Thieaudio Monarch MK3 VS Dunu Mirai

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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 takes the flagship slot with swagger: a 2DD + 6BA + 2EST array and a 4-way passive crossover, centered on the Impact² isobaric push-pull dual 10 mm subwoofer. The shells are huge and gorgeous (plain backs at ~$1000, fancy backs around ~$1100), vented on the underside, and paired with a supple, interchangeable-plug cable (2.5 / 3.5 / 4.4). Despite the driver count, coherence is the headline: this isn’t a parts parade—it’s a single, surgically precise instrument.

Sonically, bass behaves like a well-tuned subwoofer in a treated room: tight, fast, and slammy without bloat. The real party trick is imaging and spatial “distance”—sounds lock into place with eerie specificity, making familiar tracks feel new. Instrument separation is crystalline, treble air is effortless, and the set is easy to drive yet scales—more power refines rather than merely getting louder. Tip rolling matters: stock foams/silicones are okay, Dekoni helps, Dunu S&S can fit oddly on these large shells, while Render tips seal the room and boost performance ~15–20%, supercharging the imaging and engagement.

Against the Monarch MKII (good, kept around), the MK3 feels like a different tier—the sort of tuning that glues ears to music and makes skipping tracks impossible. Accessories are minimal because the message is clear: you’re buying the sound, and it arguably feels underpriced for this level. Currently on pre-order, this is peak IEM energy—an endgame-grade, king-making performance that invites hyperbole and earns it.

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Dunu Mirai comes as a headphones.com exclusive seven-driver hybrid—1DD + multiple BA with a super tweeter—priced around $950–$1,000. The tuning sits a few clicks toward the analytical side without abandoning fun: crisp, clean, and ruthlessly revealing of recordings and chain noise. Expect intimate staging, surgical separation, and a bass response that’s tight rather than head-rattling (forget any “+11 dB” slam claims in practice). Feed it a noisy amp or a bad master and it will tell on you; give it quality and it layers beautifully.

Build is a mixed bag: the green shells are chunky and a bit plain for the price, but ergonomics and nozzles work well. The included DUNU modular cable is light, comfy, and well-executed, and—bless—this one uses 2-pin. Accessory spread is generous (SS tips, “candy” tips, case, adapters). Still, aesthetics won’t scream “kilobuck,” which may irk some.

Tuning is the story: this is a precision instrument that doesn’t sugarcoat, closer to a studio mindset than a party trick. Tip rolling (e.g., foam-silicone hybrids) can nudge low-end weight and bring the midrange forward for a more emotive hit without breaking its composure. It stands apart from DUNU’s Glacier—the two make a complementary pair: Glacier for relaxed, expansive chills; Mirai for focused detail and truth-telling. Verdict: a full pass for listeners who want refinement and honesty over gloss, and who can curate their library and source to match.

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Bass is where the Monarch MK3 steals the show: tight, textured, and rumbly with real slam and no bleed, giving male vocals a more natural heft while staying clean. The Prestige LTD pushes the low end back for a lighter hit but trades that for a more open, airy stage and superior layering—great for busy mixes like rock, metal, and classical. The Hype 2 mirrors the LTD’s bass balance and rumble conceptually, but lacks the same overall technical resolve, making the MK3 the better pick for pop, EDM, R&B, and hip-hop that benefit from weighty sub-bass.

Through the midrange, the LTD steps ahead on separation, detail, and note definition, presenting vocals slightly set back yet more airy and sparkly; female vocals especially shine. The MK3 counters with more weight and engagement on male vocals and a forward presence, though its stage isn’t as deep or spacious as the LTD (a modest vertical lift over Hype 2, but not a “$1k soundstage”). Up top, the LTD has the smoothest, best-extended treble with the most air and microdetail of the trio. All three excel at moderate volume, but none invites cranking like certain high-volume specialists.

As an all-rounder, the MK3 checks nearly every box yet misses that distinctive “special sauce” expected at its price; think ~15–20% uplift over Hype 2. The LTD delivers the bigger technical jump at roughly 25–30%, with staging, extension, and air taking the crown, making a strong case paired with a cheaper daily driver. The Monarch MK2 still earns a nod for its midrange/vocal magic if that’s the priority. Final word: both LTD and MK3 score an S; for those willing to spend, they’re easy to recommend—just match the tuning to the library and the qualities valued most.

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Treble-forward without being a razor blade—that’s the Dunu Mirai’s vibe. Sparkly highs with notable peaks around 4 kHz, 8 kHz, and past 10 kHz inject energy, immediacy, and sharper imaging than smoother sets like Supernova. Vocals are clean, airy, and extended with no lower-mid bleed, giving indie/alternative tracks a lively “facelift,” though the same brightness can turn fatiguing on already hot mixes (EDM, J-/K-pop) and encourages lower listening volumes on those genres.

Bass is rumbly and punchy in the sub-bass but light on mid-bass weight, so rock benefits more from sets like Zen Top or SA6 Mk II. Technicals are strong—resolution, layering, and imaging keep pace with pricier peers; versus Monarch MK3 and LTD, Mirai sounds brightest and most exciting, while MK3 has better bass texture/more natural vocals and LTD offers airier staging with smoother treble. Compared to Harmon/diffuse-field staples (Top, Studio 4, E7M), Mirai pulls a touch more detail but is brighter. It’s essentially a more technical, bass-enhanced take on Blessing 3 / Simgot EA1000—yet at $1,100, the value debate is real, especially with unit variance and a somewhat plasticky backside (nice cable/case, though). Best for listeners seeking a lively, detail-first upgrade to EA1000/Blessing 3; not a treble-head special, not a do-everything allrounder.

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Build quality and presentation are the Mirai’s calling cards: a premium cable, a robust case, and those quirky little IEM booties make for an unboxing experience that feels luxury at its price. Sonically, it sketches a spacious, almost holographic stage where higher voices shine, drums hit with conviction, and guitars sound convincingly natural. The trouble starts lower down: bass and alto vocals can feel thin, with a mid-bass dip that leaves some tracks lacking body; strings on certain orchestral pieces skew sharp or plasticky, and there’s an ~8 kHz glare that can bite. Metal and electronic are a treat; well-recorded R&B is a poor match.

EQ—whether to Precog’s target or a similar in-house curve—fills in mid-bass and steadies the balance, but it raises the question of whether a pricey set should require tweaks. In context, Supernova offers flatter treble and fuller mids, Monarch MKIII brings livelier dynamics and a safer overall tone, and the Binary Chopin delivers a more consistently “fun” V-shape with fewer problem tracks. Mirai ultimately suits big-spending listeners who value build and staging panache over benchmark value; mid-tier collectors may find stronger all-rounders elsewhere. Verdict: a solid 4-star recommendation with a pure audio score of 8.9—impressive on the ears, if not the outright class leader for the money.

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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 steps up as a true flagship: a 2DD + 6BA + 2EST hybrid with high-grade Knowles/Sonion drivers, a gorgeous marbled faceplate, and—crucially—a vastly improved shell over MK2. Comfort moves from a 2-hour limit to all-session wear, and the stock package (solid cable with swappable terminations, foam and silicone tips) is well thought out. Tip choice meaningfully shapes performance; options like SednaEarfit Short or Comply foam push it toward its best.

Tuning follows a balanced, studio-leaning tonality with extra sub-bass warmth, delivering both clinical insight and genuine fun. Micro-detail is standout, bass is clean, textured, and physical (from Nirvana’s “Lithium” to modern hip-hop drops), and male vocals are among the most convincing heard on an IEM in this tier. Stage is wider and a bit taller than MK2, with excellent imaging, layering, and separation, keeping drums, bass guitar, and synth lines neatly organized without blunting impact.

For competitive gaming, the MK3 brings a tight soundstage, strong depth perception, and clear audio cue emphasis, offering precise 360° placement and adequate verticality. Versus Prestige Limited, it trades some sterile clinical edge for a more engaging, atmospheric presentation that reads distance and urgency better; compared to Yanyin Moonlight Ultra, it’s the more coherent pick for both games and music. While great mid-fi options like Zens Top, Orchestra Lite, or Yanyin Canon 2 remain strong, Monarch MK3 feels like the elevated, “dreamy” flagship experience—a new top choice for music enjoyment that also dominates in game when properly tipped.

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Dunu x Precogvision Mirai arrives after years of iteration, priced at $1,100 with a hybrid array—1DD + 6BA and an unusual open-back tweeter. The earpieces wear a handsome green finish and ship (retail) with a matching white cable and swappable terminations. Fit can be contentious: a more generic shell and a long nozzle may require tip rolling; shorter, spin-fit-style tips helped achieve seal and comfort without pushing the nozzle too deep.

Tonally, Mirai blends a leaner lower-midrange and sub-bass emphasis (think Helios-style low end) with a relaxed upper-mid à la 64 Audio. The result avoids sounding thin, delivering taut, weighty bass, excellent imaging, and incisive instrument separation with convincing front-to-back depth. The weak spot is treble timbre: cymbals and highs can skew a touch digital/crunchy, and while tips can tame it somewhat, the top end isn’t perfectly natural.

Versus 64 Audio U4s, Mirai is the sharper, tighter listen with stronger imaging, while U4s plays warmer, smoother, denser but a bit blurred by comparison. Against ThieAudio Monarch MkII, Mirai offers fuller bass and body, whereas Monarch is brighter, more forward with a notably smoother treble and slightly higher apparent resolution—but can feel thinner and has its own fit quirks. Overall, Mirai earns a solid 4/5: a distinctive, future-leaning tuning that trades blows at its price, with caveats on fit and treble polish.