Between the ZAR and Monarch MKIII, the ZAR comes out ahead in several specs, while the Monarch MKIII wins on impedance and sensitivity. Overall, the ZAR scores 65.4 and the Monarch MKIII scores 72.9 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Monarch MKIII edges ahead on the Mars Score (65.4 vs 72.9), but the 7.5-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
The ZAR doesn't pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the Monarch MKIII if you care most about impedance and sensitivity. Its strongest claims are impedance, sensitivity, driver count.
Both ship with comparable detachable cable, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Monarch MKIII is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why KZ - ZAR wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why ThieAudio - Monarch MKIII wins
- ▲Impedance — 4.00 Ω less. 22 vs 26.
- ▲Sensitivity — 3.70% more. 112 dB vs 108 dB.
- ▲Driver count — 2.00 more. 10 vs 8.
Spec comparison
Drivers
| Spec | KZ - ZAR | ThieAudio - Monarch MKIII |
|---|---|---|
| Driver count | 8 | 10lead |
| Driver types | 1DD + 7BA Hybrid | 1DD + 6BA + 2EST + 1 Bone Conduction Tribrid |
| Impedanceⓘ | 26 Ω | 22 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 108 dB | 112 dBlead |
Build
| Spec | KZ - ZAR | ThieAudio - Monarch MKIII |
|---|---|---|
| Detachable cable | true | true |
| Connector | 0.78mm 2-pinlead | 2-pin |
Spec-level deep dives
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