[DaveStarWalker]

I will say this… despite loving my MMii’s a great deal, people ask me all the time where they can get that magic for less $. To which I always say “You can’t really, I wouldn’t tell you that they are magic and then try to tell you that you can buy 50% of magical”.

But… when pressed, I usually agree that $1k is a tough place to ask folks to go after spending $100 or $200.

So my two answers today are:
- Campfire Andromeda 2020 (accuracy, realism, tonal balance, speed)
- Moondrop variations (tone weight, spaciousness, timbre, driver integration, organic heft)

Neither comes totally close, but if the two had a kid and raised it just right with the right nutrition and education, it might be the MMii. And some people I know prefer one of these two to MMii due to comfort or because they prioritize the things that one does best over the other. And I’m not saying they are specialists and MMii is a generalist. But their presentations are very very different. The $500 range is very interesting, in part because the sub-$50 range is getting so much better so quickly. I expect that the $200-$500 range will provide some more real competition to the MMii in 2023 given the rate of change. But for now they are my king of the hill.

Not sure how many folks here read the discovery thread, but this is a good example of what’s going on sub-$100. I haven’t heard the Truthear Zero or Hexa, but so many people make this point:

Post in thread 'The discovery thread!'
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/post-17328277

Easy.

Very easy :

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fii...ced-armature-iem.960580/page-48#post-17327278

The full team presented here (see my signature)... this manner :



Tips : https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/CWU-GECL-Eartips-Isolating-Prevent-Enhanced/dp/B0991RL358?th=1

Over filtering for the vents (3MM 500 mesh) : https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005...t_main.73.3dde5e5bBPS8TQ&gatewayAdapt=glo2fra

Cable : https://www.fiio.com/newsinfo/674648.html

= TOTL time.

 

[Marlowe]

I will say this… despite loving my MMii’s a great deal, people ask me all the time where they can get that magic for less $. To which I always say “You can’t really, I wouldn’t tell you that they are magic and then try to tell you that you can buy 50% of magical”.

But… when pressed, I usually agree that $1k is a tough place to ask folks to go after spending $100 or $200.

So my two answers today are:
- Campfire Andromeda 2020 (accuracy, realism, tonal balance, speed)
- Moondrop variations (tone weight, spaciousness, timbre, driver integration, organic heft)

Not sure I understand since the Andromeda 2020 (at least new) is actually more expensive than the Monarch MII (the classic version is exactly the same price).

 

[DaveStarWalker]

And this is not that great...

Better choice : Andromeda OG, v2, second hand...

But the Fiio FH9, brand new and just with little tweaks as described, is far better* as I think. Every criteria.

* I think this is a TOTL level, every prices and every technologies. No kidding at all...

 

[JohnnyOps]

Andromeda 2020 (at least new) is actually more expensive than the Monarch MII (the classic version is exactly the same price).

Hmm. I bought CA Andromeda 2020 off the CA marketplace for sub-$600 last month. Their “good” quality has the same inviting unboxing experience as new stock. Sorry if they don’t have what you’re looking for right now - but they do a great job with used. MMii has been holding price like crazy in used market so I got mine for only $100 off just a few months before that.

 

[JohnnyOps]

Ok, gosh golly gee. I keep finding reasons to try my other IEMs - tracks I think will sound better, nostalgia, the desire to go fit a walk with slightly less big IEMs. Timeless, Kato, Variations, Andomeda, N5005, CRA+, Titan. Love them all a bit. But then I am listening to a recording I love (Monk’s Dream, Richter, Bright Lights) and then I pop back to the MMii, and it’s always better. Substantially better. Than any of them. Sorry, I fanboi. But really.

 

[Marlowe]

Hmm. I bought CA Andromeda 2020 off the CA marketplace for sub-$600 last month. Their “good” quality has the same inviting unboxing experience as new stock. Sorry if they don’t have what you’re looking for right now - but they do a great job with used. MMii has been holding price like crazy in used market so I got mine for only $100 off just a few months before that.

Well, all this may be true, but since the Andromeda 2020 sells new for $100 more than than the Monarch MKII, I don't see how you can legitimately present it as a cheaper alternative to the Monarch MK II because maybe, sometimes if you're lucky you can get a used or B stock Andromeda for a cheaper price (I am unfamiliar with the Campfire marketplace and unsure exactly what they sell). And you didn't even indicate all this in your original post--which on its face inexplicably stated that a more expensive IEM was a good cheaper alternative to the Monarch MKII. (Sorry if you think I am nitpicking, but I am a retired lawyer and inaccuracy really annoys me--and sorry, your post was very inaccurate without further information.)

 

[JohnnyOps]

(Sorry if you think I am nitpicking, but I am a retired lawyer and inaccuracy really annoys me--and sorry, your post was very inaccurate without further information.)

Um, yes, since the information is accurate though it might have assumed some knowledge of the used market (and as many posts on this forum as a matter of form or convention expect others to have context, ask polite questions and do research), I find your tone a bit obnoxious, but you do you.

Edit: just checked eBay. Rough $900 for used Mkii and $600 for used Andromeda 2020. Not imagining things or using obscure references. Bugs me that this bugged me enough to check, but c’est la vie. Have a good night.

And, I suppose I should note that we are well off topic. Which is never a great idea.

 

[Marlowe]

Um, yes, since the information is accurate though it might have assumed some knowledge of the used market (and as many posts on this forum as a matter of form or convention expect others to have context, ask polite questions and do research), I find your tone a bit obnoxious, but you do you.

This is a lame defense of a simply wrong post. And to slightly paraphrase Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep: "I don't mind if you don't like my tone, I don't like them myself. They are pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings." (With very small changes, the line was also used by Humphrey Bogart in the 1946 movie version.)

 

[RIGATIO]

I think calling Andromedas a cheap alternative to the Monarchs 2 isnt correct looking at the price itself but it's correct when looking at the sound quality. If the Andromedas cost 1200 bucks new, then the Monarch 2 should cost 1800-2200 bucks heh.
Even the Mest 2 sounds like a cheaper alternative to the Monarchs Mk2 (wining only in soundstage width).

 

[DaveStarWalker]

I think calling Andromedas a cheap alternative to the Monarchs 2 isnt correct looking at the price itself but it's correct when looking at the sound quality. If the Andromedas cost 1200 bucks new, then the Monarch 2 should cost 1800-2200 bucks heh.
Even the Mest 2 sounds like a cheaper alternative to the Monarchs Mk2 (wining only in soundstage width).

This is not at all the same target curve (Monarch = Harman ; not the Andro's).

so it is ratter... another thing...

 

[Sharppain]

Well, all this may be true, but since the Andromeda 2020 sells new for $100 more than than the Monarch MKII, I don't see how you can legitimately present it as a cheaper alternative to the Monarch MK II because maybe, sometimes if you're lucky you can get a used or B stock Andromeda for a cheaper price (I am unfamiliar with the Campfire marketplace and unsure exactly what they sell). And you didn't even indicate all this in your original post--which on its face inexplicably stated that a more expensive IEM was a good cheaper alternative to the Monarch MKII. (Sorry if you think I am nitpicking, but I am a retired lawyer and inaccuracy really annoys me--and sorry, your post was very inaccurate without further information.)

Andromeda alternative to MMk2 - hehehe. I understand american gear bias but soooo much!

 

[RIGATIO]

Monarch Mk2 are the best iems in the world and one of the best sounding headphones in general IMHO. The most natural, detailed, best tuned and balanced.
My opinion after trying Mest 1, 2, Annihilator, Nannas 1, 2, Odin, Xelentos 1, 2, all iem planars, CA Andromedas OG, 2020, CA Solaris OG, 2020, Solaris X, IBasso IT04, IT07, Fiio FH7, FH9, FD9, Focal Radiance, Hifiman Aryas, Dan Clarks Aeon Noires, Hifiman He-6s, Sundaras, Abyss Diana 1, 2, hd800s, 820, 600, 660s, full sized Denons, some Ultrasone and many more, cant even recall..

 

[domq422]

Monarch Mk2 are the best iems in the world and one of the best sounding headphones in general IMHO. The most natural, detailed, best tuned and balanced.
My opinion after trying Mest 1, 2, Annihilator, Nannas 1, 2, Odin, Xelentos 1, 2, all iem planars, CA Andromedas OG, 2020, CA Solaris OG, 2020, Solaris X, IBasso IT04, IT07, Focal Radiance, Hifiman Aryas, Dan Clarks Aeon Noires, Hifiman He-6s, Sundaras, Abyss Diana 1, 2, hd800s, 820, 600, 660s, full sized Denons, some Ultrasone and many more, cant even recall..

Holy Jesus - these are bold claims, my friend but I am happy that you’ve found them to work so well for you! I have yet to try other TOTL IEMs or full-sized cans but I can safely say, I’m happy I spent the $1000.

 

[RIGATIO]

Holy Jesus - these are bold claims, my friend but I am happy that you’ve found them to work so well for you! I have yet to try other TOTL IEMs or full-sized cans but I can safely say, I’m happy I spent the $1000.

Yes, its a bold claim but thats what my ears tell me At least i can speak from my experience. 1k very very well spent.

 

[domq422]

Yes, its a bold claim but thats what my ears tell me At least i can speak from my experience. 1k very very well spent.

It is your ears after all and that’s where the story ends