Thieaudio Monarch MK3 VS Moondrop Illustrious
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
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 1.9-point edge in reviewer scores (8.1 vs 6.3). Thieaudio Monarch MK3 carries a user score of 6.8. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better bass with a 2.5-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better mids with a 2.2-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better treble with a 1.8-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better dynamics with a 2.8-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better details with a 2.8-point edge and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better imaging with a 2.4-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Thieaudio Monarch MK3 | Moondrop Illustrious |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7.5 | 5 |
| Mids | 7.7 | 5.5 |
| Treble | 7.8 | 6 |
| Details | 7.8 | 5 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 7 |
| Imaging | 7.4 | 5 |
| Dynamics | 7.3 | 4.5 |
| Tonality | 7.8 | 6.1 |
| Technicalities | 7.8 | 6.8 |
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Moondrop Illustrious Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
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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Moondrop Illustrious Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Moondrop
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $899
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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
6.8Cautiously Favorable
Moondrop Illustrious User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!
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
AMoondrop Illustrious Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.6Gaming Grade
B-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.
Moondrop Illustrious Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B- Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.
Average Technical Grade
B+- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
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
Moondrop Illustrious Reviews
7.5
Reviewer Score
Basically the Softears Twilight with less sub-bass extension, alot more neutral and monitor like, and very pricy since Twilight goes on sale for $700 with a more musical playback. This is just neutral. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Valhalla lands as an “endgame” all-rounder with standout resolution, micro-detail, and imaging. Layering and separation are locked in, with vocals that aren’t scooped—mids stay present and natural. Sub-bass hits rumblier than the U12t and the treble avoids that sudden, sharp peak, making the overall presentation smoother yet still airy. Versus the Cadenza 12, Valhalla is less treble-heavy, a touch bassier, and not as bright-leaning; the Cadenza 12 may edge it on micro-detail by only a few percentage points, so it’s a straight tuning preference: go Cadenza 12 for leaner/brighter sparkle, go Valhalla for the better-balanced bassy all-rounder.
On value, this isn’t twice the performance of a Monarch Mk II/Mk III—think ~10% better with clear diminishing returns. For the “chase the very best” crowd, it’s absolutely worth a listen; for most, Monarchs/LTD/Crimson are already more than enough for a so-called endgame. Final call: Top Tier for tuning and sound refinement—not a value pick, but a legit endgame-grade set.
7.5
Reviewer Score
Nice single DD, not a benchmark, but very nice. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Gizaudio Axel
2025-07-31
6
Reviewer Score
Open-back IEM with a mellow sound. Good for long listening but not for those seeking strong bass or high resolution. Warm, full-bodied mids with natural timbre and safe treble. Light bass with low sub-bass, lacking treble air and sparkle, and underwhelming detail.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
6*
* score normalized
Sounds like an open-back IEM. It delivers on open design. Something to consider if you are looking for that.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
4.3
Reviewer Score
Sounds like it has metallic timbre. Percussino compression around 5kHz due to lack of treble extension and generally bad tuning. Precogvision Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Reviews
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewIf this is what 'fun' sounds like, I ain't about it.
Pros
Detail retrievalCons
Recessed mids and odd timbre.Moondrop Illustrious User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
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Cons
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