Monarch Mk4vs.Cantor
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.
Objective Comparison
Facts, details, stuff.
| General Info | Monarch Mk4 | Cantor |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Thieaudio | AFUL |
| Country | China | Taiwan |
| 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. | The AFUL Cantor combines technical precision with musicality in a hybrid design. Featuring a dynamic driver for powerful bass and multiple balanced armatures for clean mids and sparkly highs, it delivers a spacious soundstage with excellent separation. Tuning leans slightly toward a balanced-bright signature, making it a solid choice for detail lovers who still want some low-end punch. |
| Price Level | 1.000 – 2.000 | 500 – 1.000 |
| Housing & Driver | ||
|---|---|---|
| Driver Config | Tribrid | Multi-BA |
| Driver Types | Dynamic Driver + Balanced Armature + Electrostatic | Balanced Armature |
| Shell Material | Aluminium with 2 faceplates options | – |
| Cable | – | 4Braid 5N OFC Cable |
| Technical | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freq Range | 10Hz – 44kHz | – |
| Impedance (Ω) | 10/9 | 20 |
| Sensitivity (dB) | 100 | 106 |
| 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 | RLC Network Electronic Crossover |
| Platform Info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comments | 2 | 1 |
| Visit Count | 429 | 128 |
| External Reviews | 1 | 1 |
Meta Ratings
// Nothing to compare yet.
Sound Characteristics
Low-frequency extension on Cantor feels a more natural and authoritative, while Monarch Mk4 lacks some reach (8.5 vs 7.5). The low-end on It is a more controlled and rhythmic, offering better definition than Monarch Mk4 (9 vs 8). The bass in It feels a more physical and textured, with improved rumble and body compared to Monarch Mk4 (8.5 vs 8). It strikes a a better balance between presence and smoothness in the upper mids compared to Monarch Mk4 (8 vs 7.5). Instruments like violins and brass are portrayed with a more brilliance on It, while Monarch Mk4 sounds slightly dull (8 vs 7.5). It paints a c broader sonic landscape, offering better instrument positioning across the stage (8 vs 7). It extracts low-level details a more effectively, helping subtle nuances emerge clearer than on Monarch Mk4 (8.8 vs 8). In complex arrangements, It separates layers a more distinctly, preventing overlap that Monarch Mk4 occasionally suffers (8.3 vs 7.5). Notes on Monarch Mk4 feel e more grounded and weighty, whereas Cantor can sound thin or hollow (8.5 vs 7.5). It renders timbres with m better harmonic balance, preserving the character of instruments more accurately than Cantor (9 vs 7.5). The overall tonality of Cantor is a more balanced and cohesive, offering a sound signature that feels better tuned than Monarch Mk4 (8.8 vs 8).
| Monarch Mk4 | Cantor | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub Bass | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Bass | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Bass Feel | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| Lower Mids | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Upper Mids | 7.5 | 8.0 |
| Lower Treble | 7.5 | 8.0 |
| Upper Treble | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Sound Stage Width | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Detail | 8.0 | 8.8 |
| Layering | 7.5 | 8.3 |
| Masking | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Note Weight | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Slam | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Sibilance | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Timbre Color | 9.0 | 7.5 |
| Tonality | 8.0 | 8.8 |
| Texture | 8.0 | 8.0 |
Tonal Signature
// Nothing to compare yet.