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Monoprice Monolith M565 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price: ~£130
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Monoprice Monolith M565 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

3.7

Poor

3.7

Poor

?

0.2
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
1.0
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
0.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
0.7
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
2.3
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
0.2
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
0.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
1.0
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
1.8
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
2.3
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
1.0
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

£?

Best rankings

#810 in Best Wired Headphones
#839 in Best Over Ear Headphones

Verdict

The Monoprice Monolith M565 is an open-back headphone featuring 66mm planar magnetic drivers with a frequency response of 10Hz–45kHz and an impedance of 32 ohms. Designed for high-fidelity home listening, it utilizes neodymium magnets to deliver a signature planar sound characterized by low distortion, exceptional clarity in the midrange, and a punchy, bass-heavy tuning. Its main pros include high-end build materials like real wood-grain ear cups and a durable steel headband, alongside a relatively lightweight 335g design and a detachable 3.5mm cable. However, notable cons include an inconsistent stock frequency response that benefits heavily from EQ, relatively small ear cups that may compromise comfort for some users, and a lack of integrated features like a microphone for gaming or office use.

Technical Specifications of Monoprice Monolith M565

Overall score

3.7

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?

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

3.2

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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

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Calls & Controls

1.1

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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

N/A

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

N/A

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

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Connectivity

2.9

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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

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Features

5.9

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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

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Battery

1.0

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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

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Design

5.5

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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

open-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

?

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Monoprice Monolith M565 vs the average headphone

Why is Monoprice Monolith M565 better than the average headphone?

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26 mm larger driver size
Monoprice Monolith M565 uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (66 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 M565 uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (66 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.66 mm vs 40 mm
EQ customization
Monoprice Monolith M565 supports EQ customization, the average headphone does not. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
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
Monoprice Monolith M565 supports EQ customization, the average headphone does not. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
30,000 Hz higher treble extension
Monoprice Monolith M565 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 M565 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 M565 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 M565 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
Open-back design
Monoprice Monolith M565 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones use an open-back housing that lets air and sound pass through more freely than a closed design.
When it matters: When you listen in quiet places and care more about spacious sound than blocking outside noise or preventing sound leakage.
Importance: MEDIUM
Monoprice Monolith M565 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
0.6 m more useful cable length
Monoprice Monolith M565 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 M565 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
20 dB higher max SPL
Monoprice Monolith M565 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
What it is: Maximum safe sound pressure level
When it matters: When high-volume headroom is part of your use case.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=116 dB
Monoprice Monolith M565 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.130 dB vs 110 dB
Open-back design
Monoprice Monolith M565 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
0.6 m more useful cable length
Monoprice Monolith M565 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.
26 mm larger driver size
Monoprice Monolith M565 uses a larger driver size than the average headphone (66 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
30,000 Hz higher treble extension
Monoprice Monolith M565 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 M565 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
20 dB higher max SPL
Monoprice Monolith M565 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
EQ customization
Monoprice Monolith M565 supports EQ customization, the average headphone does not. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.

Why is Monoprice Monolith M565 worse than the average headphone?

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53.7% higher weight
Monoprice Monolith M565 is heavier than the average headphone (335 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
No travel bag
Monoprice Monolith M565 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
No passive noise reduction
Monoprice Monolith M565 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
0.7 % higher distortion
Monoprice Monolith M565 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
98% lower input power handling
Monoprice Monolith M565 has a lower max input power than the average headphone (2 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
Not headset-ready
Monoprice Monolith M565 is not headset-ready, while the average headphone is. 84.7% of headphones can be used as headsets.
1 fewer microphones
Monoprice Monolith M565 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
No voice assistant support
Monoprice Monolith M565 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
No passive noise reduction
Monoprice Monolith M565 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones reduce outside noise through physical sealing, fit, and materials rather than active electronics.
When it matters: When you want better isolation from fit and seal alone, even with ANC turned off or not available.
Importance: MEDIUM
Monoprice Monolith M565 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
53.7% higher weight
Monoprice Monolith M565 is heavier than the average headphone (335 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 M565 is heavier than the average headphone (335 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.335 g vs 218 g
No voice assistant support
Monoprice Monolith M565 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 M565 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
0.7 % higher distortion
Monoprice Monolith M565 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 M565 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 %
Not headset-ready
Monoprice Monolith M565 is not headset-ready, while the average headphone is. 84.7% of headphones can be used as headsets.
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
Monoprice Monolith M565 is not headset-ready, while the average headphone is. 84.7% of headphones can be used as headsets.
21.4% worse value for money
Monoprice Monolith M565 has worse value for money than the average headphone (5.55 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 M565 has worse value for money than the average headphone (5.55 vs 6.736).5.55 vs 6.74
1 fewer microphones
Monoprice Monolith M565 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 M565 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.0 vs 1
4.65x less popular
Monoprice Monolith M565 is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).
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.
Monoprice Monolith M565 is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).1 vs 4.65

Calls & Controls

Graphic comparison of Monoprice Monolith M565 and

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Monoprice Monolith M565?

Affordable entry point into high-quality planar magnetic audio
Extremely low distortion across the entire frequency spectrum
Takes equalization (EQ) exceptionally well to improve overall sound
Lighter and more comfortable than its larger sibling (M1060)
Attractive physical design featuring wood-accented ear cups
Clear, fast, and highly detailed reproduction of the mid-range

What customers dislike about Monoprice Monolith M565?

Out-of-the-box frequency response is heavily criticized for being too dark, muffled, or dull
Severe lacks in high-end treble and deep sub-bass without applying EQ
Ear cups are relatively small and may squeeze or cause discomfort on larger ears
The physical cups have a loose or fussy tendency to twist in your hand
Requires a dedicated amplifier to bring out its full potential and handle negative preamp EQ
Stock cable is prone to microphonics (transferring physical noise when touched)

Video reviews

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