Symphonium Triton VS Thieaudio Monarch MK3
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Symphonium Triton and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 use 1DD+2BA and 2DD+6BA+2EST driver setups respectively. Symphonium Triton costs $900 while Thieaudio Monarch MK3 costs $1,000. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 is $100 more expensive. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 holds a decisive 1.2-point edge in reviewer scores (7.1 vs 8.2). Thieaudio Monarch MK3 carries a user score of 6.8. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better bass with a 1.3-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has better mids with a 0.7-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better treble with a 1.3-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better dynamics with a 1.3-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better soundstage with a 1.5-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better details with a 1.5-point edge and Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has slightly better imaging with a 0.4-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Symphonium Triton | Thieaudio Monarch MK3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 6.3 | 7.5 |
| Mids | 7 | 7.7 |
| Treble | 6.5 | 7.8 |
| Details | 6.3 | 7.8 |
| Soundstage | 6.5 | 8 |
| Imaging | 7 | 7.4 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 7.3 |
| Tonality | 6.4 | 7.8 |
| Technicalities | 6.3 | 7.9 |
Symphonium Triton Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7.1Generally Favorable
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.2Very Positive
Reviews Comparison
Symphonium Triton reviewed by Z-Reviews
9
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Symphonium’s Triton takes the Helios’ concept and makes it sing: a 3-BA set around $900 that simply works with gear the way it should. Where Helios felt picky and “flat” in system matching, Triton is amp-friendly—plug into multiple solid-state amps and it just plays, with only subtle flavor shifts. The tuning clicks into place: one driver clearly handling low-end weight, one the midrange body, one the treble air, all in lockstep. Staging opens up, the mix feels cleaner, and the bass hits with more impactful authority. In plain terms: across detail, bass, and imaging, Triton comes off as the straight-up better listen.
On music, the set flips the “neutral = boring” script and goes full musical. Macro-dynamics have a bit of that “violent audio throw,” imaging is spectacular, and micro-details pop—think cymbal choke textures and pinpoint effects appearing exactly where they should, not smeared around the head. It’s not the ultra-diffuse, gimmicky kind of stage; it’s a natural, precise panorama that still invites head-bobbing. Tube amps remain a no-go for BA sets (distortion climbs without real gain), but on clean solid-state power Triton is easy to love and easier to keep in the ears.
Build mirrors Helios—big shells, long nozzle—and the stock cable is abysmal, but once music starts, those gripes fade. In performance tier, Triton can square up to sets like Moondrop Illumination or Softears Twilight (Twilight wins in cable niceness; Triton matches the wow factor). Within Symphonium’s own stack, this is the fun, “listen for hours” choice versus Helios’ more “accurate” stance, and it puts real heat on the cheaper Meteor. Net: a top-five-sounding IEM in this price class and a straight win for anyone who wants impact, stage, and detail without the fuss.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Z-Reviews
10
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
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.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
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Symphonium Triton reviewed by Precogvision
6.4
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Precogvision
7.3
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Symphonium Triton reviewed by Shuwa-T
6.4
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Shuwa-T
8.2
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Triton reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Head-Fi.org
9
* score rescaled + normalized
Symphonium Triton (more reviews)
Symphonium Triton reviewed by Super* Review
6*
* score rescaled + normalized
Symphonium Triton reviewed by Crin
6
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 (more reviews)
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Yifang
8.5
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Jays Audio
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
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.
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Jaytiss
8.5
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
8
Reviewer Score
Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube ChannelThieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Smirk Audio
7.9
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Tim Tuned
7.5
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Nymz
7.1
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by
Fresh Reviews
7*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming
Score
Youtube Video Summary
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.
Fresh Reviews original ranking
Fresh Reviews Youtube Channel
Symphonium Triton Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2BA
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: Symphonium Top Symphonium IEMs
Price (Msrp): $900
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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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Symphonium Triton 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
6.8Cautiously Favorable
Symphonium Triton Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.4Gaming Grade
C+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
7.6Gaming Grade
ASymphonium Triton Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B- Tonality is generally agreeable, though a few bumps remind you of its limits. Certain tracks spotlight its tonal quirks.
Average Technical Grade
B- Overall technicalities are acceptable, delivering enough clarity for casual sessions. Imaging is serviceable though not immersive.
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Overall balance feels confident and refined, rewarding long listening sessions. A reliable all-rounder for everyday listening.
Average Technical Grade
A- It delivers a confident technical showing with defined layers and satisfying clarity. You can follow backing vocals with relative ease.
Symphonium Triton User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
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Pros
Detail retrievalCons
Recessed mids and odd timbre.Find your next IEM:
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