & master engineer's choice. Monarch audiophile choice.

I liked the Glacier more than the LTD so I sold mine. I kept the Monarch mk3 though as I feel it's different enough from the Glacier to have in my collection permanently.

I still find the Monarch mk3 excellent with natural instruments music like folk, rock, indie, etc, there's a balance in how these genres sound I really enjoy. My Glacier is holding up really well, no scratches so far but I also take good care of my stuff so they don't get thrown around or bumped into anything, it case -> ears -> back into case. I never heard the A8000, how are they? I only heard the A4000 and I can't say I was impressed, good for the price but not touching anything 1k+.

**Introduction** I attended an audio show and had the chance to listen to over 30 IEMs. Rather than going too deep on every single one, I wanted to highlight the 3 IEMs that truly impressed me and share some rapid-fire thoughts on the rest. Do note that these are my subjective impressions, and the rapid-fire takes might not convey everything. **64 Audio U12t** 64 Audio was the brand I had looked forward to the most at the show. And U12t was easily the best IEM I heard there. The first thing that caught my attention was its imaging and soundstaging, it was one of the few IEMs that gave me a true sense of holographic staging. I really liked the treble tuning, it was extended, crisp, and avoided being sibilant. The midrange was on the warmer, lusher side, with upper mids slightly recessed for my taste. I hadn’t expected the bass to sound this good coming from BAs. It was detailed, hit hard, but decayed a tad faster than typical DDs. **Softears Enigma** At first, I thought it was just another ridiculously overpriced IEM that would sound mediocre. But I was wrong, the bass quality was pretty good, better than U12t. I didn’t feel anything special about the mids, they were neither shouty nor recessed. I sensed a dip around 5-6 kHz, as I am quite sensitive to peaks there. This made vocals much smoother to listen to, but there was a lack of excitement, so vocals weren’t the strong suit of this IEM. But it was the treble that hooked me and made me want to keep listening. The treble had an 'ethereal' quality. It felt lighter, extended, refined, and more importantly, exciting. Because of this, I just kept listening and ended up staying longer than I had planned, it was that good. **64 Audio U4s** This is basically a 'baby U12t', with a dynamic driver for the bass, giving it a proper bass thump. It had all the qualities I mentioned in U12t, but the overall technical prowess was slightly lower. I am still confused whether I preferred U12t’s faster bass response or U4s meatier bass response, nevertheless it was good. The midrange had similar qualities to what I described in U12t impressions. But the treble performance was a slight downgrade compared to U12t, it was on the splashier side with touch less refinement. **Top Performers in:** **Bass** * 64 Audio Volur * Sennheiser IE 900 **Mid-range** * 64 Audio U12t/U4s * Mega5EST **Treble** * Softears Enigma * 64 Audio U12t **Rapid-fire impressions** **64 Audio Fourte** * Emphasized bass * Recessed vocals * Non-offensive treble * No wow factor * Overpriced **64 Audio Trio** * Recessed mids, but not as much as Fourte * Non-offensive treble * Third best 64 Audio IEM for me **64 Audio U18t** * Treble presentation didn’t work for me * Not as good as U12t **64 Audio Volur** * Best bass I’ve ever heard in an IEM * Treble is quite peaky **64 Audio Nio** * Darkest among the 64 Audio lineup I’ve tried * Not my preferred sound signature **64 Audio Solo** * Best planar IEM I heard at the show * Bass quality wasn’t the best compared to others * Technical performance not up to the price **ThieAudio Monarch MK3** * Chonky shell, but still comfortable to wear * Emphasized yet controlled bass * Treble was slightly peaky * No wow factor **Sony IER Z1R** * Uncomfortable to wear, lacks proper seal * Because of that, bass suffered, I had to hold it with my hands to get the best seal * Bass quality is great (not the best I’ve heard, can’t say much due to poor fit) **Sennheiser IE 900** * Vocals sounded stuffy, weird, and recessed * One of the best bass I heard at the show after 64 Audio Volur * Lacking in detail and imaging for the price **Sennheiser IE 600** * Better tonality than IE 900, especially in the upper mids * Again, not the best in technical performance **Mega5EST** * Most normal-sounding IEM I heard at the show * Quite bassy for this type of mid-range * Not the best in subjective qualities **Dunu Da Vinci** * Similar impression to Mega5EST * This type of sound signature doesn’t work well with such a bass boost **Letshuoer Cadenza 12** * Fairly neutral with a bass boost * Lacks the wow factor * Treble was slightly on the harsher side **Elysian Pilgrim** * Non-offensive sound signature * Treble is a bit forward and spicy * Lacks excitement **Softears RSV** * Bass quality was good * Vocals sounded strained * Nothing special about the treble **Softears Volume S** * Non-offensive, but somewhat shouty on some songs * Slightly peaky treble (in some songs) **Softears Studio 4** * Sounded okay (but in a good way) * Nothing particularly special **FATfreq Maestro Mini** * Driver flex * Too much bass (works well with engaging songs) * Treble not refined **FATfreq Scarlet Mini** * Driver flex * Even more bass (too much on top of the already excessive bass of Maestro Mini) **FATfreq Grand Maestro** * Didn’t felt as bassy as compared to others * Faced similar fit issues like the IER Z1R **Campfire Audio Andromeda Emerald Sea** * Warm sounding with non-offensive treble * Didn’t felt anything special about the rest **Campfire Audio Trifecta** * Very weird sounding (that’s what I wrote in the notes:) * Overpriced for what it is * But looks stunning though **Campfire Audio Astrolith** * Too much treble * Again, overpriced **Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon** * Best sounding Campfire Audio IEM in my opinion * Bass quality was good * Mids sounded recessed * Energetic treble response

I think the Monarch MK3 will fit you perfectly, of the few 1000$ IEM's I've tried it's the only one that I would consider fun and energetic. It has a V shape tuning (I think that's what they call it) whereby the bass and treble are boosted giving you a sense of energy. The technicalities are no slouch either, the bass is one of the best I've heard in the range, sounding almost as close to the car speakers I've tried; whereby the bass sounds 3D if that makes sense. The one caveat is that it will not sound as good for vocal centric music; as the mid range might come across thin sounding and at times overpowered by the background. If you are one to focus on instruments rather than vocals this will be a good choice for you. It will be best to try it out yourself at any nearby audio store as the fit is not the best and might cause pain if you have smaller ears. Another option for a "fun" tuned IEM is the new origin which features a bone conduction driver ontop of what is already offered witht he MK3, the bone conduction driver conducts vibrations against you ear to give you a realer sense of bass. I have not tried it, so my remarks are purely theoretical but I'm sure there will be many videos coming out comparing the two as they are closely matched.

I have three that immediately come to mind. The first I bought on sale for $20, the Seeaudio x Tangzu Shimin Li Encounter Edition. It's an all metal shell IEM that has a Vee shaped tuning, just a really good set especially for the price. The second is the TOTL Simgot, the EM10, it's a 10 driver set that has a Harman tuning, with excellent bass quality, and great details and instrument separation. The third is the Ziigaat Estrella, which is ok out of the box, but if tuned with the Shortbus Audio tape mod becomes a top tier set. This is one of my favorite IEMs along with the Dunu Glacier, Thieaudio Monarch mk3, MEST mk2 and Canpur CP622B.

I would take my hd600s over any expensive IEMs ( I’ve had the ier-z1r / monarch mk3 etc ) any day. The timbre cannot be matched. And IEMs feel too claustrophobic for me. Granted it’s great for office use but once I’m at home I’d grab my open cans over anything else.

I had already the honor to grab Unique Melody Mest MkII and Thieaudio Monarch MkIII. I'd die to grab Elysian Annihilator 2023 one day. Great collection you got!

Maybe you had the legacy version. It did demo the retuned version, and I was surprised that the treble was almost as exciting as my Monarch Mk3.

I mean have you tried EQ? Sounds like you're otherwise happy with the Mk3's as long as you pull back the highs and bump up the bass frequencies comparatively

Ah ok, well that's a separate matter entirely, though still important to consider. The MK3 has an unusually large shell which a lot of people, myself included find uncomfortable after long periods, I have to angle them in a specific way in my ears to avoid them applying pressure. Which is a shame but personally I can deal with it. That said if you find they're too uncomfortable then that's plenty enough reason to look elsewhere.

Moondrop Variations for me. Sounded lifeless, wierd, grainny and compressed. I had very high expectations before hearing them, both my friend and I found them to be absolutely horrible. Used multiple tips and that didn't change a thing. I also didn't like 64 Audio Volur when I heard em, sounded peaky and brittle. Thieaudio Monarch MK3, CA Trifecta, Hidizs MP145, Letshuoer S15 and Truthear Nova on the other hand were amazing. To each his own, It's all about the music library, tastes and ear anatomy.

If monarch mk3 is 10 on a pain level lol, this is like a 7. After finding the right tips it became a 4. Tbh not bad at all. If you can do mo archs you will do this without no problems. I myself had to make custom eartips for my monarchs, they made some weird contact and creatd pressure points that were simply horrible. But ive been listening to the Omegas for a couple of hours, and Ive yet get the feeling i wanna take them off. Id say you could enjoy them a lot comfortably, you just need the right eartips.

Right now Im settled with Monarch MK3 becuz it got both the rumble subbass from Variations and the midbass slams really hard. But before that, I found Tanchjim Origin was really good for normal metal stuffs, not vocaloid because it lacks subbass but still has pretty good detail depsites 1DD setup. Considering how matched our library is, I think Variations could be an endgame for you, unless your music taste change in the future like me. And yes, I did listen to yuyoyuppe before but not much tho, I think only one album? May I ask for your lastfm username? It seems our music tastes are quite similar.

Currently using Thieaudio Monarch Mk III with either the Fiio M11S DAP or my S23 Ultra with iBasso DC04 Pro.

1. LCD-2F, especially now I got my tubes, makes them sound magical 2. Thieaudio Monarch Mk3, fatiguing but great sound 3. HD6xx, sound great with tubes and are very comfortable, especially with the Capra strap 4. Audeze Maxwell, just convenient and sounds good 5. Mangird Tea 2's, my go to chill IEM, sound great with metal, no fatigue 6. Harmonicdyne x Zeos Eris, fun weird sound, sometimes too much, sometimes just right

I had the Monarch mark 3's. Loved them but found them fatiguing. Sold them and got the Tea pro's. They don't fatigue me and I don't miss anything in the sound. Great IEM for the price, great IEM period tbh.

IEMs photographed left to right in first two photos: Unique Melody Mest MkII, Moondrop Variations, Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK, TSMR Halo, Thieaudio Monarch MkIII, Elysian Annihilator 2023, Elysian Diva 2023. I’ve also put a close-up photo of each IEM in the order they appear in photo one. Photography is not my skill so the photos are awful; whoops! This is just update post for my collection. Again, the post is mostly for me to look back on myself in the future (for example, I said in my last post I was looking for Diva 2023 and I finally got it courtesy of a Head-Fi seller). I’m not expecting anyone to care or be interested. But on the off-chance someone cares I’ll list a few rankings off here. You can also see the driver configurations of each IEM in photo three, listed top to bottom in the order I acquired the sets. My rankings are coming from the point of view of someone who values detail and treble extension primarily, with bass a secondary concern. Sound (most important of course): 1. Elysian Annihilator 2023 2. Elysian Diva 2023 3. Unique Melody Mest MkII 4. Thieaudio Monarch MkIII 5. TSMR Halo 6. Moondrop Variations 7. Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK Comfort/Fit (essential for long listening sessions): 1. Unique Melody Mest MkII 2. Elysian Diva 2023 3. TSMR Halo 4. Elysian Annihilator 2023 5. Moondrop Variations 6. Thieaudio Monarch MkIII 7. Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK Stock Cable (maybe interesting, maybe not): 1. Unique Melody Mest MkII 2. Elysian Diva 2023 3. Thieaudio Monarch MkIII 4. Elysian Annihilator 2023 5. Moondrop Variations 6. TSMR Halo 7. Moondrop x Crinacle DUSK (both cables) Finally, not photographed except for the boxes are my two DAPs. The iBasso DX340 is clearly the better of the two but I hesitate to say it’s ‘worth it’ as an upgrade to the R4. They’re both fantastic but as a value proposition I think the R4 is great. To conclude, clearly the IEM hobby is something of a chase for perfection which you will never achieve. There are tradeoffs to every IEM, DAC, DAP, cable and eartips. If you’re seeing this post and thinking about things like diminishing returns and these sets being nowhere near ‘worth’ their price – I’d say I agree. Diminishing returns (not a phrase I like much because everything has diminishing returns but I digress) set in quite early imho. For an all-rounder that you can use with practically any device the DUSK (as an example from my sets) could easily be the pinnacle of what you’re looking for and there’s really no need to chase the latest releases or constantly be looking to upgrade. Then again, I also disagree with people who look down on someone for owning more than one set – do we limit ourselves to one pair of shoes just because we only have two feet? (Bad example but maybe you get my point.) At the end of the day, yes, the IEM hobby is rife with consumerism, as are all similar tech products, but I think the craftsmanship and the various different designs, sound signatures and so on make it a fascinating hobby to be involved in. And on second-hand sites like Head-Fi (where I got my Mest, Diva & Halo from) or even r/AVexchange you can sometimes snag yourself a bargain, or at least meet more people to talk about this great hobby with. I’d be happy to discuss anything photographed if anyone has any questions (and made it all the way to reading this)! Take care and all the best, Rob

I use thieaudio monarch mk3 and pretty happy with them

I own the Mest Mk2 and the Monarch Mk3. I would say they're absolutely worth it. Some things to consider: You can get the Mest Mk2 new for about $850. https://shop.musicteck.com/products/um-universal-mest-mkii More expensive IEMs, like the Mest and Monarch have different kinds of drivers that you don't get in lower-priced IEMs. Like Electrostatic and Bone Conduction drivers. These add a lot of detail, imo. Most <$1000 IEMs only make use of balanced armature and dynamic drivers. You could find one secondhand r/avexchange and Head-fi The secondhand market for audio equipment is amazing. If you bought something and didn't enjoy it, someone may buy it from you at a minimal loss. For me, that peace of mind is enough. I bought both the Mest and Monarch having never tested them before. The Monarch I bought from a reputable online retailer that has a very generous return policy, in the event that they didn't fit. The Monarch Mk3's are notoriously large-shelled, and they barely fit, so I got lucky! The Mest I bought from a user on r/avexchange If you buy secondhand, always use PayPal G&S. I own IEMs from KZ, Moondrop, Campfire Audio, Mest, and Thieaudio (for reference).

The Mest is better all-around. The Monarch is my bass-canon.

I am using the Tangzu Xuanwu Gate and the Thieauduio Monarch MK3 for pieces like those. The Xuanwu Gate is surprisingly comparable to the Monarch MK3 even though costing almost 1/3 less and is actually preferable if you prefer a Soundstage that places you closer to the centre compared to the Monarch's further back positioning. The best comparison would be the Xuanwu Gate replicate and indoor concert hall Vs the Monarch's outdoor concert vibes.

Was the Monarch MKIII up until the release of the Origin, which is now my go-to for the price range -- I prefer the Origin's stock tuning, but the MKIII has more legs with EQ and is probably the more flexible set as an all rounder. The Origin falls into the same category as the Hype 4 did in my eyes, in that it punches above its price point. I prefer it to the LTD as well, and that's saying a lot as the LTD is a phenomenal set. Thieaudio knocked the Origin out of the park.

I also have the monarch mk3 as well as a hd 6xx, and as much as I love the 6xx - usually - the mk3 has a much more full sound at similar volumes and tends to sound very correct to my ears. From what I hear the 6xx is as good as it's going to get for under $1000 so idk if its even worth looking for headphones to compete with the mk3

I was recently wowed by a performer 5 I got on sale for $150 even though I own other sets ranging from $400-1000 along with headphones such as the 560s and 6xx. Goes to show that price is meaningless and it’s more about how much satisfaction you get out of it. Not saying my $1000 set, the monarch mkiii, isn’t superior, it definitely is, but it’s not like leaps and bounds unless you A/B test them

No they don't, why would everyone consistently say the monarch mk3 are the kings of iems and they are 1k. You should listen to more expensive iems.

I own the Monarch Mk 3 and the ie900. I started with the Monarchs and love the sound but I apparently have baby sized ear canals. I bought the ie900 discounted and use them about 80% of the time due to comfort alone.

They’re both similar, but yeah I’d give the edge to the Monarch. The monarch mk3 is more musical, close your eyes and disappear. Meanwhile the ie900 is more analytical, details just stand out. Bass I would give to the ie900, with mids and highs going to the monarch. I would say the ie 900 is brighter than the monarch as well. Honestly they’re both really good to me, which is why it often comes down to comfort.

Keep in mind - I’m a beginner when it comes to IEMs. The fit is a little smaller than the Monarch MK3, I have big ears and they fit nicely. I don’t think vocals shine with these, it’s more about the lows and mids. They do sound clear, not sure about recessed. The MK3 were a bit brighter, the Clara more detailed. I bought these in hopes to find a more “fun” IEM than the Monarch MK3. They’re great IEMs and I’ll keep them, can’t say they’re really worth the extra $1,000 over the MK3 and weren’t as “fun” as I was hoping. I only have the monarch MK3 as a point of reference. The build quality is nicer, the clear shell is gorgeous. Accessories are much nicer (cables, cases, ear tips).

MK3s were brighter, these more lows and mid focused. More detailed. The build quality is far better, the clear shells are gorgeous. Way better accessories, stock cables are awesome and the cases. Only worth the extra $1,000 if you have a lot of disposable income, they certainly aren’t “twice as good”. They seem to sound better with genres like rock, jazz, rap. I also don’t know much about IEMs, so your mileage may vary. These words sound correct to me lol.

Sorry got work mixed with that comment lol, but maybe if you were to compare with monarch maybe that would be somewhat true

Monarch mk3 has better layering, better separation but sometimes same as with hype 4 it hurts my ears on long sessions of cs2 cause of the gunshots but not as bad as with hype 4 only tried monarch 5 days, the tea doesn't hurt my ears but I don't enjoy it as much on music. Tea has 70 of a wide stage sensation while the hype 4 soundstage gets a little well bloomy but it's not bad, some enjoy it

Demoed Thieaudio Origin, Monarch Mk3, and Tangzu Bajie at my local store. I somehow like Bajie the most among the 3 so that is what I got. It’s not a kilobuck but can definitely compete with other choices in the price range.

I am complete noob with audio, but own a couple of decent headphones (DT1990’s) and IEM’s (Monarch Mk3’s), and can speak to my own experience comparing the two. The decent difference between the two comes from comparing their soundstages vs imaging. The headphones provide a wider soundstage, whereas the IEMs provide more precise imaging, and to me more detailed representation of sound in general. Overall, prefer IEMs for the most part over headphones because of this. I personally haven’t come across headphones that can match the detail that some IEMs can provide, but if there is a pair out there I’d love to have them!!

Great iems. I have the same disco plate ones and I love the synergy with dc elite.

Monarch MK 3. Best overall with clarity. Or Unique melody Mest MK 1

I would say, Yap warning Transducer TYPE BA/DD/EST/PZT/BCD Driver count Driver Impedance Driver Tuning/Resistor Choice Acoustic Tunneling Cabinet Size EG Size of IEM Venting Nozzle Length Isolation factor THD Driver Matierals Wire size 2 pin cable matieral and guage Target Audience A lot of these factors are what make high end speakers sound different from more budget speakers. Psychoacoustic bias is also the biggest issue and factor one should always keep in mind as when I had orignally bought my Mmk3 I thought they had a average and boring sound since I had not properlly tip rolled to get good isolation and also had racked up 400 hours of total listening time on my beloved variations. Once I had a mental reset, Proper tip roll and seal for comfort. WOW 1,000 price tag did not give me any buyers remorse unlike the day of delivery. I finally understood the Tonality claims and how fun they were for being a Neutral Set(Certified Treble Violation) compared to harman. I also want to give a bit of subjective bias in that a good set of transducers should have a bare minimum cost like how most EST tribrids rarely dip below 400$ msrp but also some all BA sets are upwards of 3000$, Cadenza U12/U18 and they have big engineering teams behind them probably inflatring that number to cover costs, but price should never equal a certain level of measureable gain or enjoyment at the ear, EG the 64 audio volur, MD Dark Saber and CCA Hydro all feature a similiar driver count but all sound different or much "better" even though they vary from 90$-679$-1999$, there tuning target and demographics were ultimately weighed upon all these listed factors and whom the iem was intended for. While the prices may vary the actually sound enjoyment will also be much more subjective considering the target response and In-EAR fit and anotamy. to list some reasons that may influence wether there is some form of reason to believe a iem at higher prices may sound "better" but you should give some factor in that at a certain point there is no value in weighing wether the rhapsodio supreme legend will be % better than the MIM Dark magician considering they are Single Dynamic units, with big price diferences. While I do think most people will lose themselves faster to music and stop chasing the dragon if they do get the chance to purchase a TOTL product after countinus use of budget Products, there will always be better reason to allocate time and money to other things outside of this very subjective terrible hobby. its honestly blind high stakes gambling sometimes lol.

Have you tried the Xenns Mangird Top? I have it and the Monarch MKIII and still prefer it. I want Xenns to make a $1k IEM badly.

ok, well, any budget? monarch mkIII plenty good enough. 64 audio u6t is also fantastic and I would take it over monarch. 64 audio trio and volur are both fantastic for gaming so just pick whichever tuning you like more for music. Vision ears ve10 is even more expensive but absolutely nutty. Empire ears raven isn't as good as ve10 for gaming but more fun. AME raven is like god tier for gaming but I dont like the tuning. :)

I generally would avoid campfire. Mk3 is a fine choice. For people with small ears and ok with eqing i recommend ie900.

I listened to both back to back. Honestly, the Origin was way more immersive. The MMk3 sounded a little like it was trying to hard. Bass was a real standout on the Origin as well. If you want something more technical and precise than the origin (but still a very engaging listen) , go for the Prestige LTD and skip over the Monarch series.

Speaking of, I tend to reach for the Noir over the Monarchs. I have both. Noirs have a very addictive sound. Also, look for an open box or used set and save some money.

Well, we do hear differently, and I never tried them side by side. If I get a chance, I'll do just that and report back. It's the MKIII that I own.

To each their own I guess, to me the MMk3 is just overly shrill in the mid-upper treble that it comes off as messy and crunchy. The MMk2 is better tuned despite not being as good in terms of bass quality and note separation IMO.

I'm using Scarlett Minis and had the MMK3 which is somewhat close to the Origin? MMK3 is nice but Scarlett Mini has amazing bass. No EQ needed.

Oh the MMK3 were far better for metal and anything that needed clarity. My MEST 2 edges it out though so that's why I sold the MMK3.

For years, my audio journey was anchored in the vibrant world of Chi-Fi IEMs—budget-friendly gems like the KZ ZS 10 pro, Moondrop Arias to Multi kilobuck killer - Monarch mk2/3, Mest, QDC VX. These in-ear monitors delivered thrilling soundscapes with their bold price to performance value, punchy bass, and sparkling treble. Yet, curiosity led me to the Westone Mach 80, a flagship renowned for its clinical precision and studio-grade neutrality. The transition wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a paradigm shift—a rediscovery of what music could be. Build and Comfort: From Plastic to PrecisionMy audio journey and experience, while impressive in sound, often felt utilitarian in build—oversized shells, hefty cables, and fit that demanded frequent adjustments. The Mach 80, by contrast, felt like a bespoke instrument. Its SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT (Yes in Caps), ergonomic design, molded from lightweight medical-grade resin, disappeared into my ears. The over-ear cabling and deep-seated fit provided a seal so secure and isolating like a Custom IEM that subway commutes became silent even without music playing. Westone’s decades of expertise in pro-audio ergonomics shone through; these were IEMs built for marathon listening sessions, not just casual use. Sound Signature: Chaos to ClarityThe first listen was… jarring. Gone was the bombastic bass slam or the polished midrange bloom. The Mach 80 greeted me with a stark, unapologetic neutrality. Bass was lean and taut, not thunderous. Treble was detailed but never sibilant. Mids? They weren’t “forward” or “recessed”—they just were, pristine and uncolored. It felt like swapping a neon-lit carnival for a sunlit art gallery. * Bass: The Mach 80’s 8 balanced armatures delivered bass with surgical control. Sub-bass rumble in electronic tracks like Jacques Greene’s “Feel Infinite” was textured and articulate, not bloated. Double kicks in metal tracks retained their speed but lacked the visceral “thump” I’d grown accustomed to. This wasn’t a deficiency—it was accuracy. The Mach 80 revealed how much of most of the iems was bass boosted. * Mids: Vocals and instruments emerged with startling realism. On Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” her voice floated with breathy intimacy, free of the midbass bleed that muddied my Chi-Fi sets. Acoustic guitars on John Mayer’s “Neon” showcased string plucks and finger slides I’d never noticed—a masterclass in microdetail, its surgically incredible! * Treble: Cymbals on TOOL’s “Pneuma” shimmered without piercing, and orchestral highs in Holst’s “The Planets” retained their airiness. The Mach 80’s treble wasn’t “exciting,” but it was ruthlessly honest, it’s very very smooth to listen. Soundstage and Imaging: From 2D to 3DThe Mach 80’s soundstage felt expansive and holographic, a stark contrast to the intimate, head-filling presentation of my Chi-Fi collection. Listening to Hans Zimmer’s “Blade Runner 2049” soundtrack, synths swirled around my head with pinpoint placement, while the decay of reverb tails in a jazz club recording felt almost tactile. Instruments weren’t layered—they occupied distinct spaces, like actors on a stage. The Adjustment Period: Learning to Listen AgainFor days, I mourned the loss of “fun.” Tracks that once felt anthemic now sounded restrained. But gradually, my ears acclimated. The Mach 80 didn’t impose its personality—it revealed the recording’s personality. Well-mixed tracks (think Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories”) became transcendent, while poorly mastered songs laid bare their flaws. This wasn’t an IEM for mindless head-bobbing; it demanded engagement, rewarding critical listening with revelations. The Chi-Fi Rat raceNowadays everyone is chasing the best of the best while many companies are releasing new items week in and week out, and we often forget to slow down and appreciate music more. And often with massive waves of iems releasing we often overlooked some of the brands that do not come out new model very often. Conclusion: A New BenchmarkThe Westone Mach 80 isn’t for everyone. If you crave bass heft, WOW factor or euphonic coloration, it might underwhelm. But as a tool for understanding music—for dissecting mixes, savoring acoustic textures, or simply hearing your favorite albums anew—it’s peerless. The is the most resolving IEM I have ever heard in any price range and I have heard a lot; and it’s redefined what I expect from them—and from music itself.

7th Acoustics Supernova, AFUL Cantor, Monarch Mk2/3, Moondrop S8, Used Campfire Andromeda are some of my favs under $1000

If equal tier: Speakers > headphones > IEM Its just really hard to use my Hifiman Arya Stealth on the go and I look like a goofball, and even harder with my speakers. Good IEM like my Monarch mkII are excellent on the go however

I think most of the modern iems chifi or not come with large shells that make them somewhat uncomfortable. I still prefer my z1r over the monarch mkii so I'd say that they still hold up really well. z1r actually has decent mids even when I compare it to the monarch mkii. However the z1r is still annoying when it comes to the fit. When testing them out go with smaller tips than you're used to and go from the smallest tip up till the seal/noise reduction doesn't improve and you've found your size. I use the smallest/second smallest tips on them and ensure that they go deep into my ears, they'll sound like they have no mids when you don't shove them deep enough.

Long useless post, TL;DR reached endgame. MH334SR good. Started with the KZ ZS1 a long time ago, with many incremental upgrades until I landed on the 7Hz Timeless. Then, after moving to Japan, I replaced it with the Variations paired with a DT990 for gaming. Somewhere along the way, I became that guy who kept making a fuss about cables, claiming they made everything sound so much better. I turned into a file format snob, only wanting to listen to FLAC and DSD. I kept talking about it to my friends (damn, I must have been really annoying). Ultimately, I purchased a used LCD i4 as a reward for enduring all the hard work of labor and finally landing a much better job. It stopped me from wearing headphones entirely since the soundstage and sound quality were more than enough. The bass and soundstage were incredibly addicting. At this point, I started to realize that cables were just snake oil, Bluetooth was a godsend, and my ears didn’t even care when listening to 128kbps audio. Qudelix is life. Recently, I got myself a pair of Diamond 220 speakers. However, they ruined my i4 in a sense that listening to speakers became so enjoyable that I spent less and less time with the i4. It felt like the entire area in front of me was a sound field. It was quite wild to be able to "see" (or feel) sound moving in front of me. The speaker itself looks like "muted", I don't hear sound from the speaker itself. Idk how to describe it haha. I still needed an IEM for outdoor use, though. Demoed the Z1R, Monarch, and others. They were okay, but it was hard to justify their sound when my main IEM was the i4. So, instead of deciding based on sound, I thought, why not prioritize comfort? That’s when I started looking into custom IEMs and came across the MH334SR on sale for 200k yen. Checked the frequency response, Immediately pulled the trigger and went to their clinic the next day to get ear impressions. It took about a month from there until the IEM was completed and delivered to my apartment. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting great bass (I thought it might be bloated) since it’s just a BA. But damn, maybe it’s the seal. It’s definitely not on the same level as the i4’s airy bass, but it’s good enough to satisfy my ears. The mids, highs, and technicalities are fine. At this price point, they’re as resolving as expected, just tuned differently. I listen almost exclusively to Japanese songs. Specifically, those leaning more into vocaloid, UTAU, visual novel OSTs, etc. If I see weeb art, I play it. Artists like DAZBEE, Nanami Urara, and Isekaijoucho are my daily dose. Below is just me trying too hard to explain the sound of the MH334SR: The highs are slightly above my preference (not that the IEM is harsh, but I butchered 4kHz in my i4). However, I got used to it pretty quickly in few hours. All instruments have presence. I don’t have to try hard to distinguish them (which is different from being able to hear all instruments). I can clearly hear vocal harmonies, which is a big plus. Can’t hear the sub-bass (drum) sound in the Aster Lore song at 3:37 - 3:50 though, which is a bit of a bummer (though so far, I’ve only been able to hear it on the Timeless). The beats are satisfying, most likely due to a bump at 200Hz. It’s not bloated, just a nice, punchy drum sound. I love that I don’t have to use EQ at all. I might even replace the Qudelix with something that looks nicer and has a knob in the future. But damn, the comfort is just peak, and the isolation is awesome. It’s close to Etymotics-level isolation without violating my ears. I desire nothing more for IEMs now (more like I don't care that much anymore), but I’ll still visit the shop regularly to demo IEMs since friends often ask for recommendations, especially in the budget range. Hopefully this doesn't make me plunge into speaker rabbit hole which is many times scarier. But so far satisfied since I only listen in very-very low volume anyway.

I tried TheAudio Monarch and Oracle (don't remember Mk numbers) some time ago and wasn't impressed really. The do sound good, and have good technicalities but nowhere near the headphones at this price (Arya or LCD-2C) or substantially better than good quality $200-300 planar IEMs. Tonality is different but that's taste more than anything else. Timeless (1 or 2) is where IEM peaks for me personally, and diminishing return is hitting hard after that. At least based on my hearing abilities.

Honestly for an entry level iem just save up some more for the supermix 4, skip the timeless soundstage is so narrow. Then the next upgrade with honestly be either the Variations or Xenns Top. Final endgame will be the Thieaudio big boys (Monarch, Prestige, Origin). Alternatives would be Elysian endgame range iems too.