Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 VS Yu9 Que

Youtube Video Summary

YU9 Que presents a balanced, almost neutral tuning with a tasteful touch of mid-bass for warmth and punch. Treble is clean and controlled—more clarity than “sizzle”—so detail comes through without harshness, while mids keep vocals natural rather than forward or thin. Technical performance sits in the “solid for the price” camp: separation and imaging are tidy, but not the kind of hyper-etched sparkle that chases wow factor.

In practice, it shines with slower pop, R&B, acoustic and vocal-centric tracks where its coherence and smoothness pay off; those seeking big sub-bass drama or ultra-aerated treble fireworks may find it a touch polite. Versus brighter, more contrasty sets, the Que trades spectacle for musicality and long-session comfort, making value hinge on whether a refined, low-fatigue signature is preferred over maximum excitement at the price point.

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

The YU9 Que sports a premium, durable resin shell in pure black with a metallic-feeling faceplate and a comfortable design featuring an anti-tragus catch. While the build itself feels handsome and unique, the included cable is criticized as wimpy and unpleasant, with a strong suggestion to upgrade it. Accessories are deemed solid, including a nice selection of tips and a particularly praised case with a soft, luxurious interior.

Sonically, the YU9 Que earns immense praise for its exceptional tuning, described as clean, resolute, and non-fatiguing. It delivers strong, textured bass that avoids being overwhelming, coupled with extremely well-done upper mids. While not class-leading in technicalities like micro-detail or instrument separation, its tonal balance is considered sophisticated and reminiscent of far more expensive sets like the Annihilator, even surpassing the Monarch MKII in tuning preference. It's highlighted as a fantastic all-rounder with a smooth, agreeable signature suitable for long listening sessions.

Despite its modest single dynamic driver + 3BA configuration and $409 price point, the YU9 Que is declared a very special and unique IEM, worthy of the hype it received. The review concludes it's a price leader and a highly competent package from a small brand, offering outstanding value and a beautiful, well-executed design that makes it an easy recommendation for those seeking a smooth, non-fatiguing sound.

Youtube Video Summary

Build & accessories: a hybrid 1DD + 3BA set priced around $399 with a spacious zipper case, multiple silicone tips, pouches, cleaning cloth, and shirt clip. The faceplate’s wavy, stone-like texture looks premium, and the shells use a 2-pin connector. The downside is the stock cable: it’s springy, only in 4.4 mm, and feels below the tier. Fit is serviceable but not ideal—the shell isn’t the most ergonomic, the nozzle lacks a lip, and seating a deeper fit can take a moment; once set, stability is good and tips stayed secure in use.

Sound: this isn’t a “new-meta” curve; it’s a unique, lively tuning. Bass is punchy, dynamic, and highly textured—more physical in practice than the graph suggests, with excellent impact and kick-drum authority. An early rise after 1 kHz pushes vocals front and center for an intimate, engaging presentation without tipping into shout. Treble is refined, sparkly, and well-extended: it is a bright set but avoids harshness, peakiness, sibilance, and fatigue, delivering crisp cymbals and defined transients even for rock and metal at any volume. Technicalities are class-leading under $500 with standout detail retrieval and separation; the one wish is a larger soundstage.

Comparisons & verdict: the Elysian Apostle still wins on bass texture/impact, treble refinement, and overall resolution, but the Yu9 Que offers a convincing “Apostle flavor” at a lower price. Versus Elysian Pilgrim, the Que is fuller and bassier, while Pilgrim’s treble is tamer; versus Volume S, the Que is cleaner, brighter, more detailed as the Volume S trends warmer with more neutral treble; against Dusk DSP, Dusk sounds more natural/balanced but the Que feels more fun and technical. Recommended for those who crave clarity, sparkle, and engagement without fatigue; less ideal if treble-sensitive or preferring a warm, relaxed tonality, and worth demoing for comfort. A top contender and serious gatekeeper around $400—final rating: 4.5/5 with a strong recommendation.

Youtube Video Summary

Yu9’s Que lands as a “safer Annihilator”: a warmer, scaled-back take that pushes ample sub-bass while keeping the rest tastefully controlled. The low end feels liquidy and bouncy, underpinning an aggressive 1–3 kHz rise with a gentle 3–5 kHz taper, so vocals sit upfront and crisp yet remain remarkably smooth thanks to the extra low-end warmth. Treble is slightly scooped around 5–6 kHz and then climbs in small, well-placed peaks out to ~15–18 kHz, yielding excellent extension that feels on par with sets like Moondrop Variations in this range.

What makes it pop is the value proposition: at $400, the overall resolution, tonal balance, and staging read far pricier—more like the $700–800 bracket. With its engaging sub-bass lift, lucid mids, and airy yet controlled top end, Que comes off as a polished, crowd-friendly tuning that still excites detail chasers. If momentum holds, this looks like the next big thing around the $400 mark.

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

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

Yu9 Que arrives with a surprisingly premium unboxing: a crush-resistant carrying case with plush padding, an IEM pouch, microfiber cloth, cable clip, and two ear-tip sets (standard silicone and more premium liquid silicone). A quirky 3D-printed nameplate with serial number and a faceplate etched in a topographic-map motif give it character. The shell is on the larger, wider side—comfortable for many, but small ears should test fit first. The stock cable is just okay (some memory, no chin slider), though it’s offered in 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm terminations.

Tonally, this is a neutral-reference set with a tasteful bass lift—clean impact without throwing off balance. Sub-bass has satisfying thump and texture, though bass-heads coming from sets like Kiwi Ears Punch may find it polite. The mids sit even and accurate—no “vocal magic,” yet clearly above average. Treble stretches well into the air with a touch of brightness that adds crispness and a slightly clinical edge, staying shy of fatiguing. Technical chops are the draw: a decently wide soundstage (roughly 3–4/5 by comparison), standout 3D imaging, and strong resolution/separation make it excellent for gaming—worthy of a two-controller nod—though ultimate detail still trails pricier kilobuck options.

Versus peers: Moondrop Dusk (DSP) is warmer with bass that hits a bit harder, while Yu9 Que is the more neutral, reference-leaning take. Elysian Pilgrim offers smoother treble, but Yu9 Que counters with better bass grip, stage, and imaging. AFUL Performer 7 tilts mild V; choose it for extra mid-bass and forward treble, otherwise Yu9 Que wins on technicality. Mega 5 EST chases the meta target yet stumbles in bass/treble; NiceHCK Rockies refines that approach and might be the more exciting alternative if spending slightly more. Bottom line: the hype is justified—a superb all-rounder around $400 with only the cable begging for an upgrade. It’s a clear pick for neutral/reference fans, though those seeking more “fun” might look elsewhere; call it a pragmatic, two-star recommendation amid a crowded market and likely pre-order waits.