Wired IEMs
THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
84Outstanding
$1,150
Full review dataTHIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV vs Westone B50: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV vs Westone B50, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
Westone B50
Not yet scored
$700
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.
- THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
- Westone B50
HearWiki score
84
-
Sound
9.4
-
Value
7.6
-
Price (USD)
$1,150
$700
Specifications
Monarch MKIVB50
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $1,150
- $700
- HearWiki score
- 84
- Not scored
- Released
- 2025
- 2020
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 6BA + 2EST tribrid
- 5× balanced armature
- Driver type
- tribrid
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 6BA + 2EST
- -
- Driver size
- 8 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 10
- 5
- Frequency response
- -
- 10 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 35 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 118 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 4.0
- Codecs
- -
- aptX
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- -
- 8 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 150 min
- Water resistance
- -
- IPX4
What reviewers said
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
Westone B50
The Westone B50 is a universal-fit in-ear monitor that packs five balanced armature drivers per side, aiming to deliver a detailed and accurate sound signature for critical listening. Despite its wired appearance with a detachable cable, it actually supports wireless operation via Bluetooth, offering around 8 hours of battery life and aptX codec support. It also includes an IPX4 water-resistance rating, making it a versatile option for both home and on-the-go use.
- Pro:Detailed five-driver balanced armature design
- Pro:Wireless Bluetooth with aptX support
- Pro:IPX4 water resistance for durability
- Con:Relatively short battery life at 8 hours
- Con:Bluetooth 4.0 is an older standard
- Con:Long charge time of 150 minutes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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