Monoprice Monolith 129513

The Monolith M1060C delivers 99th percentile sound quality with a 106mm planar driver in a closed-back design. It's wired only with no mic or ANC, so it's a specialist for music and studio use. At around $300 USD, it's one of the best sound-per-dollar deals we've seen.

The 106mm planar driver is the star here. It's completely redesigned from the open-back M1060, with a symmetrical magnet structure that makes it more efficient in a closed enclosure. Frequency response runs from 10Hz to 50kHz, and the sound signature is flat and clear. Bass is present but not bloated, which is exactly what you want for reference listening. Imaging is spectacular and distortion is low. The 18Ω impedance means it's easy to drive from almost anything, no beefy amp required. The weak spot is connectivity, which is just a wired 3.5mm connection. No Bluetooth, no USB-C, no inline controls. And the mic score is rough at the 16th percentile, so don't plan on taking calls with these.

Stacked against the Sennheiser MOMENTUM M5AEBT or Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B, the M1060C loses on features but wins on pure sound quality. Those competitors offer ANC, wireless connectivity, and mics that actually work, but their drivers can't touch the planar detail here. The Technics EAH-A800 is a closer call for sound, but it's also wireless and more expensive. The JBL Tune 670NC and TOZO HT3 are budget wireless options that beat the Monoprice on convenience but sound like toys in comparison. If sound is your only priority, the M1060C is the pick. If you need one headphone for everything, look at the Sony or Sennheiser.

At $302 to $314 USD, the M1060C is a steal for planar magnetic sound. Most planar headphones start well above this price, and you're getting a 99th percentile sound experience. The trade-off is that you're paying for sound and nothing else. No ANC, no wireless, no app, no frills. If you're a music lover or studio user who already has a dedicated setup, this is excellent value. If you want one headphone for commuting, travel, and calls, your money goes further elsewhere.

The Monoprice Monolith M1060C is a closed-back planar magnetic headphone that punches way above its price class in sound quality. You get a 106mm planar driver in a sealed wooden cup, which is not a combo you see every day. The result is a detailed, balanced listen that lands in the 99th percentile for sound in our database. That's the absolute best right now, and it's the main reason to care about these.

But this is a wired headphone with no mic, no ANC, and no wireless anything. Connectivity sits at the 5th percentile, which is dead last for this category. If you want a do-everything headphone, keep scrolling. If you want a dedicated listening tool for music and studio work, the M1060C is a serious contender.

Skip the M1060C if you need wireless connectivity, active noise cancellation, or a usable microphone. Commuters, travelers, and office workers who take calls will be frustrated by the wired-only design and lack of ANC. If you want one headphone that does everything, the Sony ULT WEAR or Sennheiser MOMENTUM are better fits.

Buy the Monolith M1060C if you want reference-grade planar sound in a closed-back design and you don't care about wireless, ANC, or calls. It's perfect for music listening at home, studio monitoring, or anyone who wants to hear their music the way it was mixed. The flat response and low distortion make it a genuine tool, not just a fun toy. Just know that you're buying a specialist, not a generalist.