ZiiGaat Luna VS ThieAudio Monarch MK4

The ZiiGaat Luna impresses immediately with its solid build quality, featuring a comfortable metal nozzle shell and a unique wing design for a secure fit. While the shell doesn't reinvent ZiiGaat's typical mold, the accessories show significant improvement, including a nice selection of tips, a practical case, and a simple but effective cable with swappable terminations (including 4.4mm). This attention to the unboxing experience, especially at its $379 price point, demonstrates ZiiGaat listened to community feedback.

Sonically, the Luna delivers a bold, clean, and tactile V-shaped signature with exceptional micro-detail and a fantastic overall frequency response. It stands out as a supremely capable all-rounder, offering a touch of hi-fi quality. Comparisons reveal it surpasses other ZiiGaat models like the specialist Arcanis, the neutral Lush, and provides a clear upgrade path over the Odyssey. While the Mangird Top Pro offers thick, majestic bass, the Luna boasts better clarity and detail and is deemed a more versatile choice. It also compares favorably to benchmarks like the Aful Performer 7, offering better treble and a cleaner presentation, and edges out the 7th Acoustics Supernova with a slightly more agreeable tuning.

Ultimately, the Luna hits a remarkable sweet spot. It combines a balanced sound with great technicalities, improved accessories, and a tonality that avoids harshness while retaining excitement. For its price bracket, it represents a fantastic value and emerges as a strong contender for the benchmark all-rounder in the $300-$400 range, offering a taste of high-end performance without the ludicrous cost. It’s a clear sign of ZiiGaat refining their approach based on user input, resulting in one of their finest IEMs to date.

The ZiiGaat Luna is an all-BA IEM that completely shatters expectations. Designed for studio engineers and stage performers, it delivers a tonally balanced, accurate, and precision-focused sound that somehow avoids being boring. It provides excellent staging, separation, clarity, and imaging, resulting in an incredibly engaging listening experience that is both enjoyable and truthful to the source material.

Priced at $380, these are absolutely worth more than they cost, with a perceived value easily hitting the $500 mark. They are a shining example of a professional monitor that doesn't put you to sleep, making them a rare find. The build is typical ZiiGaat—lightweight polymer with a surprisingly pretty sparkly purple and green shell—though it comes with the brand's typically oversized packaging and standard cable.

For anyone seeking a flat, uncolored reference sound, the Luna is a top-tier contender. They are tip-agnostic and need no fixing out of the box, performing superbly with aftermarket tips. This is one of the few professional-focused monitors that earns max respect for delivering on its promise without sacrificing musicality.

The Ziigaat Luna arrives as a $379 all-balance armature IEM, impressing right out of the box with its premium accessories. You get a large, sturdy zipper case (though not pocket-friendly), three pairs of narrow bore silicone tips, a set of clear silicone tips, foam tips, and a standout modular cable with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. The cable itself is praised for being tangle-free, flexible, and microphonic-free, featuring a metal y-split and solid modular connections. The Luna sports a resin build with attractive faceplates and an average size shell, offering a comfortable fit familiar to other Ziigaat models, though some might experience pressure using narrow bore tips for a deep fit.

Sonically, the Luna delivers a smooth, slightly warm, and airy signature that's notably non-fatiguing. The bass, while lacking the physical slam of a dynamic driver, is one of the better BA implementations, offering satisfying mid-bass thump, definition, and gentle rumble. The mid-range has a touch of warmth adding body and naturalness, with proper note weight and slightly relaxed yet clear vocals that work well across rock, metal, hip-hop, and more. The treble is sparkly and airy with good micro-detail, thanks to an upper air boost, though this could be noticeable for sensitive listeners. Technically, it lands around 80% between the TruthEar Nova and Dunu SA6 Ultra, with excellent imaging precision, above-average soundstage, and nice layering.

Comparisons reveal the Luna shares a similar tonality to the discontinued, more expensive Dunu SA6 Ultra, making it a great alternative. It bests other Ziigaat models like the Arcanis and Odyssey in overall balance, detail, and air, though the Odyssey offers more bass physicality. Against strong competitors like the Kiwi Ears Astral or Xenns Mangird Top Pro, the Luna holds its own with a warmer, fuller, and more relaxing presentation, even if it concedes in ultimate refinement or bass impact. It earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars for its unique, competitive tuning and fantastic value, highly recommended for those seeking a detailed yet relaxing all-rounder with smooth vocals and airy sparkle. However, bassheads, those sensitive to upper treble, or seekers of neutral/reference tuning should look elsewhere.

The ZiiGaat Luna delivers a smooth, full, and slightly warm sound with exceptional airiness, creating a lush and laid-back listening experience. Vocals are presented in a balanced yet warmer, thicker tonality, pulling back slightly in the mix compared to vocal-centric sets like the Arcanis. This tuning emphasizes micro-nuances in the treble, offering well-extended symbol crashes and a refined, non-fatiguing character. Tonally, it sits as a more technical evolution of the discontinued P1 Max and a warmer, more affordable alternative to the elusive Seven Acoustics Supernova or Dunu SA6 series, delivering a similar smoothness and air at roughly $200 less.

Technically, the Luna performs competitively around the Arcanus level, featuring good resolution, layering, and solid bass texture, though it isn't a sheer technical monster. Its unique, musical tonality more than justifies its $350-$379 price. The bass, powered by Sonion drivers, provides quick separation and snappy response with enough warmth for a comfy, nostalgic feel, though it lacks the deep sub-bass rumble and intense slam of dedicated bass sets like the Ziigaat Cincotres or Estrella. This makes the Luna ideal for rock, indie, and metal genres, where its firm mid-bass, full-bodied yet quick decay, pulled-back vocals (preventing shoutiness), and airy treble excel. It scales well at medium volumes (around 75-80 dB), working as an all-rounder but truly shining with bands.

Compared to its sibling, the Odyssey, the Luna is smoother, more laid-back, and airier versus the Odyssey's sharper transients and greater energy. Against the Xenns Top Pro, the Luna offers a warmer, fuller, airier sound but yields in ultimate clarity, vocal forwardness, and transient sharpness. The Kiwi Ears Astral provides a more vibrant, sub-bass focused, and dynamic all-rounder at a lower price, but the Luna counters with superior smoothness, refinement, and a more unique, immersive signature. While vocal-focused sets like the Studio 4 or Volume S offer greater vocal clarity and power, the Luna provides slightly better overall detail retrieval and its distinctive warm, airy musicality. In conclusion, the Luna stands out as a highly competitive set with a unique tuning not commonly found near its price, backed by a quality interchangeable cable, making it a compelling recommendation for those seeking its specific refined, lush, and airy character.

Priced between $1,150 and $1,300 depending on custom faceplate options like the butterfly design shown, the Thieaudio Monarch MK IV boasts exceptional build quality with a large but well-contoured titanium shell offering a secure and comfortable fit. Key features include the innovative rumble switch for adjustable bass levels on the fly, a durable two-pin connector, and a solid feel that inspires confidence in longevity. While the included accessories are considered fair but unexciting, the shell's customization potential and rugged construction are major highlights.

Sonically, the Monarch MK IV delivers a detailed, exciting, and clean sound signature that stands as the best in the Monarch lineage. The rumble switch provides two distinct profiles: the red switch (no rumble) offers a balanced, tactful bass presentation, while the gold switch (rumble) adds a satisfying sub-bass shelf ideal for genres like hip-hop. Treble performance is notably improved over the MK III, though a 10k peak requires careful ear tip selection for some listeners. It trades blows with flagships like the $3,000 Annihilator (better sub-bass focus) and the $1,800 Elysian Apostle (more vocal forward), often matching or exceeding their technicalities while offering its unique tuning flexibility.

Scoring a top-tier 9.8, the Monarch MK IV earns its place through a compelling combination of premium build, the highly functional rumble switch, and outstanding sound quality that feels both special and refined. While acknowledging the high price, it represents significant value against competitors like the $2,000 Thieaudio Valhalla or the fiddly Grand Maestro, offering a feature-rich, durable, and sonically excellent package that justifies its position as a current summit-fi favorite.

The ThieAudio Monarch MK4 is a premium IEM that earns a spot in the S-tier for competitive gaming, offering a significant upgrade over its predecessor and A-tier competitors. It features a unique rumble mode switch that adds a satisfying low-end punch and weight without muddying the detailed, reference-grade tuning of the standard mode. While the CNC aluminum build feels exceptional, the design is a bit bulky and heavy, which can lead to some comfort issues during very long, multi-hour sessions.

For gaming, the technical performance is nothing short of phenomenal. The imaging is holographic and the depth perception is absolutely exceptional, providing a critical advantage in tactical shooters like VALORANT where tracking footsteps through walls becomes incredibly precise. The wide and deep soundstage pushes sounds off the player, creating an immersive experience. While rumble mode is preferred for titles like Call of Duty, the standard mode's clean and detailed signature shines in battle royales like Apex Legends, though the 2-4k range can make gunfire a bit shouty at higher volumes.

This is also an absolutely amazing set for music, delivering an elevated level of technicality and resolution. The standard mode offers a fast, clean, and neutral listen with great detail retrieval, while the rumble mode provides a weightier, more engaging bass profile for tracks that benefit from the extra warmth and punch. Ultimately, it's a very high-end IEM that delivers a top-tier experience for both competitive gaming and critical music listening.

The Thieaudio Monarch MK IV presents two distinct tuning options, elevating its versatility. The balanced switch delivers a clean, smooth, and slightly airy presentation, offering a refined all-rounder sound that's very detailed, well-layered, and resolving – essentially a direct upgrade to predecessors like the Monarch MK3 and Top Pro, with slightly more treble detail and air. Conversely, the bass switch provides a significantly fuller, warmer low end with punchy, well-textured bass and a tamer upper midrange, addressing criticisms of thinness in earlier models and offering a specialized, engaging listen for bass-heavy genres.

Technically, the MK IV sits comfortably in the $1,000 tier, offering a slight bump in detail retrieval, refinement, and smoothness over the MK3 and MK2, comparable to the Dunu Glacier and Prestige LTD. While not a giant leap, the dual tuning options make it arguably a better all-rounder than single-tuning competitors; the balance switch excels with acoustic, classical, and cleaner genres, while the bass switch shines with rock, metal, R&B, and pop. Build quality is improved with an all-metal shell, though the flimsy cardboard case is a notable disappointment. Vocals are smooth, balanced, and enjoyable, though sets like the Monarch MK2, Mystic 8, RSV, or Arcanis offer more forwardness or unique character. Bass quality is excellent for most, though pure bass enthusiasts might prefer models like the Thieaudio Origin for its unique texture.

Ultimately, the Monarch MK IV is a highly compelling endgame option for the vast majority. It combines strong technical performance with exceptional versatility through its two excellent tunings, covering a wide genre spectrum effectively. While value-focused options like the Top Pro, Volare, or Mega5EST offer similar technicalities at lower prices, the MK IV's refinement, tuning flexibility, and slightly superior performance make it easy to recommend. It allows listeners to leave the hobby satisfied, provided they resonate with its sound – though chasing marginally better flagships involves steep diminishing returns. The king might be debatable, but the MK IV is undoubtedly a very solid $1,000 contender.

Monarch MK IV lands as a top-three set, sitting just behind the PMG APXSE and CP622B, and it earns that spot with an evolutionary design: a single, tactile rumble switch that can be flipped while the IEM is in-ear—no fiddly pins, no tools. In stock (red) mode it’s a vocal-friendly tuning with restrained mid-bass; engage the switch and the low end lifts, adding note weight without smearing the mids. The shell is metal, build is tight, and all the BAs are Sonion, signaling premium parts and execution.

Low-end performance nails both 808 drops and classic rock kick drums (“When the Levee Breaks”) with satisfying slam—better with the switch on—while bass guitar texture (pulls, plucks, string ring) stays articulate into the lower treble. Vocals are clean in stock mode and gain a pleasing husk and density with rumble engaged, making artists like Neil Young and Mark Knopfler pop. Upper mids/treble avoid glare and long-term fatigue, turning this into a true “sofa set” for hours-long sessions.

At $1,400 it competes shockingly well against far pricier summit-fi gear—no veil, no masking, just balanced resolution and a flip-to-taste bass shelf. Compared to Valhalla, the MK IV’s instant two-flavor flexibility pushes it ahead on value; bone-conduction curios like Origin feel more niche by contrast. Net: the best ThieAudio to date, an easy recommendation, and likely the new #3 overall—thanks to that simple, game-changing rumble switch that future proofs the tuning.

ThieAudio Monarch MK4 comes in at $1,150 with a tribrid array—2 DD + 6 BA + 2 EST—a chunky stock cable with friction-fit swappable terminations, and a genuinely excellent, in-ear-operable “Rumble” bass switch. The new metal shells look tidy, but the fit is very large; on average ears it tends to sit a bit out of the concha and feel unstable (seal is doable, comfort is mediocre). Build details like the firm chin slider are nice, yet the cable bulk and loose termination retention detract from daily use.

Tonally, stock MK4 aims for a clean-neutral presentation with a meaty, sub-bass-focused lift, lively upper registers, and excellent extension. The flip side is a slightly dry / clinical character with a hint of treble hardness that can leave notes feeling a bit bodyless. Engaging Rumble mode thickens the curve from ~300 Hz down—more warmth and weight, bordering on “gigabass” territory—making the set fuller and more fun, though arguably too bassy for purists. Staging and imaging are solid, and resolution is high, but macro-dynamics land behind peers; compared side-by-side, sets like Dunu Glacier and 64 Audio U4S feel punchier, while Valhalla sounds warmer, smoother, and more effortlessly resolving.

Overall, MK4 is a technically capable tribrid with two distinct tunings on tap—clinical-clean stock and warmed-up Rumble—but it’s held back by fit size, cable quirks, and that slightly wooden bass texture. For listeners chasing a bright-leaning neutral with legit sub-bass reach (and who can accommodate a big shell), it’s a compelling try; in this lineup, though, it settles at a three-star recommendation next to more engaging or comfortable alternatives.