OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Headphones Methodology v1.0

Mitchell And Johnson GL1 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£200Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Mitchell And Johnson GL1 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Mitchell And Johnson GL1
6.3/10

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 53% of models
Score components

80%

6.1

Technical score

20%

7.0

User score

â–²Better than 53% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

52%

7.1

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

5.9

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.6

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 59%
7.0

User score

User score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

4.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 86%
  • mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
  • mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
  • mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
  • mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
  • mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
  • mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
mitchell-and-johnson-gl1
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Mitchell And Johnson GL1

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components:

52%

7.1

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

5.9

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.6

Calls & Controls

6.1
User score
User score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

4.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.0
Popularity
Popularity
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Popularity:
Mitchell And Johnson GL1 has a popularity score of 4.6 points, which is lower than that of 61.9% of products in this category.
4.6
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
hybrid
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
2
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 2 drivers, more drivers than 96% of headphones and equal to 2.5% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
12 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 12 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 64.9% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
yes
This pair of headphones supports EQ customization. 76.8% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Mitchell
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
272 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 272 g, heavier than 71.4% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Mitchell And Johnson GL1 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • 8 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 10,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 1 more drivers
    This pair of headphones uses more drivers than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    2 vs 1
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 8 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    110 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 10,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 1 more drivers
    This pair of headphones uses more drivers than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    2 vs 1
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 24.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (272 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    272 g vs 218 g
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • 14.6% lower user score
    User score
    7.0/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Mitchell And Johnson GL1
    the average pair of headphones
    Mitchell And Johnson GL1 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.98 vs 8).
    6.98 vs 8
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 14.6% lower user score
    User score
    7.0/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Mitchell And Johnson GL1
    the average pair of headphones
    Mitchell And Johnson GL1 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.98 vs 8).
    6.98 vs 8
  • 2.22x more expensive
    Mitchell And Johnson GL1 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£200 vs £90).
    £200 vs £90
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 24.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (272 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    272 g vs 218 g
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

fullsync.co.uk
30/10/2017
Hands-on review · Electrostatic headphones
Verdict
The Mitchell & Johnson GL1 sounds clear and punchy in a light, sleek build, but its thin padding and leather pads make long sessions less comfortable.
thetechkaiju.wordpress.com
12/10/2018
Commute test · Electrostatic headphones
Verdict
The GL1 gives electrostatic-style detail and dynamics without a high-voltage amp, though its chrome finish smudges and its stiff cable is awkward with a portable player.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Mitchell And Johnson GL1

  • High-resolution audio with detailed mid-range and clear highs
  • Electrostatz hybrid technology provides electrostatic sound quality without needing a special amplifier
  • Lightweight and portable design, making them suitable for travel
  • Good value for money when purchased at discounted prices
  • Stylish aesthetic, often featuring a sleek chrome or wood finish
  • Effective passive noise isolation from a tight acoustic seal

What customers don't like about Mitchell And Johnson GL1

  • Weak or recessed mid-range frequencies according to some users
  • Mixed build quality with reports of cheap plastic components and 'janky' non-replaceable cables
  • Comfort issues during long listening sessions, including thin headband padding and shallow earpads
  • Small earcup size may not fit users with larger ears or heads comfortably
  • High initial MSRP often considered overpriced compared to competitors
  • Requires a significant 'burn-in' period before reaching optimal sound quality

Verdict

The Mitchell & Johnson GL1 is a portable over-ear headphone featuring unique 'Electrostatz' hybrid technology, which combines a 40mm dynamic paper-cone driver for punchy bass with an electret electrostatic diaphragm for detailed highs without needing a dedicated amplifier. Its technical specifications include a frequency response of 12 Hz to 30,000 Hz (extendable to 40 kHz), a sensitivity of 110 dB, and a mobile-friendly 32-ohm impedance. Main advantages include a lightweight 216g design, a naturally tuned soundstage, and a tough braided 1.2m cable that is easy to drive directly from smartphones or high-resolution players. However, some users have reported cons such as mediocre build quality with a 'plasticky' feel, potentially uncomfortable thin padding on the headband, and a lack of modern features like wireless connectivity or a detachable cable.

Compare Mitchell And Johnson GL1 with other products in the Headphones category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Mitchell And Johnson GL1 and other products in the Headphones category

No results found