Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 VS Fiio FA19

Youtube Video Summary

Build & fit: Premium presentation with a handsome “lava” faceplate and a cloth-sheathed cable featuring swappable terminations—useful, but the connector is bulky enough to be unwieldy. The shell itself is very large and can be tricky for many ears, affecting seal and even bass response. Comfort and security are not strong suits. Tip rolling helps; AZLA AirFit Light tips improved seal and tamed occasional treble bite.

Sound: A neutral, mid-forward tuning with a tasteful sub-bass lift, clean lower treble, and excellent extension. Midrange detail pops with fine micro-contrast, while treble remains smooth—evoking that easy, HD600-like effortlessness. Stage is wide with standout imaging and layering. The trade-off is a lean lower-mid/mid-bass region (that “Harman dip”), which can make non-bass-heavy music feel a bit dry and clinical, reducing perceived depth and visceral impact.

Comparisons & verdict: Versus Moondrop’s stable, Blessing 2 still offers a fuller, more linear low end and remains the more all-round pick; S8 brings superb treble and mid detail with similarly lean bass; Campfire Aura dazzles with holographic imaging and surprisingly satisfying BA bass, though its tonality is quirkier. Monarch MKII earns a solid 4/5 for tonal balance, resolution, and imaging—but the size/fit caveat is serious, and the lean bass means it won’t dethrone Blessing 2 for those craving warmth or body. Demo first; if it fits and that crisp neutrality appeals, it’s a fantastic listen.

Youtube Video Summary

Fiio’s FA19 brings a lavish unboxing at a $1,000 ticket: a premium case, a magnetic cable tie, cleaning and MMCX tools, and a mountain of ear tips (silicone sets, dual-flange, foams, full SpinFits, and HS18). The cable uses swappable terminations executed cleanly, though it’s a bit stiff, and the MMCX hardware rotates freely. The clear resin shells feel dense and well-finished, with a small nozzle and a medium fit that’s comfortable but not very secure—the MMCX rotation often requires a nudge to keep placement in the ear. Inside are 10 BAs per side and a tuning switch that Fiio markets as “monitor” vs “hi-fi.”

On the ear, FA19 reads as a warm, dense V-shape even in the so-called monitor mode. The switch simply means “more bass” vs “a lot of bass,” lifting the entire low end for thickness but yielding drone and blur rather than punch or texture—described as farty, flat-backed bass. Up top there’s sparkle, but treble control is lacking, pushing sibilance on vocals and cymbals; stage is fairly narrow and imaging unremarkable, though mid/upper-treble lift can tease out some vocal grain and breath. Against a key rival, the 64 Audio U4s (with M12), the Fiio feels outclassed: U4s offers tighter, better-balanced bass, a more neutral midrange, and non-fatiguing treble with enough extension to stay lively. Verdict: despite stellar accessories and build, FA19’s tuning and technicals don’t justify its price; not recommended at $1,000—and there are stronger options even far cheaper.

Youtube Video Summary

Build & accessories: Compact shell with a slightly old-school shape and flat 2-pin connectors, secure fit, and a nozzle some may find a bit much. The package includes Thieaudio’s large, sturdy case, multiple tips, a cleaning brush, and a fabric-sheathed stock cable with a solid chin slider and a durable Y-split. The cable’s modular plug system (2.5/3.5/4.4) locks in confidently and feels well made.

Sound: a neutral foundation with a dash of fun—clean upper mids, tasteful sparkle, and tight, articulate bass. Unit variance shows on graphs (his sample reads a bit bassier with slightly more treble vs other measurements), but the core tuning stays intact: rich mids, smooth presence, and airy extension that present music as natural, wide, and open. Versus Monarch MKIII, this MKII feels less bright and less fatiguing, with fuller mids. Compared to Annihilator 2023, MKII is flatter and more even (Annihilator hits harder and has a 10k zing some hear as “fake”). Against Lime Ears Tera, MKII is a touch warmer and easier; versus the pricier Europa, it tracks similarly on paper but wins on comfort and value; and it offers more body than budget darlings like Hexa, which can come off lean.

Verdict: a high-tier all-rounder prized for midrange timbre, air/detail, note weight, and imaging. It reads neutral-natural with just enough excitement to stay engaging over long sessions. Personal taste and fit still matter—always demo if possible—but within this preference space, Monarch MKII remains a special, well-balanced choice that continues to earn its spot among top IEMs.

Youtube Video Summary

Fiio FA19 brings a premium feel: a sturdy, slightly translucent shell with visible BA packs, comfy fit, and a plush eight-wire cable that terminates in 4.4mm. The MMCX sockets aren’t ideal, but the shell is vented, holds tips well, and the magnetic case feels upmarket. Sonically, this 10-BA set leans warm-neutral with a rich, cohesive presentation—male vocals sound full, some female vocals come off a bit husky, and bass has quantity more than tightness. There’s a touch of 5–6 kHz energy and slight hiss; treble is clean and pleasant rather than showy. The bass switch mostly bumps mid-bass; the lower setting keeps things tidier. Overall it’s Fiio’s most well-rounded tuning to date, just shy of “exceptional” because of that soft mid-bass and a mildly flabby midrange.

Versus peers, FD15 sounds more neutrally tuned (if less special), while all-BA options like Supernova feel more natural and controlled down low. In the wider field, sets like Letshuoer Mystic 8 (a bit of a sleeper), ThieAudio Monarch MK4 (cleaner upper-mids, dual bass settings), ZiiGaat Luna (tighter, crisper for far less money), or even budget-friendlier picks such as YU9 can offer a stronger value proposition. At around $1,000, FA19 earns a solid recommendation for those who enjoy a warmer, airy BA take—graded roughly A4 / S-—but it’s a demo-first purchase and shines much brighter if found used around $300–$400. Not a new benchmark, yet a very good Fiio with treble finesse and a smooth, easygoing signature that many will simply enjoy.

Youtube Video Summary

Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 stays a top-tier pick by balancing excellent tonality with solid, price-appropriate technicalities. The tuning sits close to the current meta, with a slight dip in the lower mids and a noticeable 6 kHz emphasis that adds sparkle and energy. It’s the “spice” to the Mega5-EST’s plain water—still coherent and controlled, but with extra fizz that makes music feel lively. While resolution doesn’t chase the extremes of Elysian Annihilator or Softears RS10, within the $999 bracket the performance remains compelling, making it an easy recommendation among kilobuck IEMs.

Build and accessories are straightforward: a full-resin shell with metal nozzle, a cloth-sheathed cable featuring interchangeable 3.5 / 2.5 / 4.4 terminations, and a proper case with silicone and foam tips. The fiery orange faceplate is the sole colorway. The catch is fit—the shell is large, and for smaller ears that can be a deal-breaker; no sound quality matters if it won’t seal comfortably. For those wanting a near-perfect meta hit with less treble spice, Hisenior Mega5-EST is noted as the safer tonal bullseye.

Choose Monarch Mk2 if a slightly V-leaning, meta-aligned tuning with engaging upper-presence appeals, and if the ear geometry can handle the chunky shell. Skip it if chasing max detail retrieval above all else, craving a more pronounced V-shape (consider Monarch Mk3 instead), or if fit is uncertain. The overall verdict: impeccable tuning paired with good—if not summit—technical chops keeps Monarch Mk2 at the top of the ranking conversation without needing boutique pricing.

Youtube Video Summary

Fiio FA19 arrives as a true kilobuck treat, pairing monumental bass impact with high-end finesse. A 10-BA array (including custom bass drivers), a clever negative-feedback system, and an audio-grade crossover deliver deep, clean low end without clouding the mids—male vocals stay forward, natural, and ultra-clear. Up top, cymbal work has sparkle, air, and detail yet remains smooth and sibilance-free, while separation and layering feel studio-grade. At $1,000, this tuning reads as resolving, fast in attack/decay, and unmistakably fun.

For pure performance, the FA19 brings pinpoint imaging, beautiful depth perception, and a wide, well-ventilated stage that elevate both music and play. The bass toggle dip-switch can push sub-bass and mid-bass into downright addictive territory; switching it off reins things in for a more reference-leaning balance. Even against strong mid-tier contenders, micro-detail and retrieval step up a notch here—airy treble textures, subtle room cues, and layered backgrounds all come through with ease.

Competitive gamers get a standout edge: Valorant tracking feels “wall-hack” precise, Call of Duty benefits from immersive LFE without masking cues (especially with the switch off), and Rainbow Six Siege showcases clear vertical and positional info. The only caution is that the switch-on mode can be a touch sub-bass heavy in titles like Apex; otherwise this is an A-tier pick for the Wall-Hack Certified list—an analytical beast that blends clarity with grin-inducing punch.