Wired IEMs
Campfire Audio Holocene
55Average
$650
Full review dataCampfire Audio Holocene vs THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV - Outstanding overall at around $1149.
Wired IEMs
THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
84Outstanding
$1,150
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- Campfire Audio Holocene
- THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
HearWiki score
55
84
Sound
7.1
9.4
Value
4.6
7.6
Price (USD)
$650
$1,150
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV is 4 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 4 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Holocene2021
- Monarch MKIV20254 yr newer
Specifications
HoloceneMonarch MKIV
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $650
- $1,150
- HearWiki score
- 55
- 84
- Released
- 2021
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 3× balanced armature
- 2DD + 6BA + 2EST tribrid
- Driver type
- balanced-armature
- tribrid
- Driver configuration
- -
- 2DD + 6BA + 2EST
- Driver size
- -
- 8 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 10
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 20 kHz
- -
- Impedance
- 5.4 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 94 dB/mW
- -
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- 94
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Controls
- none
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- MMCX
- -
What reviewers said
Campfire Audio Holocene
The Campfire Audio Holocene is a triple balanced-armature in-ear monitor with a reference-style, technically focused tuning that prioritizes clarity and detail retrieval. It offers a polished high end and solid build quality, though its low impedance and high sensitivity mean it can be picky about source pairing and may sound dry or sterile with certain gear. Its bass response is somewhat limited in versatility, with some listeners finding it either light or occasionally bloated depending on the setup.
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and resolution
- Pro:Reference-style tuning with strong transparency and layering
- Pro:High-quality build and polished design
- Con:Bass can be light or occasionally bloated depending on source
- Con:Sensitive to source matching due to low impedance and high sensitivity
- Con:Can sound dry or sterile with certain tips or recordings
THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
The Monarch MKIV is a flagship in-ear monitor built around a ten-driver tribrid configuration, blending dual 8mm dynamic drivers, six balanced armatures, and two electrostatic tweeters. It offers a studio-neutral sound signature with an additional switchable bass-boost mode for listeners who prefer a more impactful low end.
- Pro:Reference-grade neutral tuning with excellent clarity
- Pro:Versatile bass boost mode adds flexibility
- Pro:Detailed and extended treble from electrostatic tweeters
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Requires a capable source to perform at its best
- Con:Large shell may not suit smaller ears
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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