Monolith by Monoprice M1570C Over the Ear Closed Back Planar Headphones
Product # 43237
UPC # 889028174524
$419.97
$599.99
Save $180.02 (30%)
*Affirm is not available for business or international orders
- FREE STANDARD US SHIPPING
- Eligible for Coupon(s) EXTRA30
Qty: 1
$419.97
$599.99
Qty: 2-9
$419.97
$587.99
Qty: 10-19
$419.97
$581.99
Qty: 20-49
$419.97
$575.99
Qty: 50+
$419.97
$569.99
Customers Also Shopped For
Questions and Answers
Do not include HTML, links, references to other stores, pricing or contact info.
My question is about:

If your question is about more than one item, click + to add them.

Browse 11 questions
Browse 11 questions
and 14 answers
Do they still have the proprietary mini XLR connection like the open-back version?
A shopper
on Nov 7, 2021
BEST ANSWER: Yes...same pin layout as a Hifiman, so I'm not sure not what you mean by "proprietary".
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Nov 8, 2021
Hifiman headphones don't use mini xlr jack. The open back M1570s have different XLR pin out so no after market cables are compatible. If the closed back version has the same pin out as the open back, which means no one can use after market (balanced) cable unless it's custom made. Hence, proprietary.
BEST ANSWER: Yes...same pin layout as a Hifiman, so I'm not sure not what you mean by "proprietary".
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Nov 8, 2021
Hifiman headphones don't use mini xlr jack. The open back M1570s have different XLR pin out so no after market cables are compatible. If the closed back version has the same pin out as the open back, which means no one can use after market (balanced) cable unless it's custom made. Hence, proprietary.
Hifiman headphones don't use mini xlr jack. The open back M1570s have different XLR pin out so no after market cables are compatible. If the closed back version has the same pin out as the open back, which means no one can use after market (balanced) cable unless it's custom made. Hence, proprietary.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Victor V on Nov 11, 2021
Yes, a custom 1570 cable works just fine on the 1570C
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Jurriaan K on Jan 13, 2023
- Purchased on Dec 22, 2022
Vote for the best answer above!
What's the difference between the M1570C and the M1070C?
Steven W
on Dec 8, 2021
BEST ANSWER: The M1570C has a more refined driver and balanced XLR connectivity
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 8, 2021
Refined in what way? A previous response says that the M1570C is a refinement over the M1060C. Are there thus three different levels of refinement? Or are the 1070C and 1060C the same except for connectors?
The M1070C is a completely different driver than what's in the M1060C.
- Reply
- New User U Staff on Dec 8, 2021
BEST ANSWER: The M1570C has a more refined driver and balanced XLR connectivity
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 8, 2021
Refined in what way? A previous response says that the M1570C is a refinement over the M1060C. Are there thus three different levels of refinement? Or are the 1070C and 1060C the same except for connectors?
The M1070C is a completely different driver than what's in the M1060C.
- Reply
- New User U Staff on Dec 8, 2021
It's only "balanced", if you spend ~100 bucks on a balanced cable, that will only work with the 1570, or 1570c. Out of the box, those mini xlr connections mean nothing, if they terminate in a SE plug. It literally sounds like the people behind this product, do not understand what a "balanced connection" is, or or that you not only need a balanced cable, that is plugged into a device that has a balanced output. Without, having those things, you will never get a balanced signal, no matter what connectors are on the cup end. The 1070s are able to be used balanced, with ease. Any cable with 3.5mm to any balanced termination, will allow then to play balanced(as long as the cord and source are balanced, as well. I would bet, most people buying these models have several balanced cables laying around, that work on the 1070 series. I just find it curiously funny, that the model being marketed, as "balanced", truly cannot be truly balanced without spending additional hundreds, or more, on additional gear, required for it to work. While the 1070s, are NOT marketed as "balanced", but are being used fully balanced, by the majority of owners, I'd imagine. Since using a standard 3.5mm balanced cable that costs ~20 bucks works just fine. Are they deliberately misleading the customers? Or do they just truly not understand what "balanced" really is, and how it is achieved. Which, is scary, considering these same people designed these cans, without the most basic knowledge there is, everywhere out there about this subject. Is it the marketing dept, playing your customers as fools?. Deliberately misleading them, into spending more money, thinking they're getting a true balanced headphones, for that extra $ over the 1070. Or is it the engineers, who just don't have the basic knowledge needed, to properly explain what they designed, and how it works, properly, in comparison with the other models? I mean the product info/specs are literally just copy/pasted for the 1070 and 1570.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Eric R on Mar 14, 2022
The C in 1570C means closed back. There are other very minor differences but that's the main one. 1570 is open back, 1570 is closed.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- Kevin W on Oct 6, 2022
Vote for the best answer above!
Does the M1570C has the same XLR pin layout as the M1570?
A shopper
on Nov 22, 2021
I have both the m1570 and m1570c and my custom Hart Audio Cables headphone cable works for both just fine.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- Daniel T on Dec 1, 2021
Vote for the best answer above!
How's sound leakage of these?
A shopper
on Mar 2, 2022
BEST ANSWER: no sound leakage at high volumes. I have a pair of oppos and my wife asks me to put on the 1570c because she can hear the others.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tebby W on Mar 30, 2022
- Purchased on Jan 9, 2022
BEST ANSWER: no sound leakage at high volumes. I have a pair of oppos and my wife asks me to put on the 1570c because she can hear the others.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tebby W on Mar 30, 2022
- Purchased on Jan 9, 2022
Practically none. Excellent sound isolation.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Guennadi B on Mar 2, 2022
- Purchased on Nov 23, 2021
Vote for the best answer above!
Can I find somewhere frequency response graph of these?
A shopper
on Nov 20, 2021
BEST ANSWER: You can find one on soundguys, in addition they compare it to the 1070C.
Everything is amazingly flat, the phones only need ~5db of eq in a couple of places to meet the studio curve.
Everything is amazingly flat, the phones only need ~5db of eq in a couple of places to meet the studio curve.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Mar 7, 2022
BEST ANSWER: You can find one on soundguys, in addition they compare it to the 1070C.
Everything is amazingly flat, the phones only need ~5db of eq in a couple of places to meet the studio curve.
Everything is amazingly flat, the phones only need ~5db of eq in a couple of places to meet the studio curve.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Mar 7, 2022
Vote for the best answer above!
What are the ear cups made from?
A shopper
on Nov 23, 2021
BEST ANSWER: Feels like aluminum to me, or some other non-magnetic alloy. It's always cold to the touch which is nice :)
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Muscle C on Dec 10, 2021
- Purchased on Dec 5, 2021
BEST ANSWER: Feels like aluminum to me, or some other non-magnetic alloy. It's always cold to the touch which is nice :)
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Muscle C on Dec 10, 2021
- Purchased on Dec 5, 2021
Vote for the best answer above!
How them sound compare to 1060c? Overall Bass mids highs soundstage?
New User U
on Dec 5, 2021
BEST ANSWER: The M1570C is a refinement over the M1060C.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 6, 2021
BEST ANSWER: The M1570C is a refinement over the M1060C.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 6, 2021
Vote for the best answer above!
Are they heavy to the point of being uncomfortable? I plan on using them at least 6 hours a day sitting in a chair.
A shopper
on Dec 28, 2021
BEST ANSWER: The weight doesn’t bother me, I’ve used them all day without issue. Though I do have a larger/stronger than average neck , so YMMV. The headband and ear pads are very cushioned, so they’re very comfortable for long periods overall. As long as you’re stationary you’ll probably be fine. The weight only becomes and issue when you’re moving around, tilting your head down for example, in which case they tend to slide due to gravity. Overall, the build quality is really excellent and they sound great so the weight is probably worth it. They are definitely built to last!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Anthony B on Dec 29, 2021
- Purchased on Dec 9, 2021
BEST ANSWER: The weight doesn’t bother me, I’ve used them all day without issue. Though I do have a larger/stronger than average neck , so YMMV. The headband and ear pads are very cushioned, so they’re very comfortable for long periods overall. As long as you’re stationary you’ll probably be fine. The weight only becomes and issue when you’re moving around, tilting your head down for example, in which case they tend to slide due to gravity. Overall, the build quality is really excellent and they sound great so the weight is probably worth it. They are definitely built to last!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Anthony B on Dec 29, 2021
- Purchased on Dec 9, 2021
Vote for the best answer above!
Would these make a good reference headphone for mixing, monitoring, and mastering in the studio?
A shopper
on Feb 15, 2022
It says the pads are made of quality faux leather... Then in the very next section, directly below, you claims it comes with lambskin(lambskin is not faux), and the velour ear pads. So, which is it? Is it genuine leather, that was once the skin of an animal, or are the PU, and will fall apart in a year, or so??
Thank you, kindly!
Thank you, kindly!
Eric R
on Mar 14, 2022
how to i remove the earpads?
New User U
on Jan 7, 2023
Reviews
4.8 / 5.0
12 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
9
3
0
0
0
Rated 5 out of 5
Great sound for a great deal!
Background:
I was looking for a solid pair of planar headphones for awhile and found these which looked perfect. I picked them up on sale and discount for a great deal.
Opinion:
They've absolutely knocked it out of the park in sound and build quality, so they're becoming a mainstay in my collection. I'd certainly recommend these to anyone on sale so long as you have the equipment to drive them (they're fairly beefy). The Velour pads they come with are definitely my preference in terms of comfort.
Pros:
Fantastic Sound
- Well defined sound, signature of Planar Magnetics
- Decent Bass even for planars, but could be tuned with EQ
Build Quality
Earpad Variety, coming with both leather and velour
Solid cables
Hardshell case for transport
I don't have really anything negative to say about these, however be aware of:
Size: Huge headphones, biggest I've ever held personally)
Weight: I don't have the exact weight, but due to the materials it's no surprise but they are HEAVY for a pair of headphones but they're built well. You definitely get your moneys worth in that regard.
I was looking for a solid pair of planar headphones for awhile and found these which looked perfect. I picked them up on sale and discount for a great deal.
Opinion:
They've absolutely knocked it out of the park in sound and build quality, so they're becoming a mainstay in my collection. I'd certainly recommend these to anyone on sale so long as you have the equipment to drive them (they're fairly beefy). The Velour pads they come with are definitely my preference in terms of comfort.
Pros:
Fantastic Sound
- Well defined sound, signature of Planar Magnetics
- Decent Bass even for planars, but could be tuned with EQ
Build Quality
Earpad Variety, coming with both leather and velour
Solid cables
Hardshell case for transport
I don't have really anything negative to say about these, however be aware of:
Size: Huge headphones, biggest I've ever held personally)
Weight: I don't have the exact weight, but due to the materials it's no surprise but they are HEAVY for a pair of headphones but they're built well. You definitely get your moneys worth in that regard.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (0) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (0) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 4 out of 5
Go to the velour pads
Don't judge the headphones until you try the velour pads vs the pleather. I was actually about to return the headphones when I saw a suggestion to switch to the velour pads online. The velour pads are physically warmer, they don't look as nice - but once I changed to them the sound improve tremendously. I stopped trying to equalize out issues with the pleather pads.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (1) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (1) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 4 out of 5
Heavy is the head that wears the M1570C
First closed-back headphones. Not sure how much noise isolation they're supposed to give, but the M1570 is not impressive in this regard.
It's really heavy. Not recommended for glasses wearers, but that might go for over ear headphones in general. The weight transfers to your glasses, pressing down into your nose bridge.
Sound is V-shaped, though I still put a 10db bass shelf on it. I recommend EQ, but I EQ everything I have, so there's that.
I wouldn't purchase this at 600 USD. But when it's on a good discount, and if you don't have a closed-back planar? It's not a bad choice.
It's really heavy. Not recommended for glasses wearers, but that might go for over ear headphones in general. The weight transfers to your glasses, pressing down into your nose bridge.
Sound is V-shaped, though I still put a 10db bass shelf on it. I recommend EQ, but I EQ everything I have, so there's that.
I wouldn't purchase this at 600 USD. But when it's on a good discount, and if you don't have a closed-back planar? It's not a bad choice.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (0) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (0) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
Better than lcd2
Really good headphones. Bass, soundstage, and highs are top notch. Vocals are a bit recessed. Overall im really enjoying these headphones.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (3) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (3) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 4 out of 5
Talk about cans , the sheer size of these are impressive almost like having a set of full size speakers clamped to my head !
So far pretty good . Haven't had too much time to go through my library but what I'm hearing is a pleasant surprise . I got my headphone amp about the same time as the cans and that helped the sound quality some . Waiting on the dac now to finish the set and to make a final opinion after listening for a couple weeks . These are the first planar cans for me and I never spent more than $300 on headphones like wireless sennhieser and V- Moda . The pads on these are a good 4in across and they are big but , they are comfortable .

Added Apr 4, 2023
- Was this review helpful? Yes (2) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (2) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
5*
Excellent headphones, brilliant quality, clarity and and precision.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (0) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (0) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
- Was this review helpful? Yes (0) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
mostly good
There's a lot I like:
- sound is good. I'm not going to waffle on about the large soundscape or whatever, but I really like this for my music. I never miss anything. On the contrary, I sometimes hear things that I don't hear on my speakers. It certainly sounds better than previous headphones, like a Sennheiser HD-580, HD-599 and an Oppo PM3. On this basis alone, I give it 5 stars.
- it has a certain heft to it
- my ears fit
- the price, especially when it's on offer < US$ 400, is excellent
There are some things I don't like:
- the plugs from the cables are long enough to often touch my collar/hood
- all my sources have 3.5 mm plugs, and the adapter in the package is very long, which makes using it risky. So I had to order an AliExpress cable
- I'm not sure how monoprice US and monoprice EU are related, but I can't fathom why it's only sold in the US. Shipping was painless.
- sound is good. I'm not going to waffle on about the large soundscape or whatever, but I really like this for my music. I never miss anything. On the contrary, I sometimes hear things that I don't hear on my speakers. It certainly sounds better than previous headphones, like a Sennheiser HD-580, HD-599 and an Oppo PM3. On this basis alone, I give it 5 stars.
- it has a certain heft to it
- my ears fit
- the price, especially when it's on offer < US$ 400, is excellent
There are some things I don't like:
- the plugs from the cables are long enough to often touch my collar/hood
- all my sources have 3.5 mm plugs, and the adapter in the package is very long, which makes using it risky. So I had to order an AliExpress cable
- I'm not sure how monoprice US and monoprice EU are related, but I can't fathom why it's only sold in the US. Shipping was painless.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (3) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (3) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
Just what I wanted.
Pretty incredible headphones for the price. I'd expect a little less creaking from the headband given the price, but the drivers sound wonderful and despite its weight, it's a very comfortable pair of headphones.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (5) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (5) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
Quite possibly best closed back headphones under $1000.
BUILD/COMFORT: these are definitely heavy but very well built. All metal and nice leather. The weight doesn?t bother me. The comfort is great overall. 4/5
BASS: the bass extends deep and has great quality/texture. The only area where it?s a bit lacking to me personally is impact; however, this is most likely due to the standard nature of planars. I believe you?d have to get into the $1000+ range for better bass. I?m a huge basshead and these absolutely satisfy with a bit of a boost through my ifi xbass and schiit Loki. 4/5
MIDS: These have a great midrange. I would probably describe these headphones as being mid-forward. They have more weight and musicality to this than my hifiman ananda. Those actually seem to sound more recessed/veiled and thin in the mids than these. I think the m1570c is tuned very well. 5/5
TREBLE: I would not describe these as dark at all, but not bright either. The treble is basically perfect to me. There?s great extension and detail here. Very smooth and inoffensive while not lacking in detail or being sibilant. 5/5
SOUNDSTAGE/IMAGING: The soundstage isn?t huge, but it?s not small and intimate either. It?s actually quite excellent for a closed back and has a great amount of range. Vocalists and the mids typically come forward while the rest of the mix is placed around as expected. It?s very balanced 3D-wise without too much height, width, or forward/rear depth dominating. The sound is nice and holographically balanced. The smaller nature compared to my ananda also makes the sound a bit richer and more musical. These are also my favorite headphones of all time for gaming too. 5/5
DETAIL: Detail retrieval is excellent. Separation is not as extreme as it is on something like my ananda, but it?s not lacking any info compared to that. It?s a bit easier to see the details on the ananda but they are still all there on the m1570c. The imaging/soundstage combined with the detail provide a very enjoyable listening experience. 5/5
OVERALL: These are excellent headphones. I believe they?re probably competitive in the $1000+ range and you?d have to probably get something like an LCD-XC for marginal improvements. I was absolutely smitten with my ananda when I got it, but doing A/B comparisons with the m1570c really shows how good it really is. Makes me consider selling the ananda since these are better in many areas and have the benefit of being closed back, which is required for most of my listening. I picked these up on sale for $400 and I don?t think there is anything closed that can compete at all. I used an emu teak for all my past closed-back listening but these are definitely a large step ahead in ever area except bass impact, I couldn?t recommend them more if you need a closed back in the ~$500 price range. 5/5
Also note: they definitely improved after 50 hrs. or so. Burn in is real with these.
BASS: the bass extends deep and has great quality/texture. The only area where it?s a bit lacking to me personally is impact; however, this is most likely due to the standard nature of planars. I believe you?d have to get into the $1000+ range for better bass. I?m a huge basshead and these absolutely satisfy with a bit of a boost through my ifi xbass and schiit Loki. 4/5
MIDS: These have a great midrange. I would probably describe these headphones as being mid-forward. They have more weight and musicality to this than my hifiman ananda. Those actually seem to sound more recessed/veiled and thin in the mids than these. I think the m1570c is tuned very well. 5/5
TREBLE: I would not describe these as dark at all, but not bright either. The treble is basically perfect to me. There?s great extension and detail here. Very smooth and inoffensive while not lacking in detail or being sibilant. 5/5
SOUNDSTAGE/IMAGING: The soundstage isn?t huge, but it?s not small and intimate either. It?s actually quite excellent for a closed back and has a great amount of range. Vocalists and the mids typically come forward while the rest of the mix is placed around as expected. It?s very balanced 3D-wise without too much height, width, or forward/rear depth dominating. The sound is nice and holographically balanced. The smaller nature compared to my ananda also makes the sound a bit richer and more musical. These are also my favorite headphones of all time for gaming too. 5/5
DETAIL: Detail retrieval is excellent. Separation is not as extreme as it is on something like my ananda, but it?s not lacking any info compared to that. It?s a bit easier to see the details on the ananda but they are still all there on the m1570c. The imaging/soundstage combined with the detail provide a very enjoyable listening experience. 5/5
OVERALL: These are excellent headphones. I believe they?re probably competitive in the $1000+ range and you?d have to probably get something like an LCD-XC for marginal improvements. I was absolutely smitten with my ananda when I got it, but doing A/B comparisons with the m1570c really shows how good it really is. Makes me consider selling the ananda since these are better in many areas and have the benefit of being closed back, which is required for most of my listening. I picked these up on sale for $400 and I don?t think there is anything closed that can compete at all. I used an emu teak for all my past closed-back listening but these are definitely a large step ahead in ever area except bass impact, I couldn?t recommend them more if you need a closed back in the ~$500 price range. 5/5
Also note: they definitely improved after 50 hrs. or so. Burn in is real with these.

Added Jan 16, 2022
- Was this review helpful? Yes (17) No (1)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (17) No (1)
- Flag as Inappropriate