peripheralsdealer
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As always, I'd ask what about the Monarch you're trying to improve. What's making you feel like you need an upgrade?
I'm finding myself agreeing with the opinion that above 1000$, you're paying for preferences, not raw "performance."
It’s a bit of a broad question.
Are you looking for something that is similar in tuning and sound to MMk3? Looking for something different? What is it about the mmk3 that you enjoy and what don’t you like or would you like to be different?
Depending on your answers, there could be many different suggestions and recommendations.
I used this as well. I bought the Radius Deep Mount and they work great.Azla Maxes have been recommended to me once or twice, but I'm concerned about its mids and treble.
It's not canon, but I use this website as a general ear tip guide and this is what they had to say about the Azla Max. I'm hoping you can clear up some misconceptions if any: https://www.audioreviews.org/guide-to-iem-silicone-eartips/
I would think that most sources that meet the power requirements would be audibly transparent. With the idea that most, if not all, DACs, amps and audio chain equipment would present a flat frequency response and would be designed to be transparent. Maybe variations in timing devices create differences outside of the transparency. I almost forgot tubes would be an introduction of variation or distortion into the audio chain.Hey guys, thanks for the reply! : )
As for mmk3, I like everything about it, mostly like its quality bass, with a very good bass quantity too imo.
I also like the vocal presentation, mostly for female but also male works good.
Highs are great, mids are great, low end is great.
I just thought to myself, what if there is an iem that can take all that good, and elevate it, depends on track, bass may be bloated for example, but still nothing that bothers me.
I am not neccessarily looking to upgrade cuz something is missing, but rather just for the chance of even better experience.
Say better and clear bass, better stage, better separation and layering, better vocal presentation, overall cleaner sound.
If there isn't really a candidate for that, which I have been referred to the annihilator 2023 by few people, then I wouldn't make a purchase.
One thing to note, I noticed, I think, that the mmk3 doesn't scale much, if any at all, I tried it on m15 vs wa7, barely heard a diff, so I wonder how it will perform on the n8ii, maybe won't be any different from a lower end dac/amp.
Which leads me to the point that people said that annihiltor 2023 for example, is very source depending and would scale a lot and lead for better results.
Thanks a lot! : )
True. They don't scale that much. On the M15 I have more springy bass and a smaller soundstage than on the CMA600i. However, on stationary equipment there is a noticeably wider sound stage, just as deep, more bass control and greater emphasis on sound accentuation and clarity. The headphones are more balanced. The differences in the structure are small.One thing to note, I noticed, I think, that the mmk3 doesn't scale much, if any at all, I tried it on m15 vs wa7, barely heard a diff, so I wonder how it will perform on the n8ii, maybe won't be any different from a lower end dac/amp.
AndyAudioVault on Youtube has videos reviewing and comparing each and every single dongle. If I remember correctly, the Elite sounds closer to a dc04pro upgrade (musical) and the dc06 sounds more technical. For me, the Elite is more interesting, but I suggest checking Andy's video on itHi there. I'm trying to decide between the iBasso DC06pro and iBasso Elite DACs for my Monarch MK3. Which one would you choose?
I know I'm late to the party here, but I just received my Monarch 3 after a year or so of using the B2: Dusk exclusively. I think the comments from @Smirk 24 are spot on. I haven't heard the Monarch 2, but I think it's fair to say that the Monarch 3 feels like a direct upgrade to the B2D's. Very similar tonality overall (still leans ever-so-slightly warm), but just more refined on both the upper and lower ends. Bass is more textured, and I'm feeling a little more sub-bass coming through vs. the B2D, while I'm tempted to say I'm hearing a bit more mid-bass from the B2D. Treble detail and resolution is boosted without being sibilant to my middle-aged ears. I never really appreciated good treble until I acquired a pair of Diana V2's, and the Monarch 3 has a very similar treble presentation that I can only describe as "coherent."If you don’t like recessed vocals, I’d steer clear of the U12t. The Z1R doesn’t have the best vocal presentation either.
For an overall upgrade from the B2: Dusk with a similar vocal forwardness, I’d look into the Monarch 2 and 3, and then the Diva.
The B2: Dusk, if I remember correctly, has a neutral-warm tonality. The Monarch 2 will be the most similar in tonality to the Dusk, whereas the Monarch 3 and Diva have a pigmented tonality.
The elevated bass and extra treble energy of the Monarch 3 may potentially affect your perception of the forwardness of the vocals, though of the three I think it’s the most technical.
The Monarch 2 is the best-tuned IMO and is up there technically with the Monarch 3 with the exception of its overly soft bass.
The Diva has least treble extension of the three but it has a very safe tuning and a bass switch you can use to change bass levels. It’s also the most expensive by far.
They’re all good upgrades to the B2: Dusk. I hope you can find the best fit for you.
I also like the look and feel of the cable, no issues with that ....I feel like I'm alone in REALLY liking the look and feel of the included cable. I think the gold-ish color looks nice with the default black plates and it feels nice.
I know I'm late to the party here, but I just received my Monarch 3 after a year or so of using the B2: Dusk exclusively. I think the comments from @Smirk 24 are spot on. I haven't heard the Monarch 2, but I think it's fair to say that the Monarch 3 feels like a direct upgrade to the B2D's. Very similar tonality overall (still leans ever-so-slightly warm), but just more refined on both the upper and lower ends. Bass is more textured, and I'm feeling a little more sub-bass coming through vs. the B2D, while I'm tempted to say I'm hearing a bit more mid-bass from the B2D. Treble detail and resolution is boosted without being sibilant to my middle-aged ears. I never really appreciated good treble until I acquired a pair of Diana V2's, and the Monarch 3 has a very similar treble presentation that I can only describe as "coherent."
As I switch back and forth, I'm actually really surprised at how good the B2D sounds considering the price point; it definitely punches way above its weight class here (especially if you like the U-shaped signature), just a meaty, punchy warm blanket of a listen, but the Monarch 3 is definitely a more "grown up" presentation overall.
For anyone wondering about fit of the Blessing 2's, I actually found them to be totally manageable by using the medium Spinfit CP155 tips (the stock tips definitely left me sore after awhile). I've only used the Monarch 3 for a couple hours, but so far the medium silicon tips feel comparable; a little snug, but I have no complaints about the size of the shell (it's surprisingly light, despite being such a chonker!).
The disco shells were actually a pleasant surprise; tons of iridescence depending on the light. I was worried they were too busy initially, but it's definitely grown on me.
Edit: Isolation is apparently very good (as good, if not better, than monitors with ANC). My daughter was standing behind me in my office for 2 minutes trying to get my attention, and I was blissfully unaware (either that or I'm just listening way too loud!).
My oracle OG faceplate popped off after I've dropped it. Looking inside the build quality feels lackluster overall feels rather cheap. Don't know how much it improved for the current models. But something like a dunu sa6 is on a whole different level in terms of build.I believe M MKIII....as other Thie Audio are so light because of the very thin plastic they use for the shells. It's medical grade....but I fell it's very thin and fragile especially on the side opposite to the 2-pin.
I had an incident with the OG Oracles , one of the faceplates just fell off, I did nothing wrong, I believe it was poorly glued from the start. This gave me the opportunity to see the messy insides and the thinness of the shell)
In comparison M MKIII fell more solid, so I hope they fixed the glueing issue....and a bit heavier (more drivers) , but I suspect they use the same kind of plastic for the shells.
For me I could feel the edges because it was not glued well....after about 6 months.....then I dropped it but only form 40-50 cm on a wooden floor.....if the build was ok, this small fall shouldn't have affected it.My oracle OG faceplate popped off after I've dropped it. Looking inside the build quality feels lackluster overall feels rather cheap. Don't know how much it improved for the current models. But something like a dunu sa6 is on a whole different level in terms of build.
I'm an unabashed bass-head, and I think I'm starting to understand what some have said about the bass being overpowered at times. It's not that the bass frequencies are dominating or bleeding into the mids, it's more the intensity of the air pressure on some mid-bass prominent tracks (while on others there's a really satisfying sub-bass rumble, these drivers really go deep); it's a real, "whoah there is a kick drum inside my ear" kind of effect (maybe a more relaxed seal with smaller silicon tips would help).I hear the subwoofer, that's the first impression. It disappeared after a short while. But then it gets rough. Very hot upstairs. Aggressive, but detailed, lots of them.