this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2023
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What’s the next upgrade from Monarch MK3? (alien.top)
submitted 1 year ago by redhotchillipadi@alien.top to c/headphones@hi-fi.community
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Hi All,

I don’t consider myself as an audiophile but more of a hobbyist. I recently acquired the Monarch Mk3 for about a month or so. I’m pretty much in a love hate relationship with it due to some genres may sound rather muddy in the mids . I mostly listen to alternative music genres like post hardcore, metal-core, djent, progressive metal and i found it kinda like a hit and miss at the same time. As some of the albums don’t really have a good mix to the point that i have to EQ it using wavelet to clear up the mud. I really love the bass rumble of the MK3 while listening to Bad Guy - Billie Eilish and the it has stupendous amount of imaging and instrument seperation when im listening to Cluster - The Algorithm. The MK3 really open up my taste for music from 7rings - Ariana Grande to classic rock bands like white snake. I’m really glad that I’ve purchased them as an all rounder but i am missing the sound from LSX/LS10 by Rooth Audio and they don’t seem to be around anymore :(. The imaging of the LSX is amazing where you can hear every single hit of the drums so pronounced while listening to White Washed - August Burns Red. If any kind soul could recommend me an IEM specifically for metal-core genres or perhaps point out on how to acquire the LSX would be awesome!

My setup: Hiby R6III ( Tidal only ) - PW no.10s - Monarch MK3 - TRI Clarion Tips

Bands i listen to: August Burns Red, Currents, Architects, Northlane, Darkest Hour, The Ammity Affliction, Saosin,The Bride, Dance Gavin Dance.

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[–] mainguy@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Explore iems with strong sound signatures. Explore basshead iems too.

[–] Morphon@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Can you suggest a specific song? I'll test my IEM library against it.

[–] redhotchillipadi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You can try White washed - August burns red

I’m not saying that mk3 didn’t handle it well but I do miss the way how LSX handles it with the intro of the drums where you can hear the hitting of the toms, double pedals as it pan from left to right in my head. That’s what I’ve been trying to chase after but I’ve yet to find another iem to reproduce the effect. It’s just me nitpicking but to each his own. Probably i should jump to headphones instead?

[–] Morphon@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I see what you mean - also at the 2:50 mark.

Those percussion areas seemed to sound best with the Simgot EW200, Letshuoer Galileo, and Raptgo Bridge. I got a much better sense of "toms surrounding my head - THUNDER" than with with more top-to-bottom detail-oriented sets like the Monarch (v1), Etymotic Evo, or Aful Performer 8. I think the percussion sounded better on the Galileo than the Kiwi Quintet, even though they have very similar graphs.

I think the common denominator here (other than just the tuning) is how much is handled by the DD.

Just for fun, I tried out the Blon Z300 with this song. It's a bit muddy (the tuning), but it also has the big percussion sound. Even the Moondrop LAN, which has much more "polite" bass still has the "big toms" sound. I think the DD is the key. You might audition a good single DD set and see if that gives you the realism and intensity that you're looking for.

[–] redhotchillipadi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Thank you for taking your time exploring the song with your collections of IEMS and I really appreciate the effort you’ve put in. I did revisit the song with the OH10s you’re right about the big toms resonating in the space but the guitars were to gnarly for my taste and I tried it with the MK3, they pretty much balanced the bass and treble. It made me appreciate the MK3s even more. Yeap will surely audition the IEMS you recommended 🤗 Prolly throw in the IE200 and IE600 too to audition 🤔😄

[–] ScaryfatkidGT@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Lmfao, I just posted a post like this but for the MKii’s, honestly just enjoy them man, we are pushing summitfi here…

I wanna try the Sony Z1R’s among others but it’s hard to collect or even demo things at this level.

[–] redhotchillipadi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah bro I came across your thread it’s and has a lot of pretty insights 🤗

How I wish I could get that goosebump feeling when auditioning the LSX, you know that one that you can’t forget kinda thing. I’m grateful owning the MK3s just so yknow 😄

[–] Fred011235@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

ive stopped at mk2

[–] redhotchillipadi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’m glad that you’ve achieved your end game in iems 😃. I’ve been contemplating about getting another set of iems or just jump straight to headphones instead. This may sound kinda silly but how does the MK2 compared to the LCD2 ?

[–] Fred011235@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

the mk2 are a combination of most of the best parts of my lcd2 and my hd800, only thing missing is the soundstage

[–] neliste@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Firaudio maybe?
I personally find $1k range just okay ish when I try, since always ended up comparing to i4 (b-stock).

But having more fun with <$500 IEM.
Actually very excited waiting for isn neo 5 to arrive.

[–] redhotchillipadi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thank you for the recommendation 👍 will look into it. The I4 itself seems like a beast on its own but not fit for daily commute.

Just googled the neo5, some reviewer even compared them to the MEST mk3 🤯. They look amazing though.

I owned the OH10s the bass seems pretty solid imo but the instrument separation and resolution isn’t really there imo. I guess in the <$500 there’s a substantial gap in the characteristics of the sound where there will always be something lacking.

The Letshuoer S12 seems pretty solid based on the reviews and their price point.

[–] neliste@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I like wearing i4 outdoor only when the street is quiet or going to park to read book, otherwise all the noise will kill the sound.
I4 forced me to be able to EQ myself. It's also possible to change the sound significantly, which makes it very versatile.

But pretty much true, there will be some compromise for <$500. But they have some interesting characteristics sometimes.
At some point resolution isn't really big deal, especially during commute. I find the fun factor is more important to boost my mood.
This is provided I have a pair of TOTL when I crave for it.

Havent actually tried ~$100 yet recently, I should give them a try next time!

[–] anoon999@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Anole VX

[–] redhotchillipadi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Pretty solid recommendation brothaaa 🤜

[–] QernLee@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Moondrop variations

[–] MsMcCheese@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Subtonic Storm

[–] thatcarolguy@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why do you want to "upgrade" if you already EQ it?

If you don't want to EQ then get whatever comes closest to MKIII + your favorite EQ.

[–] RB181@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

2 different IEMs will never sound the same regardless of EQ. Some other IEM might sound better to OP in some way that cannot be achieved by EQ-ing the MMkIII (but it's very hard to tell which one if any).

[–] HeadWombat@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

What do you mean by "mud in the mids"? What EQ filters do you use to address this?

[–] Point-Fit@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My recommendation is Unique Melody MEST MKIII. I am realy in love with them.

I also have Monarch MK2 and SoftEars RS10 at the moment. I tried Fir Audio and 64 audio and both Monarch and Mest are much better, so nothing interesting there.

You should try something from Unique Melody with bone conducting drivers. This is realy different feeling of sound. Extremely wide soundstage and top realism.

Also IMR are realy interesting. The best bass I ever heard is IMR RAH.

Also recommend to buy some expensive planar and dinamic driver iem. A lot of new technology happening there in the moment.

[–] redhotchillipadi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I did auditioned both the MEST MK2 and the Monarh MK3 but I ended up with the MK3. IMO the MEST MK2 seems to shine pretty well with genres with heavy guitars and speed. Prolly gonna acquire them in the used market 🫠.

Did a google search on the imr rah and they seem to be discontinued 🥲.

I’m kinda curious how IEMS with planar sounds like currently the S12 and the kiwi ears quintet seems to be on my radar. What would you recommend then? 🤔

[–] alepap@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

~~Subtonic Storm~~

[–] Ophanil@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I recommend it a lot but try the FiiO FH7, they're great with all genres but handle fast, congested music and poorly mastered tracks especially well. And its bass and mids are liquid, the Beryllium DD is still undefeated for me, even next to the Mest MKII DD.

And Reddit will hate me for this but try changing cables, too. That will affect the sound on those.

[–] redhotchillipadi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Thank you bro for the recommendation might give it a try 👍

[–] ExpressLingonberry93@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I had the same problem with my MKII. So I got some Empire Ears instead.

[–] ext23@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I listen to a lot of rock and punk and I went with the Prestige LTD over the Monarch 3. Less of the massive massive bass slam on the Prestige LTD but I preferred everything else about them. Mids come through nice and clear. Give them a listen if you can.

[–] ericksteph@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Something between 3 and 5 thousand bucks like ultimate ears or so

[–] PutPineappleOnPizza@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Uh.. unsubbing and maybe updating your music library.