LeonWho
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[size=medium]Monster Turbine Pro Copper In-Ear Monitors - A Review[/size]
[size=small]Introduction:[/size]
Before I begin this review, I'd just like to thank the folks at Monster for their dedication and generosity in putting together the review program that gave me this opportunity. Do note that after the review program ends, the reviewer (or better known as me.
) does get the opportunity to keep the review unit. While I try to keep an unbiased tone in my reviews, I just wanted to put this disclaimer out there. For more information on this review program, please refer to here.
I have always been an IEM user from the very beginning. In fact, my first audiophile-worthy equipment were in-canal earphones. As I ventured deeper into the depths of high-fidelity audio and more specifically the full-size headphone "arena", I began to lose touch with the portable earphones world. I am happy to say that this new jewel from Monster has brought me back.
Head-Fi is known for, among other things, the overzealous hype surrounding new products, especially within the portable audio world, where new earphones seem to pop up everyday. Because of this, I was understandingly hesitant and cynical when Monster debuted its Turbine Pro line to overwhelmingly positive feedback. I am pleased to say, after trying these little devils out firsthand, that none of the applause was hype.
[size=small]Packaging, Accessories, and Build Quality:[/size]
Packaging-
The Monster Turbine Pro Copper IEMs (hereby denoted by MTPC) arrived in a plain brown box. I was immediately underwhelmed, thinking, "$400 earphones arriving in this?!" A second later, and I realized that I was staring at a FedEx shipping box.
A minute into unboxing the earphones from the clean, minimalistic magnetic black box, and I was instantly hooked. Calling this luxury was an understatement. The MTPC's packaging was superb, to say the least.
Accessories-
Unlike some of the cheaper, if you will, earphones and headphones I have purchased over the years, the MTPC came with a multitude of accessories, including:
On the topic of accessories, the amazing array of tips the MTPC comes with really speaks to how much Monster cares about its customers. There has been a lot of interest on Head-Fi over the variety of tips Monster offers. At the pinnacle are the SuperTips. Called everything from the ultimate sleeves to "the best foam earphone tip on the market". Monster's SuperTips are hybrid foam tips encased by an external layer of soft, cushiony foam and sustained internally by a thick, sturdy silicon of tube. This combination resulted in excellent isolation and comfort, combined with minimal impact on the overall sound quality of the MTPC, a perfect aggregation that no other tip has reached. However, one caveat of the SuperTips is their relatively low durability compared to silicon tips. The silicon tube is easily separated from the exterior, and this might result in degradation in isolation and sound quality after a few months. In the end, nevertheless, SuperTips last far longer and sound better than foam tips, yet provide a more comfortable alternative to traditional silicon tips.
Build Quality-
On to build quality! Even the best earphone is no good if it can't withstand the stress of our daily routines and activities, which is why the build quality of an IEM is so important. One of the first things I noticed after looking at the MTPC was its heftiness. The brass earphones looked and felt practically indestructible, especially compared to the flimsy OEM earphone shells many other audio companies are using. Well, to adequately test the build quality of the MTPC, I decided to take my pair along with me on a 1500+ mile road trip! Needless to say, the MTPC survived the exhibition in tip-top shape, while my stock iPod earbuds died along the way. One downside of the excellent brass design is weight. The MTPC felt heavier in my ears than other comparably sized earphones, but it did not bother me too much.
Monster's highly acclaimed cable management system is also included on the MTPC. A very well-built cable complete with a metal "L-jack" and "Y-split" added to the already glorious build quality of the MTPC. The included clothing clip also reduced microphonics to an almost non-existant level.
[size=small]Sound Quality:[/size]
Most of the attention surrounding the MTPC was centered around its unnaturally excellent sound quality. Of course, seeing as the MTPC retails at $400 and is marketed as a top-tier earphone, I was prepared to also be unnaturally critical. Yet, one minute into the first audition, and I was stunned. Blown away, even. The MTPC is unlike any earphone I have ever owned. More on that in a second.
Bass-
The MTPC is a bass-centric earphone. There's no way around that. And it's not a bad thing either. While its bass quantity falls short of the Sennheiser IE7/8's bass quantity, the MTPC makes it up in quality, producing some of the tightest, best-controlled bass I have ever heard on an earphone. The bass extends low enough for deep bass aficiandos, while staying strong and punchy enough to satisfy anyone from "bassheads" to lovers of lean, audiophilic bass. Impact is excellent, and bass detail retention is above par. There is a hint of muddiness, however, but I'm really just nitpicking now.
Mid-
Liquidy, natural, full, warm are just some of the words I'd use to describe the mids of the MTPC. Keeping in line with the overall balanced natural of the MTPC, the mids are no exception. They are slightly warm, yet still realistically detailed. They are full and weighty, yet still fast and agile. They are forward when needed, yet laid-back enough to not seem tiring. The mids of the MTPC are, in two words, almost perfect. A slight bit of mushiness combined with perhaps a little too much fullness prevents me from giving the MTPC's mids my utmost adoration. In the end, however, these are still some of the best mid frequencies I have heard on any earphone, barely falling short of the Shure SE530.
Treble-
Fans of treble will enjoy the MTPC's sparkle and smoothness in the upper frequencies. However, when compared to the other frequencies, I found the treble to be slightly lacking. In my opinion, there was a hint of recessiveness in the treble, especially in the upper-treble area. And while the MTPC can still be considered one of the most balanced earphones, it's bass-centricness does take just a nibble away from the treble. Compared to the Etymotic IEMs, the MTPC loses a bit on treble detail and aggresiveness. Overall, the MTPC's smooth and relaxing treble still won me over, giving me a much-needed break from the bright, hyper-aggresive upper frequencies of my Etymotic IEMs and my Grado and Ultrasone headphones.
Soundstage and Imaging-
Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional soundstaging was excellent on the MTPC, especially compared to the large majority of IEMs. Imaging was also very good, though it suffered a bit compared to my Etymotic IEMs due to the slight lack of detail in the treble region.
Overall-
The key word to describing the MTPC's sound signature and quality is balance. Unlike just about any other earphone I have had the pleasure of listening to, the MTPC, though focused on bass, does not fall tremendously short in any one area. The magnificent soundstage and imaging with a wonderful musicality made listening to the MTPC was a very enjoyable experience.
[size=small]Summary:[/size]
Transducer: Dynamic
Cord Style: Y-cord
Mini Jack Style: {┏━} style, Heavy build.
Eartips Used: Monster SuperTips, Monster Gel Tips
Physical Properties:
┣ Packaging: ★★★★★
┣ Accessories: ★★★★★
┣ Build Quality: ★★★★☆
┣ Isolation: ★★★★
┣ Microphonics: ★★★★
┗ Comfort: ★★★★☆
Sound Quality:
┣ Treble: ★★★★☆
┣ Mid: ★★★★★
┣ Bass: ★★★★★
┣ Soundstage: █ ▆ ▄ ▂ ▄ ▆ █ - Great / Wide
┣ ABF: [Mid]
┗ Overall SQ: [4.85 / 5]
Overall Value: [5 / 5]
[size=small]Conclusion:[/size]
With a collection of accessories unlike any other, a tank-solid build quality, an extremely generous life-time warranty, great customer service and a stunningly good sound quality, the Monster Turbine Pro Copper In-Ear Monitors have set a new standard for earphones and headphones alike.
True that, Head Monster. True that.
[size=small]Introduction:[/size]
Before I begin this review, I'd just like to thank the folks at Monster for their dedication and generosity in putting together the review program that gave me this opportunity. Do note that after the review program ends, the reviewer (or better known as me.
I have always been an IEM user from the very beginning. In fact, my first audiophile-worthy equipment were in-canal earphones. As I ventured deeper into the depths of high-fidelity audio and more specifically the full-size headphone "arena", I began to lose touch with the portable earphones world. I am happy to say that this new jewel from Monster has brought me back.
Head-Fi is known for, among other things, the overzealous hype surrounding new products, especially within the portable audio world, where new earphones seem to pop up everyday. Because of this, I was understandingly hesitant and cynical when Monster debuted its Turbine Pro line to overwhelmingly positive feedback. I am pleased to say, after trying these little devils out firsthand, that none of the applause was hype.
[size=small]Packaging, Accessories, and Build Quality:[/size]
Packaging-
The Monster Turbine Pro Copper IEMs (hereby denoted by MTPC) arrived in a plain brown box. I was immediately underwhelmed, thinking, "$400 earphones arriving in this?!" A second later, and I realized that I was staring at a FedEx shipping box.
A minute into unboxing the earphones from the clean, minimalistic magnetic black box, and I was instantly hooked. Calling this luxury was an understatement. The MTPC's packaging was superb, to say the least.
Accessories-
Unlike some of the cheaper, if you will, earphones and headphones I have purchased over the years, the MTPC came with a multitude of accessories, including:
- A velvety "clasp" case
- A magnetic button case
- Bag of SuperTips
- Bag of gel-filled tips
- Bag of tri-flanges and foam tips
- Bag of generic silicon tips
- Anti-microphonic clothing clip
- Holster-style tip holder
- Antibacterial cleaning cloth
- Documents
On the topic of accessories, the amazing array of tips the MTPC comes with really speaks to how much Monster cares about its customers. There has been a lot of interest on Head-Fi over the variety of tips Monster offers. At the pinnacle are the SuperTips. Called everything from the ultimate sleeves to "the best foam earphone tip on the market". Monster's SuperTips are hybrid foam tips encased by an external layer of soft, cushiony foam and sustained internally by a thick, sturdy silicon of tube. This combination resulted in excellent isolation and comfort, combined with minimal impact on the overall sound quality of the MTPC, a perfect aggregation that no other tip has reached. However, one caveat of the SuperTips is their relatively low durability compared to silicon tips. The silicon tube is easily separated from the exterior, and this might result in degradation in isolation and sound quality after a few months. In the end, nevertheless, SuperTips last far longer and sound better than foam tips, yet provide a more comfortable alternative to traditional silicon tips.
Build Quality-
On to build quality! Even the best earphone is no good if it can't withstand the stress of our daily routines and activities, which is why the build quality of an IEM is so important. One of the first things I noticed after looking at the MTPC was its heftiness. The brass earphones looked and felt practically indestructible, especially compared to the flimsy OEM earphone shells many other audio companies are using. Well, to adequately test the build quality of the MTPC, I decided to take my pair along with me on a 1500+ mile road trip! Needless to say, the MTPC survived the exhibition in tip-top shape, while my stock iPod earbuds died along the way. One downside of the excellent brass design is weight. The MTPC felt heavier in my ears than other comparably sized earphones, but it did not bother me too much.
Monster's highly acclaimed cable management system is also included on the MTPC. A very well-built cable complete with a metal "L-jack" and "Y-split" added to the already glorious build quality of the MTPC. The included clothing clip also reduced microphonics to an almost non-existant level.
[size=small]Sound Quality:[/size]
Most of the attention surrounding the MTPC was centered around its unnaturally excellent sound quality. Of course, seeing as the MTPC retails at $400 and is marketed as a top-tier earphone, I was prepared to also be unnaturally critical. Yet, one minute into the first audition, and I was stunned. Blown away, even. The MTPC is unlike any earphone I have ever owned. More on that in a second.
Bass-
The MTPC is a bass-centric earphone. There's no way around that. And it's not a bad thing either. While its bass quantity falls short of the Sennheiser IE7/8's bass quantity, the MTPC makes it up in quality, producing some of the tightest, best-controlled bass I have ever heard on an earphone. The bass extends low enough for deep bass aficiandos, while staying strong and punchy enough to satisfy anyone from "bassheads" to lovers of lean, audiophilic bass. Impact is excellent, and bass detail retention is above par. There is a hint of muddiness, however, but I'm really just nitpicking now.
Mid-
Liquidy, natural, full, warm are just some of the words I'd use to describe the mids of the MTPC. Keeping in line with the overall balanced natural of the MTPC, the mids are no exception. They are slightly warm, yet still realistically detailed. They are full and weighty, yet still fast and agile. They are forward when needed, yet laid-back enough to not seem tiring. The mids of the MTPC are, in two words, almost perfect. A slight bit of mushiness combined with perhaps a little too much fullness prevents me from giving the MTPC's mids my utmost adoration. In the end, however, these are still some of the best mid frequencies I have heard on any earphone, barely falling short of the Shure SE530.
Treble-
Fans of treble will enjoy the MTPC's sparkle and smoothness in the upper frequencies. However, when compared to the other frequencies, I found the treble to be slightly lacking. In my opinion, there was a hint of recessiveness in the treble, especially in the upper-treble area. And while the MTPC can still be considered one of the most balanced earphones, it's bass-centricness does take just a nibble away from the treble. Compared to the Etymotic IEMs, the MTPC loses a bit on treble detail and aggresiveness. Overall, the MTPC's smooth and relaxing treble still won me over, giving me a much-needed break from the bright, hyper-aggresive upper frequencies of my Etymotic IEMs and my Grado and Ultrasone headphones.
Soundstage and Imaging-
Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional soundstaging was excellent on the MTPC, especially compared to the large majority of IEMs. Imaging was also very good, though it suffered a bit compared to my Etymotic IEMs due to the slight lack of detail in the treble region.
Overall-
The key word to describing the MTPC's sound signature and quality is balance. Unlike just about any other earphone I have had the pleasure of listening to, the MTPC, though focused on bass, does not fall tremendously short in any one area. The magnificent soundstage and imaging with a wonderful musicality made listening to the MTPC was a very enjoyable experience.
[size=small]Summary:[/size]
Transducer: Dynamic
Cord Style: Y-cord
Mini Jack Style: {┏━} style, Heavy build.
Eartips Used: Monster SuperTips, Monster Gel Tips
Physical Properties:
┣ Packaging: ★★★★★
┣ Accessories: ★★★★★
┣ Build Quality: ★★★★☆
┣ Isolation: ★★★★
┣ Microphonics: ★★★★
┗ Comfort: ★★★★☆
Sound Quality:
┣ Treble: ★★★★☆
┣ Mid: ★★★★★
┣ Bass: ★★★★★
┣ Soundstage: █ ▆ ▄ ▂ ▄ ▆ █ - Great / Wide
┣ ABF: [Mid]
┗ Overall SQ: [4.85 / 5]
Overall Value: [5 / 5]
[size=small]Conclusion:[/size]
With a collection of accessories unlike any other, a tank-solid build quality, an extremely generous life-time warranty, great customer service and a stunningly good sound quality, the Monster Turbine Pro Copper In-Ear Monitors have set a new standard for earphones and headphones alike.
True that, Head Monster. True that.
