Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 VS Moondrop Variations

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.

Super* Review original ranking

Moondrop Variations enters the $520 bracket as a sleek tribrid (DD bass, BA mids, dual EST treble) that mirrors the Blessing 2 shell and fit—complete with the familiar large nozzle—while upgrading the look with a smoky, beach-glass finish. The package is generous (tips, foams, spare filters, and a modular cable with 3.5/4.4/2.5 swaps), though the case is bulky and the connector mechanism isn’t the slickest. Ergonomics are essentially the same as Blessing 2/Dusk; secure once sealed, but best with smaller tips.

Sonically, this reads as a refined “Dusk-plus”: a flatter lower-mid profile, prominent yet tidy sub-bass, and treble that’s a touch smoother and better extended than Blessing 2/Dusk. Despite measuring with more sub-bass than Dusk, it often feels less bassy in practice—more integrated, less showy—while preserving the line’s standout midrange detail and vocal clarity. Versus peers, staging depth benefits from the sub-bass lift (a hair more “space” than Blessing 2), and detail/resolution is effectively on par with Dusk; Blessing 2 still edges it for midrange naturalness, and all-BA sets like S8 retain the treble finesse crown.

The catch is value: performance moves forward, but only by small, picky margins. With Blessing 2/Dusk sitting a full $200 lower, Variations feels like a tasteful refinement rather than a categorical leap. For listeners who want a neutral core with an articulate sub-bass emphasis and slightly more air/polish up top than the Blessings—without the Dusk’s heavier bass feel—it’s an excellent pick. As scored, it earns 4 stars: easy to recommend on its tuning and competence, just shy of “must-buy” given how close its cheaper siblings perform.

Super* Review original ranking

Moondrop Variations tracks the compensated diffuse-field target closely at typical listening levels (75–85 dB), delivering a signature that is clean, smooth, airy with center-locked imaging. The well-known mid-bass tuck trades some weight on male vocals, bass guitars, and kick drums for top-tier separation and midrange clarity, while the sub-bass rises with a subwoofer-like rumble and texture. Treble is generally coherent and extended, though a touch of extra energy past 12 kHz can turn hot on brighter J-/K-Pop masters. At sane volumes, the overall presentation feels correct and harmonious, with instruments and vocals popping out in a spacious, non-congested stage.

Against Blessing 2 Dusk, Variations sounds clearer and more separated with better sub-bass extension; Dusk’s added mid-bass gives male vocals more heft but softens the subwoofer illusion and feels less smooth up top, making female vocals a bit less airy. For listeners wanting a touch more slam and a gentler treble tilt, sets like Shuoer EJ07M and the original Monarch provide that extra meat without wrecking clarity. On a budget, the Moondrop Quarks DSP offers a “mini-Variations” vibe—~85% of the experience—though it gives up some treble extension, bass texture, and imaging precision due to driver and DSP constraints.

Big picture: for accuracy, balance, imaging, and an almost studio-monitor take in an IEM, Variations remains a go-to recommendation—especially if there’s no strong preference for extra mid-bass or if listening stays below 85 dB. Those chasing more bite or “out-of-the-box” coloration can find sharper sets, but they won’t sound as even, faithful, or effortlessly clear as Variations at moderate volumes.

Jays Audio original ranking

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.

Jaytiss original ranking

Build & accessories: Variations shows its age. The resin shell fits well and the metal faceplate looks clean, but the body feels a bit chintzy and slightly see-through, with a chunky nozzle compared to newer slim designs. The pocketable case is nice, yet the stock cable is thin with barely visible L/R markers; modular termination is handy, but modern Q-Lock-style systems do it better.

Sound: tuning centers on energetic, engaging vocals with a tasteful sub-bass lift—not a bass-head set, more a polite, gradual boost. A dip around the lower mids can read as thinness, pushing some female vocals a touch distant, while the top end has air, detail, and an overall chill presentation. Technicalities are solid rather than class-leading at the price, but the EST implementation is clean and cohesive. Expect limited mid-bass weight, occasional shout for the sensitive, and ergonomics that won’t suit everyone.

Context & verdict: despite a wave of competitors (Oracle MK2, Hype 4, Softears Studio 4/Volume S, AFUL Performer 7, DUNU Brain Dance, even Moondrop’s own Dusk at a lower price), this tuning remains a benchmark reference around the mid-fi bracket. Variations delivers the archetype many listeners still chase: clean sub-bass, airy treble, and a deft, easygoing balance that makes it a “legendary” set in the catalog. Not flawless, but noteworthy—the kind of IEM worth borrowing at a meet and auditioning for 10–15 minutes to see if that lighter midrange flavor clicks.

Jaytiss original ranking

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.

Crin original ranking

Packaging brings typical Moondrop flair—an anime-clad box, a large but well-built carrying case, assorted foam and silicone tips, and interchangeable plugs (3.5/2.5/4.4). The shells look sleek and minimalist, with a stock cable that’s better than usual for the brand. Fit mirrors the Blessing 2 profile—still on the larger side—but slightly more comfortable over long sessions.

Sonically, this is a sub-bass focused set with minimal mid-bass, yielding deep, clean rumble and zero bleed. The midrange is refined and clear, giving female vocals spotlight treatment, while male vocals can feel a touch thin due to the leaner lower mids. Treble is well-extended with a hint of air, avoiding peaks, sibilance, and fatigue. The headline is separation and microdetail—attack/decay snap notes into place so instruments occupy distinct spaces, producing imaging that’s confident and a stage that’s wide enough for the price.

Against $500 peers like Kiwi Ears Orchestra and Thieaudio Oracle, Variations competes directly; Oracle may sound warmer and more natural on male vocals, but Variations pushes ahead with cleaner layering and a more modern, sub-bass fun tilt. At around $530, it delivers a taste of $1k-class resolution without sacrificing musicality—an easy five-star recommendation for listeners who want clarity, air, and subterranean slam over extra mid-bass warmth.

Tim Tuned original ranking

Moondrop Variations takes the Harman idea and fixes what that target often gets wrong. The tuning pushes sub-bass with minimal mid-bass, plus a dip around ~200Hz that cleanly separates lows from the rest—think speaker rig with a dedicated sub. Midrange is clear yet forward, bordering on shouty in noisy environments, with thinner lower-mid body. Treble is the standout: a smooth, extended EST implementation with real air to ~15kHz—softer in attack than some sets, but among the few EST tunings that actually feel coherent at this price. Build echoes Blessing 2’s large shell, fit is good for larger ears, and the cable’s swappable termination is a practical upgrade.

Technical performance is where Variations surprises. Detail retrieval is top-tier for ~$520, edging past well-known mid-fi competitors and clearly a step up from the Blessing line; imaging is solid if not showy, while dynamic contrast and punch are unusually engaging. Bass quality shows better texture and slam than earlier Moondrops, even if the absolute best DD bass in class still belongs elsewhere. The overall presentation is energetic, clean, and high-contrast—notes pop against a dark low end and lit upper mids/treble.

Against peers, DUNU SA6 suits listeners wanting smoother, laid-back treble and a less insistent midrange, whereas Shuoer EJ07M offers a bouncier bass shelf but a less even top end. Compared with Moondrop’s own Blessing 2/Dusk, think “Dusk on steroids”: bigger sub-bass, more resolution, and more punch—though Dusk owners won’t see a night-and-day jump. Imperfections aside, on paper this is one of the most complete packages in its bracket, especially for those who value sub-bass authority, clarity, and a refined EST treble without sacrificing coherence.

Precogvision original ranking