Thieaudio Monarch MK3 VS Thieaudio Hype 4

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 original ranking

Thieaudio Hype 4 delivers the redemption arc this series needed: a $399 hybrid that channels the beloved Clairvoyance vibe at a lower price. The 2DD+4BA setup hits with a chest-filling low end—powerful yet clean—while treble comes through with airy, flute-and-violin sheen, free of splash. Imaging feels gapless and pinpoint; handclaps and spatial cues lock into place with convincing realism. Despite “studio monitor” marketing, the tuning is smooth and musical rather than dry or clinical, inviting long sessions and even some dancing. Tip rolling (from silicone to foam-injected silicone) nudges seal and focus but doesn’t derail the signature, signaling a universally forgiving character.

At 17 Ω, the Hype 4 is easy to drive and plays nicely with everything from sterile DAC/amps to warmer class-A and even tubes—differences show as subtle nuance, not hit-or-miss synergy. Build is handsome in black/blue/white shells (the white “dragon-meat” look gets a wink), with a comfy deep-recessed 2-pin fit and decent included tips/foams. The miss: a non-modular 3.5 mm cable at this price, plus the usual accessory minimalism. Sonically, though, this feels like the $600-tier polish of the old Clairvoyance—cohesive, punchy, and silky across the band—making Hype 4 an easy recommendation. Final verdict: a confident 9/10 on sound, dinged mainly for the cable, and a clear “this is what Thieaudio should sound like” moment.

Z-Reviews original ranking

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 original ranking

HYPE 4 comes across as the sweet spot of the series: less bass than the HYPE 10, but tighter control with a midrange that feels more natural and unmasked. Listeners called it smoother and more versatile, with punch that doesn’t bleed into the mids and more apparent detail than the HYPE 2 and 10. Several blind testers either preferred it outright or put it neck-and-neck with higher-priced sets, estimating it around “$500” based on sound, while the actual tag sits near $400.

Against the rest, the HYPE 10 drew comments like “boomy,” “less cohesive,” and occasionally underwhelming, while the HYPE 2 read as Harman’s “cooler brother” with fuller male vocals but lower technical ceiling. The Monarch MK3 still edges the field on overall cleanliness, “air,” and refinement, and some would pay the extra $100 to jump there. But viewed through price-performance, the takeaway stayed consistent: HYPE 4 is the most worth it pick for most people, delivering a balanced, engaging presentation without the bloat or brightness trade-offs seen elsewhere in the lineup.

Jays Audio original ranking

Thieaudio Hype 4 arrives with surprisingly premium trimmings: a compact, comfortable shell (though some ears may need tip rolling for a secure seal), a supple cable akin to the latest Oracle 2/Monarch MKIII leads with a durable 3.5 mm plug, and a classy case lifted straight from pricier models. Overall presentation feels 2–3× its price, with tidy accessories and a cable that’s pleasant in hand even if it won’t lay perfectly flat.

Sonically it’s impactful and engaging: bass is lush and deep without smearing, mids keep vocals forward yet smooth for podcasts, and treble has air and detail without piercing. The tuning graph shows excellent channel matching and hugs a preferred target—3 kHz rise with a 5–6 kHz dip—which explains the easygoing clarity. Minor nitpicks surface: some cymbal shimmer can feel a touch “off,” and a few drum hits could carry more thump/realism; otherwise it’s a cohesive, “just sounds right” presentation that can deliver goosebump moments when the beat drops.

Against peers, Hype 4 comes off as a safer buy and more exciting listen than the Hisenior Mega5 EST (cheaper, better cable/case, and far less dull). It edges the Binary Chopin on overall quality—though Chopin stays a killer budget pick—and proves more fun and library-friendly than the detail-leaning Performer 8. Versus Monarch MKII it’s livelier with better sub-bass and treble reach; compared with Monarch MKIII, it avoids the fatiguing 4–6 kHz energy. The verdict: a mid-fi standout with near top-tier tuning, top-shelf packaging, and a value that challenges pricier options—highly recommended despite not being the absolute cheapest route to great sound.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Thieaudio HYPE 4 hits far above its price with a lively, bass-driven tuning that stays clean and controlled. The low end delivers physicality without muddying the mids or presence region, evoking a “mini Monarch MK3” vibe for music playback. Resolution and micro-detail—fingers on strings, vocal intimacy—come through impressively, though note that pairing (e.g., a Topping DX9) can influence bass texture and perceived air.

In competitive titles, HYPE 4 reduces ambient haze so audio cues cut through like they’re “piercing a fog,” elevating depth perception and imaging. It takes the edge in Apex Legends, The Finals, and Counter-Strike 2, where some effects can sound metallic on other sets; here, separation remains intact even amid explosions and ultimates. Despite the energetic low end, separation stays steady and never overwhelms complex scenes.

Versus the Yanyin Canon 2, HYPE 4 is the more fun and slightly more resolving listen; Canon 2 can be preferable on tight, bass-heavy maps in Valorant and Fortnite, with Rainbow Six Siege essentially a toss-up. Comfort is close, with a slight fit edge to HYPE 4 over longer sessions. Overall gaming grade sits around a B+ (≈88 ±2) on the “wallhack certified” list—an excellent hybrid that bridges music enjoyment and competitive clarity at its price.

Fresh Reviews original ranking

The Thieaudio Hype 4 brings a hybrid setup of 2DD + 4BA at around $400, wrapped in a distinctive all-white shell with tidy faceplate patterning and a slightly tinted cable. Shell size is medium and the ergonomics echo other modern Thieaudio designs: easy insertion, stable fit, and genuine all-day comfort. Build quality and finish feel a notch more refined than usual for the brand, making the whole package look and wear better than expected at this price.

Tonality targets a neutral with bass boost profile, with emphasis kept largely to the sub-bass so things don’t turn warm or boomy. Versus Hype 2, there’s a touch more mid-bass and, more importantly, a firmer bass attack—swapping the softer, pillowy edges for punch and control. Treble stays smooth and well-controlled without sibilance. The star, though, is the imaging and head-stage: unusually wide and clean at this price, giving precise placement and clear separation that pops immediately on first listen.

Not everything is perfect—midrange micro-contrast can feel a bit “glassy,” so ultra-fine vocal texture and analog grit aren’t its specialty. In lateral comparisons, Yanyin Canon 2 plays warmer and fuller with slightly better textural nuance, while Hype 4 sounds cleaner, airier, and more expansive for live and electronic material. With meaningful improvements over Hype 2 (especially in bass behavior) and standout staging, Hype 4 earns a confident 4/5 as a polished, engaging all-rounder.

Super* Review original ranking