Thieaudio Monarch MKI Review
Sound Profile
Bass bumped bright neutral or V, I can’t tell
Overview
Originally I was really excited about the Monarch but it quickly faded as I started getting to genres where it just wasn’t up to the task. The biggest issue with this set for me is that mid bass tuck. It’s extremely noticeable and causes two issues for me; the first is that it thins out notes a little too much and staccatos become too sharp and in your face, especially when you crank the volume. The second is the cut is too deep into the bass frequencies, leaving not much low end to support the elevated upper mids and treble. Vocal clarity is very good and technicalities are good for the price but overall it’s a pass for me and my library.
Sound Details
Treble
Monarch is more focused on the upper range and it really shines up here. It’s got a great amount of air without feeling overdone like on the Mest MKII. Details come through well even at lower volumes. The space feels pretty open and expansive and imaging is very good. Even with the extended treble the upper harmonics of percussions such as cymbals sound natural, however staccatos do shoot you in the ear at times.
Midrange
String and wind instruments and vocals lack some body but otherwise sound clean and natural. They have great extension without sounding artificially airy or frayed. They also occupy a good space in that they are not too forward or too recessed. Percussion instruments do sound particularly thin and lack the bunch from the mid bass that is needed to make them sound natural and prominent.
Mid bass
Audible but lacking body. You have to really crank the volume to get much mid bass however the treble becomes too unbearable before the mid bass can really show up. When it does come through its a clean and tight bass.
Sub bass
It does have a sub bass bump which gives a bit of support in the low end to not back the whole replay sound shrill however for my library it just isn’t enough. Even though its bass boosted I think it doesn’t go far enough to balance the rest of the FR out.
Genres
Below are my rankings for how this set plays each genre. These are based on my general enjoyment of the replay for some songs that fall in each category and is therefore very subjective and may not represent the category as a whole. If you have any questions as to what songs I listened to for each category feel free to ask!
Pop - 8/10
Rap - 6/10
Hip Hop - 5/10
R&B - 7/10
Latin - 6/10
House/EDM - 7/10
Country - 8/10