ThieAudio Origin Vs Monarch MKIII Comparison Review

The ThieAudio Origin made a huge impression on me when I reviewed it recently. Its substantial sound is quite the feat for an IEM that goes for less than a thousand dollars. When I reviewed the Monarch MKIII some time ago, I was also very impressed by its performance, becoming one of my favorites immediately. With the Origin being less than the Monarch MKIII by $250, can it dethrone the Monarch MKIII?

What You Get

Look & Feel

The Origin and Monarch MKIII aren’t too far apart from each other in terms of design. They feature similar shell shapes, just with different artwork on the faceplates, the Origin having more color to it, while the Monarch has a misty grey for its default design. Either way, the Monarch MKIII and Origin have shells made from a medical-grade resin that doesn’t feel weird when sitting in your ears. Both the Monarch MKIII and the Origin have the same ergonomics that translate to fine comfortability. The spout on the Origin might be a bit bigger though, and when I switch between the two, it sticks out of my ear slightly more than the Monarch MKIII. Where the Origin gains some ground though is with its cable. It’s a new EliteNoir cable, and it’s a more valuable inclusion compared to the Monarch’s stock cable.

Design

This is the Monarch’s tribrid driver configuration vs the Origin’s quad-brid. The quad in the Origin’s quad-brid driver design is thanks to its bone conductor unit. While the Monarch MKIII doesn’t have a bone conductor driver, it does include an IMPACT2 unit, which acts as a subwoofer similar to the Origin’s bone conductor.

Soundstage

Both the Origin and Monarch MKIII display a fantastic soundstage with impressive spatial imaging. However, they go about their presentation differently, giving you a good indicator of which IEM you might prefer. For instance, the Origin gives you great depth, with large instruments that appear in a holographic space around your head. The Monarch MKIII is way more precise and wide, adhering more to a proper stereo field with channel separation and balance. It relies on natural immersion, whereas the Origin relies on dimension and headspace. If you listen to genres that require a large scale, the Origin might be the right pick, but if you prefer something less floaty and more exact, the Monarch MKIII will be the better fit.

Low End

You won’t be disappointed in the bass response on either the Origin or Monarch MKIII, but each has its own tuning. When switching between the two, it is hard to ignore the incredible amount of slam that comes with the Origin. It’s certainly elevated with its bone conductor driver, giving it a big boost over the Monarch MKIII’s more dynamic response. Some might prefer the Monarch MKIII for its combination of body, texture, and clarity, but the Origin packs more of a punch for bass heads. The Monarch MKIII doesn’t miss anything with its sub-bass and mid-bass detail, but the Origin makes such an impression with its impact and thunderous tone.

Mids

For those sensitive to excited treble, neither the Origin nor Monarch MKIII are particularly held back in their response. Out of the two, the Origin definitely has the best control over its highs, while still featuring sparkly details. The Monarch MKIII is totally untethered in comparison, featuring a real brilliance that is incredibly defined. This leaves more room for sibilance to occur, but you also get more sizzle and airiness with the Monarch MKIII, and it really brings out reverb tails that heighten the spaciousness of the soundstage.

Highs

For those sensitive to excited treble, neither the Origin nor Monarch MKIII are particularly held back in their response. Out of the two, the Origin definitely has the best control over its highs, while still featuring sparkly details. The Monarch MKIII is totally untethered in comparison, featuring a real brilliance that is incredibly defined. This leaves more room for sibilance to occur, but you also get more sizzle and airiness with the Monarch MKIII, and it really brings out reverb tails that heighten the spaciousness of the soundstage.

Summary

Choosing between the ThieAudio Origin and Monarch MKIII ultimately comes down to what you prioritize in your sound. The Origin excels in delivering a grand, immersive soundstage with powerful bass, making it a great pick for those who enjoy dynamic, spacious audio. On the other hand, the Monarch MKIII offers a more refined, balanced presentation with stunning midrange clarity and high-frequency brilliance, ideal for critical listeners. No matter which IEM you choose, both models showcase ThieAudio’s commitment to high-fidelity audio. If you’re looking for the best IEMs for your preferred sound signature, the Origin and Monarch MKIII are among the top contenders in the audiophile space.

The ThieAudio Origin and Monarch MKIII are available at Audio46.