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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major consideration, the Steelseries TUSQ may be more suitable as they are less expensive. However, if audio quality and detail are your top priorities, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II, while more expensive, typically offers higher fidelity sound. The Steelseries TUSQ may offer features such as a microphone or gaming-oriented enhancements, but if you're looking for the most nuanced listening experience for music, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II would likely be the better choice despite the higher price tag. Keep in mind that the higher cost may come with additional benefits such as build quality and longevity. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
- Best in class for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.5
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is best in class for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Gaming
8.5
6.7
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.7
7.9
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
7.3
8.8
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II is very good for TV and video, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Cost
$56
$999
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Steelseries TUSQ has a price of $56 and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II costs $999.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.1
The Steelseries TUSQ and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ and Thieaudio Monarch Mk II are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Steelseries TUSQ and the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Steelseries TUSQ | Thieaudio Monarch Mk II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$56 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Steelseries | Thieaudio | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Shopping
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
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Dig into reviews and images
Audiophile On
Audiophile On | August 2021
"No other earphone I have listened to in the past 12 months has given me as much joy as the Thieaduio Monarch MKII. One of those IEMs will make you question where we can go from here. The sound is jaw-dropping, leaving you wanting more and more. It makes you want to run through your entire music library and reevaluate. It makes you not feel bad about paying full price for them, especially in a hobby where buyers' remorse is genuine. For me, it's top tier, rivaled by a few but not surpassed."
Get a great deal on the Steelseries TUSQ or the Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
About Thieaudio
Thieaudio is the in-house brand of Linsoul Audio, a Chinese earbud and headphone retailer specializing in what the community lovingly calls Chi-fi, that is high fidelity brands out of China. Thieaudio was established in 2019 as the creative engineering branch of Linsoul. As of today, they market three different lines of earbuds, Voyager, Legacy and the extremely well-received Monarch.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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