Yeah I agree, and honestly my MK2 was an upgrade over my Mest Mk2 as well. Theyre very different sounding, so its hard to say 1 is objectively better, but the Mest give you this very dynamic sound where the contrast between quiet and loud is crazy. But along with that, the bass and upper mids tend to be too forward to listen at a good volume for certain things imo (definitely too forward for gaming, genuinely hurt my ears during menu navigations, gun shots, even certain dialogue to where Id turn it down to near half the volume compared to something like my Monarch Mk2, Moondrop S8, or Moondrop Kato) Monarch Mk2 is extremely detailed and natural sounding. Its the most natural sounding thing Ive ever heard, but also has very good bass rumble and treble detail, so its just hard to fault it at anything besides the fit (Ill be honest, the Mest Mk2 are smaller but I wouldnt say theyre very comfortable either). I ended up selling my Mest and I really dont regret it. Its not a bad IEM for what its going for now (around $900-$1000), but its not something Id recommend to everyone blindly unless they heard it first. Based on sound alone, Id recomend either Monarch no problem (fit on the other hand...) Lastly, cable on the Monarch Mk2 is pretty annoying imo, but its useable. Premium feel over function is how I would describe it. The Mest Mk2 cable doesnt feel that premium, and it gets pretty twisted/holds memory, so its worse. Monarch Mk3 has the best cable of the 3 by a good margin
@@PantsaBeardoes it sound anything like this video. Because the MkIII here sound so much worse than the MkII. Not, well thats just different preferences, no, so much worse that you would need to have had quite the concussion to think its better. Its surely is closer than that, right?
@@enjoshi-godrez8775there’s surely something wrong with the way its recorded in the video because it does sound so much worse than the MK2, and it makes it impossible to think so many people think the Mk3 are much better. Maybe thats the reason why some people dont recommend sound demos on youtube.
This is so subjective. Because I couldn’t disagree more. I see the Mest mkii s as so much better. Like for me they’re not even comparable. The Mest is just so much more polished and separated. Its treble is so smooth even when aggressive. It’s never shrill. I thought the monarch mk3 was awesome when I got it. I solely listened to it for like a week. Then I pulled the Mest out and was like oh wow- this is so much better. Pretty much sold the monarch right away.
This is the best kind of review format you've done! The clip chapters, the choice of iems that you compare to the main iem that is being discussed, the accuracy of the measurements, and the choice of transitions from iem comparison to sharing your thoughts, It's much cleaner and well made. As always, in terms of preferences and the thoughts you've just expressed, they're always similar and identical to my thoughts as well. I'm glad I've discovered you since you were only around 3k subs (I think 😂), and seeing your channel grow is amazing. Thank you!
Thank you! For all of those kind words and for following since then. Seeing such specific positive observations about the review, with what works well, is very nice to hear 🙇🏻♂️ It keeps me knowing what to keep pushing in my craft for future content ✌🏻
not sure, anyways 64 i heard was really smooth and realistic like ultra realistic it was a real iem but only working 1 side, just like the samsung im still keeping it but it does really broke physically
I think it really comes down to different tastes in sound. I’m not really a fan of How Dan is just low key bashing the IEM cause he doesn’t like it but whatever. I think he should be upfront with the sound signature of both and simply admit he doesn’t like that more energetic MK3, because to my ears when I listened to the MK2 it was honestly boring. Not bad in any way in fact it was great as an overall listening experience but jeez I just could not get into any of my music in an engaging way, it was more hmm that sounds interesting or wow never heard that in this song before. I had basically the same issue with the variations. My MK3 arrives tomorrow so I’ll let you know how it goes but I follow a few reviewers who have similair taste in music / tuning to me and they placed it as their endgame for now that plus looking at the graphs tell me that this will probably be my actual iem endgame. Idk, I’ll let you know tomorrow
Being able to sit through your video and take the comparisons that you make and listen to the song recommendations for myself on my hexas was a really pleasant experience. Love your comments and feedback. Love the way you pace things through in your analysis and what you bring to the table that any normal person can't have as an arsenal and experience to, for the fact that I have the hexa as a backup reference to my customs when I mix really helps. Love your choice of music. Adding some of em to my system tuning playlist. BTW the hexas really perform when sweeping through frequencies to cut. Responsive enough for live gigs and doesn't squick or phase in weird ways. Thumbs up to you once again.
I have been comparing the sound demos and reviews of the Xenns Mangird Top to other sets. After watching this video, I think I will go for the Xenns Mangird Top over the Thieaudio Hype 2 or the Moondrop Variations. I like this format of reviews with sound demos and comparisons. Thanks Dan.
@@thakkhu1686delicious and sweet bass. Punchy and well present where it has to be, an authority when coming in, but well controlled to not steal the other frequencies show. I love them.
Yes, I agree. Monarch MK2 is still a very good iem even though now there is Monarch MK3. But lately I've been enjoying the Dunu SA6 MK2 more than the Monarch MK2. Not because the SA6 MK2 is better (although in terms of technicality, detail and staging I feel the SA6 MK2 is better. Whereas the tonality and timbre of the Monarch MK2 is a clear winner), but because I can't use the Monarch MK2 for a long time, after more than 1 hours for sure my ears will start to hurt. Thanks for the video, love it.. ❤️🔥
New to your page, but if you continue to do reviews like this I am IN. Absoluetly love the format. Covering from similar modeals to even budget picks. Used my Focal Utopias and could really pick apart the differences between them all. Honestly the Truthear Hexa surprised me the most!
Thank you soooooo much for this comparison. I have the Variations & love them & I could not hear enough of a difference to warrant moving from paying $499 for my Varations to double that for the MK3’s!!!! I almost pulled the trigger at Thieaudio right before watching this video!!. You just saved me $999!! Maybe now I’ll decide to go in a completely different direction & try the HiFiMann Arya Organics instead since I’m fairly certain I’ll hear a major difference.
Going from Monarch Mk2 to Mest is like taking 3 steps forward and only one step back. Monarch Mk2 has a very very nice midrange, but the strengths of Mest are just that strong. Clarity, purity, staging. Incredibly compelling.
You have said a very accurate thing- the Monarch 2 really starts shining when you compare it to other iems. The problem with Monarch 2 is the fact that is very easy to put it on the top of the list but is harder to live with it and enjoy it unless youre after a very balanced sound. The main WOW factor they have is their tuning, naturalness and coherency and sometimes it takes a very long time until people really appreciate them. Most will choose a more fun profiles because they are easier to enjoy. For me, the Monarch 2 are an iem version of the hd600 but better, its like a gold standard but not very exciting.
Monarch MK2 all the way, the Mest MK2 is nice but it's presentation is so diff, I like it's 3D thing going but it's a good second IEM perhaps. Listening on my old HD800 and BCL original, love your review format! Only took three days, the Monarch MK2 is in the mail.
The mest MK2 has the best tuning of any IEM objectively. People can subjectively choose others to prefer. But I’ve never seen another IEM follow the ear sensitivity chart better than mest mk2. Bravo to UM.
Thank you from Indonesia DAN's, you working so hard to make, record and edit this VIDEO... You try really hard to tell viewers whats your ear hearing... Whats the difference... Sometimes it works, sometimes its not because of youtube compressing, because our ears not gold ears as your ears... LOL... I do apologize 😂
Dan this was a great review comparison… you really are very good in this style of review …I love it, although long I couldn’t stop watching … I watch everyone’s reviews online and it really great to see this comparison across many iems … very helpful and a very unique take … I was really impressed! I appreciate the work and effort you put into a video like this!
Thank you! This comment made my night 😊 The kindness and glowing support of my efforts and style mean a heck of a lot to me, sincerely 🙇🏻♂️ Thank you!
@@dansaudioreviews Ha I am glad it made your night… I know it takes a lot to make a video like that of that quality and your review style fills a niche that no one else does…so you should be commended 👍🏻
I gotta say the Monarch 2 is still my favorite the tonal balance is just beautiful on it, and I don't think the upper treble boost on the MK3 is worth the tonal balance trade off tbh.
I want instrumental presence that doesn't push the vocals that far back sounding, to me. The mk3 has drums sounding a bit more like what I hear behind a kit while the mest sounds more like I'm in front of the kit while someone else is playing. The Variations low end sound great, but the mid's sound bad in comparison. Like the presence and impact disappear from the variations. Idk between the mk2 or mk3, I have a few months of savings before I have to make a choice lol
Re the Monarchs; The staging appears to have been improved in the mk3 without sacrificing too much of the mk2’s stunning resolution. Staging improvements require correct tonality (obviously) so Thie are following due course.
So this is how 1k$+ IEMs sound like. If I were to tune them, it would more in the middle between the two, rather than as bright as the mk lll. MEST seem to pull the midrange details nicely and on Fleetwood Mac it would be my choice as well. The Monarch makes things a bit 'nicer' but there is a bit harshness, while MEST presentation is, I would say cleaner, more natural, yet there's is something missing which Monarch brings back. At least this is how things sound like through the tiny microphones of the coupler. It could be different in one's ears ;) Maybe I prefer Hexa over T3+, if T3+ was a bit fuller in mids, or Hexa touch more extended at both ends. IE200 not so shabby. Damn, this is the best review I ever watched. Love it.
Killer review! Excellent format, loved the whole thing! Appreciate you throwing in some budget picks too! Using the Blessing 3, but been eying the Monarch MKII, and been wary of the MKIII. I've heard the III has exaggerated bass, but I like more "analytical" (not colorful) tunings. 5/5, thank you!!
To me it was difficult to find the differences between MKII an III but Mest was clearly noticable with its more open 3d soundstage...just gorgous....and i think we cant replicate here the effect of the bone conducter......oh yeah in your female song comparsion i noticed between mkII and III that mkII was somehow more screaming at me and mkIII still clear and good noticable but a little more relaxed..you are doing a great job here with this comparsions...congrats.
Monarch Mk2 wins. It sounds more natural and is less fatiguing to one's ears over longer listening sessions. The Mk3 isn't bad by any means it's just my personal preference!
Very, very nice points made. I do think that both the mkii and the mest gives the best coverage, especially when compared this way. More thinking unneeded to be done!
First time I see a review with sound demos, and I have enjoyed it a lot, I have seen it from top to bottom and rewatch all the sound demos more times than I can count, really enjoy your style. I was genuinly baffled of how I can hear the differences between the mest, the monarch, hexa, tho I can't hear the difference between monarch mkII and monarch mkIII, maybe youtube compresion, maybe my headphones (sennheiser game one). Still, hella impressed, good job.
Have monarch 1 and 2 glad you covered a lot on my radar like xenns top, now it’s out of my list. I slso have some of the cheaper ones that you compared it too. Big thanks
Dan coming in with another solid review. Not another reviewer giving this level of analysis and demos. Keep up the good work and it’s much appreciated.
I am very satisfied with getting the Aful P5. It sounds close in the demo, but I am aware that there have to be some differences to the Monarch MKIII, it can't be that amazing and just cost 220€.
My channel survives off of free samples and the 64 audio people have never replied to an email inquiry from me and have never contacted me on their own.
I feel like the mid to upper bass on the monarch 3 is abit much.. I still prefer the mest2 based on the demo... Now whats left is to hear your thoughts on the Mest 2 vs Prestige LTD, would appreciate if u can give a TLDR. Anyway miss your commentary dan! looking forward to see more of these.. Thanks! Have a good day!
The Monarch Mk2 is like the HD-650 of the headphone world. They sound good on everything warm, full, soothing and well balanced. But,,, they are veiled and lack treble clarity.
Wow the Mest sounded infinitely more natural than the monarch mk3. Not sure why the monarch sounded so closed in. Time to look into buying the Mest mk3
As a keyboard player, I would say that drum sound on monarch mkiii kinda yamaha-ish type sound and on mest mkii kinda korg-ish type sound, both are good just more of your preference
i am listening on an ipad with good earphones and cant hear any difference between any of these iem’s. id like an upgrade from my moondrop variations, but hard to decide between monarch mark3, prestige ltd and dunu glacier. maybe its best to stick with the variatiions, these are much better than my over ear headphones and were an amzing leap in music enjoyment when i first bought them but perhaps any future upgrades will dissappoint after that big jump.
I have the Variations and absolutely love them, but not very good with Bass heavy or even hip hop, the Monarch mk2 is a bit similar in that sense. The Mk3 I just received and works absolutely well with hip hop and bass music. So I personally prefer the Mk3 for certain genres, the same for variations. As for gaming, Mk3 all the way.
I own Monarch MK2 and Mest MK3 now. And I have to say that while I loved Monarch mk2, Mest mk3 is a next level and it is just much much better in everything. The main thing is a sounstage, it is a game changer. Monarch are good but they sound flat. Instruments are playing into the line, without depth and layers. The only bad about Mest mk3 is the bass, it's very unique, good for jazz, but it's not for electronic music, but I want to say that the bass in Monarch is not better, also very average.
I’d be interested in how the Performer8 stacks up. I own both the P5 and P8; the P5 sounds like it has a bit more sub bass, but the P8 is much more clear and reveals more detail. It might fare better against the MK3. That said, I also didn’t buy the P5 (or the Wan’er) to compete against higher end IEMs, but so I wouldn’t worry about taking them out on a run or throwing them in my bag for travel. Great video as usual; I know this isn’t the most optimal comparison (the fact that I’m listening on a pair of Momentum 4s tuned for low end impact), but it’s still enough of an indicator for me to lean toward picking up the MK3 after a lot of deliberation. It may be time to offload the SA6 MK2, which has been disappointing thus far, and replace it with the Monarch. Appreciate your hard work here; still the best, most in-depth reviewer in this space and hope you continue being able to deliver these sorts of deep dives.
Thank you for making this video, sir! I only wish you'd used IE 900 instead of the IE 200 and the same very ear tips for each pair of IEMs. You have done in this video what I always wished people would do while comparing audio gear. Namely: looping. Hats off to you for that! When watching your videos, I always wonder what DAC/amp you use the most at home and on the go while listening to the IEMs? But most importantly, while you are demoing the IEMs you're talking abut. Can you share, please? Should I even mention that I have subscribed?
Thanks so much for this video Dan!! Your demos and commentary have been extremely helpful! Saving up for the Monarch MkII or Monarch Mk III which is going to be my end game on the iem front. I keep flip flopping between the two as to which I will end up with. Your MKII demo is the first one I heard where I thought this is perfect and a level above everything else. Its play back of RHCP under the bridge felt the most natural and life like I have heard. My preferred sound signature is neutral but when the MK III came out I was like hmmm I wouldn't mind more mid bass for heft in certain genres of music like rock etc. For a while I've been leaning towards the MKIII but know after this review I am initially back on the MK II. I would love to hear your thoughts on the bass between the two which is something you didn't mention especially considering they have moved to a dual set up on the MK III? is it better quality wise over the MK II and if so how much better? Also I've been extremely impressed with the ie200 from the demos!! Damn I was not expecting it to hang in there with such expensive sets which it certainly did!
I've been very skeptical to purchase IEM to leave this hobby. Xenn Top sounds like something I like, and I do EQ all my IEMs to the Top but Monarch sounds like an Endgame every reviewers were talking about. at this point if I purchased this endgame IEM I should just focus on comfort because it will be the only IEM I use for the rest of my life, but it still scary to buy something that expensive, it makes me rather feel like ultra budget IEM is the only thing I'm comfortable to buy.
Thanks and nice to see you in the video. Great video as always. I think MEST and Monarch MKIIs are slightly better than Monarch MKIII, but the Monarch is really good. The budget sets are nowhere near MKIII. PS: I think your mic volume could be a bit higher.
Thank you! And I did have the mic volume up higher at first, but on my playback devices I found myself not liking the artifacts and clipping that I heard more negatively at the starting volume - so I lowered it for my own taste at the time. But yea, I feel like I can never get it all JUST right. I gotta do some adjusting. Thanks for the feedback!
Monark II sounds a lot like Mest II, but the later is a tad more fuller sound. The Monark III is... weird. It tingles my brain in a W shape, whereas the Mest II sounds fuller and in a perfect, a little above place.
Yeah and the mest 2 has fallen even lower which somehow reflects my experience with them. I found my galaxy buds 2 pro slightly better than the Mest 2 and it was already 4 months ago lol.
Man great work here Ty so much I have been trying to decide which thie audio to get was thinking the prestige Do you recommend that one? I do hear what you say about the 2 and 3 Which has the best soundstage and imaging ?
It would be helpful if you did the comparison by playing an identical ~10 second passage, 1 iem at a time. Otherwise the sounds are different and it's difficult to make a direct comparison, which is the whole point of the video. Also, it's unclear which IEM will play next. So if you just get more robotic about it, pick 3 IEMs and play repeated ~10 second passages, that would be really helpful. As it is I really appreciate these recordings. It's the best thing on RU-vid for understanding these.
The mk3 seem to sound much better in edm and scifi-ish music (bass slaps harder and has a more wider mysterious soundstage?) But for vocals and rock and other mk2 seems the boss. Can someone that heard both confirm or elaborate?
I agree but its hard for me to confirm about the sound stage from the vid. I've been really struggling between the MKIII and MKII. Part of my really wanted to go with the MKIII but man the MKII is doing something really special especially with the vocals! I've heard a lot of people describing the treble on the MKII as perfect while some have complained the one on the MKIII is too bright. I'm back to leaning towards the MKII. I think if you are looking for something neutral the MKii is the one to go for as an end game but if you want something with more bass then the MKIII. I do feel the MKIII has lost a little something that made the MKII special but they are still so close to each other.
Thank you. I have the MEST MKII (customs) They are my go to IEM. In short, they make music fun to listen to, and they play well with just about everything you throw at it. I prefer the Monarch MKII over the III in this video. How do the IE 600s compare to the MEST MKII?
Dan please do a demo of Final Audio A3000/ 4000. Heard so many good reviews of these. Please do consider it. Thank you for great reviews and selfless hard work ❤❤
Excellent methodology and video. No other review channel, forum ot website, has adopted such patience and thoroughness with regard to ABX audio samples to elucidate the audible differences of each respective IEM. Their approach, subjective anecdotes and superimposing frequency responses onto a single graph, are useful but not instantaneous to demarcate, nor definitive and can be misleading. I own 2 sets of speakers that measure identically on and off-axis but sound quite different.
Love the video bro i like how the hexa and ie200 stand against monarc 2 and 3. Everything you say in this video is True in my opinion. And i am waiting for next videos and sound demos 😋😋😋😋 asap.
Wow, the hexa did it really good against the big dogs (from my perspective). Don't stop doing this type of videos, they are really useful. Grettings from Chile! 👋👋
I think My Journey is going to end at the Hype 2, it's doing 95% of the MKii and MKiii at 30% of the cost. The bass may even be 5-10% "better" than both.
Mest MKII sounds better than Monarch MKIII to my ears. it's somewhere in the pina gain area i think but it also sounds more comfortable and has excellent spacing for all instruments and vocals. Now i'm regreting my i sold my Mest MKI, gonna look for MKII or MKIII. What's the name of that Female song at 12:24. Love that song but i forget the title.
The MK2 when compared to the Mk3 just strikes such a sweet spot ... everything feels 100% perfectly balanced. I have no question I prefer the Mk2 overall. The Mest sounds unique because the instruments are better separated and it's a grander arena. It's more of an exciting experience but the Monarch Mk2 is significantly more intimate and supple. The Monarch Mk2 seems like you want to just keep feeding it more volume whereas the Mest might bite you.
The Monarch mk3 is better than the mest 2 The mest has the perfect ear gain scoop but unfortunately the scoop is too much. The even detail of the Mk3 is unmatched
Thanks for the review! Got the T3+ in house and gotta say, that thump you mentioned, is a top selling point for it. On top of it's pretty natural sounding tonal qualities it's THE IEM to beat under 100 bucks imo.
