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 | 3 | 1 |
| Visit Count | 449 | 15 |
| External Reviews | 1 | 1 |
Meta Ratings
Especially for complex musical passages, Monarch Mk4 handles layering and imaging clearly more confidently and precisely. For comfort fit, It performs softly better (8 vs 7.3). Users may find the It cable considerably more confidence-inspiring for both daily use and long-term durability. Compared to Mk12 Turris, the overall accessory offering from It is distinctly more aligned with the expectations of discerning audiophiles.
| 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
Low-frequency extension on Mk12 Turris feels c more natural and authoritative, while Monarch Mk4 lacks some reach (8.5 vs 7.5). It translates bass vibrations into a a more visceral experience, while Monarch Mk4 lacks this tactile feedback (8.5 vs 8). The lower midrange on It blends a more smoothly into the bass region, avoiding the disconnect found in Monarch Mk4 (9 vs 8.5). It reproduces female vocals and strings with a more air and forwardness, while Monarch Mk4 remains recessed (8 vs 7.5). It offers m greater shimmer and nuance in the lower treble, revealing micro-details that Monarch Mk4 misses (9 vs 7.5). It captures ambient cues and reverbs s more precisely through its upper treble, enhancing spatial perception over Monarch Mk4 (9 vs 7.5). It creates a n wider soundstage, giving instruments more space and a better sense of placement than Monarch Mk4 (8 vs 7). It retrieves micro-details a more effectively, revealing nuances that are less apparent in Monarch Mk4 (8.5 vs 8). In complex arrangements, It separates layers e more distinctly, preventing overlap that Monarch Mk4 occasionally suffers (8.5 vs 7.5). Instruments remain intelligible on It even during busy sections, showing a better handling of masking than Monarch Mk4 (8.5 vs 8). Percussion and quick attacks feel a more physical and punchy on Monarch Mk4, adding excitement over Mk12 Turris (8.5 vs 7.5). The upper range of vocals is a cleaner and more forgiving on Mk12 Turris, helping it avoid sibilant harshness that Monarch Mk4 shows (9.5 vs 8.5). Timbre on Monarch Mk4 sounds a more realistic and natural, whereas Mk12 Turris feels slightly more artificial or colored (9 vs 8.5). Tonality on Mk12 Turris is a more coherent and refined, yielding a more pleasing overall signature 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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