[Silverlinings]

Damn.. seems like they aren't for me. Im used to the Monarch Mk2 detail and texture which i find even better than on both Mests. And the Monarchs 2 naturalness of timbre and the vocals presentation is beyond any iem I've heard so far. Will be probably grabbing a used Mest 2 for more fun listen, to compliment my Monarchs 2 perfection hah.

I haven't heard the Monarch MK2's, so I couldn't speak to that. I would think though if that's the case they could be fatiguing as well. Don't get me wrong, I think the detail is still very good on the Prestige's, but not quite as good the Mests. I do find the bass better on the Prestige's than the Mests. It seems to have more rumble and is more pronounced. It also could be the overall tuning.

 

[RIGATIO]

I haven't heard the Monarch MK2's, so I couldn't speak to that. I would think though if that's the case they could be fatiguing as well. Don't get me wrong, I think the detail is still very good on the Prestige's, but not quite as good the Mests. I do find the bass better on the Prestige's than the Mests. It seems to have more rumble and is more pronounced. It also could be the overall tuning.

Thanks for the feedback.
Maybe i will give them a shot but im spoiled by the Monarchs 2 detail retrieval and everything which is less revieling just doesnt sound right for me (and ive tried many iems and full sized). The only iem which comes close for me is the Mest 2 because of a very impressive staging/positioning presentation. It isnt the most natural and can become fatiguing after a while but it is impressive. The Monarchs 2 arent as WOWish in this department. They sound more like a traditional speakers- the sound just comes frontally and left-right, where on the Mests 2 im more on a stage between musicians and the sounds pop out from different spots.
But the Mests 2 lack the final octave on top, like there is something missing for me. Also the timbre of vocals and real instruments isnt as natural and life-like as on the Monarchs 2. At least the Mests are still very detailed so i feel like i dont miss anything and can analyse recordings if i want to.
I wrote my impressions somewhere, after spending many hours comparing the Monarchs 2 with Senns Hd820, Abyss Diana, Hifiman Aryas and He-6s. The Monarchs won in almost every department, like timbre, naturalness, impact, fighting even in staging presentation. I was shocked that they were as detailed as the Dianas which are 4k+ bucks open back planars.
I know im shilling about the Monarchs 2 but they are really that good, at least for me.
The Mests OG werent to my liking completely but the Mk2 version was really really nice (still the Monarchs 2 are untouched for me).
And no, the Monarchs 2 arent fatiguing at all, they just sound right and realistic.

 

[Silverlinings]

I respect your opinion. Everyone hears differently as well. I love all the details and thought I'd be disappointed after my first listen, but there's benefits to the tuning that I hear. Like I said, they are complimentary and when I want to immerse myself in detail, I will grab the Mest's, and when I just want to listen and enjoy I will grab the Prestige's. Keep in mind, I've had under 2 hours with them. I haven't even used them with the RS6 yet. It's been my Sony DAP, the R3 Pro Saber, and Shanling M3x.

 

[RIGATIO]

I respect your opinion. Everyone hears differently as well. I love all the details and thought I'd be disappointed after my first listen, but there's benefits to the tuning that I hear. Like I said, they are complimentary and when I want to immerse myself in detail, I will grab the Mest's, and when I just want to listen and enjoy I will grab the Prestige's. Keep in mind, I've had under 2 hours with them. I haven't even used them with the RS6 yet. It's been my Sony DAP, the R3 Pro Saber, and Shanling M3x.

So it seems that you will get the best out of them using your best dap and letting them to burn in. The RS6 is a great source. Will be following your impressions, cant wait!

 

[domq422]

I wanted to write in here after the whole debacle a few pages back. While I do not and never will accept that Linsoul decided it was a good idea to post a customers emails publicly without his permission, @Dèng messaged me directly in order to help me get some filters for my Monarch MKII. I only had to pay for shipping which is fine. They were straight forward and professional about the situation and only asked to see the filters via a picture which was understandable.

I realize that the practices on display prior were less than ideal and they need to be rectified, but I guess this is a step in the right direction for the CS team at Linsoul/Thie.

 

[Nimerino]

I purchased a number of items directly from SmallRig, also a Chinese manufacturer of specialised goods. On delivery, when the most expensive cage arrived with a stripped screw that made mounting impossible, I was also asked to go through the whole rigamarole of taking several videos, numerous pictures, describing the problem over and over again, and attempting a number of amateur repair manoeuvres for them to be content that I was, in fact, not lying.

Halfway though the process, I simply asked them to close the case and purchased the same item again as I couldn’t be bothered to waste any more time, whereupon they acquiesced and refunded my original purchase.

There may be a cultural component that is difficult for Western customers to comprehend, but I don’t think it matters. Unfortunately, no alternatives were available for the item in my story above. If there had been, I would have voted with my wallet. There are numerous alternatives to Linsoul products. As much as I like my Monarch, I’m not as generous as @domq422 is graciously being. I think we should reward companies that have a proven record of decent customer service, and not ones that have proven otherwise.

 

[Animagus]

I wanted to write in here after the whole debacle a few pages back. While I do not and never will accept that Linsoul decided it was a good idea to post a customers emails publicly without his permission, @Dèng messaged me directly in order to help me get some filters for my Monarch MKII. I only had to pay for shipping which is fine. He was straight forward and professional about the situation and only asked to see the filters via a picture which was understandable.

I realize that the practices on display prior were less than ideal and they need to be rectified, but I guess this is a step in the right direction for the CS team at Linsoul/Thie.

Quick correction, @Dèng is Lillian Deng. She's the founder/owner of Linsoul. So, the correct pronoun would be 'she'. Right Lillian?

 

[domq422]

Quick correction, @Dèng is Lillian Deng. She's the founder/owner of Linsoul. So, the correct pronoun would be 'she'. Right Lillian?

I am so sorry - I really didn’t mean anything by it, that’s my bad and I will correct the post accordingly!

 

[Animagus]

I am so sorry - I really didn’t mean anything by it, that’s my bad and I will correct the post accordingly!

Oh no no, I was just letting you know. I don't know if she operates her account herself or someone else from their CS team do so here.

 

[Dèng]

Quick correction, @Dèng is Lillian Deng. She's the founder/owner of Linsoul. So, the correct pronoun would be 'she'. Right Lillian?

Hello @Animagus .
No, I'm not Lillian.
However, we are all part of the Linsoul Team.
Therefore, we will do our best to improve and resolve any issues.

 

[Petru]

Did anyone reshell Monarchs mk2? I asked thieaudio directly, and they said they do not provide such option. Can you recommend a place to do that?

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Did anyone reshell Monarchs mk2? I asked thieaudio directly, and they said they do not provide such option. Can you recommend a place to do that?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/third-party-iem-reshell-services.960385/

This is a whole thread of Third Party Reshell services. I have never reshelled an IEM with anyone but the original manufacturer so this is the best I can do to be helpful.

 

[johnchpark]

I purchased a number of items directly from SmallRig, also a Chinese manufacturer of specialised goods. On delivery, when the most expensive cage arrived with a stripped screw that made mounting impossible, I was also asked to go through the whole rigamarole of taking several videos, numerous pictures, describing the problem over and over again, and attempting a number of amateur repair manoeuvres for them to be content that I was, in fact, not lying.

Halfway though the process, I simply asked them to close the case and purchased the same item again as I couldn’t be bothered to waste any more time, whereupon they acquiesced and refunded my original purchase.

There may be a cultural component that is difficult for Western customers to comprehend, but I don’t think it matters. Unfortunately, no alternatives were available for the item in my story above. If there had been, I would have voted with my wallet. There are numerous alternatives to Linsoul products. As much as I like my Monarch, I’m not as generous as @domq422 is graciously being. I think we should reward companies that have a proven record of decent customer service, and not ones that have proven otherwise.

While not all customers are bad people, there are still customers who try to scam their way into free products or replacements - and not just in the audio market, but for any commodity. This is especially true towards Chinese sellers. This is partly a fault on the earlier Chinese markets, where sellers freely gave out returns to prevent bad reviews, especially on platforms like Amazon and Aliexpress. It has created a culture where customers can almost expect free refunds or replacements for any reason - even if QC is not at fault. While big Chinese manufacturers can handle the financial loss from such a culture, smaller businesses struggle to make ends meet when a significant portion of their sales end up as unwarranted refund requests.

As a customer myself who often shop internationally, i too want a great customer service experience. I want convenience and trust in the seller to provide good resolutions should any issues arise.

However, i also believe smaller businesses are warranted strategies to protect themselves from customers who are simply trying to get free refunds. I think Linsoul’s methodology of asking for photo and video proof is justified - especially if every Thieaudio product they sell is QC tested prior to shipping out. They can’t expect every customer to have IEC compliant measuring rigs to check for themselves, and video proof is a good way around this. Should any actual QC be at fault, they say they offer free shipping back and forth for repairs or replacements. And should it be out of warranty repairs, they pay for half of the shipping. This is reasonable to me.

I don’t know if it’s because Western customers have some sense of entitlement from their customer experiences with multi-billion dollar corporations like Amazon, or if it is some underlying stigma towards Chinese sellers and products, but people need to understand that sellers are humans too. Small manufacturers are individuals who are also trying to make ends meet. I doubt the same sense of hostility towards Linsoul’s customer service would exist if it were towards a US-based small business.

 

[nhitnho]

Hi guys,
I just purchased Oracle mk2 recently then found out it a bit harsh/sib and quite slow bass, though bass is deep and punchy
No stock tips provided so I am using spinfit 500
Quite disappointed due to this much sib and I expect faster bass

 

[johnchpark]

I have to say, having our email exchange leaked here is probably the most unprofessional and violating support experience I have had. You've taken an unpleasant purchase and made it truly memorable.

Since you insist on publicly litigating your support:

It is absolutely unacceptable to require video documentation of an issue just to be able to receive an RMA. The fact that it took you 2 days to communicate that policy as you show above sure doesn't help.

What exactly do you feel the FR plot should help me with? Do you think that represents the current unit performance - even after you have seen the video clearly showing total channel failure? Is your implication that I am somehow incorrect or being dishonest and the unit is actually performing to spec, despite not being stereo? You asked for the serial number in subsequent followup, and devoted quite a bit of time to producing the FR (prior to even generating the RMA!). It's hard for me to understand how it does anything but try to help you save face in this, which again seems to have been your top priority rather than providing support.

Also, what is this fool complaining about? The screenshot of the email is FROM Linsoul! LMAO. They had the courtesy to not share any of your email content (which I’m sure is just as inflammatory as your Head-fi posts). The email clearly shows the QC frequency measurements of his serial number unit. Anyone who ever measured earphones or use REW would know whats going on.