Thieaudio Monarch MK3 VS Moondrop Illustrious

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 and Moondrop Illustrious use 2DD+6BA+2EST and 1DD driver setups respectively. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 costs $1,000 while Moondrop Illustrious costs $899. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 is $101 more expensive. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 7.5). Thieaudio Monarch MK3 carries a user score of 6.8. Moondrop Illustrious has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better dynamics with a 3-point edge and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.

Insights

Jaytiss Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3
8.5 /10
Jaytiss Score
Moondrop Illustrious
7.5 /10
Score gap: 1.0
Metric Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Moondrop Illustrious
Mids 7 7
Treble 7 8
Soundstage 8 7
Dynamics 8 5
Tonality 7.5 6.5
Technicalities 7 8
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Thieaudio Monarch MK3 and Moondrop Illustrious reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Details

Driver Configuration: 2DD+6BA+2EST

Tuning Type: U-Shaped

Top U-Shaped IEMs

Brand: ThieAudio Top ThieAudio IEMs

Price (Msrp): $1,000

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$999
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Moondrop Illustrious Details

Driver Configuration: 1DD

Tuning Type: Neutral, Bright

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Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs

Price (Msrp): $899

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$899
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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A
  • Overall balance feels confident and refined, rewarding long listening sessions. A reliable all-rounder for everyday listening.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • You get a controlled, composed performance, marrying decent clarity with a still-modest sense of space. A safe technical performer for the price bracket.
Mids A-
The mids sound lush and articulate, capturing emotion effortlessly. Strings and keys shimmer with realism.
Treble A-
Treble performance is excellent—airy, extended, and beautifully controlled. It reveals subtle studio ambiance.
Dynamics A+
It captures both explosive hits and delicate shifts with lifelike realism. Micro-dynamics shimmer through the mix.
Soundstage A+
Three-dimensional layering becomes effortless, placing performers on a lifelike virtual stage. Venue ambience wraps around convincingly.

Moondrop Illustrious Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • Tonality is generally agreeable, though a few bumps remind you of its limits. Certain tracks spotlight its tonal quirks.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • Layering is confident and precise, backed by imaging that locks elements firmly in place. Micro-details peek through without sounding forced.
Mids A-
Midrange performance is excellent, with natural timbre and great detail. Vocals feel lifelike and full-bodied.
Treble A+
It delivers superb treble brilliance that stays pure even in complex passages. It adds excitement while staying pure.
Dynamics C+
Dynamic performance is decent, delivering respectable macro swings with limited nuance. There's a fair amount of macrodynamic swing.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation that is wide, deep, and tall with precise instrument placement. Width, depth, and height all feel expanded.

Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Reviews

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Makavelian
6.8

If this is what 'fun' sounds like, I ain't about it.

Pros
Detail retrieval
Cons
Recessed mids and odd timbre.

Moondrop Illustrious User Reviews

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0.0

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