REVIEW AFTER ONE MONTH DAILY USE

Initially, my set up was 'Samsung S 23 ultra + Simgot ew 300 DSP' for daily music listening hobby.

While upgrading from this set up, 1st I bought HIBy R4 DAP, used it for 10 days with same IEM and then decided to go for another big upgrade for iem. After trying existing iem on multiple phones, surprisingly I observed that 'Hiby R4 DAP' is superior even on high-end phones in terms of sound quality.

While upgrading IEM, I kept below criteria and told Mr. Pritam the same.

1. IEM with crystal clear sound with all details & balanced sound.
2. Ultra wide Soundstage & clear imaging
3. Clear stereo effect
4. It should separate Instruments sounds when there are multiple instruments in song/music.
5. It should handle bass heavy songs without compromising vocals & trebles.
6. Comfortable for long hours.

Now after using it more for one month, I can say that -THIS IEM HAS FULLFIELD EACH REQUIREMENT & ASPECT OF SOUND QUALITY.

Only downside I felt that Packaging and Case should be premium in this price tag.

EXPERIENCE WITH AUDIO STORE -

I had some options for IEM in my mind based on previous listening sessions at audio store office as well as youtube & web reviews.

I recently visited audio store office two times for some other product requirement, All those previous options, I tested all of them again. I found that Mr. Pritam's suggestion to buy MK3 over other IEMs is worthy.

Thanks a million Mr. Pritam for always helping & guiding before taking any major purchase.

Yet to burn out ; on slight use its very good on treble & music seperation and bass also good but not top notch, i’m using it with hyby r6 proii which has lot of equalizer setting still exploring best sound settings as per harman curve.As of now it sounds very good as i upgraded from final e5000 and will update the review further after some days of listening.

The Perfect Allrounder that gives you the impeccable performance to whatever genera of music you throw at with a clinical precision all throughout the frequency spectrum

These are good and, I can listen to them for days even at 40% volume through a KA3 or KA5 Fiio dac no problem, I generally listen my music at 2% to 8% volume on other iems as they start hurting me after 2 or 3 songs but these are so smooth. Also with these I can hear my music at 2% volume but after 40% volume they come alive and the full potential is opened up so in the beginning I did not find any difference with these as I was listening to my usual 2% volume but once I thought let's try one song at higher volume and Bingo. Also my ears are big so these fit perfectly like a glove and passive noise restriction happens. All my Iems I have re tuned to sound good so they all sound great but I can only enjoy those while in front of my pc because I can't carry my tuning with me but these I tried to tune and soooo little tuning is required I was amazed so now I can carry a almost perfectly tuned iem along with me 😃 that's nuts. Also I have an unboxing video of it on YouTube link is below enjoy👍🏻🙏🏻
https://youtu.be/PvxUWy0I0sI

Let me start by giving some context. I come from 2 years of using Blessing 2, and before that around 5 years of Sennheiser HD 598s. I am by no means an expert audiophile, but I would argue that my appreciation of music is no less than anyone else's.

That said, how did I land here? It started with a rather strong whim that I wanted to try something more. Had been enjoy my Blessing 2s for quite a while, and with the Jcally AP98 DAC/Amp and a 4.4mm cable life was undoubtedly good. But the allure of breaching the top end of what audio hardware can offer has always been strong. An unplanned visit on very short notice to The Audio Store followed, on a holiday no less. Thank you for accommodating me!

I always had my eyes on the Monarchs, but I did not mention this to Pritam when I visited TAS, because I wanted to get his unbiased opinion. What I did say was I wanted an upgrade from the Blessings. What followed was a quite fun experience of trying out some really good, and very different IEMs.
Setup for the day:
DAC/Amp - Jcally AP 98
Music source - Lossless Apple Music downloaded on my mobile.

It started with a bit of trying to clean up my "sound memory" as you might call it, and listening to something very normal for a little while. I say 'a little normal' but the 7Hz Sonus held their own considering their ~5k price point! Nicely balanced, good bass without it being dominating, and well tuned mids. Well done 7Hz!

After that it was time for bit of a jump. The Audio Henkilis. What fun IEMs! The moment I started listening it was clear what the manufacturer had in mind: unapologetic biased tuning. It is a very bright sounding monitor, and when I was finished, the first thing I said was that if I had been looking for a pure side-grade, then this is the IEM I would have gone for. As different as can be. The store page says "Tuned with Passion" and you can definitely feel that when you listen with these. Some frequencies are very strong and in your face, while others are distant, but without it sounding the least bit annoying. Overall like I said, I actually enjoyed trying these.

Next were ThieAudio Hype 2s, little brothers to the Monarch in some sense. There is only one word to describe these IEMs by: balance. I have not looked at the graph, but I'd bet the response of these IEMs is flatter than the Blessing 2s. Very good details too. I felt they were clearly better than my Blessings in the trebs, but for the lows it was the other way round. Without a doubt though if you're looking for as unbiased tuning as you can find at this price point, then these should be the go-to.

That done we moved on to the final pair I was to try that afternoon. Xenns Mangird Top. My god what an IEM. For the first time that day I felt that I was listening to something completely superior to my Moondrops in all aspects. Clarity in the lows? Its there. Mids sounding full and warm at the right parts? Check. Clear highs without distortion? Yep. I am amazed (yes present tense, even after listening to MK3s for two weeks) that this kind of tuning is possible in an IEM. Honestly, if your budget is around 50k, or even as high as 60-70k I will be tempted to say that you might not find something better. In fact, even after buying the MK3s, I have not forgotten the Mangirds. I know for sure that I will get my hands on them at some point.

IF you read through all that and are still here I applaud you. There hasn't been a word of Monarch MK3s until now. So lets begin. As I said earlier, I was always strongly intending to go for one of the Monarchs from the outset. The Mangird came very very close to derailing that decision, but in the end I decided to stick with my plan and get my first taste of the "big league". So why MK3 and not MK2? Listening to the Hype 2 and reading Sid's review here really helped me come to that decision. I knew MK2 was going to be ultra balanced, the same way Hype 2 had been, whereas MK3 had a bit more what you'd call "character". A little more biased tuning. You can probably guess from my review, and the way I enjoyed Henkilis that I don't mind that at all. It was bit of a risky move considering I hadn't tried either of the units that I was considering buying, but I had gotten to experience the next best thing in my opinion.

So how have the two weeks with Monarch MK3s been? Absolutely incredible. Pritam had warned me that the details on these things are ridiculous, and he was not wrong. Listen to them without distractions and you'll hear all sorts of things that you'd never done before. Bass is strong but controlled. You will often be able to hear a low rumble layering parts of a song. Mids are crystal clear in some frequencies. Sid's example of guitar pieces was spot on. Highs are detailed, but do tend to frizzle sometimes. Imaging is ridiculously good. Bear in mind that I'm still using my Jcally to power these, and it is obviously not enough. Correction is in order, but meanwhile extremely sa...

Introduction:
For two years, Thieaudio's Monarch Mk2 reigned as my favorite IEM. Despite owning pricier options, I always returned to the Mk2 due to its balanced tuning. So, when the Mk3 was released, I eagerly grabbed it. After three weeks and 50 hours of listening, I'm ready to share my thoughts, primarily comparing it to the Mk2.

Setup:
My setup includes a MacBook connected via USB to an RME ADI DAC or ifi Zen Dac V2. I source music from Apple Music and local FLAC files, spanning English pop, rock, Bollywood, Coke Studio, and early 2000s Hindi albums.

Unboxing Experience:
The Mk3 unboxing mirrors Thieaudio's standard. The package includes three sets of silicone and foam ear tips, a cleaning cloth, and a cable tie. I prefer my AZLA SednaEarfit Light ear tips for comfort. The carrying case matches the Mk2's design and size, accommodating the IEMs, my USB DAC, and interconnect cable.

Cable:
The included silver-plated copper cable is soft, supple, and high-quality. While not braided like the Mk2, it feels lighter and better. The modular termination allows easy switching between 3.5mm and 4.4/2.5mm plugs, improving on the Mk2's tight and slippery cable termination.

Build Quality/Wearing Comfort:
The Mk3's classy, seamless resin body lacks sharp edges. Though slightly larger, it fits better in the ear than the Mk2, with a snug fit and minimal bulge. It's comfortable for 60-70 minutes, thanks to "MS" size AZLA SednaEarfit Light ear tips.

Sound Impression:
The Mk3 presents a new sound style rather than evolving from the Mk2.

Bass:
Mk3 excels in bass, balancing sub-bass and mid-bass for richness and rumble without overpowering lower mids. It's excellent for pop, Punjabi, Bollywood, and EDM. Bass texture surpasses the Mk2 without smothering the mids.

Mid-Range:
The Mk3's mid-range is slightly recessed compared to the Mk2 but maintains critical details. This enhances soundstage depth, especially for male vocals, which are fuller. Female vocals gain clarity, though on high-energy tracks, the Mk3 approaches fatigue for some.

Treble:
Treble is a toss-up between Mk2 and Mk3. Mk3 extends treble impressively but adds energy, especially in the lower treble, which can be fatiguing on less-mastered tracks. Mk2's tuning maintains better balance but offers less air and detail.

Another interesting note, on my Mk2 I tried to simulate the FR of Mk3 by compensating a few db here and there on the parametric EQ of my Roon DSP but I failed to get a Mk3-like result. The bass region of Mk3 is very difficult to simulate on Mk2 by equalization.

Technical Aspects:
Mk3 edges ahead technically, with better resolution, layering, and holographic soundstage. Note attack and decay are more precise, lending a dynamic edge. Mk3's timbre feels more accurate.

Final Thoughts:
The Mk2 remains incredibly close to my preferred tuning, making it challenging to declare a clear winner between the Mk2 and Mk3. The Mk3, as a standalone IEM, shines brilliantly. Considering the price point at which the Mk2 is offered, it faces minimal competition, primarily from its own sibling, the Mk3.

Contrary to common expectations that a newer version of a product should surpass its predecessor, the Mk3 follows a different path. If the Mk2 aligns with your preferred sound signature and has served you well for three years, it remains an exceptional choice. However, for those with the means and a desire to explore a spicier and more vibrant sound signature, the Mk3 beckons. It possesses a distinctive character, style, and boldness that may resonate with discerning audiophiles.