I can’t put it down. I can’t go back to my Monarchs MK2. The “Excalibur” aka U12T is just that complete. I just didn’t think music levels could be reached like these have done. I didn’t think the BA Drivers could be Dynamic drivers for starters, let alone the good ones found in the Thieaudio’s Monarch MK2. And yet here we are with BA Drivers sounding like planar magnetic drivers in the U12T. The soundstage and spatial imaging capabilities in the U12T is just leagues above anything I have ever heard. The TIA drivers and acoustic housing in the U12T are responsible for the all of that.
The absolute zero noise floor upon the sound frequency just creates a world where the whole universe excusing itself and nothing is left but absolute details so clear that it’s become like fine sheets of layered glass with its treble. And this is where things truly exist and start to show you are no longer dealing with a simple IEM but a unique 1 of 1 phenomenon.
So when I look over at my Monarch MK2 and try and use it, I find myself just seeking Excalibur. The Monarch does things very well and up until I heard this IEM, it was perfect. But once exposed to the level of resolution, details, and extension the U12 gives on top of the keys areas like sub-bass, mids, and vocals that I love, I found myself drawn to a more complete spectrum of sound while still getting what I have come to love about mids, vocals, and sub bass. For the first time I have expansive soundstages without loosing intimacy in my vocals. I have really high details in trebles without becoming too sensitive or pulling away from the bass. And lastly it delivers more vented out pressure in its design than the Monarch for my medical migraines I go through with other IEM’s.
Now if that wasn’t enough, something happened to me that truly pushed me over the edge. Aurora happened! This track by Han Zimmer reached into my soul when I heard it on the U12T. The layers, depth, and expanse of the song all around me and through me was an experience I never felt nowhere as deep and as pure with anything I’ve ever used for sound in my life.
So unfortunately, the Monarch MK2 that I was so impressed with is the one that will need to leave. It truly isn’t fair to them. They are going against one of the world’s top End Game IEM’s on the planet. It cost $1000 more, so in all fairness the Monarch was not made to compete with it in the first place. So yes, there is clearly a difference. I just didn’t think the difference would led me to a different plain of existence. I thought, more treble, or a little wider soundstage. But the truth is, I can only barely explain the true depth of the difference I hear between the U12T vs every single thing I’ve ever heard in my life.
In fact if you told me tomorrow that I can either keep these things and give up my gaming on my PS5 and Xbox series, have to give up my custom computer, and I could never watch my team Liverpool ever again, I would without a doubt, without hesitation, give up every single one of those things first before I stop my music listening with my U12T. Basically my music and sound instrument mean more to me than any hobby or device I have ever had. So with the U12T being the pinnacle of the mountain top for those things.. it remains the most important instrument and item I own. The Monarch never stood a chance once I heard the U12T, if I’m honest with myself here. So eBay is on its way for the Monarch!
Tech-N-Things 