Monoprice Monolith AMT Headphone - Changeable Earpads, Open Review
The Monoprice Monolith AMT Headphone costs up to $950 but scores in the bottom quarter for sound quality in our tests. It's a niche curiosity, not a smart buy.
The 30-Second Version
Skip it. You're paying $900 for middling sound scores and a science project driver. Get a Sony or Sennheiser instead and thank us later.
Overview
Look, the Monoprice Monolith AMT Headphone is a weird one. It's a nearly $900 open-back wired headphone that scores in the bottom half for sound quality in our database. The one thing to know is this: you're paying for a specific, exotic driver technology, not for top-tier performance. If you're an audio nerd who wants to try an Air Motion Transformer (AMT) design without spending thousands, this is your ticket. For everyone else, it's a confusing and frankly overpriced proposition.
Performance
The performance data surprised us, and not in a good way. For a headphone at this price, landing in the 25th percentile for sound is rough. Our data shows it gets crushed by much cheaper competitors on overall audio quality. The AMT driver promises 'stunning, audiophile quality,' but the numbers tell a different story. It's not a bad-sounding headphone, but for nearly a grand, you should expect to be blown away, not just mildly impressed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
- Below average connectivity (20th percentile) 20th
- Below average mic (22th percentile) 22th
- Below average sound (25th percentile) 25th
- Below average anc (31th percentile) 31th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Open/Closed | Open |
Audio
| Driver Type | Monolith AMT Headphone - Changeable Earpads, Open Back Design, Comfort With 6Foot Cable and 1/4" to |
| Codecs | AMT Driver: Monolith AMT Headphones use a full range Air Motion Transformer driver to deliver open, spacious sound. An AMT driver uses a thin, folded diaphragm to deliver the full spectrum of sound, with superb accuracy, low distortion, and stunning, audiophile quality sound. |
Connectivity
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
Value & Pricing
The value proposition here is terrible. At $864 to $950, you're in the same league as the Apple AirPods Max and high-end Sony models, which offer wireless, noise cancellation, and far better all-around performance. This headphone is a luxury curiosity, not a smart buy.
Price History
vs Competition
This is where it gets embarrassing for the Monolith. The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Max are its direct price competitors. Both are wireless, have world-class noise cancellation, score much higher in sound quality in our tests, and are infinitely more versatile. Even the more affordable Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus offers a better balanced package of sound, features, and value. The Monolith can't compete on any practical metric.
| Spec | Monoprice Monolith AMT Headphone - Changeable Earpads, Open | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | — | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | Monolith AMT Headphone - Changeable Earpads, Open Back Design, Comfort With 6Foot Cable and 1/4" to | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | — | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | — | 48 | 16 | — | 32 | 24 |
| Wireless | — | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | — | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | — | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | — | 30 | 20 | 50 | 70 | 35 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the AMT driver technology worth the high price?
Not based on our data. The sound quality percentile is low, so you're paying for the novelty of the tech, not for superior performance.
Q: Can I use these for commuting or at the office?
Absolutely not. They're open-back, so they leak all your sound out and let all the noise in. They're for quiet, private listening only.
Q: How's the comfort for long sessions?
Our comfort score puts it in the 38th percentile, which is below average. Some users might find them fine, but they're not known for being all-day comfortable.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for the best sound quality under $1,000, this isn't it. Go get a Sennheiser HD 800 S (used) or a Focal Clear Mg instead. If you need one do-it-all headphone for travel, work, and music, run—don't walk—toward a Sony WH-1000XM6.
Verdict
We can't recommend the Monoprice Monolith AMT Headphone. It's a niche product for a niche buyer: someone who already has several great headphones and wants to experiment with AMT technology. For 99% of people looking for a premium audio experience, your money is dramatically better spent elsewhere. The performance data doesn't lie, and it tells us this is an overpriced experiment.