Monarch Mk4vs.ZAS
Sound & Specs Comparison
Information
Both IEMs are widely regarded in the audiophile community. See how they differ in terms of sub-bass response, upper mids, clarity, and overall tonality. Spider charts and rating breakdowns included.
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Objective Comparison
Facts, details, stuff.
| General Info | Monarch Mk4 | ZAS |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Thieaudio | KZ Earphones |
| Country | China | China |
| IEM Description | The Monarch MKIV is the latest evolution in Thieaudio’s Signature Series, now featuring a tuning switch that lets users toggle between two distinct sound profiles: STANDARD mode offers a studio-neutral tuning with clean mids and refined treble. RUMBLE mode adds +3dB sub-bass for a warmer, more powerful low-end response. It sports a lightweight T6 aluminum shell, an advanced 4-way crossover system with 9 passive components, and the upgraded IMPACT2 isobaric dual-subwoofer setup for tight, impactful bass. Treble is handled with precision thanks to improved EST driver integration for smoother and more extended highs. The MKIV also introduces the new Chocolate modular cable system, offering both 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm unbalanced terminations with silver-plated OFC wires. A versatile flagship IEM combining technical excellence with customizable tuning. | – |
| Price Level | 1.000 – 2.000 | < 100 |
| Housing & Driver | ||
|---|---|---|
| Driver Config | Tribrid | Hybrid |
| Driver Types | Dynamic Driver + Balanced Armature + Electrostatic | Balanced Armature + Dynamic Driver |
| Shell Material | Aluminium with 2 faceplates options | Resin |
| Cable | – | – |
| Technical | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freq Range | 10Hz – 44kHz | – |
| Impedance (Ω) | 10/9 | 24 |
| Sensitivity (dB) | 100 | – |
| Crossover | 4-way crossover with 4 sound tubes+2 ultra-high frequency drivers+4 high frequency drivers+2 mid frequency drivers+2 low frequency drivers | – |
| Platform Info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comments | 2 | 0 |
| Visit Count | 383 | 24 |
| External Reviews | 1 | 0 |
Meta Ratings
Sound-wise, Monarch Mk4 provides a considerably more refined presentation, with improved detail retrieval, microdynamics, and instrument layering when compared to ZAS (8.8 vs 5). For comfort fit, It performs significantly better (8 vs 6). Visually and structurally, It exhibits substantially more polish, suggesting higher-grade materials and a refined aesthetic often lacking in ZAS. Users may find the It cable materially more confidence-inspiring for both daily use and long-term durability. It’s bundled components feel substantially more premium, suggesting a stronger focus on user satisfaction and long-term value.
| Monarch Mk4 | ZAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 8.8 | 5.0 |
| Comfort Fit | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| Build Quality | 7.8 | 4.0 |
| Stock Cable | 7.3 | 4.0 |
| Accessories | 6.8 | 4.0 |
Sound Characteristics
Monarch Mk4 delivers s deeper and more extended sub-bass, reaching lower frequencies with greater authority than ZAS (7.5 vs 4.5). It renders bass with a greater punch and separation, where ZAS sometimes feels bloated (8 vs 5). It adds a more body and slam to bass hits, which makes it feel more physical than ZAS (8 vs 5.5). Male vocals and lower instruments sound a richer and better defined on It, unlike ZAS which can seem hollow (8.5 vs 5). Upper mids are s more resolving and expressive on It, revealing emotion and articulation better than ZAS (7.5 vs 4.5). It offers s greater shimmer and nuance in the lower treble, revealing micro-details that ZAS misses (7.5 vs 5). It extends c further into the upper treble, adding air and openness that ZAS lacks (7.5 vs 5). It paints a s broader sonic landscape, offering better instrument positioning across the stage (7 vs 5.5). It retrieves micro-details s more effectively, revealing nuances that are less apparent in ZAS (8 vs 5.5). Track elements feel a more isolated and clean on It, offering clearer focus than ZAS (7.5 vs 5.5). It avoids frequency masking a more successfully, preserving clarity across the spectrum better than ZAS (8 vs 6). Notes played through It feel a weightier and fuller, giving a more satisfying impact than those from ZAS (8.5 vs 5). Percussion and quick attacks feel overwhelmingly more physical and punchy on It, adding excitement over ZAS (8.5 vs 4.5). It controls harsh sibilant peaks s more effectively, making vocals smoother than on ZAS (8.5 vs 5.5). The tone quality of It feels overwhelmingly more organic and true-to-source than the slightly artificial flavor of ZAS (9 vs 5). The overall tonality of It is m more balanced and cohesive, offering a sound signature that feels better tuned than ZAS (8 vs 5). The grain and surface of instruments are rendered s more vividly by It, while ZAS feels flatter (8 vs 4.5).
| Monarch Mk4 | ZAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub Bass | 7.5 | 4.5 |
| Bass | 8.0 | 5.0 |
| Bass Feel | 8.0 | 5.5 |
| Lower Mids | 8.5 | 5.0 |
| Upper Mids | 7.5 | 4.5 |
| Lower Treble | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Upper Treble | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Sound Stage Width | 7.0 | 5.5 |
| Detail | 8.0 | 5.5 |
| Layering | 7.5 | 5.5 |
| Masking | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| Note Weight | 8.5 | 5.0 |
| Slam | 8.5 | 4.5 |
| Sibilance | 8.5 | 5.5 |
| Timbre Color | 9.0 | 5.0 |
| Tonality | 8.0 | 5.0 |
| Texture | 8.0 | 4.5 |