Monolith by Monoprice M1070 Over Ear Open Back Planar Headphones
Product # 39414
$399.99
Qty: 1
$399.99
Qty: 2-9
$399.99
Qty: 10-19
$399.99
Qty: 20-49
$399.99
Qty: 50+
$399.99
To see and take advantage of our member pricing sign up for a business account or contact our sales team.
To see and take advantage of our member pricing sign up for a business account or contact our sales team.
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 22 questions
Browse 22 questions
and 24 answers
Is the cable with these headphones balanced or unbalanced?
Kyle J
on Jan 4, 2021
BEST ANSWER: They come with an unbalanced cable - I bought a balanced cable on Amazon / dual 3.5 to XLR - new Fantasia brand. It sounds great with my Modius
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Jan 4, 2021
- Purchased on Nov 24, 2020
BEST ANSWER: They come with an unbalanced cable - I bought a balanced cable on Amazon / dual 3.5 to XLR - new Fantasia brand. It sounds great with my Modius
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Jan 4, 2021
- Purchased on Nov 24, 2020
It is unbalanced. It terminates to a 3.5mm plug that has a screw-on 1/4" adapter.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Michael Moore M on Jan 4, 2021
- Purchased on Nov 30, 2020
The included cable is unbalanced with a 3.5mm termination.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Bronson W on Jan 4, 2021
- Purchased on Nov 26, 2020
Vote for the best answer above!
Can you confirm the grills are a 1/1 copy of the M1060 and removable?
A shopper
on Sep 25, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question.
The grills can be removed by unscrewing them and the grills are interchangeable between this grille and the grille on the 1060s.
The grills can be removed by unscrewing them and the grills are interchangeable between this grille and the grille on the 1060s.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tyler C Staff on Oct 3, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question.
The grills can be removed by unscrewing them and the grills are interchangeable between this grille and the grille on the 1060s.
The grills can be removed by unscrewing them and the grills are interchangeable between this grille and the grille on the 1060s.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tyler C Staff on Oct 3, 2019
The grills are removable with a jewlers screwdriver and the foam is not glued in. I'm not sure mods are really necessary but these seem as easily moddable as the 1060s.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Nathan T on Dec 10, 2019
- Purchased on Nov 29, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
Which materials are the included pads made from?
New User U
on Dec 5, 2019
BEST ANSWER: One set of lambskin and one set of velour fabric.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 5, 2019
Awesome! Just wanted to confirm whether or not they were pleather, as on the M1060s. Think I'll be picking up a pair sometime in the near future.
- Reply
- New User U on Dec 5, 2019
BEST ANSWER: One set of lambskin and one set of velour fabric.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 5, 2019
Awesome! Just wanted to confirm whether or not they were pleather, as on the M1060s. Think I'll be picking up a pair sometime in the near future.
- Reply
- New User U on Dec 5, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
The connectors in the cups are 2.5mm or 3.5mm? I saw a review on youtube and he said that m1070 has 3.5mm conectors.
New User U
on Dec 11, 2019
BEST ANSWER: I just double checked and the connectors to the cans are indeed 3.5mm.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Nathan T on Dec 11, 2019
- Purchased on Nov 29, 2019
BEST ANSWER: I just double checked and the connectors to the cans are indeed 3.5mm.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Nathan T on Dec 11, 2019
- Purchased on Nov 29, 2019
2.5mm connectors to the cans themselves. The connector to the source is 3.5 but obviously also comes with a 6.35mm.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- Nathan T on Dec 11, 2019
- Purchased on Nov 29, 2019
Connections on the cups/cans are both 3.5mm. The stock cable is ends in 2x3.5mm TRS connections to go into the Cans. I have used a Balanced cable that terminates into 2x3.5mm TS connections and they work flawlessly on these as well.
I am not sure if I am doing the headset a disservice by using this cable but it sure as heck sounds incredible and I totally notice an improvement over the stock cable in terms of staging, imaging and depth.
I am not sure if I am doing the headset a disservice by using this cable but it sure as heck sounds incredible and I totally notice an improvement over the stock cable in terms of staging, imaging and depth.
Vote for the best answer above!
Can these M1070 be modded to sound like the M1570 since they use the same driver. Does the M1570 have added material to make them sound better ie. like foam etc.?
Lloyd W
on Jan 13, 2020
BEST ANSWER: The M1070 and the M1570 do not use the same driver. They are the same size, however, but not the same driver.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Jan 14, 2020
BEST ANSWER: The M1070 and the M1570 do not use the same driver. They are the same size, however, but not the same driver.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Jan 14, 2020
No because they do not have the same driver. Whoever told you that they have the same driver, is lying.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- Muscle C on Jan 13, 2020
- Purchased on Dec 6, 2019
I believe monoprice has said that the M1570 and M1070 used the same driver. Not referring to the M1060.
Vote for the best answer above!
what is the clamp force like on these?
New User U
on Feb 7, 2020

Monolith by Monoprice M1070 Over Ear Open Back Planar Headphones

Monolith by Monoprice M1070 Over Ear Open Back Planar Headphones (open box)
BEST ANSWER: Really light. Majority of the weght will be distributed on the headband.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Apr 14, 2020
BEST ANSWER: Really light. Majority of the weght will be distributed on the headband.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Apr 14, 2020
There is very little to no clamp on these headphones
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on May 25, 2020
- Purchased on May 2, 2020
Vote for the best answer above!
Can I use them with balanced XLR cables?
A shopper
on Apr 22, 2020

Monolith by Monoprice M1070 Over Ear Open Back Planar Headphones

Monolith by Monoprice M1070 Over Ear Open Back Planar Headphones (open box)
BEST ANSWER: Yes, just make sure their 3.5mm going to headphone. Got 1 off the big A.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- Bruce S on Apr 22, 2020
Do you have a link to the cable that worked for you? (please and thank you!!)
- Reply
- New User U on Nov 25, 2020
BEST ANSWER: Yes, just make sure their 3.5mm going to headphone. Got 1 off the big A.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- Bruce S on Apr 22, 2020
Do you have a link to the cable that worked for you? (please and thank you!!)
- Reply
- New User U on Nov 25, 2020
Vote for the best answer above!
Is there a frequency response chart?
A shopper
on Sep 10, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question.
We would not have a frequency response chart for this item.
We would not have a frequency response chart for this item.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tyler C Staff on Sep 18, 2019
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question.
We would not have a frequency response chart for this item.
We would not have a frequency response chart for this item.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tyler C Staff on Sep 18, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
Will there be a closed back version of the m1570 or m1070?
A shopper
on Sep 13, 2019
BEST ANSWER: They are in development, but it wont be until sometime in 2020.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Sep 16, 2019
BEST ANSWER: They are in development, but it wont be until sometime in 2020.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Sep 16, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
Are you gonna make 600 Ω version of the m1070 that would be lovely?
New User U
on Sep 19, 2019
BEST ANSWER: A 600ohm planar? You're gonna need a nuclear power plant to power those lol
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Jan 1, 2020
BEST ANSWER: A 600ohm planar? You're gonna need a nuclear power plant to power those lol
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Jan 1, 2020
Vote for the best answer above!
How is the driver different than the one in the m1060?
A C
on Sep 23, 2019
BEST ANSWER: wider soudstage, finer detailing and resolution capacity, a bit less dark than the M1060
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- horusitzky p on Jan 8, 2020
- Purchased on Dec 12, 2019
BEST ANSWER: wider soudstage, finer detailing and resolution capacity, a bit less dark than the M1060
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- horusitzky p on Jan 8, 2020
- Purchased on Dec 12, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
At IFA you presented them with velour pads, here they are with pleather... What will be the final product?
A shopper
on Oct 3, 2019
BEST ANSWER: They will come with both pads in the box.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Oct 3, 2019
BEST ANSWER: They will come with both pads in the box.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Oct 3, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
Hello, when can we buy this headphones?
A shopper
on Oct 14, 2019
BEST ANSWER: They should be in stock in late November.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Oct 14, 2019
BEST ANSWER: They should be in stock in late November.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Oct 14, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
Are these the same drivers on the M1060c but created from the start to be open back vs the 1060c being closed and people mod them to open them up? It seems to be the case.
New User U
on Nov 30, 2019
BEST ANSWER: No, these are not the same drivers that are in the M1060C. The drivers for the M1070 are new, as are the M1570 drivers.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 1, 2019
BEST ANSWER: No, these are not the same drivers that are in the M1060C. The drivers for the M1070 are new, as are the M1570 drivers.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 1, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
Which materials are the included pads made from?
New User U
on Dec 5, 2019
BEST ANSWER: One set of lambskin and one set of velour fabric.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 5, 2019
BEST ANSWER: One set of lambskin and one set of velour fabric.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U Staff on Dec 5, 2019
Vote for the best answer above!
Hi, Is the headband leather or pleather? Thank you
A shopper
on Mar 19, 2020
BEST ANSWER: See ans. from Dec. 5, 2019, Staff: One set of lambskin and one set of velour fabric.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Dec 26, 2020
- Purchased on Dec 18, 2020
BEST ANSWER: See ans. from Dec. 5, 2019, Staff: One set of lambskin and one set of velour fabric.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- New User U on Dec 26, 2020
- Purchased on Dec 18, 2020
Vote for the best answer above!
I just received these and they have been great so far through the Liquid Spark amp and an external DAC. Would I see any power gains if I had a 2.5mm to XLR cable made and upgraded to the THX AAA 887 amp?
A shopper
on Dec 18, 2019
When will this be available in Europe?
A shopper
on Jan 6, 2020
When will this be available in the uk and eu stores?
A shopper
on Jan 16, 2020
What is the part number for replacement ear pads, velour and vinyl?
A shopper
on May 15, 2020
Can I purchase dual 3.5mm to 1/4 inch plug with a longer cable?
A shopper
on Jun 4, 2020
How can I get a replacement cable?
Daryl A
on Jun 28, 2020
Reviews
4.8 / 5.0
13 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
11
2
0
0
0
Rated 5 out of 5
Great headphones
I bought these as a Christmas present to myself and am very pleased with them. They have a very smooth and non-fatiguing sound that lets me listen for hours. No obvious response peaks or dips and they provide clean deep bass when called for - not exaggerated or fat. Some people have commented that they do not clamp your head hard enough. I suppose it depends on the wearer but I find these to clamp just right and have not had any problems with them falling off or shifting. I have several other pair of phones that clamp much more aggressively and are not as comfortable to use as the M1070. Recommended.
- 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
Very nice!
Amazing sound - I am very happy with them
- 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
i have a big head
crisp, raw, immersive. see title for thoughts on why i didn't dock a star for clamp issues
- Was this review helpful? Yes (2) No (2)
- Flag as Inappropriate
June 24, 2020
- Was this review helpful? Yes (2) No (2)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 4 out of 5
Almost
Great sound, clear and precise. No weird peaks or drops across the frequency range. I would recommend these to anyone looking an excellent sounding headphone. BUT - as they come out of the box they are not wearable. The clamping force is way to weak. The only way to fix this is to bend, yes I did say bend the metal part of the headband. Yes it is that soft. And that is the problem. The head band will continue to bend as you adjust them to fit. Other than that I would recommend these without hesitation. your review here. It must be at least 10 characters long. Consider whether you would recommend this product and what you like or dislike about it.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (9) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (9) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 4 out of 5
Endgame...Almost
I’ve tried the following: DT 1990, Sundara, Aeon X, Philips X2, 58x, and Philips SHP 9500.
These M1070 sound better then all the above. However the DT 1990 (because this is their purpose imo), has pretty incredible detail due to its high treble, but they are way too analytical to the point I can only see them being used in a studio or sound mixing. I could never enjoy the 1990s because they felt like every song I tried to listen to, I was trying to find every imperfection with the song (which I did) instead of just trying to enjoy the music. The Aeon X Open were really good too, but sounded more like closed back headphones which I’m not a fan of, but were very comfortable and lightweight. The Aeon X were not as good for gaming in terms of locating footsteps as well as the DT 1990s and M1070.
The M1070 work great with every genre and also has amazing detail, although the detail isn’t quite in your face like the DT 1990s (which is a good thing to me), but still easy to hear. These like the DT 1990s, are also pretty great at gaming. Footsteps are easy to detect even from far away to the point where the M1070 and DT 1990s could be considered cheating at times.
Now for the bad...this headphone could have been end game but the headband, metal and yokes are really bad. The quality and comfort are not there at all. The metal that attaches to the yokes bend and move around very easily, not a lot of clamp force which is good and bad, and the headband foam is not enough and has a pleather headband. On top of that the headband is pretty hard to change.
Truthfully I broke my first pair and ordered another pair right after, except this time through Amazon. The pins/screws that go into the actual drivers and holds them into the yokes, does not have a fitting so you can’t unscrew them. I couldn’t believe it, which caused me to take apart the headphone more than I should have and caused me to break them. I just couldn’t believe they would use a screw that:
1. Is hard to remove regardless of the screw, due to the limited space
2. Requires the tiniest pliers in the world to remove or maybe even a drill bit
If they could improve the headband this headphone could be lighter and more comfortable, or simply change the screws so I can easily swap out and put my own headband on.
With all this said I highly recommend these headphones, although the headband might be an issue I was able to get around this by putting a piece of extra foam underneath the headband. This improved the comfort at least, allowing me to wear them for hours. Also note the position of the headband (due to the weight of these headphones) is pretty important. If I had it too far back I could feel it my neck depending on how I was sitting, but once I would adjust them I felt fine and wore them for 6 hours straight.
Finally you can sometimes find these for $350 on Monoprice website, which then competes with Hifiman Sundara. The Sundara's were nice but they sounded too airy, I can’t put my finger on it but something felt off when listening, almost like I was in a very detailed concert. The detail on Sundara’s were great, although bass was lacking a bit. The clamp force on the Sundara’s was also so strong, that it would hurt my jaw only after a few hours.
Even with its headband flaws I still love the M1070.
Monoprice if you read this please on the next iteration let me easily change the headband or simply improve it. I know they’re had to be budgets cuts somewhere for these to sound as amazing as they do at this price, but just change the screws and I’ll be happy.
These M1070 sound better then all the above. However the DT 1990 (because this is their purpose imo), has pretty incredible detail due to its high treble, but they are way too analytical to the point I can only see them being used in a studio or sound mixing. I could never enjoy the 1990s because they felt like every song I tried to listen to, I was trying to find every imperfection with the song (which I did) instead of just trying to enjoy the music. The Aeon X Open were really good too, but sounded more like closed back headphones which I’m not a fan of, but were very comfortable and lightweight. The Aeon X were not as good for gaming in terms of locating footsteps as well as the DT 1990s and M1070.
The M1070 work great with every genre and also has amazing detail, although the detail isn’t quite in your face like the DT 1990s (which is a good thing to me), but still easy to hear. These like the DT 1990s, are also pretty great at gaming. Footsteps are easy to detect even from far away to the point where the M1070 and DT 1990s could be considered cheating at times.
Now for the bad...this headphone could have been end game but the headband, metal and yokes are really bad. The quality and comfort are not there at all. The metal that attaches to the yokes bend and move around very easily, not a lot of clamp force which is good and bad, and the headband foam is not enough and has a pleather headband. On top of that the headband is pretty hard to change.
Truthfully I broke my first pair and ordered another pair right after, except this time through Amazon. The pins/screws that go into the actual drivers and holds them into the yokes, does not have a fitting so you can’t unscrew them. I couldn’t believe it, which caused me to take apart the headphone more than I should have and caused me to break them. I just couldn’t believe they would use a screw that:
1. Is hard to remove regardless of the screw, due to the limited space
2. Requires the tiniest pliers in the world to remove or maybe even a drill bit
If they could improve the headband this headphone could be lighter and more comfortable, or simply change the screws so I can easily swap out and put my own headband on.
With all this said I highly recommend these headphones, although the headband might be an issue I was able to get around this by putting a piece of extra foam underneath the headband. This improved the comfort at least, allowing me to wear them for hours. Also note the position of the headband (due to the weight of these headphones) is pretty important. If I had it too far back I could feel it my neck depending on how I was sitting, but once I would adjust them I felt fine and wore them for 6 hours straight.
Finally you can sometimes find these for $350 on Monoprice website, which then competes with Hifiman Sundara. The Sundara's were nice but they sounded too airy, I can’t put my finger on it but something felt off when listening, almost like I was in a very detailed concert. The detail on Sundara’s were great, although bass was lacking a bit. The clamp force on the Sundara’s was also so strong, that it would hurt my jaw only after a few hours.
Even with its headband flaws I still love the M1070.
Monoprice if you read this please on the next iteration let me easily change the headband or simply improve it. I know they’re had to be budgets cuts somewhere for these to sound as amazing as they do at this price, but just change the screws and I’ll be happy.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (9) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (9) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
Give them a chance. Needs burn-in time.
These are a bit different from their 1060 open back planar headphones which I also have. I’m running them through a Monoprice Liquid Spark headphone amplifier.
The 1070 did not sound as good as the 1060 initially. I tried switching from the vinyl to the velour ear cups, but with those it sounded worse to me. I honestly set them aside for a few weeks, thinking I’d made a mistake buying them. I went back to my 1060. I almost returned them, but decided to put the vinyl cups back on, and gave them another chance. As I put the hours in on them, they began to improve noticeably. They need more power than the 1060 to sound good; I run them often at 60-70% volume compared to usually less than 50% for the 1060. I now use them exclusively. Better bottom to midrange, and a more even and overall balance to the sound. They need at least 20-25 hours of use to break in though, and they are heavy which causes fatigue after a couple hours. Still, they’re a great value for the money.
The 1070 did not sound as good as the 1060 initially. I tried switching from the vinyl to the velour ear cups, but with those it sounded worse to me. I honestly set them aside for a few weeks, thinking I’d made a mistake buying them. I went back to my 1060. I almost returned them, but decided to put the vinyl cups back on, and gave them another chance. As I put the hours in on them, they began to improve noticeably. They need more power than the 1060 to sound good; I run them often at 60-70% volume compared to usually less than 50% for the 1060. I now use them exclusively. Better bottom to midrange, and a more even and overall balance to the sound. They need at least 20-25 hours of use to break in though, and they are heavy which causes fatigue after a couple hours. Still, they’re a great value for the money.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (16) No (3)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (16) No (3)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
- Was this review helpful? Yes (0) No (9)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
Under the radar
I've had the 1060 and 1060c... the 1070 is a clear upgrade over both.
There isn't much mention of these headphones around yet, but there should be. It would be nice to see some frequency response graphs to verify what I'm hearing. It's clean, has a good soundstage, and doesn't sound overly peaky in any area.
Running these off the Monoprice THX amp and Topping DX7s is a stellar combo.
There isn't much mention of these headphones around yet, but there should be. It would be nice to see some frequency response graphs to verify what I'm hearing. It's clean, has a good soundstage, and doesn't sound overly peaky in any area.
Running these off the Monoprice THX amp and Topping DX7s is a stellar combo.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (18) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (18) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
BUY THEM!
All I can say is WOOOOW.
I AM AN AUDIOPHILE AND LOVVEE THESE. CANS WORTH EVERY PENNY. BETTER WHEN YOU GIVE THEM PURE POWER!!!
I AM AN AUDIOPHILE AND LOVVEE THESE. CANS WORTH EVERY PENNY. BETTER WHEN YOU GIVE THEM PURE POWER!!!
- Was this review helpful? Yes (5) No (4)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (5) No (4)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Rated 5 out of 5
Very nice headphone
This is best Monoprice headphones I have heard. I have owned the M1060, M570, Monoprice Electrostatics and M650.. I like the M570's, as well ,.but the M1070 's just have more body and sound is bigger.. I It is in my top 8 headphone.s. Sounds like the Audeze LCD-2.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (14) No (1)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (14) No (1)
- Flag as Inappropriate