Dunu Glacier VS Thieaudio Monarch MK3
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Dunu Glacier and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 use 1DD+4BA+4EST and 2DD+6BA+2EST driver setups respectively. Dunu Glacier costs $1,350 while Thieaudio Monarch MK3 costs $1,000. Dunu Glacier is $350 more expensive. Dunu Glacier holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (8.7 vs 8.1). User ratings place Dunu Glacier at 9 and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 at 6.8. Dunu Glacier has significantly better bass with a 1-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has slightly better mids with a 0.3-point edge, Dunu Glacier has slightly better treble with a 0.3-point edge, Dunu Glacier has significantly better dynamics with a 1.7-point edge, Dunu Glacier has significantly better soundstage with a 1.5-point edge, Dunu Glacier has better details with a 0.5-point edge and Dunu Glacier has better imaging with a 0.9-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Dunu Glacier | Thieaudio Monarch MK3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Mids | 7.4 | 7.7 |
| Treble | 8 | 7.8 |
| Details | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| Soundstage | 9.5 | 8 |
| Imaging | 8.3 | 7.4 |
| Dynamics | 9 | 7.3 |
| Tonality | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| Technicalities | 8.6 | 7.8 |
Dunu Glacier Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Dunu Glacier Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+4EST
Tuning Type: Harman with bass boost
Brand: DUNU Top DUNU IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,349.99
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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+6BA+2EST
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Brand: ThieAudio Top ThieAudio IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,000
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Dunu Glacier User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
9Outstanding
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
6.8Cautiously Favorable
Dunu Glacier Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.4Gaming Grade
A-Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.5Gaming Grade
ADunu Glacier Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.
Average Technical Grade
S-- Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
A- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Dunu Glacier Reviews
10
* score normalized
The Dunu Glacier delivers an extraordinary premium experience right from the unboxing, featuring a lavish presentation, a massive high-quality fabric cable with interchangeable terminations, and hand-polished stainless steel earpieces that feel substantial and expensive. Despite the controversial MMCX connectors, the cable and fit are praised, complemented by a ton of accessories including multiple ear tip types, a leather case, and even a brush. This is Dunu’s flagship effort at $1300, and the physical presentation screams luxury.
Sonically, the Glacier is a revelation with a massive, immersive soundstage that places instruments at a distance, creating a surround-like experience rather than an in-your-head assault. The tuning is remarkably relaxed and natural, prioritizing smoothness and spatial depth over aggression. Tracks with atmospheric elements or live recordings become breathtaking, revealing layers of echo and venue acoustics that feel expansive and holographic. This isn’t hyper-detailed or clinical; it’s chill, luxurious, and emotionally resonant, making even familiar music feel newly captivating.
Compared to competitors like the Thieaudio Prestige Limited or Monarch MkIII, the Glacier carves its own niche with its unparalleled sense of space and effortless presentation. It doesn’t compete on technical aggression but instead offers a transportive, almost spiritual listening experience. If you crave an endgame IEM that emphasizes grandeur, natural tonality, and pure musical immersion over analytical prowess, the Glacier is a jaw-dropping contender. Just be prepared for its unique, room-filling signature—it’s less an in-ear monitor and more a portal.
9.3
Reviewer Score
Upper mids kill it for me, but it's a fun set. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Priced around $1,350, the Dunu Glacier is a premium nine-driver tribrid IEM featuring one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers. The build quality is exceptional with a beautiful mirrored polished steel shell, though it's noted as a bit large, heavy, and a fingerprint magnet. Comfort is generally good, and it includes a high-quality, pliable cable with interchangeable connectors and a secure chin slider. Packaging is also highlighted as exceedingly well done, typical of Dunu's recent standards.
Sonically, the Glacier delivers a very bassy, extremely fun, and highly engaging V-shaped signature. The strong bass is balanced by prominent upper mids, offering good detail resolution and micro-details. However, a noticeable energy peak around 3kHz can make some tracks feel overly energetic, intimate, or even slightly shouty, limiting its versatility for mellower listening sessions. Comparisons place it near sets like the LETSHUOER Tera (less bass, cleaner) and ThieAudio Monarch MK I (less bass, more even upper mids), while noting it surpasses the Dunu Brain Dance (DK-31) in detail and bombast, though the Brain Dance offers significant value at half the price.
Ultimately, the Dunu Glacier stands out as a fantastic and unique IEM with satisfying bass weight, good imaging, and excellent micro-details. Its fun, bombastic character and high-quality build make it a compelling choice, but the specific upper-mid energy requires careful consideration. It earns a recommendation for those seeking an ultra-engaging Harman-style listen with top-tier driver tech, though demoing is advised due to its distinct tonal quirks.
9*
* score normalized
Convinces me that the harman target can sound excellent.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
The Dunu Glacier stands as the brand's latest flagship tribrid IEM, priced around $1,350. Its standout feature is its adherence to the Harman target curve, a rarity at this level, executed with notable success. The Glacier boasts exceptional build quality, featuring polished 904L stainless steel shells that feel substantial and genuinely premium, justifying its price tag aesthetically. It comes loaded with accessories, including a plethora of ear tips (like the Candy and new clear Dunu Lunnies) and a large carry case, though the case design is noted as slightly awkward. The included cable is thick, well-made, and features Dunu's signature swappable terminations (3.5mm and 4.4mm included), though its ear hooks are somewhat loose and the chin cinch doesn't hold perfectly.
Sonically, the Glacier delivers a contrasty, V-shaped signature true to Harman but avoids the thinness sometimes associated with that target, thanks to extra bass emphasis. The bass is a major highlight – big, impactful, deep, well-textured, and satisfyingly clean with zero bleed into the mids. The treble is forward yet remarkably smooth, avoiding sharpness or sibilance. While technically proficient with good imaging and a strong sense of depth (especially from the bass), it leans slightly more towards contrast than nuanced micro-detail, particularly in the mid-range. Compared to rivals like the 64 Audio U4s (more mid-focused, warmer, laid-back) and the Dunu Mirai (brighter, most mid-focused, wider stage but less satisfying bass and slightly digital/scratchier treble), the Glacier excels in bass impact and separation, smoothness, and depth perception, while the others might appeal more for pure mid-range focus.
Overall, the Dunu Glacier is a highly refined IEM with no glaring weaknesses. Its excellent build, satisfying Harman-tuned sound (especially the standout bass and smooth treble), and competitive technicalities make it a compelling option in the flagship tier. While its weight and aggressive shell molding might cause minor comfort issues when lying down, and the ear hooks could be tighter, it earns a very solid four-star rating for delivering a premium experience that largely justifies its cost and successfully champions the Harman target.
9
Reviewer Score
Clean, balanced sound, clear vocals, great midrange and tech, would rec if not for the unit variance in the tuning, the unit I got sounds different than the earlier ones which was bass-boosted diffuse field Jays Audio Youtube Channel
9
Reviewer Score
Reveals every detail in your music, both the good and the bad. Exceptional bass, ethereal treble, remarkable clarity, and outstanding detail. The upper mid-range might be a bit too much for some people.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
7.2
Reviewer Score
Quite exciting and dynamic, possibly a bit bright in the treble. Precogvision Youtube Channel
7
Reviewer Score
Less thin harman with amazing tech Not very natural timbre Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
IEMRanking AI
2025-07-02
9
Reviewer Score
The Dunu Glacier delivers a technically impressive listening experience with its nine-driver tribrid setup (1DD+4BA+4EST). The stainless steel shells feel substantial yet remain comfortable for extended sessions despite their weight. Sonically, it presents a Harman-inspired tuning enhanced by significant sub-bass rumble and a notably wide soundstage, creating an expansive presentation.
Bass response is a standout, offering deep, textured rumble and strong physical impact thanks to the biocellulose dynamic driver, while the four EST drivers provide highly detailed treble without harshness. However, the upper mids can occasionally feel intense or forward on certain tracks, and the midrange sometimes exhibits a slight hollowness, making it less forgiving of poor recordings. While the soundstage width is exceptional under $2000, depth and layering don’t quite reach the absolute top tier.
At $1349, the Glacier justifies its price with a premium unboxing experience, including a versatile modular cable, multiple high-quality eartip options (Dunu S&S, Candy, SpinFit), and a distinctive design. It’s a strong choice for those seeking a dynamic, detailed signature with thunderous bass and a vast stage, though its revealing nature and shell size may not suit all listeners or genres.
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Reviews
10
* score normalized
8.5
Reviewer Score
Better low-end texture and overall more engaging than MK2, but lacks the mid-range/vocal magic, so depending on your preference either is great. Still TOTL tech like MK2. Great all-rounder. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
8.5
Reviewer Score
Fatiging at times for me, too fun at times. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
8.2
Reviewer Score
Better bass response compared to the mk2 Trades off the lush midrange in place of a cleaner sounding, almost boring midrange
8
Reviewer Score
I prefer the Monarch MK II for its tonality, vocals, and timbre, but I get why some prefer the MK III. More bass, treble, and detail than the Monarch MK II. The vocal magic of the Monarch MK II is gone.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
7.9
Reviewer Score
Elevated, well-textured mid-bass. Pleasant mids. Elevated upper-treble may be pesky to some.
Tim Tuned
2025-08-14
7.5
Reviewer Score
MK2 but more fun and more V-shape Not as natural in timbre Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
7.3
Reviewer Score
Still perplexingly poor bass performance, but improves upon the Monarch MKII's treble extension noticeably. Precogvision Youtube Channel
7.1
Reviewer Score
An improvement in the bass and treble department over the Mk2, but without the same special sauce in the mid-range and with some imaging problems still.
7*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
Dunu Glacier User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewLuxury looking IEM with great sound quality. Sounds best with Tangzu Sancai tips
Pros
Sounds fun and clean at the same time, very engaging. Insane soundstage and 3D-holographic effect.Cons
In some songs too energetic for long listening sessions.Buy Dunu Glacier on Aliexpress
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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewIf this is what 'fun' sounds like, I ain't about it.