So I just got my M1060 and listened to Chesky Records CD for testing high end HIFI systems. (The ultimate Demonstration Disk, 1995). you can find a youtube version (not as good as the version I have but will give you an idea). the record is guided selection of 14 songs that test different aspects of sound quality and reproduction. very informative I believe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5IoRwr4DD0&index=1&list=PLdZhik4dyFHr4kncCtr024E2IfP330dP2
I want to share my first impressions here.
Build
The M1060 has no cracks or connector major issues. I swapped the cable with my Shure SE215 cable and it has the same fit as the M1060 stock cable (both plugs move/wobble slightly when you try to check the connection firmness unlike my Shure IEM connection). sound quality and connection reliability, however, is not impacted in my case. I did the opposite and connected the M1060 stock cable to my Shure IEM and it had a "firmer" connection to the the IEM female connector. I think the female connectors of the M1060 have more give and slightly looser tolerance. again, sound quality/connection is not impacted. The cable is short but I have my Micca Origin+ DAC/AMP on my disk and it is close enough. I have to be careful though when I reach for things on the other side of the desk or on the floor because how sort the cable is. I wish it was a couple of feet longer though.
The leather smells like getting into a luxury car at the dealership ...
M1060 look, smell and feel like the "higher end" expensive headphones (probably high end need to be redefined now).
My X2 wins in the build quality (like a tank) and I would say even comfort. the M1060 is comfortable but not like X2 where I leave it on for hours.
My Micca Origin+ drives them just enough to painful level at MAX. I got the vegan pads delivered today also but I will wait on swapping the stock pads until I read more impressions.
Sound Quality
I am new to the audiophile world and only started investing last year in better systems. I believe when you start, you have a limited number of "wow" moments when you first hear quality sound that blows you out of the water compared to what you are used to hear from low quality equipment. I already had two of those wow moments; when I first heard the Philips Fidilio X2 (currently my daily driver) and when I first hooked up my KEF LS50 and listened to Lydia Gray's "sorry seem to be the hardest word". As your ears adjust to quality sound reproduction, you seem to get less WOW'ed by higher quality gear since it is not a major step up to your "burned in" ears (but surely low quality gear will sound crappier than you remember). I was worried that the M1060 would not wow me compared to the excellent X2's BUT it did. at least in some parts of the sound spectrum were the X2 dynamic driver was physically limiting. I am not even sure if it is possible to reproduce sound "much" better than this honestly with a headphone. Anything more will have probably minor impact on the listening experience IMHO. I tried the LCD-2, LCD-X and HIFIMAN HE-1000 V2 recently where I played DSD music on high end amplifier and they were excellent. The M1060, however, is right there. I may not remember the exact sound differences between them and the M1060 but I do remember the experience and that's what matters to me at least. They are all excellent and the M1060 is in the same league in SQ, IMHO. If those where on top of the "sound quality" hill having fun, then the M1060 has just joined the party. where it probably falls short is in the build quality given what others are experiencing. I have not seen any issues yet but time will tell.
Bass ? it is hitting my sweet spot for my taste. vocals are clear but tad recessed compared to my X2, not by much but I noticed it while A/B them. I will wait and reserve judgment until the cans are burned in to make a final judgment. Treble is just great and balanced (I don't like bright cans and find them too sharp and fatiguing for my ears, talking about you DT-770
). The M1060 has also made me appreciate my X2 when it comes to dynamic driver cans. the X2's are great too and I would recommend them anytime to my friends as a daily driver. I am also waiting for my Modhouse Argon next week so I will see how it compares to both X2 and M1060.
overall
Monoprice has really hit a home run with the M1060 when it comes to sound quality. if they pay more attention to the build quality without impacting the price, they will have a game changer and will surely dominate the market of $300+ headphones ( Audeze and HIFIMAN should be very worried!). Anyone who is in the market for buying quality headphones should try the M1060 first and see if it is worth it to pay three times that (or more) for high end ones. yes, they are that great and I second those who think that it could be an end game cans. Monoprice, don't screw this and focus on build quality now.
