Monarch Mk4vs.Mk12 Turris
Sound & Specs Comparison
Information
Both IEMs are widely regarded in the audiophile community. See how they differ in terms of sub-bass response, upper mids, clarity, and overall tonality. Spider charts and rating breakdowns included.
Objective Comparison
Facts, details, stuff.
| General Info | Monarch Mk4 | Mk12 Turris |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Thieaudio | Hidizs |
| Country | China | – |
| IEM Description | The Monarch MKIV is the latest evolution in Thieaudio’s Signature Series, now featuring a tuning switch that lets users toggle between two distinct sound profiles: STANDARD mode offers a studio-neutral tuning with clean mids and refined treble. RUMBLE mode adds +3dB sub-bass for a warmer, more powerful low-end response. It sports a lightweight T6 aluminum shell, an advanced 4-way crossover system with 9 passive components, and the upgraded IMPACT2 isobaric dual-subwoofer setup for tight, impactful bass. Treble is handled with precision thanks to improved EST driver integration for smoother and more extended highs. The MKIV also introduces the new Chocolate modular cable system, offering both 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm unbalanced terminations with silver-plated OFC wires. A versatile flagship IEM combining technical excellence with customizable tuning. | The MK12 Turris brings a striking design together with a smooth and full-bodied sound. It’s an all-rounder that aims to please a broad range of musical tastes while offering style and substance in equal measure. |
| Price Level | 1.000 – 2.000 | 100 – 500 |
| Housing & Driver | ||
|---|---|---|
| Driver Config | Tribrid | Single Dyn. Driver |
| Driver Types | Dynamic Driver + Balanced Armature + Electrostatic | Dynamic Driver |
| Shell Material | Aluminium with 2 faceplates options | – |
| Cable | – | – |
| Technical | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freq Range | 10Hz – 44kHz | 10-45kHz |
| Impedance (Ω) | 10/9 | 32 |
| Sensitivity (dB) | 100 | 111 |
| Crossover | 4-way crossover with 4 sound tubes+2 ultra-high frequency drivers+4 high frequency drivers+2 mid frequency drivers+2 low frequency drivers | – |
| Platform Info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comments | 2 | 1 |
| Visit Count | 433 | 13 |
| External Reviews | 1 | 1 |
Meta Ratings
From delicate instrumental textures to vocal nuances, Monarch Mk4 conveys sound with noticeably enhanced finesse and resolution. For comfort fit, It performs slightly better (8 vs 7.3). Cable-wise, It is notably better built, featuring sturdier connectors and less tangling — traits where Mk12 Turris falls slightly short. It’s bundled components feel measurably more premium, suggesting a stronger focus on user satisfaction and long-term value.
| Monarch Mk4 | Mk12 Turris | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 8.8 | 7.8 |
| Comfort Fit | 8.0 | 7.3 |
| Build Quality | 7.8 | 7.5 |
| Stock Cable | 7.3 | 4.8 |
| Accessories | 6.8 | 5.0 |
Sound Characteristics
Mk12 Turris delivers a deeper and more extended sub-bass, reaching lower frequencies with greater authority than Monarch Mk4 (8.5 vs 7.5). It translates bass vibrations into a s more visceral experience, while Monarch Mk4 lacks this tactile feedback (8.5 vs 8). The lower midrange on It blends b more smoothly into the bass region, avoiding the disconnect found in Monarch Mk4 (9 vs 8.5). In the upper mids, It sounds a clearer and more articulate, highlighting vocals and lead instruments better than Monarch Mk4 (8 vs 7.5). The treble on It is a more nuanced and refined, especially when it comes to cymbals and ambient elements (9 vs 7.5). The upper treble of It extends a further, offering more sparkle and openness than Monarch Mk4 (9 vs 7.5). The stereo field on It feels a wider and more holographic, whereas Monarch Mk4 sounds more intimate (8 vs 7). It retrieves micro-details a more effectively, revealing nuances that are less apparent in Monarch Mk4 (8.5 vs 8). It separates instruments c more distinctly, helping complex passages remain coherent where Monarch Mk4 blends them (8.5 vs 7.5). It shows a better control of masking effects, maintaining clarity across frequency ranges better than Monarch Mk4 (8.5 vs 8). Monarch Mk4 hits with a more authority during transients, creating a more explosive effect than Mk12 Turris (8.5 vs 7.5). Listeners may experience a fewer sharp edges in 'S' and 'T' sounds with Mk12 Turris, whereas Monarch Mk4 can get fatiguing (9.5 vs 8.5). The tone quality of Monarch Mk4 feels a more organic and true-to-source than the slightly artificial flavor of Mk12 Turris (9 vs 8.5). Across the frequency range, Mk12 Turris stays a more consistent in tonal balance, resulting in a smoother listen than Monarch Mk4 (8.5 vs 8).
| Monarch Mk4 | Mk12 Turris | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub Bass | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Bass | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Bass Feel | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Lower Mids | 8.5 | 9.0 |
| Upper Mids | 7.5 | 8.0 |
| Lower Treble | 7.5 | 9.0 |
| Upper Treble | 7.5 | 9.0 |
| Sound Stage Width | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Detail | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Layering | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Masking | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Note Weight | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Slam | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Sibilance | 8.5 | 9.5 |
| Timbre Color | 9.0 | 8.5 |
| Tonality | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Texture | 8.0 | 8.0 |
Tonal Signature
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