Thieaudio Monarch MK3 VS Softears RSV MK II
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 and Softears RSV MK II use 2DD+6BA+2EST and 5BA driver setups respectively. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 costs $1,000 while Softears RSV MK II costs $700. Thieaudio Monarch MK3 is $300 more expensive. Softears RSV MK II holds a slight 0.2-point edge in reviewer scores (8.1 vs 8.3). Thieaudio Monarch MK3 carries a user score of 6.8. Softears RSV MK II has better bass with a 0.6-point edge, Softears RSV MK II has better mids with a 0.6-point edge, Softears RSV MK II has better dynamics with a 0.9-point edge, Thieaudio Monarch MK3 has slightly better soundstage with a 0.3-point edge and Softears RSV MK II has better imaging with a 0.6-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Thieaudio Monarch MK3 | Softears RSV MK II |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7.5 | 8.1 |
| Mids | 7.7 | 8.3 |
| Treble | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Details | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 7.7 |
| Imaging | 7.4 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 7.3 | 8.3 |
| Tonality | 7.8 | 8.6 |
| Technicalities | 7.8 | 8 |
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Softears RSV MK II Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
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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Softears RSV MK II Details
Driver Configuration: 5BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with bass boost
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $700
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Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
6.8Cautiously Favorable
Softears RSV MK II User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!
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
7.5Gaming Grade
ASoftears RSV MK II 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
AThieaudio Monarch MK3 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
A- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Softears RSV MK II Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S-- Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.
Average Technical Grade
A+- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 Reviews
10
* score normalized
8.5
Reviewer Score
Better low-end texture and overall more engaging than MK2, but lacks the mid-range/vocal magic, so depending on your preference either is great. Still TOTL tech like MK2. Great all-rounder. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
8.5
Reviewer Score
Fatiging at times for me, too fun at times. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
8.2
Reviewer Score
Better bass response compared to the mk2 Trades off the lush midrange in place of a cleaner sounding, almost boring midrange
8
Reviewer Score
I prefer the Monarch MK II for its tonality, vocals, and timbre, but I get why some prefer the MK III. More bass, treble, and detail than the Monarch MK II. The vocal magic of the Monarch MK II is gone.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
7.9
Reviewer Score
Elevated, well-textured mid-bass. Pleasant mids. Elevated upper-treble may be pesky to some.
Tim Tuned
2025-08-14
7.5
Reviewer Score
MK2 but more fun and more V-shape Not as natural in timbre Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
7.3
Reviewer Score
Still perplexingly poor bass performance, but improves upon the Monarch MKII's treble extension noticeably. Precogvision Youtube Channel
7.1
Reviewer Score
An improvement in the bass and treble department over the Mk2, but without the same special sauce in the mid-range and with some imaging problems still.
7*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
Softears RSV MK II Reviews
Jaytiss
2025-09-03
9.2
Reviewer Score
So Softears didn't forget how to tune. Tactful Basshead Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Super* Review
2025-09-09
8*
* score normalized
A 5-BA successor that lands at $700, claims “re-engineered” BA bass, and feels like a welcome throwback to when high-end Chi-Fi wasn’t four figures. Build and fit are excellent with a rock-solid seal; the thick cable behaves well but annoyingly ships 4.4-only with a 3.5 mm pigtail. Tonally it’s essentially neutral up top with a big low-end shelf—treble is clean and non-fatiguing, imaging competent, and the bass is unusually physical for all-BA, though it can be inconsistent (and a bit tubby on bass-heavy mixes) versus a good DD. Net: a supremely competent, do-everything all-rounder that trades “wow” factor for balance—I prefer it over Dunu SA6 Mk II, see Symphonym Meteor and Moondrop S8 as taste-based alternatives, and I land at a solid 4/5.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
Softears RSV MK II brings back the all-BA ethos at $700 with five armatures and a promise of “re-engineered BA bass.” Build and accessories feel premium (sleek shells, plush case), while the cable choice is quirky—4.4 mm only with a 3.5 mm pigtail. Fit is outstandingly secure and custom-like but on the larger side with a longer nozzle, so comfort depends on ear size. Softears’ Ultra Clear tips work well; the new metal-ring variant adds little beyond novelty.
On the graph, bass looks like gigabass, yet in ear it settles into a warm, weighty foundation without steamrolling the mids. The midrange follows a “new-meta neutral” tilt—fuller than Harman with forward upper-mids—while treble lands clean and sparkly without fatigue. Imaging is tidy rather than cavernous; separation and delineation are convincing, with the top end executed better than the bottom. BA bass here is among the more physical and satisfying of its kind, though tactility can be track-dependent and turn a bit tubby on very bass-heavy mixes.
Against peers, Symphonium Meteor sounds warmer and more “special” but less all-round; DUNU SA6 MK2 is more colored with janglier treble and the least convincing bass; 7th Acoustics Supernova trades warmth for vivid, bright-tilted imaging; Softears Studio 4 is lighter on bass and airier; and the old Moondrop S8 stays the lively, vocal-centric counterpoint. Net take: a supremely competent, character-light all-rounder that favors bass weight over panoramic staging. Verdict: 4/5 stars—a welcome throwback done right, and notably cheaper than the original RSV launch price.
Jays Audio
2025-08-28
8
Reviewer Score
Bassy dynamic all-rounder with great low-end texture that slams hard with good note-weight/body. Slight Hype 4 upgrade. Treble is smooth, and vocals are well-tuned. Overall unboxing/accesories are great... just no ESTs at its price, I'd wait for sale. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Softears RSV MK2 shifts from the OG’s vocal-centric tilt into a bass-forward all-rounder. The sub-bass and mid-bass hit with real slam and weight, giving drums and bass guitars a satisfying, dynamic punch. Upper mids (3–6 kHz) are tamed to avoid shout, while a gentle 1–2 kHz rise keeps vocals open and natural—slightly less pushed than the original but still clear. Treble is smooth with decent air; not super sparkly and there’s no EST “sauce,” but it stays clean and non-fatiguing.
As a package, MK2’s standout is the low-end texture—thunderous yet controlled—making it one of the more engaging bassy sets under four figures. Technical performance is solid for the tier, though some rivals at lower prices bring more raw detail and EST extension. Build and accessories get a tasteful, modern refresh. For best balance, the stock tips work well; bass-boosting or treble-opening tips can shift it toward a more V-shape at the expense of overall smoothness.
On genre fit, MK2 shines with hip-hop, pop, EDM, and R&B, where its punch and warmth bring rhythms to life; for orchestral or leaner acoustic picks, the bass can edge forward depending on the mix. It scales to mid–high volumes nicely (around the 70–80 dB zone) without turning sharp. Compared with the OG RSV—now likely affected by a silent retune in recent units—the MK2 is the safer buy: less shout, more authority down low, and a broader all-rounder appeal. Recommended, especially if found below full MSRP, for listeners craving tasteful bass with natural mids and relaxed, smooth treble.
IEMRanking AI
2025-08-28
8
Reviewer Score
The Softears RSV MK II refines the original RSV with an all-5BA design and a 4-way crossover, targeting a stable “reference sound” while improving driver control and airflow management. It’s easy to drive at 122 dB/Vrms, 7 Ω, and the build mixes medical-grade resin with CNC-milled aluminum and forged carbon for a robust, low-resonance shell; MSRP is $699.
On paper, the tuning remains neutral with a bass lift: dual Knowles CI22955 woofers aim to give BA-bass more texture and weight, an improved ED driver anchors clean mids, and a SWFK unit handles upper treble for a smoother, less fatiguing top end. Softears’ LRC network and dual pressure-relief approach target consistent FR and reduced ear pressure, which should aid long listening sessions and imaging stability.
Subjectively, this positions the RSV MK II as a coherent, midrange-centric set with tight, controlled low-end rather than maximal slam, and a smooth treble that trades sparkle for fatigue-free listening. Soundstage is moderately wide with tidy imaging; technicalities are competitive for the class but won’t chase ultra-etched detail specialists. Given the tuning goals and efficient drive requirements, value will appeal most to listeners prioritizing tonal accuracy and midrange timbre over sheer sub-bass impact or treble air.
Thieaudio Monarch MK3 User Reviews
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Pros
Detail retrievalCons
Recessed mids and odd timbre.Softears RSV MK II User Reviews
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Pros
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Cons
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