Monster Elements Headphones Review

As far as headphones are concerned, Monster has been known for their daring styles as well as sound power, so I was curious in exploring what the Monster Elements have in store for me. I used these headphones for several weeks in various contexts ranging from a slow commute to long hours at the office as well as the gym, so I feel I can say that I know how exactly these perform.

The Elements have garnered attention for their style, comfort, and features intended to make a mark in the competition. But are they really that good? Here’s my consumer in-situ review of the Monster Elements headphones in all aspects: sound, battery and other features, after all is said and done.

Design and Aesthetics

Monster Elements headphones, when you wear them, is where their declaration really counts. Certainly, they are eye-catching, admirable and luxurious in appearance with elegant silhouettes and metallic details. I had the chance of testing the rose gold version as well, and it feels quite classy. These are bolstered by large ear cups that have a glossy coating on them with minimalistic tasteful Monster branding. Elements are bold enough and colors available are enough to cater for the range of styles.

Those are also very noticeable; each earpiece has LED lights, very interesting detail. The LED rings power on or off depending on the usage of the headphones, and you can also adjust or power them down to prevent the drain of battery life. The lights might not be practical since they don’t take away from how the headphones work their way, but if you own headphones with a bit more character you will appreciate them. However, the most interesting thing in their look is the peculiar combination of high technological and sophisticated modern luxury.

The headband is equally impressive. It is beautiful, slim and yet flexible ensuring that it is not flimsy. It has a glossy finish on the outside but a softer matte area on the inside ring that enfolds the head. There is nothing stiff about the mechanism that is used to adjust the size, as the headsets slide down quickly and comfortably to accommodate different head sizes. In general, the design of the Monster Elements headphones is bold and attractive, such that it will definitely catch people’s eyes

Materials and Build Quality

The first attribute which caught my eye about the Monster Elements is their construction. The Monster Elements Headphones wear the skin and bones of a sturdy coating of plastic and metal, which provides them with a decent level of ‘heft’ and toughness. However, the surfaced cups are of quality hard plastic and do not look cheap or overly shiny. It is plastic which is not prone to fingerprint and shoe marks and Nice to have such a feature as it keeps things tidy. This makes it better than Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 510BT.

Metal braces were used to strengthen the headband making it stronger and also making the headphones more expensive in feel. This gets rid of some worry about their structure as well as enhances their strength. The metallic frame provides structural support and shape retention, so I had no fear that they might easily snap. The parts, where the actual fold of the headphones closes also seem quite tough, with a lot of sturdy hinges. I tried them out by folding and unfolding them repetitively, and all remained firm without a creak or sign of any wear.

The ear cushions are upholstered in an artificial leather type material which is a pleasure to touch. It feels rich and high-end while the edges have neat stitching enhancing its overall quality. During the weeks that I used them, the materials did not appear to endure any wear and tear or loose threads as the fabric did not fray. The Elements have been built to withstand torture and their materials support their price very well.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is key when it comes to a headset, and the Monster Elements Headphones did not fall short in this regard. I have used them for extended periods of about three or four hours and did not feel too much discomfort. I got this headphone similar to Sennheiser Momentum 4 in comfort. There is quite a generous amount of padding on the ear cups, and the memory foam cushions which go around our ears do so in a way that is quite pleasing without being too oppressive.

One can adjust the headband and also whether it has a padding at the underside. They felt a bit heavier but then, they did not put a strain or create pressure at the top of my head, which is a relief. The clamping mechanism is enough to keep them in place although not overly so. I could turn my head while wearing them, and they remained on, which was advantageous for activities such as exercising and walking.

There is enough space provided, which gives the user a good blow of passive noise as well as comfort due to the over-ear section. I noticed that this seal does a good job of blocking outside noise, which is, of course, an advantage on long commutes or in busy places. The cushioning is not heavy and did not cause overheating or sweating after hours of usage. 

Sound Quality

Monster Elements Headphones better make some noise as the sound quality is wonderful in this regard especially for bass lovers like Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 and Jabra Elite 45h. The sound signature used here is typically a Monster one with a lot of bass but whereas mids and highs have also retained some definition. I remember putting them on for the first time and playing a bass-forward track; the low end had a characteristic thud and the depths I was looking for. It’s a tight bass that is very controlled and does not mask other important tones so is perfect for dance, hip hop or pop music.

The mids are handled quite well, being smooth and clear and thus radiance of the vocals is effectively achieved. I went through several genres of music whichever I could reach, from hard rock, industrial to classical music and I was satisfied with the midrange throughout the overlapping complex sounds. It is easy to make out not only the cadre of sounds but also obvious vocals and instruments – both as individual layers and as a whole. In even more complicated tracks where there’s a lot happening in them, the mids are heard and do not disappear in the overall sound mix.

The treble is sibilant, to the extent that there is high frequency detail, but the user does not feel hurt listening. It offers healthy reproduction of treble without offending one’s ears along the sibilance zone. Hi hats and cymbals are reproduced well without congestion and this improves the detail for the more complex pieces. Anyway, the sound is energetic and rich in power in the bass region, which will suit a large number of users.

Smart Features

The Monster Elements Headphones are designed quite easily yet have a lot of smart functions. One of such functioning features is the touch control panel on the ear cups, which makes it possible to control playback, modify volume, and pick up calls by simply tapping or swiping in the right direction. The controls are simple enough for quick navigation like Audio-Technica ATH-ANC700BT, and to my surprise, they are rather responsive. It took some getting used to for me, but when I eventually got the hang of it, I enjoyed the fact that I did not have to constantly reach out for my phone.

There is also a dual sound mode, which is pretty convenient which also available in Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2. You can choose to listen through wired or wireless means, which comes in handy when the battery is nearly dead. I attempted both methods, and even though wired mode has a slightly better sound quality, Bluetooth held its own with little distortion. This flexibility is great if you enjoy having choices on how you connect.

Furthermore, Mexican headphones can be operated with the help of voice assistants such as Google’s and Siri’s. In a moment, I could have my assistant bring up the music, remind me something, check weather, or do various other things. This is a useful option for those who prefer to use voice assistants as part of their daily lives.

Connectivity and Usability

Bluetooth 5.0 is one of the features that come with the Monster Elements, which allows for excellent connection quality unlike Sony WH-CH720N. I was able to rapidly and effortlessly connect them to my devices. I also appreciated the fact that once they are paired, they will auto reconnect when turned on. The range is quite good as well. I could move about my house without any dropouts even with walls separating the headphones from the phone.

They also have the capability of connecting more than one device at a time. This came in handy for instance when making work calls using my laptop but listening to music using my cell phone. There is no interruption in the call and I did not even need to remove the other device physically to use the other one.

The handles of the Monster Elements Headphones are a mixture of touch controls and touch and physical buttons, this in terms of controls. Easiest to find and use is the physical power and pairing button found on the right ear cup. It is tedious to say, but most people would say ease of use is not what one is inclined to put it. Of course, the controls are in the right place. For hands free operation, the voice assistant feature is an additional function for those who like it, as well as making these headphones more functional.

Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, the Monster Elements have nothing to complain about, as they last very long with the possibility of at least 30 hours of playback on a single charge. I found this to be quite the truth as moderate use of them only required a recharge once a week. Recharging is done through a micro-USB port that takes about two hours to complete charging. I wished this would have been USB-C because it is more efficient and faster, all of the above is reasonable in terms of charging speed as well.

Concerning this, there is another beneficial characteristic – a fast charge. The Monster Elements Headphones take only fifteen minutes for three hours of play. I can certainly say this even with the travel case on because I tested it a number of times, and that is a godsend when you have little time to spare before rushing out for an appointment. The Monster Elements possess both long battery life and quick recharge, therefore they are perfect for a whole day’s use.

Mic Performance and Call Quality

Most of the criticisms regarding the audio quality may come from a misuse of the functionality provided by the Monster Elements. Most users complained that the microphone for the calls was somewhat inefficient, which is fair… though I tried it out in two different places, silence and noise. In quieter places, I could be understood quite well without experiencing any major interference in my voice. In noisy places, however, the mic still managed to capture some noise. That’s workable, though, unless you’re in a very noisy environment, it’s likely not enough.

As far as the quality of the calls was concerned, it was acceptable. People all sounded quite clear and understanding was not an issue. For standard phone calls, or video calls, or just chatting, these work fine. Average call quality, great everyday use of mic, but nothing more. The majority won’t need such a feature, however, for ordinary office usage, even if it still isn’t an active noise canceling mic.

Durability and Portability

The Monster Elements Headphones provide above-average sound and prove to be sturdy and well-constructed. Sturdiness is provided by the metallic structure as well as strong plastics on the arms. I went traveling with them, threw them in a bag and there was no evidence that they suffered any injuries. Their structure also allows for very compact transport as they are supplied with the carrying pouch. The case, however, is like a soft case with inserts in it, which is good in the sense that it protects the phone from scratches but also the air cases against minor bumps.

The foldable hinges made it comfortable and managed to withstand all my abuse quite well. Even after many times of cambering and bending, I did not lose my shape and rigidity. For portability, these foldable headphones do the job nicely. They are a little bulkier, but the folding design helps minimize their volume making them more suitable for travel. All in all, the extent of these factors is quite impressive and I can use these headphones during travels with little fear.

Final Verdict

Having tested the Monster Elements headphones in detail, we say that they are able to combine style, comfort, and performance. Its sound reproduction, in particular the low frequencies, is impressive, though most types of listeners who appreciate bass will be satisfied by them. The amusing features such as touch control and voice control make them useful while making them easy to use. You can also go for a long time without charging it as it has good battery life.

They do not have active noise canceling features although low passive isolation will do a reasonable job in most cases. Being well built and stylish, they really provide value for money and their comfort invites long hours of use. If you are searching for headphones that are both pleasing to the eye and have the right practical feature set, the Monster Elements will be good devices for you to think about.

FAQs

Q. Can I use the Monster Elements headphones in wired mode if the battery runs out?

Yes, the Monster Elements headphones support both wireless and wired listening. If the battery is low, you can simply use the included 3.5mm audio cable to connect the headphones to your device. This allows you to continue listening without needing to recharge. The dual-mode feature is convenient for times when you want uninterrupted playback or a slightly richer sound experience through a wired connection.