Wired IEMs
THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV
84Outstanding
$1,150
Full review dataTHIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV vs Westone W60: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIV vs Westone W60, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
Westone W60
Not yet scored
$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 W60
HearWiki score
84
-
Sound
9.4
-
Value
7.6
-
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 8 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 8 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Monarch MKIV20258 yr newer
- W602017
Specifications
Monarch MKIVW60
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $1,150
- $1,000
- HearWiki score
- 84
- Not scored
- Released
- 2025
- 2017
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 6BA + 2EST tribrid
- 6× balanced armature
- Driver type
- tribrid
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 6BA + 2EST
- -
- Driver size
- 8 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 10
- 6
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 25 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 117 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 4.0
- Codecs
- -
- aptX
- Battery life
- -
- 8 h
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Weight
- -
- 12.7 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
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 W60
The Westone W60 earphones pack six balanced-armature drivers with a three-way passive crossover to deliver a balanced, articulate, and powerful sound signature. They offer flexible connectivity via a detachable MMCX wired cable or an optional Bluetooth neckband with aptX support, making them a versatile high-end choice for critical listening on the go. With a lightweight build and high sensitivity, they are comfortable for extended sessions, though they lack active noise cancellation and rely on a modest 8-hour battery in wireless mode.
- Pro:Detailed, balanced sound with six drivers
- Pro:Detachable MMCX cable and Bluetooth aptX support
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long listening
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Bluetooth battery life is only 8 hours
- Con:Older Bluetooth 4.0 standard
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.