Shanling ME800 VS Thieaudio Monarch MK3

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Shanling ME800 and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 use 2DD+4BA and 2DD+6BA+2EST driver setups respectively. Shanling ME800 costs $1,050 while Thieaudio Monarch MK3 costs $1,000. Shanling ME800 is $50 more expensive. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 holds a decisive 3.6-point edge in reviewer scores (4.5 vs 8.1). Thieaudio Monarch MK3 carries a user score of 6.8. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better bass with a 3.5-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better mids with a 3.7-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better treble with a 3.8-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better dynamics with a 3.3-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better details with a 3.8-point edge and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better imaging with a 3.4-point edge.

Insights

Metric Shanling ME800 Thieaudio Monarch MK3
Bass 4 7.5
Mids 4 7.7
Treble 4 7.8
Details 4 7.8
Soundstage 4.5 8
Imaging 4 7.4
Dynamics 4 7.3
Tonality 4.5 7.8
Technicalities 5 7.8

Shanling ME800 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

4.5

Generally Unfavorable


Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Tim Tuned Precogvision Nymz Fresh Reviews
Jays Audio Jaytiss Shuwa-T Gizaudio Axel
Z-Reviews

Average Reviewer Score:

8.1

Very Positive


Shanling ME800 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

6.8

Cautiously Favorable

Shanling ME800 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

3.9

Gaming Grade

D+

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

7.5

Gaming Grade

A

Shanling ME800 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass C-
Subdued bass response that stays mostly in the background. Lacks energy and impact but maintains basic definition.
Mids C-
Midrange is passable but unrefined. Lacks detail and smoothness, with occasional harshness in upper mids.
Treble C-
Average treble performance - present but lacking refinement. Some graininess or splashiness affects clarity.
Dynamics C-
Average dynamics - passable but unexciting. Transients are rounded and micro-dynamics lack refinement.
Details C-
Average resolution - reveals basic elements but misses subtleties. Satisfactory for casual listening but lacks refinement.
Imaging C-
Average imaging - reasonable localization but lacks specificity. Instruments have general positions but lack pinpoint accuracy.
Gaming D+
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

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.
Bass A
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details A
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging A-
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Shanling ME800 Reviews

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 5 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
B Tech

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 4 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
C- Tech
Sounds very mediocre for the price.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: C- Mids: C- Treble: C- Dynamics: C- Details: C- Imaging: C-

Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Reviews

Reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 10 * score normalized
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Price: $999

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Reviewed by: Jays Audio

Jays Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S- Tech
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 original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
Fatiging at times for me, too fun at times.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: A+

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 8.2 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Better bass response compared to the mk2 Trades off the lush midrange in place of a cleaner sounding, almost boring midrange

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: S- Mids: A+ Treble: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: A+ Imaging: S-

Reviewed by: Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 8 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
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

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 7.9 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Elevated, well-textured mid-bass. Pleasant mids. Elevated upper-treble may be pesky to some.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: A+ Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

2025-08-14
Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
S Tech
MK2 but more fun and more V-shape Not as natural in timbre

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 7.3 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Still perplexingly poor bass performance, but improves upon the Monarch MKII's treble extension noticeably.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: B Mids: A+ Treble: A+ Dynamics: B Details: A+ Imaging: A-

Reviewed by: Nymz

Nymz 7.1 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
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.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A+ Details: A- Imaging: B

Reviewed by: Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 7* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
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Using this affiliate link for ordering your Thieaudio Monarch MK3 or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $999

Buy Thieaudio Monarch MK3 on Aliexpress

Shanling ME800 User Reviews

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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Reviews

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Makavelian
6.8

If this is what 'fun' sounds like, I ain't about it.

Pros
Detail retrieval
Cons
Recessed mids and odd timbre.

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