Wired IEMs
THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
84Outstanding
$1,150
Full review dataTHIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV vs Westone MACH 70: 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
Westone MACH 70
67Good
$1,000
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 MACH 70
HearWiki score
84
67
Sound
9.4
7.8
Value
7.6
5.4
Price (USD)
$1,150
$1,000
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 3 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 3 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Monarch MKIV20253 yr newer
- MACH 702022
Specifications
Monarch MKIVMACH 70
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $1,150
- $1,000
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 67
- Released
- 2025
- 2022
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 2DD + 6BA + 2EST tribrid
- 7× balanced armature
- Driver type
- tribrid
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 6BA + 2EST
- -
- Driver size
- 8 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 10
- 7
- Frequency response
- -
- 5 Hz - 22 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 42 Ω
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Weight
- -
- 15.6 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- -
- MMCX
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 MACH 70
The Westone MACH 70 is a premium wired in-ear monitor that pairs seven balanced-armature drivers per side with a three-way passive crossover to deliver a warm, bass-forward sound signature while maintaining clarity and detail. Its compact, lightweight shell and detachable MMCX cable make it a comfortable, versatile all-rounder for a wide range of genres, though its high-end price tag positions it as a flagship-level investment.
- Pro:Rich, bass-forward tuning with clear detail
- Pro:Compact, lightweight and comfortable fit
- Pro:Detachable MMCX cable with quality accessories
- Con:Expensive for a wired-only IEM
- Con:Sensitivity may not match ease-of-driving in practice
- Con:No built-in noise cancellation or wireless option
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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