Thieaudio Monarch MK3 VS Night Oblivion Butastur
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 and Night Oblivion Butastur use 2DD+6BA+2EST and 10BA driver setups respectively. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 costs $1,000 while Night Oblivion Butastur costs $599. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 is $401 more expensive. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 holds a slight 0.4-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 7.8). User ratings place Thieaudio Monarch MK3 at 6.8 and Night Oblivion Butastur at 9.3. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has better treble with a 0.8-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has significantly better dynamics with a 1.3-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has slightly better details with a 0.3-point edge and Night Oblivion Butastur has better imaging with a 0.6-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Thieaudio Monarch MK3 | Night Oblivion Butastur |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Mids | 7.7 | 7.5 |
| Treble | 7.8 | 7 |
| Details | 7.8 | 7.5 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 7.5 |
| Imaging | 7.4 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 7.3 | 6 |
| Tonality | 7.8 | 7.6 |
| Technicalities | 7.9 | 7.5 |
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.2Very Positive
Night Oblivion Butastur Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7.8Strongly Favorable
Reviews Comparison
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
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Night Oblivion Butastur reviewed by Jays Audio
7
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Jaytiss
8.5
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Night Oblivion Butastur reviewed by Jaytiss
7.5
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Shuwa-T
8.2
Reviewer Score
Night Oblivion Butastur reviewed by Shuwa-T
7.8
Reviewer Score
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Head-Fi.org
9
* score rescaled + normalized
Night Oblivion Butastur reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.6
* score rescaled + normalized
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 (more reviews)
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
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Yifang
8.5
Reviewer Score
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
2025-08-14
7.5
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 reviewed by Precogvision
7.3
Reviewer Score
Precogvision 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 ChannelNight Oblivion Butastur (more reviews)
Night Oblivion Butastur reviewed by Web Search
8
Reviewer Score
The NIGHT OBLIVION BUTASTUR delivers a natural timbre and cohesive sound, with its standout feature being a lush, dense midrange that excels in vocal and acoustic instrument reproduction. Vocals sound present and textured without shoutiness, while the bass offers weighty density over sharp slam, leaning slightly warm and creamy in texture. Treble remains smooth and fatigue-free, avoiding harshness even with extended listening, though it lacks sparkle for those seeking heightened brilliance.
Technically, it impresses with holographic imaging and strong layering, creating an intimate yet spatially convincing stage. The included modular cable is exceptionally high quality for the price, and the dual DIP switches allow subtle tuning adjustments—adding bass warmth or treble sharpness—though the changes are nuanced and require a tool to toggle. While isolation is good, the nozzle design risks internal debris accumulation, and the bass lacks definition in sub-bass decay.
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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Night Oblivion Butastur Details
Driver Configuration: 10BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost, Warm
Price (Msrp): $599
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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
6.8Cautiously Favorable
Night Oblivion Butastur User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
9.3Exceptional
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
ANight Oblivion Butastur Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7Gaming Grade
A-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.
Night Oblivion Butastur Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Tuning feels well executed, keeping a natural flow across the spectrum. Switching genres feels seamless.
Average Technical Grade
A- Technical chops are reliable, pairing tidy separation with a soundstage that stays conservative. Micro-detail is decent, though never spotlighted.
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewIf this is what 'fun' sounds like, I ain't about it.
Pros
Detail retrievalCons
Recessed mids and odd timbre.Night Oblivion Butastur User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewFantastic set for someone who loves organic sound and Mid centric tuning, incredibly underrated especially for an All BA IEM.
Pros
the Timbre and Mids on this are phenomenal, incredibly natural and lovely. the High end doesnt fatigue you after long listening session, and the venting is one of the best I've experienced, zero pressure build up. Pinpointing instrument is a breeze.Cons
Treble lacks sparke, very subjective but quite a plain and boring faceplate (I find aesthethics important), and I wish the low end had a bit more oomph to it.Find your next IEM:
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