Lime Ears Terra 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

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV leads on 4 of 4 measures.

Lime Ears Terra
THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

9.4

Value

6.2

7.6

Price (USD)

$1,200

$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

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV (2025) against Lime Ears Terra (2024). These are 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.

Terra2024
Monarch MKIV20251 yr newer

Specifications

TerraMonarch MKIV

Type: Wired IEMs; Wired IEMs
Price (USD): $1,200; $1,150
HearWiki score: 73; 84
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: 1DD + 5BA hybrid; 2DD + 6BA + 2EST tribrid
Driver type: hybrid; tribrid
Driver configuration: 1DD + 5BA; 2DD + 6BA + 2EST
Driver size: 7 mm; 8 mm
Drivers per side: 6; 10

Specification comparison of Lime Ears Terra vs THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
Spec	Lime Ears Terra	THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
Type	Wired IEMs	Wired IEMs
Price (USD)	$1,200	$1,150
HearWiki score	73 / 100 Great	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	1DD + 5BA hybrid	2DD + 6BA + 2EST tribrid
Driver type	hybrid	tribrid
Driver configuration	1DD + 5BA	2DD + 6BA + 2EST
Driver size	7 mm	8 mm
Drivers per side	6	10

What reviewers said

Lime Ears Terra

The Lime Ears Terra is a well-regarded hybrid IEM that delivers a balanced, musical sound with a warm bass presence and controlled treble, making it a versatile all-rounder across genres. Its solid build quality and technical performance earn praise, though it stops short of class-leading status in refinement. The main trade-off is a slightly average bass texture for the price and a nozzle that may be uncomfortable for some listeners.

Pro:Balanced, musical tuning that suits a wide range of music
Pro:Solid build quality with premium materials
Pro:Good technical performance for its price class

Con:Bass texture is only average for the price
Con:Nozzle is long or thick, affecting fit for some
Con:Not class-leading in overall technical refinement

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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New comparison Lime Ears Terra THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV