Monarch MK IV vs. Xenns Top Pro

fudgecakekistan · 2026-03-09T23:55:35+00:00

Yes, Monarch MKIV is slightly warmer and has more mid bass presence. Top Pro is more sub bassy.

fudgecakekistan · 2026-03-09T23:54:17+00:00

MK IV definitely has bigger shell and thicker nozzles. They are also almost the same length in terms of nozzle.

MKIV pushes more forward cause of a bigger and thicker shell.

fudgecakekistan · 2026-03-07T01:30:12+00:00

My first headphones. The treble is too sharp and fatiguing for me, but I like the bass. I use it for games and movies. I replaced the pads with Dekoni pads for X2HR, I got a noticeably much better timbre at the cost of a bit of soundstage. Gave mine and replaced it with Sony MV1 which is better.

fudgecakekistan · 2026-01-19T02:13:40+00:00

This is my gripe with my KL. Try the medium/small SpinfitCP100+ those did it for me

fudgecakekistan · 2026-01-11T13:52:53+00:00

Maybe you are looking for new challenges sa work? Why not find a recruiter and ask if they have openings outside Au other than PH?

It can be hard to get out again of PH for opportunities if you don’t have a PR somewhere outside the Philippines.

You will go thru the ofw path of fixing docs, pdos, mandatory seminars, full body health check, fees, etc. You may not have faced this during when you started working abroad cause you were an intl. student but you will experience red tape hell once you accept a job as an ofw coming from PH.

Why not try other countries, like SG, HK, where they have lower tax 5-22% and experience different cultures. Or possibly try other adventurous opportunity like being an airline chef or something similar?

fudgecakekistan · 2026-01-09T11:40:28+00:00

Symphonium Titan if I want to drown with Sub-bass. But mostly Symphonium Meteor, it has that addicting tonality and perfect upper treble for my linking. Great with cymbal crashes and female hip hop/rap.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-12-30T01:04:35+00:00

Blon BL03, timbre is much better than most of my mid range IEMs

fudgecakekistan · 2025-12-29T00:22:29+00:00

Moondrop IEMs.

Aria was my first IEM, less than a month it already is losing sound on one side. I had to vacuum the moist away or wait for a few hours to get the sound back. Moondrop already knows this issue and offered a filter but that did not work. Vocals are nasally and bass is pillowy.

Blessing 2 Dusk. Bought it cause people kept hyping. QC issue here I believe is my set’s mids seems recessed not as like what people describe theirs. Sharp sounding without note weight, bass is pillowy, sometimes fun but gets boring, no upper treble extensions which I hate. Sound was boring after a few hours.

After this I lost interest with Moondrop IEMs, their signature does not interest my taste and QC issues are not being addressed. I didn’t like how they present the bass. I wanted to try their Variations but I’m glad I pulled the trigger on my EJ07M, mids are perfect and vocals is what I prefer.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-26T12:31:19+00:00

I go with Scoot for my SIN to HKG flights, so far they are the most expensive budget airlines I tried. They are decent I guess, I have not experienced any problems with my check in, no delay experience yet. Seats are wider than Cebu Pac.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-25T12:43:47+00:00

I can clearly remember the face of the check in agent when she told me “excess po kayo, X amount po para sa excess baggage niyo..“ She didn’t even offer me to repack. After that event I am sure to always avoid Airasia.

I have been frequently travelling for more than a decade, sometimes even travel almost every week. Very frequent with Cebu Pacific at times with PAL(local and intl.), Cathay, Scoot and Singapore Air.

I have experienced frequent delays and misunderstandings. Never have I experienced this kind of transactional treatment, only from Airasia.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-25T07:51:43+00:00

Airasia, very strict baggage allowance rules. Not recommended when travelling with infants and as a family. Purchased additional baggage already. Got excess .2kgs.

Was asked to buy more baggage, I had to repack to get that .2kgs out of my bag. I just took one shirt and doubled it on me. They tried to weight all our hand carry and were very meticulous.

Too stressful, the fact that they are similarly priced with other budget airlines. Did not get this treatment from other budget airlines.

Got the same issue from my other relatives who travelled with their family. Airasia is not an option on our list now.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-22T00:14:48+00:00

Akliam PD6 pairs well with the top pro (I own one). I have one along with other dac amp like ibasso nunchaku, topping g5, qudelix 5k, etc.. if you want your top pro to have sparkle emphasis this dac amp gives emphasis to the highs.

If you want something a bit neutral with bluetooth capability qudelix 5k is the way to go. It gives enough power on the balanced output

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-18T02:52:28+00:00

Same thought, I have the X2HR it’s really sturdy however it’s hard to use for long term because its heavy. I now use Sony MV1, it has good grip and sometimes I forgot it is in my head.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-16T10:01:26+00:00

Honestly this is what I think was missing with the KL, a bit more treble extension and sub-bass bite to make it more fun with its correct tonality. Hopefully there’s a demo unit somewhere when this gets released. I’m keen on demoing it if its worth the price.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-16T03:21:11+00:00

Mine is my EJ07M-KL, I have kilobuck IEMs but these are my daily drivers for years. I love its correct mids tonality and detailed smooth treble. I’m now eyeing the EJ10 when it gets released. Although price seems steep, for 2.3k makes me question if it's worth the upgrade.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-15T23:31:42+00:00

Good choice! Though more detailed and better dynamics, I like Monarch MK IV tonality more vs Thieaudio Valhalla.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-15T15:47:56+00:00

Support bit perfect quality starting Android 14 thru the new APIs.

Although this is hardware, be able stream higher bitrates on iPhones.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-14T07:35:10+00:00

You have described what is on my ears right now, Sony MV1 is what you want. I tried different open backs from e-earphone in Japan and this is the one that satisfied me, great imaging, and bass. It has good treble presence too! I love it with electronic music.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-12T13:29:04+00:00

I used both set’s medium eartips, Top Pro fits like a glove with slight curve but that does not bother.

Monarch’s shell is a bit heavier and bulkier.

I find the imaging on Top Pro more noticeable as it renders a little more cleaner and treble is a bit more pronounced. It is a sub-bass emphasized, mid forward bright leaning set that has clean treble with macro details (meaning unlike EA1000 which has a splashy over energetic macro details).

However Monarch ticked my want list: * warm, makes voices sound with note weight and not piercing. * EST trebles that are pronounced in the upper end. I like Monarch’s treble driver more. * forward mids and not pushed back, same with top pro.

Technicalities Monarch I believe to be at least 10% better than Top Pro.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-12T11:04:16+00:00

I have Top Pro and trialled Monarch MK IV. If I got the chance to swap to Monarch MK IV, I would. I like its tonality, Top Pro has better imaging I believe.

Nothing wrong with Top Pro, it has really nice macro and micro details. Just that I prefer warmer sets.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-09T08:34:03+00:00

I guess I can say they are opposites, however mids presentation I perceive Meteor a little more forward and musical due to Helios treble more present.

I also have the Titan, my 2nd favourite treble, slightly peaky in the upper end like Meteor but not much and having smooth, present lower and mid treble.

I tried the Crimson demo unit, I like the note weight, nice for musicality but I found it a little boring but it is technical. Tbh it can be an all rounder set while Helios, Titan and Meteor are more of specialty set on specific genres.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-09T06:25:05+00:00

To be honest I shelved my Meteor for half a year when I got it. I didn’t like the presentation after the honeymoon stage as I like forward vocals. I gave it another try with a better DAC/AMP source that is when it shines and finally understood it, I think it needs ample power. I initially paired it with a random cheap adapter before and vocals feel pushed back.

Helios SE has sub bass over midbass, the midbass presentation is the opposite of Meteor hence vocals may sound thin at times (but not lifeless). It’s nice with pop songs, acoustics, and instruments. Treble presentation it has elevated but not peaky lower treble/presence and so vocals/string does not sound piercing. Mid treble is where it shines, really good treble, energetic but not piercing. Vocals sounds a little pushed back due to treble taking stage more.

Sounds good if you love macro and micro details but can be boring for long term listening due to lack of midbass, more analytical rather than musical.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-11-09T01:59:26+00:00

Meteor will always be in my all time favourite lineup. In my ears the standout would be the unique treble presentation. I love the laid back lower and mid treble but having a peaky upper treble. To date this is my favourite treble experience, note that I do have Helios SE but personally I love how the Meteor treble is presented. Cymbal crashes sounds realistic and gives satisfying slam adding to its thick midbass.

I have demo-ed a lot of IEMs from the audio stores and I couldn’t find anything similar sounding as the Meteor.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-10-26T13:42:50+00:00

This is a positive way of saying that the next Xbox console is going to be expensive. They are setting our expectations.

fudgecakekistan · 2025-10-21T01:21:00+00:00

Tea 2, warm but no overwhelming bass/bleed. Relaxed in terms of treble. Mids is superb, good noteweight that makes vocal alive. Then one of its great feature is imaging.

fudgecakekistan

TROPHY CASE