OVERALL

SPECS

VS AVERAGE

REVIEWS

ALTERNATIVES

Monoprice Monolith M1060c Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£400
Avg. price in US: ~$240
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Monoprice Monolith M1060c review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.3

Good

4.8

Poor

7.4

Very good

2.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
0.5
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
1.0
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
2.7
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
2.5
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

£?

Best rankings

Verdict

The Monoprice Monolith M1060C is a closed-back over-ear headphone featuring massive 106mm planar magnetic drivers with a low impedance of 18 ohms and a wide frequency response of 10Hz to 50kHz. It is characterized by its use of high-grade N50 neodymium magnets in a push-pull structure, designed to provide a detailed aural landscape with minimal distortion. Main pros include its impressive sub-bass extension, wide soundstage for a closed design, and the unique ability to be modded into an open-back configuration by removing the cups. However, cons include its significant weight of approximately 483g–590g, a reported 'shouty' mid-range around 1–2kHz, and potential build quality issues such as fragile internal connector soldering and a floppy headband design.

Technical Specifications of Monoprice Monolith M1060c

Overall score

5.3

Show more

Hide

Popularity

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.

Sound

6.0

Show more

Hide

Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

planar

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

Show more

Calls & Controls

3.2

Show more

Hide

Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

N/A

Show more

Connectivity

2.9

Show more

Hide

Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Show more

Features

2.7

Show more

Hide

Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

Show more

Battery

4.9

Show more

Hide

Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

Show more

Design

5.0

Show more

Hide

Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Monoprice

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

Show more

Monoprice Monolith M1060c vs the average headphone

Why is Monoprice Monolith M1060c better than the average headphone?

Show more

Hide

Hi-Res Audio certification
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
What it is: Certified for high-resolution audio playback
When it matters: When official support for high-resolution playback matters to you.
Importance: LOW
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
66 mm larger driver size
Monoprice Monolith M1060c uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (106 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.
Importance: MEDIUM
Monoprice Monolith M1060c uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (106 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.106 mm vs 40 mm
30,000 Hz higher treble extension
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (50,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (50,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.50000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
8 Hz lower bass extension
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.10 Hz vs 18 Hz
50x higher input power handling
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher max input power than the average headphone (5,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
What it is: Maximum input power the drivers can safely handle
When it matters: When you pair the headphones with stronger sources or dedicated gear.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=300 mW
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher max input power than the average headphone (5,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.5000 mW vs 100 mW
0.6 m more useful cable length
Monoprice Monolith M1060c offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (1.8 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
What it is: Length of the supplied audio cable
When it matters: When your desk, TV, or audio setup needs more or less movement range.
Importance: LOW
Monoprice Monolith M1060c offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (1.8 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.1.8 m vs 1.2 m
0.6 m more useful cable length
Monoprice Monolith M1060c offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (1.8 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
Hi-Res Audio certification
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
66 mm larger driver size
Monoprice Monolith M1060c uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (106 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
30,000 Hz higher treble extension
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (50,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
50x higher input power handling
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher max input power than the average headphone (5,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.

Why is Monoprice Monolith M1060c worse than the average headphone?

Show more

Hide

2.22x higher weight
Monoprice Monolith M1060c is heavier than the average headphone (483 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
12 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (90 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
0.7 % higher distortion
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
13 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (90 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
1 fewer microphones
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
No voice assistant support
Monoprice Monolith M1060c does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
2.22x higher weight
Monoprice Monolith M1060c is heavier than the average headphone (483 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Monoprice Monolith M1060c is heavier than the average headphone (483 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.483 g vs 218 g
No voice assistant support
Monoprice Monolith M1060c does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Monoprice Monolith M1060c does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
12 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (90 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (90 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.90 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
0.7 % higher distortion
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=1%
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.1 % vs 0.3 %
4.44x more expensive
Monoprice Monolith M1060c is more expensive than the average headphone (£400 vs £90).
Monoprice Monolith M1060c is more expensive than the average headphone (£400 vs £90).£400 vs £90
1 fewer microphones
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.0 vs 1
7.9% worse value for money
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.24 vs 6.736).
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.
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.24 vs 6.736).6.24 vs 6.74
13 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (90 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
What it is: Output loudness level of the headphones, usually measured in dB. It helps compare how loud a model can play under similar conditions.
When it matters: When you need a rough idea of how loud the headphones can get before you pair them with a weaker source.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=108 dB SPL
Monoprice Monolith M1060c has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (90 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.90 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL

Calls & Controls

Graphic comparison of Monoprice Monolith M1060c and

Attribute category

Attribute

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Monoprice Monolith M1060c?

Planar drivers offer incredible bass extension and low-end impact
Excellent stereo imaging and clear separation of instruments
Ear cups can be removed to easily convert them into open-back headphones
Thick, plush ear pads provide a great seal and initial comfort
Extremely low sound leakage for a planar magnetic headphone
Excellent value for money, acting as an affordable entry to high-end planar audio

What customers dislike about Monoprice Monolith M1060c?

Noticeably heavy build that can lead to neck fatigue over long sessions
Disappointing mid-range response, with some users finding vocals recessed or congested
Stock adhesive used for the female 2.5mm jacks inside the cups has poor durability
Treble response can be uneven, lacking detail/shimmer for some and sounding harsh to others
Cups swivel freely without resistance, which can make them clumsy to handle or untangle
Bulky aesthetic looks massive and awkward on the head

Expert reviews

head-fi.org

12/01/2018

Monolith M1060C Closed Back Planar Headphones impressions

According to the Head-Fi community, the Monolith M1060C closed-back planar headphonesGo deliver impressive audio with tight, deep sub-bass and a spacious soundstage that outperforms many open-back competitors. While users praise the aesthetics and effective passive isolation, they note that the 106mm drivers require, at times, a specific EQ adjustment to correct a reported...Read more

auriculares-hifi.com

08/08/2019

Monolith M1060C - Hi-Fi Headphones

This user review from the Auriculares HIFI forum evaluates the Monolith M1060CGo, a closed-back planar magnetic headphone featuring low-density wooden cups. A major pro highlighted by the reviewer is the exceptional, well-controlled bass response, which delivers great body and sub-bass extension below 60Hz without muddying the sound or causing excessive reverberation. The headphones...Read more

Video reviews

Best alternatives

Sony WH 1000XM4

Headphones

JBL Tour One M3

Headphones

Sony WH 1000XM6

Headphones

Headphones

Headphones

Sony WH ULT900N

Headphones

Nothing Headphone 1

Headphones

Sony WH 1000XM5

Headphones

Headphones

Huawei Freebuds Studio

Headphones

Sennheiser Momentum

Headphones

JBL Tour One M2

Headphones

Compare Monoprice Monolith M1060c with

Compare