Having been on the market for more than two years, it is high time for these to have their own thread.
The information page along with @Loneract 's review can be found here: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/monolith-m565c-closed-back-planar-headphones.22876/
There are not many options available for closed planar magnetic headphones that are not on the physically larger end of the available product range, which was my primary motivation for getting these. I like my Audezes and M1060Cs, but they will easily fall off my head if I try to rest it on a pillow. Of the other smaller options the Oppo PM-3 and Fostex TRP50 MK3 come into mind. The latter has less sub-bass than its previous versions. I considered getting the PM3 but ended up with the M565C mainly with the idea that they would be easier to mod to my preference (Not to mention they are about half the price). And like the M1060Cs, the 565C are truly easy and fun to mod as the cups can be removed by just unscrewing four screws. Unlike with the M1060C's, the M565C's stock pads are fastened with velcro strips so you can both remove them and put them back easily. The stock pads are relatively small, but they still were ok for my big head (the Sennheiser Momentum 1st gen pads were not).
Here's a measurement graph from my MiniDSP EARS (default HEQ compensation) of their sound compared to my Audezes:
The sound is clean with no harshness. There is more bass than with some other planars in this size and/or price range, although these are not particularly bassy either in the stock configuration. The area that is lacking most is high treble.
The first impression of the stock sound is that it is clear and interesting with focus on mids and low treble. (And as stated, there is also more bass than on some other options.) If I liked that kind of sound - like many people would - I'd probably like the stock sound.
However, I prefer a sound that has a lot of bass in - almost but not quite basshead level - with mids next and high treble last. That brings us to the next part, which is modding...
The information page along with @Loneract 's review can be found here: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/monolith-m565c-closed-back-planar-headphones.22876/
There are not many options available for closed planar magnetic headphones that are not on the physically larger end of the available product range, which was my primary motivation for getting these. I like my Audezes and M1060Cs, but they will easily fall off my head if I try to rest it on a pillow. Of the other smaller options the Oppo PM-3 and Fostex TRP50 MK3 come into mind. The latter has less sub-bass than its previous versions. I considered getting the PM3 but ended up with the M565C mainly with the idea that they would be easier to mod to my preference (Not to mention they are about half the price). And like the M1060Cs, the 565C are truly easy and fun to mod as the cups can be removed by just unscrewing four screws. Unlike with the M1060C's, the M565C's stock pads are fastened with velcro strips so you can both remove them and put them back easily. The stock pads are relatively small, but they still were ok for my big head (the Sennheiser Momentum 1st gen pads were not).
Here's a measurement graph from my MiniDSP EARS (default HEQ compensation) of their sound compared to my Audezes:
The sound is clean with no harshness. There is more bass than with some other planars in this size and/or price range, although these are not particularly bassy either in the stock configuration. The area that is lacking most is high treble.
The first impression of the stock sound is that it is clear and interesting with focus on mids and low treble. (And as stated, there is also more bass than on some other options.) If I liked that kind of sound - like many people would - I'd probably like the stock sound.
However, I prefer a sound that has a lot of bass in - almost but not quite basshead level - with mids next and high treble last. That brings us to the next part, which is modding...
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