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HiFiMAN HE1000SE vs Thieaudio Monarch Mk2

Side-by-side comparison — scores, specs and which one fits your setup.

HiFiMAN HE1000SE
9.2
/ 10
Over-earReference
HIGHER SCORE
Thieaudio Monarch Mk2
9.3
/ 10
IEMReference

Specs comparison

9.2/10
SCORE
9.3/10
38Ω
IMPEDANCE
15Ω
86dB
SENSITIVITY
98dB
Yes
NEEDS AMP
No

Analysis

The HiFiMAN HE1000SE scores 9.2/10 with 38Ω impedance and 86dB sensitivity. At 38Ω, it benefits significantly from a dedicated amplifier.

The Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 scores 9.3/10 with 15Ω impedance and 98dB sensitivity. At 15Ω, it can be driven directly without extra hardware.

Based on our scoring, the Thieaudio Monarch Mk2 scores higher overall. However, the right choice depends on your full audio chain — use our analyzer to see which fits your actual setup.

Own one of these headphones?

A high headphone score doesn't mean your audio sounds great. Your DAC, amp or source might be the real bottleneck.

Analyze my setup →HiFiMAN HE1000SE details →Monarch Mk2 details →

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