Moondrop Blessing 3 VS ThieAudio Monarch MK4

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Moondrop Blessing 3 sticks to the family recipe—clean, neutral, vocal-centric—while fixing the Blessing 2’s soft spot: treble extension. Cymbals finally have proper metallic sheen and decay, and the overall imaging/separation step up. Bass comes from a dual-DD setup that favors control over quantity: tight, springy, and articulate in the sub-bass without turning the set “bassy.” Vocals are outstanding for the price—transparent, textured, and front-and-center. Physically, it’s the familiar large 3D-printed acrylic shell with a slimmer ~5.7 mm nozzle for easier tip fit, glossy metal faceplates that love fingerprints, an improved but still slightly memory-prone cable, a chunky case, and lots of tips (but no Spring Tips). Price stays put at $320.

The one nitpick: a noticeable upper-bass/lower-mids scoop that trades warmth and body for clarity. With modern productions that already carry sub-bass, the presentation feels deep and precise; with leaner acoustic or classic rock, it can read a touch sterile. Versus peers: Blessing 2 is a hair warmer and fuller but less extended up top; Blessing 2 Dusk shares the mid scoop, adds more sub-bass, and keeps the older treble quirks; Soft Ears Studio 4 is similarly lean-neutral with a bigger stage but smoother BA timbre; Kiwi Ears Orchestra Light is warmer, punchier in mid-bass, and more laid-back with weaker separation. Even with the tonal quibble, this is a clear upgrade—a “nearly perfect” neutral set and an easy 5/5.

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ThieAudio Monarch MK4 comes in at $1,150 with a tribrid array—2 DD + 6 BA + 2 EST—a chunky stock cable with friction-fit swappable terminations, and a genuinely excellent, in-ear-operable “Rumble” bass switch. The new metal shells look tidy, but the fit is very large; on average ears it tends to sit a bit out of the concha and feel unstable (seal is doable, comfort is mediocre). Build details like the firm chin slider are nice, yet the cable bulk and loose termination retention detract from daily use.

Tonally, stock MK4 aims for a clean-neutral presentation with a meaty, sub-bass-focused lift, lively upper registers, and excellent extension. The flip side is a slightly dry / clinical character with a hint of treble hardness that can leave notes feeling a bit bodyless. Engaging Rumble mode thickens the curve from ~300 Hz down—more warmth and weight, bordering on “gigabass” territory—making the set fuller and more fun, though arguably too bassy for purists. Staging and imaging are solid, and resolution is high, but macro-dynamics land behind peers; compared side-by-side, sets like Dunu Glacier and 64 Audio U4S feel punchier, while Valhalla sounds warmer, smoother, and more effortlessly resolving.

Overall, MK4 is a technically capable tribrid with two distinct tunings on tap—clinical-clean stock and warmed-up Rumble—but it’s held back by fit size, cable quirks, and that slightly wooden bass texture. For listeners chasing a bright-leaning neutral with legit sub-bass reach (and who can accommodate a big shell), it’s a compelling try; in this lineup, though, it settles at a three-star recommendation next to more engaging or comfortable alternatives.

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Moondrop Blessing 3 steps up as the most complete Blessing yet—cleaner and more controlled than the Blessing 2: Dusk, with less bass quantity but sharper dynamics and a tidier lower-midrange. It avoids the slight thinness some hear on Variations, keeping notes lean but satisfying. The midrange stays beautifully natural and a touch energetic without shout, while the biggest upgrade is in the treble: retaining the Dusk’s natural decay yet adding more air, so micro-details pop and vocals take center stage. The overall tilt is more vocal-forward and detail-focused than Dusk.

On the technical front, resolution sits around—or a notch above—the Timeless, with an impressively wide stage helped by reduced bass bleed and boosted upper air. Micro-detail is present but not laser-etched; separation could use that last half-step of incisiveness. Still, imaging, control, and clarity make for an easy “wow” on first listen, especially for listeners who value clean layering over sheer slam.

Comparisons are straightforward: versus the original Blessing 2, this is an upgrade across the board—cleaner lows, punchier bass quality, better lower-treble timbre, and comparable air. Versus Blessing 2: Dusk, choose Dusk for a more balanced and fuller bass hit; pick Blessing 3 for vocal presence, detail, and control. Against SoftEars Studio 4, Studio 4 sounds about a half-step more balanced with a touch more bass fullness and slightly better timbre, but the Blessing 3’s performance at roughly $320 is seriously competitive for the class. After a few underwhelming Moondrop releases, this feels like reclaiming the throne—a highly recommended return to form.

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ThieAudio Monarch MK4 arrives with the usual hype and a clear step-up in presentation: a thick, high-quality premium cable with interchangeable terminations, plenty of tips and tools, and a handsome case. The shells move to an all-metal build with a resin faceplate and a bass switch, while the internals stack up to 2DD + 6BA + 2EST in a four-way crossover. It is a big set—more long than wide—so smaller ears should test fit first, but the overall finish and hardware feel decidedly upscale.

In quick listens, the normal mode is the sweet spot: clean, powerful and immediately great without obvious quirks. Flipping the switch to bass mode turns things thunderous—fun for a moment—yet can nudge vocals out of balance on bass-heavy tracks, making the standard setting the better choice for everyday use. Early take: a confident, polished evolution of the Monarch line that favors balance and refinement in normal mode, with optional low-end excess on tap for those chasing extra rumble.

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The Moondrop Blessing 3 is a 2DD + 4BA hybrid with a larger, premium-feeling shell that remains surprisingly comfortable—though size could be an issue for smaller ears. Accessories and build echo Moondrop’s recent releases (even the analog cable mirrors the Dusk’s), underscoring a cohesive design philosophy. Tuning skews a touch brighter and more analytical: airy upper-mids/treble, crisp detail retrieval, and clean separation, with lighter bass impact than some rivals. It’s a set that showcases “technicalities” in an immediately noticeable way.

Against the Crinacle x Moondrop Dusk, Blessing 3 trades some punch and warmth for extra sparkle and detail; Dusk offers more bass, slightly calmer treble, and a touch more “slam,” while Blessing 3 sounds airier and more incisive. Versus Variations, the graphs are similar and they trade blows, but Variations’ bass advantage struggles to justify the higher price for most listeners. Compared to Moondrop’s more affordable options (e.g., Aria 2) and value picks like TruthEar Hexa or AFUL’s Magic One, Blessing 3 delivers a more refined treble presentation and step-up resolution, while some mid-fi competitors around ~$600 don’t clearly outpace it in engagement or detail.

Priced ~$330 (often on sale around $280), Blessing 3 sits at the sweet spot before diminishing returns hit hard. The trade-offs are clear: a touch bright, bass-light for those craving heft, and not the absolute value king next to Dusk—but as an airy, detailed, well-built daily driver, it’s easy to recommend. Final call: a strong A-—especially fitting for treble-heads and anyone seeking a clean, modern Moondrop tuning without paying flagship prices.

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Priced between $1,150 and $1,300 depending on custom faceplate options like the butterfly design shown, the Thieaudio Monarch MK IV boasts exceptional build quality with a large but well-contoured titanium shell offering a secure and comfortable fit. Key features include the innovative rumble switch for adjustable bass levels on the fly, a durable two-pin connector, and a solid feel that inspires confidence in longevity. While the included accessories are considered fair but unexciting, the shell's customization potential and rugged construction are major highlights.

Sonically, the Monarch MK IV delivers a detailed, exciting, and clean sound signature that stands as the best in the Monarch lineage. The rumble switch provides two distinct profiles: the red switch (no rumble) offers a balanced, tactful bass presentation, while the gold switch (rumble) adds a satisfying sub-bass shelf ideal for genres like hip-hop. Treble performance is notably improved over the MK III, though a 10k peak requires careful ear tip selection for some listeners. It trades blows with flagships like the $3,000 Annihilator (better sub-bass focus) and the $1,800 Elysian Apostle (more vocal forward), often matching or exceeding their technicalities while offering its unique tuning flexibility.

Scoring a top-tier 9.8, the Monarch MK IV earns its place through a compelling combination of premium build, the highly functional rumble switch, and outstanding sound quality that feels both special and refined. While acknowledging the high price, it represents significant value against competitors like the $2,000 Thieaudio Valhalla or the fiddly Grand Maestro, offering a feature-rich, durable, and sonically excellent package that justifies its position as a current summit-fi favorite.

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Moondrop Blessing 3 brings excellent resolution, clarity, and layering, with a clean, transparent tonality that skews bright-leaning neutral. Treble is extended without being splashy, giving plenty of air to cymbals and female vocals, while the midrange stays unmasked and articulate—piano and guitar transients pop with crisp decay. Staging is open and airy with pinpoint imaging (not wrap-around holographic like the biggest stage monsters), and the bass is snappy, tight, and bleed-free. The catch: the low end sits back, so on certain tracks the presentation can feel light, and a 6 kHz rise can get spicy at louder volumes depending on the song; vocals may lean a touch thin in classic Moondrop fashion.

Compared to Blessing 2, it’s a clear step up in cleanliness, note definition, and separation. Versus Dusk, think side-grade: a slightly brighter tilt and less bass weight, trading some low-end texture/extension for more air and edge definition. The set responds very well to EQ—a ~+5 dB low shelf @ 60 Hz (Q 0.5) and about −1.5 dB @ 6 kHz (Q 3) adds punch and reins in glare; with this, it approaches Variations performance while filling in mid-bass a bit. Simple nozzle filters (e.g., Alina/Tanchjim-style) can also tame upper mids and nudge bass up. For listeners who want more slam and tamer highs, stock tuning won’t be the endgame; for those preferring a clean, airy, detail-forward neutral, Blessing 3 is pretty banging at its price and technically competitive with pricier sets (think RS5, Oracle, even EGL7M on technicals, though the latter still stages wider). If Moondrop’s house sound clicks, it’s an easy rec; if not, look at cheaper options like Hexa or keep an eye out for a potential B3 “Dusk” variant.

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The Thieaudio Monarch MK IV presents two distinct tuning options, elevating its versatility. The balanced switch delivers a clean, smooth, and slightly airy presentation, offering a refined all-rounder sound that's very detailed, well-layered, and resolving – essentially a direct upgrade to predecessors like the Monarch MK3 and Top Pro, with slightly more treble detail and air. Conversely, the bass switch provides a significantly fuller, warmer low end with punchy, well-textured bass and a tamer upper midrange, addressing criticisms of thinness in earlier models and offering a specialized, engaging listen for bass-heavy genres.

Technically, the MK IV sits comfortably in the $1,000 tier, offering a slight bump in detail retrieval, refinement, and smoothness over the MK3 and MK2, comparable to the Dunu Glacier and Prestige LTD. While not a giant leap, the dual tuning options make it arguably a better all-rounder than single-tuning competitors; the balance switch excels with acoustic, classical, and cleaner genres, while the bass switch shines with rock, metal, R&B, and pop. Build quality is improved with an all-metal shell, though the flimsy cardboard case is a notable disappointment. Vocals are smooth, balanced, and enjoyable, though sets like the Monarch MK2, Mystic 8, RSV, or Arcanis offer more forwardness or unique character. Bass quality is excellent for most, though pure bass enthusiasts might prefer models like the Thieaudio Origin for its unique texture.

Ultimately, the Monarch MK IV is a highly compelling endgame option for the vast majority. It combines strong technical performance with exceptional versatility through its two excellent tunings, covering a wide genre spectrum effectively. While value-focused options like the Top Pro, Volare, or Mega5EST offer similar technicalities at lower prices, the MK IV's refinement, tuning flexibility, and slightly superior performance make it easy to recommend. It allows listeners to leave the hobby satisfied, provided they resonate with its sound – though chasing marginally better flagships involves steep diminishing returns. The king might be debatable, but the MK IV is undoubtedly a very solid $1,000 contender.

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The ThieAudio Monarch MK4 presents a well-extended, refined treble that measures cleanly and feels more polished than earlier iterations, though the overall tonality can read a touch thin. Against its sibling Valaha, the MK4 trades warmth for a clearer top end, keeping the presentation crisp without obvious harshness.

Between the pair, the MK4 takes the edge on technical performance—notably resolution—thanks to a bit more upper-treble energy and a more controlled bass shelf, while the Valaha offers extra mid-bass thump and a slightly warmer tilt. Net result: the Monarch MK4 remains a standout around $1,000, balancing precision and extension better than its stablemate.

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Moondrop’s Blessing 3 pushes a distinctly airy, high-clarity take on competitive audio. The stage feels a touch farther from the head, with solid imaging, depth perception, and verticality, but it walks the edge of “how far is too far” for games like Valorant and Apex. Detail retrieval up top is crisp and separation of higher-frequency cues is clean, yet the set could use a bit more immediacy and extra sub-/mid-bass to weight deep thumps and footsteps. Once ears adjust, performance is strong, though the bright tilt can be fatiguing for some. The see-through shell with a metallic faceplate is slick; accessories are fine but basic at this price ($310), with tips and cable that invite swapping.

Against Dunu’s SA6 MK2, the Blessing 3 sits on the “open/bright” end while the Dunu plays “closer/warmer,” delivering more urgency from its fuller low end—but that extra mid-bass can blur layering and separation when many similar cues trigger at once. For pure game sense, both have Wallhack Certified potential, just not near the top; sets like Kiwi Ears Orchestra Light (V2) strike a smarter middle ground with better balance for mixed scenarios, and options such as Dunu Vulkan or Raptgo Hook-X can edge them out. Ergonomics are good on both; the SA6 MK2’s “Mini Hulk” cable and swappable plugs (4.4/2.5/3.5) and generous tip spread help justify its higher tag ($579). Summary: choose Blessing 3 for a brighter, wider, cue-separating presentation; choose SA6 MK2 for a nearer, meatier hit—while the Orchestra Light V2 remains the safer, game-first recommendation.

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The ThieAudio Monarch MK4 is a premium IEM that earns a spot in the S-tier for competitive gaming, offering a significant upgrade over its predecessor and A-tier competitors. It features a unique rumble mode switch that adds a satisfying low-end punch and weight without muddying the detailed, reference-grade tuning of the standard mode. While the CNC aluminum build feels exceptional, the design is a bit bulky and heavy, which can lead to some comfort issues during very long, multi-hour sessions.

For gaming, the technical performance is nothing short of phenomenal. The imaging is holographic and the depth perception is absolutely exceptional, providing a critical advantage in tactical shooters like VALORANT where tracking footsteps through walls becomes incredibly precise. The wide and deep soundstage pushes sounds off the player, creating an immersive experience. While rumble mode is preferred for titles like Call of Duty, the standard mode's clean and detailed signature shines in battle royales like Apex Legends, though the 2-4k range can make gunfire a bit shouty at higher volumes.

This is also an absolutely amazing set for music, delivering an elevated level of technicality and resolution. The standard mode offers a fast, clean, and neutral listen with great detail retrieval, while the rumble mode provides a weightier, more engaging bass profile for tracks that benefit from the extra warmth and punch. Ultimately, it's a very high-end IEM that delivers a top-tier experience for both competitive gaming and critical music listening.

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Moondrop Blessing 3 ditches the old vibe for a fresh hybrid recipe: H.O.D.D.U.S. (two horizontally opposed 10 mm dynamics) plus 4× BA at around $320. The stage isn’t huge, by design—this is an intimate, in-the-head presentation that puts the music right up front. Bass is quick, tight, and more about responsiveness than brute slam; treble is crisp without splash, and nothing feels exaggerated. The crossover is impressively cohesive—no obvious handoff between DDs and BAs—yielding a “mixing/mastering” sort of neutrality with excellent detail retrieval and control. Think subtle-but-capable: delicate when it should be, instantly punchy when it must.

Build is peak Moondrop showpiece—shiny stainless backplate, clear acrylic shell showing the guts, and a comfy fit—but the stock 3.5 mm cable is underwhelming. The box is over-engineered fun; the tips selection is one silicone type in many sizes (foam not ideal here). Tip rolling to something like Dunu S&S keeps bass honest. Amp pairing prefers clean, linear gear; warm hybrids can push mids oddly, while neutral solid-state keeps things balanced. Not hard to drive (~12 Ω). Skip if you crave gobs of soundstage; absolutely grab if the goal is a neutral, close-up, fast, and coherent listen that “force-feeds” the music—without the fatigue. A confident buy for presence and precision.

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Moondrop Blessing 2:Dusk brings a rock-solid build with clear acrylic shells that show off the 1DD+4BA internals and that cheeky anime engraving. Fit skews large—big nozzles and a bulky body—so smaller ears may struggle. The included “sweat guards” are basically stickers that tend to come off with the tips, and taking these to the gym is a bad idea (moisture can cause issues). The real sin is the stock cable: thin, microphonic, and fragile—swap it immediately. On the upside, customer service/warranty is legit if something goes wrong.

Sonically, this tuning is a crowd-pleaser. The bass extends deep for a DD and slams without bleeding, the mids are the highlight—acoustic instruments and vocals sound fantastic—and the treble is clean but can push toward fatigue for sensitive listeners or on bright EDM drops. For electronic genres (hardstyle, D&B), the low-end grip is addictive; for orchestral and vocal music, it’s as close to “set and forget” as it gets. Quick fix if the top end nudges too hot on desktop: a simple EQ cut—~−4.5 dB @ 8 kHz (Q≈1)—tames the edge and lets the volume come up for extra bass satisfaction.

Technical chops are strong: resolution pops micro-details without turning clinical, soundstage width sits in the higher percentile for the price, and dynamics swing convincingly from soft to slam. Imaging is fine, but positional distance (for Valorant/CS-style footsteps) isn’t the strength—Apex/Overwatch or media use is totally fine. Net takeaway: as an everyday all-rounder for music, games, and movies around this bracket, it’s a killer pick with just two caveats—skip the stock cable and avoid sweaty workouts—or EQ the treble if sensitive.

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Monarch MK IV lands as a top-three set, sitting just behind the PMG APXSE and CP622B, and it earns that spot with an evolutionary design: a single, tactile rumble switch that can be flipped while the IEM is in-ear—no fiddly pins, no tools. In stock (red) mode it’s a vocal-friendly tuning with restrained mid-bass; engage the switch and the low end lifts, adding note weight without smearing the mids. The shell is metal, build is tight, and all the BAs are Sonion, signaling premium parts and execution.

Low-end performance nails both 808 drops and classic rock kick drums (“When the Levee Breaks”) with satisfying slam—better with the switch on—while bass guitar texture (pulls, plucks, string ring) stays articulate into the lower treble. Vocals are clean in stock mode and gain a pleasing husk and density with rumble engaged, making artists like Neil Young and Mark Knopfler pop. Upper mids/treble avoid glare and long-term fatigue, turning this into a true “sofa set” for hours-long sessions.

At $1,400 it competes shockingly well against far pricier summit-fi gear—no veil, no masking, just balanced resolution and a flip-to-taste bass shelf. Compared to Valhalla, the MK IV’s instant two-flavor flexibility pushes it ahead on value; bone-conduction curios like Origin feel more niche by contrast. Net: the best ThieAudio to date, an easy recommendation, and likely the new #3 overall—thanks to that simple, game-changing rumble switch that future proofs the tuning.