Monoprice Monolith M565C

The Monoprice Monolith M565C is a closed-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional sound quality for around $215 USD. It ranks in the 97th percentile for sound in our database, beating headphones that cost twice as much. Just be ready for a heavy build, no Bluetooth, and no usable mic.

The sound here is the main event, and it delivers. The 106mm planar driver has been redesigned from the open-back M565 with a symmetrical magnet structure that Monoprice says makes it much more efficient in a closed enclosure. In practice, that translates to low distortion and spectacular imaging. Our sound score puts it in the 97th percentile, which means it's beating headphones that cost two or three times as much. You get that classic planar speed and separation, where every instrument feels like it has its own space instead of everything mushing together.

Comfort is also a strong point, landing in the 87th percentile. The earpads are large and made of faux leather, and the padded headband does its job for extended listening sessions. But here's the thing, this headphone is heavy. The spec sheet lists 72g, which is almost certainly a typo for the driver weight or something, because the full headphone is a chunky piece of kit. The single customer review we have mentions it's the heaviest headphone they've ever worn. So while the pads are comfy, your neck might start filing complaints after a few hours. Build quality is mediocre at the 34th percentile, so treat these like a delicate piece of audio gear, not a gym headphone.

Stacked against the Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B or the Sennheiser Momentum M5AEBT, the M565C is a completely different animal. Those are wireless ANC headphones built for convenience and travel. The Sony and Sennheiser will crush the Monolith on features, connectivity, and portability. But neither of them uses a planar driver, and neither will match the M565C's raw sound quality. The Monolith is for sitting at a desk and getting lost in an album. The Sony is for drowning out airplane noise.

The Technics EAH-A800 is an interesting middle ground, it's wireless with good sound, but again, it's a dynamic driver headphone. The JBL Tune 670NC and TOZO HT3 are budget wireless options that don't even play in the same audio league. If you're comparing the M565C to any of these, the question isn't which sounds better. The Monolith wins that fight easily. The question is whether you can live without Bluetooth and ANC. For a lot of people, the answer is no. For audio purists, the answer is absolutely yes.

At around $215 USD, the M565C is a steal if sound quality is your only priority. You're getting planar magnetic performance that competes with headphones in the $400 to $500 range, and the closed-back design means you can actually use them outside a quiet listening room. The value proposition gets shakier when you factor in the build quality and the complete lack of modern features. No Bluetooth, no ANC, no usable mic. If you need a do-everything headphone, this isn't it. But if you want a dedicated wired listening headphone that punches way above its price class, the Monolith M565C is hard to beat.

The Monoprice Monolith M565C is a closed-back planar magnetic headphone that sits in a weirdly empty corner of the market. Most planar cans are open-back, which sounds great but leaks sound like a sieve. The M565C stuffs a 106mm planar driver into a sealed wooden cup, and the result is something you can actually use in an office or on a commute without broadcasting your playlist to everyone nearby. Pricing is all over the map depending on where you live, around $215 USD in the States, roughly 243 to 253 EUR in Europe, and about 348 CAD up north.

So is the Monolith M565C good for music? Based on our database, yes, very much so. It scores a 60.8 out of 100 for music and 59.9 for studio use, which doesn't sound huge until you realize those numbers put it in the 97th percentile for sound quality. That's top of the charts territory. You're getting audiophile-grade detail and imaging for the price of a mid-range Bluetooth headphone. The catch is that this is a purely wired headphone with no mic to speak of, so don't expect to take calls on it.

For anyone searching for a closed back planar magnetic headphone under $300, this is one of the only games in town. It's built for people who want that fast, detailed planar sound without the open-back noise bleed. Just know going in that you're trading away modern conveniences like Bluetooth and ANC for raw audio performance.

Skip the Monolith M565C if you need a headphone for commuting, travel, or phone calls. The lack of Bluetooth and ANC makes it a poor choice for noisy environments, and the mic is nearly useless. If you're sensitive to weight, the M565C will also bother you after an hour or two. For wireless convenience, grab the Sony ULT WEAR or Sennheiser Momentum instead. For a lighter wired option with better build quality, look at Beyerdynamic or Audio-Technica in the same price range.

Should you buy the Monoprice Monolith M565C? If you want the best possible sound quality for around $200 and don't care about wireless, yes. This is one of the few closed-back planar magnetic headphones available at this price, and it sounds fantastic. The 97th percentile sound score isn't marketing fluff, it's backed up by our database. You're getting detail, imaging, and low distortion that would cost you significantly more elsewhere.

But be honest with yourself about what you need. This is a wired headphone with no ANC, a terrible mic, and a weight problem. If you need something for commuting, travel, or Zoom calls, look elsewhere. The Sony ULT WEAR or Sennheiser Momentum will serve you better. The M565C is a specialist, a desk headphone for people who want to hear every detail in their music without disturbing anyone else in the room.