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  1. Home
  2. Headphones
  3. Compare

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII vs CrinEar Reference

Which Headphones Are Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Sound
      Sound ProfileFrequency Response ConsistencyRaw Frequency ResponseBass Profile: Target ComplianceMid-Range Profile: Target ComplianceTreble Profile: Target CompliancePeaks/DipsStereo MismatchCumulative Spectral DecayPRTFHarmonic DistortionElectrical AspectsTest Settings
    Design
      StyleComfortControlsPortabilityCaseBuild QualityStabilityHeadshots 1Headshots 2TopIn The Box
    Isolation
      Noise Isolation - Full RangeNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosNoise Isolation - Voice HandlingANC Wind HandlingLeakage
    Microphone
      Microphone StyleRecording QualityNoise Handling
    Active Features
      BatteryApp Support
    Connectivity
      Wired ConnectionBluetooth ConnectionWireless Connection (Dongle)PC CompatibilityPlayStation CompatibilityXbox Compatibility
    Comments

Products

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII
CrinEar Reference

Tested using Methodology v2.3

Updated Jul 17, 2026 03:01 PM

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Amazon

Tested using Methodology v2.3

Updated Jul 17, 2026 02:39 PM

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THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Picture

Track

CrinEar Reference Picture

Track

TypeIn-ear
Noise CancellingNo
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass Amount
Emphasized (3 dB)
WirelessNo
Treble Amount
Balanced (-1 dB)
MicNo
Sound Signature
Warm
TypeIn-ear
Noise CancellingNo
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass Amount
Slightly Underemphasized (-1 dB)
WirelessNo
Treble Amount
Slightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)
MicNo
Sound Signature
Warm
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. In-Ears

Our Verdict

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII

CrinEar Reference

The THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII are luxury IEMs that can be customized by the manufacturer. They have a warmer sound than the CrinEar Reference, which are tuned starting with the JM-1 diffuse field response in mind, though there's an extra bass-range tilt to achieve what the manufacturer calls 'perceptual flatness'. That said, while the THIEAUDIO have a higher retail price, their fit isn't as comfortable as the CrinEar, and their resin-based construction leaves something to be desired compared to the machined aluminum enclosures of the CrinEar. 

GIFT THIS COMPARISON

0 

Variants

  • Monarch MKIII (Black)
  • Reference (Silver)

Review

See THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Review
See CrinEar Reference Review
2 
0 

Check Price

Black
Monarch MKIII
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Silver
Reference
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Amazon
Black
Monarch MKIII
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B&H
Silver
Reference
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Black
Monarch MKIII
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Silver
Reference
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Black
Monarch MKIII
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THIEAUDIO
Silver
Reference
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Walmart.com
Black
Monarch MKIII
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Walmart.com
 

Main Differences for
Sports And Fitness

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Full Comparison

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Sound Profile  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Normalization Frequency 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Bass Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Sound Signature 
 

Locked
Locked

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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Consistency R  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw FR R  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph 
 

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Stereo Mismatch 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Phase Response Mismatch  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock°
Lock°

PRTF 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Distance 
 

N/A
N/A

Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Harmonics Levels  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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THD Ratio  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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WHD @ 94 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%

Electrical Aspects 
 

Impedance  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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Sensitivity @1kHz-1V 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Bluetooth Max SPL 
 

N/A
N/A

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Instrument  

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
Locked

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Type  

Locked
Locked

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Side Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Rear Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Top  

Top Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Join Now
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Office Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Join Now
Join Now

Street Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Join Now
Join Now

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

Join Now
Join Now

Male Voice 1 
 

Join Now
Join Now

Female Voice 2 
 

Join Now
Join Now

Male Voice 2 
 

Join Now
Join Now

ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

ANC Wind Noise 
 

Join Now
Join Now

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio 
 

Join Now
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Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech 
 

Join Now
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LFE 
 

N/A
N/A

FR Std. Dev. 
 

N/A
N/A

HFE 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD 
 

N/A
N/A

Gain 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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SpNR 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Gate 
 

Locked
Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

Join Now
Join Now

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

Join Now
Join Now
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Continuous Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Additional Charges 
 

N/A
N/A

Total Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Charge Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

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CrinEar Reference App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

Join Now

for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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CrinEar Reference Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector 
 

Locked
Locked

Latency - Analog 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Join Now
Join Now

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Locked

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

N/A
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

N/A
Locked

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

N/A
Locked

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

N/A
Locked

Latency - SBC 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Join Now
Join Now

Recorded Latency Codec  

N/A
Locked

AAC Support 
 

N/A
Locked

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Join Now
Join Now

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Check Price

Black
Monarch MKIII
SEARCH
Amazon
Silver
Reference
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Monarch MKIII
SEARCH
B&H
Silver
Reference
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Monarch MKIII
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Silver
Reference
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Black
Monarch MKIII
SEARCH
THIEAUDIO
Silver
Reference
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Black
Monarch MKIII
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
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THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII

CrinEar Reference

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 month ago

THIEAUDIO Monarch MKIII vs CrinEar Reference: Main Discussion

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