Monolith M1570 Review

This is my Monoprice M1570 review video of Monoprice’s new flagship audiophile headphones after owning them using them for more than a month. With the release of the Monolith M1070 / M1570, Monoprice is building up its audiophile audio gear offerings. Monoprice recently released the new Monoprice M1070, which is a successor to the Monoprice M1060 as well as their new flagship headphones the Monoprice Monolith M1570. This is a Monoprice Monolith M1570 first impressions review of Monoprice’s new flagship headphones where I go over the sound as well as talk about the possibility of using a balanced cable with these headphones. With the release of the Monolith M1070 / M1570, Monoprice is building up their audiophile audio gear offerings. #monoprice #m1570 #headphones

I created a Monoprice M1570 blog where I cover the balanced cable issue and provide a Balanced Cable Guide for those that want to create their own balanced cable for their Monoprice M1570’s or want to send out the information to have a professional audio cable maker make one for them. Here is the the blog/guide: http://www.zadiustech.com/monoprice-m1570-balanced-cable-guide/

Monoprice M1570 Headphones

Audeze LCD-2 Classic B-Stock

Other Monoprice headphones to consider:

Monoprice Monolith M1070 Headphones
Monoprice M570 Headphones
Monoprice M1060 Headphones
Monoprice M1060C Headphones (Closed-Back)

Other Headphones to consider:

Audeze LCD-2 Classic
Focal Elex
Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro
Fostex TR-X00

Monoprice M1570 Balanced Cable Guide

My custom Monoprice M1570 to Audeze Balanced cable adapter:

Monoprice M1570 to Audeze Balanced cable adapter
© 2019 ZadiusTech.com

This is the wiring diagram I used for connecting the wiring on my mini-XLR Monoprice M1570 to Audeze Balanced cable adapter:

audeze_monoprice_mycable_miniXLR_pinout_layout_final
Mini-XLR Layout courtesy of Gurbakhshish Singh

Note: Wiring the mini-XLR connectors in this way allows the balanced cable to be used for both Audeze/ZMF headphones as well as Monoprice M1570 headphone.

The Problem: 

The Monoprice M1570 Headphones do not ship with a balanced XLR cable.  Some of us tried connecting our Audeze or ZMF balanced XLR cables to our amplifiers, but it triggered the overcurrent protection on my Massdrop THX AAA 789 for example.  Monoprice is also not planning to have a balanced XLR cable available until about another month or two.  Per Monoprice, their target price for their balanced cable is expected to be around $80 (but don’t quote me on it).  I think that will be a fair price as that is about the same price as third party balanced audio cables made by companies such as Periapt.

Problem Discussion:

Create your own balanced cable or have an aftermarket audio cable company make one for you.  You’ll need the wiring pinout schematics below in order to do this.

First let’s look at why the Audeze and ZMF balanced cables do not work on the Monoprice M1570 and why you shouldn’t use cables from other headphones with the Monoprice M1570 headphones.

Audeze LCD-2 headphones Quarter Inch Pinout Wiring Diagram:

Audeze LCD-2 Quarter Inch Unbalanced Pinout Wiring Diagram
Image obtained from Head-Fi.org

Continue reading Monoprice M1570 Balanced Cable Guide

Monoprice M1570 First Impressions Review

 

This is my Monoprice M1570 first impressions review video of Monoprice’s new flagship audiophile headphones. Monoprice recently released the new Monoprice M1070, which is a successor to the Monoprice M1060 as well as their new flagship headphones the Monoprice Monolith M1570. This is a Monoprice Monolith M1570 first impressions review of Monoprice’s new flagship headphones where I go over the sound as well as talk about the possibility of using a balanced cable with these headphones. #monoprice #m1570 #headphones

Monoprice M1570 Headphones

Audeze LCD-2 Classic B-Stock

Other Monoprice headphones to consider:

Monoprice M570 Headphones
Monoprice M1060 Headphones 
Monoprice M1060C Headphones (Closed-Back)
Monoprice Monolith M1070 Headphones

Other Headphones in this video:

Audeze LCD-2 Classic
Beyerdynamic DT-1990 Pro
Fostex TR-X00
Focal Elex

Massdrop AKG K7XX Audiophile Headphones – Best Headphones Under $200?

The Massdrop AKG K7XX unboxing and review video. The Massdrop K7XX headphones are a collaboration between Massdrop and AKG based on the AKG K702 headphones, but have a boost in the bass and have been designed for added comfort. #massdrop #akg #headphones

Get $10 off your first Massdrop order using the links below!

Massdrop AKG K7XX (Red colorway)

Massdrop AKG K7XX (Black colorway)

Audeze Mobius 3D Audio Gaming Headset First Impressions

The Audeze Mobius 3D Audio Gaming Headset is a new gaming headset from the Audeze audio company that makes high-end audiophile headphones that use planar magnetic driver technology.  The Audeze Mobius uses the same planar magnetic technology as the other headphones that Audeze offers but at a much lower cost of $399.  The Audeze Mobius also adds a lot of additional features particularly geared for gaming such as positional 3D audio with head tracking.

Audeze Mobius can be used both wired or wireless.  You can turn the 3D feature off when you want to enjoy some music and with its planar magnetic drivers you are sure to get some high-quality sound from these headphones.

Specifications

Style: Over-ear, closed-circumaural
Transducer type: Planar magnetic
Phase Management: FAZOR
Magnet type: Neodymium N50, Fluxor Magnets
Transducer size: 100mm
DSP: Audeze Cipher DSP
Amplifier: Built-in balanced amplifier (output 1W)
Maximum SPL: >120dB
Frequency response: 10Hz – 50kHz
Earpads: memory foam, artificial leather
Microphone: Detachable with separate volume control
Battery type: Lithium-polymer
Wireless connection: Bluetooth (SBC, AAC, LDAC)
Wired connection: USB-C, USB-A, 3.5mm analog audio
Weight: 350g (including battery)

You can buy or get more information about the Audeze Mobius Gaming Headset on the Audeze Website.

 

 

SMSL AD18 Review and Sound Demo with Micca MB42X Speakers

Products Links

SMSL AD18 Speaker/Headphone Amp
Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers
Monoprice M1060 Headphones (*ON SALE*)
Sewell Silverback 12 Banana Plug Speaker Cables
Cable Matters Gold Plated Toslink Digital Optical Audio Cable 6 Feet
Recoton Fiber Optic Toslink to 3.5mm Mini Adapter
HEMNES Desk with 2 drawers (black-brown)

Specifications

SMSL AD18 Hi-Fi 2.1 Stereo Class D Amplifier with Subwoofer Output
Continue reading SMSL AD18 Review and Sound Demo with Micca MB42X Speakers

Sennheiser HD660S Review


Sennheiser HD660S on Amazon

General information

  • These cost is $500
  • Use Dynamic drivers (drivers are supposed to be better than those on the HD650, possibly from the HD700)
  • Almost identical physical design to the Sennheiser HD650
  • Comes with a 1/4″ cable, 1/4″ to 3.5mm adapter, and they do include a balanced cable
  • They have a lower impedance than the HD650, the impedance on the HD660S is 150 ohms compared to 300 ohms on the HD650 which will make these easier to drive

BUILD QUALITY

If you’ve seen or own the Sennheiser HD650 Continue reading Sennheiser HD660S Review

Monolith M1060 vs Sennheiser HD650 Headphones Comparison Review


Monolith M1060 on Amazon
Sennheiser HD650 on Amazon

At the $300 audiophile headphones price point the Sennheiser HD650 headphones is one of the top choices with its proven audiophile grade audio with a slight bump to the bass.  Now that Monoprice has released its Monolith M1060 planar headphones at $300, it is definitely a contendor for your hard earned money for audiophile grade headphones in this price range.  While the Sennheiser HD650’s are mostly made of high grade plastic they are very light and you hardly notice that you are wearing them, the Monolith M1060’s on the other hand are made out of wood and metal and are quite bold in size and look and you will definitely feel that they are on your head when you are wearing them.  While the Monolith M1060’s were first plagued with some build quality issues, they have all been fixed in the revision 2 of the headphones (which is what you will get when you buy them now).  Comfort wise the Sennheiser HD 650’s are definitely more comfortable with their velour pads and overall light weight.   Continue reading Monolith M1060 vs Sennheiser HD650 Headphones Comparison Review

Monolith M1060 Review – Best Headphones Under $300?

Review of the Monoprice Monolith M1060 Revision 2 Planar Headphones.

Monolith M1060 on Amazon

Changes in Revision 2

The mmcx connectors have been swapped out with 2.5mm connectors for that plugs that go into the headphones.  Continue reading Monolith M1060 Review – Best Headphones Under $300?

How to Fix Beats Solo 3 Wireless Audio Not Working On One Side

 

Beats Solo 3 Wireless Headphones on Amazon

Here is how I fixed the Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones to fix the problem with audio not working on one side when connected with bluetooth. In my particular case the right ear cup (the one with the micro-USB connector) was not producing any sound.

Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones wiring diagram:

Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones wiring diagram

To fix the problem I did the following:

1. Open up the left ear cup carefully
2. Take pictures of where each cable is connected to and make notes
3. Removed the headphone jack and circuit board
4. Cut all the wires from the circuit board
5. Connect all the negative, ground, and DET wires all together by soldering them together
6. Connect the Bluetooth Left and Right positive wires to the corresponding positive leads of the left and right headphone speakers by soldering them together
7. Carefully put the left ear cup back the way it was

Recommended Headphones

ImageHeadphone ModelReview VideoDriver TypeEarcup TypePrice ($)
Monoprice Modern RetroReview VideoDynamicClosed-Back$
Monoprice Monolith M1060Review VideoPlanar MagneticOpen-Back$$
Audeze Mobius Gaming HeadsetReview VideoPlanar MagneticClosed-Back$$
Sennheiser HD660SReview VideoDynamicOpen-Back$$
Audeze LCD-XCReview VideoPlanar MagneticClosed-Back$$$

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