Monoprice Monolith M1570C Over the Ear Closed Back Design Review

The Monolith M1570C delivers elite-tier sound quality for $515, but only if you're sitting still. They're wired, closed-back planar headphones with no features like ANC or a mic. They're perfect for critical listening at a desk but useless for on-the-go use. Buy them for the sound, skip them for convenience.

Let's talk about the Monoprice Monolith M1570C. These are wired, closed-back planar magnetic headphones, and they're a bit of a niche beast. They're not for everyone walking around with a smartphone. They're for the listener who wants to sit down, plug into a decent amp or DAC, and get lost in the music. The fact that they're closed-back is interesting. Most high-end planar headphones are open-back, which gives you a huge soundstage but leaks sound everywhere. These try to deliver that planar detail and speed while keeping the noise in and out, which makes them a candidate for studio use or listening in a shared space.

The sound quality is the star here, landing in the 91st percentile in our database. That means they're objectively among the best sounding headphones you can buy. The 106mm planar drivers and that dual magnet array are built for accuracy. You get extended highs that don't get harsh, and bass that's tight and deep without being bloated. It's a detailed, controlled sound that's fantastic for critical listening. The real-world implication is simple: if your priority is pure audio fidelity, these deliver. They beat most wireless headphones in raw sound quality, but you trade everything else for it.

At $515, these sit in a weird spot. They're not cheap, but for pure sound quality, they're punching way above their price compared to something like a $550 AirPods Max. You're paying for the drivers and the acoustics, not for convenience or tech. Compared to other wired planar headphones, they're competitively priced, especially as a closed-back option. The value is entirely in the sound. If that's your only metric, they're a steal. If you need anything else, they're a tough sell.

The obvious competitors are all wireless. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the king of ANC and convenience, with great but less detailed sound. The AirPods Max offers a premium build and seamless Apple integration, but again, sound is more consumer-tuned. Even the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus gives you wireless freedom and good sound for less money. The trade-off is stark: the M1570C gives you vastly better sound quality than all of them, but you lose every modern feature. Against other wired planars like open-back Hifiman or Audeze models, the M1570C's closed-back design is its unique advantage, offering similar detail with isolation.

You should skip the M1570C if you need headphones for anything other than stationary, focused listening. If you want to use them for calls, gaming, commuting, travel, or just walking around the house, they are a bad choice. Their wired nature, lack of microphone, and bulky design make them impractical. Instead, look at the wireless competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM6 for all-around use, or a good open-back planar like a Hifiman Sundara if you want similar sound quality but for home use in a private space.

If you are a music purist, an audio engineer, or someone who sits at a desk with a dedicated audio setup, these headphones are a fantastic choice. The sound is exceptional, and the closed-back design is practical. For that use case, we recommend them highly. However, if you are a general listener who wants headphones for commuting, work, travel, or just casual use with your phone, you should skip these entirely. They will feel like a cumbersome, feature-less relic. For those users, any of the wireless competitors will be a better fit.