As a self-titled audiophile, I’m always on the hunt for the best sound no matter what price range I'm looking at. When it comes to earbuds specifically though, I’ve never had my socks blown off before. That is until I came in contact with Monoprice’s Monolith M-TWE earbuds, which tickled my fancy and instantly became embedded in my head for as long as I could keep them in there. They not only offer superb sound, but sublime comfortability, interesting design choices, and a pretty stellar personalizable audio experience through their partnered app.

What’s in the Box

Jumping straight into the box; you’ll find the M-TWE earbuds, charging case, multiple sets of different sized earpads, USB Type-C charging cable, carrying bag, and instructional booklet. The offerings that Monoprice has tossed in with the M-TWE are pretty sweet, as everything included feels very premium. The charging cable, while on the short side, is definitely long enough to offer slack when in use. The carrying bag is pretty cool too because of its self-closing design.

Aesthetics and Build Quality

When it comes to looks, this thing is a killer. The round shape of them really draws attention when compared to what most earbuds look like, not to mention the really cool Monolith logo that only makes them look even cooler. I really appreciate the fact that Monoprice really went for a fresh look when developing these as opposed to a more conservative and easy sell.

The same can be said about the really interesting charging case which reminds me of a chubby short version of an Altoids mints case. Made out of some kind of solid metal, this thing is most definitely going to keep your earbuds safe from just about anything. That’s not to say that the earbuds themselves aren’t sturdy on their own. The M-TWEs feel very durable and could take a few drops without issue.

Another cool part about the build quality is that they’re IPx4 water-resistant meaning, you won’t have to worry about sweat or rain ruining your flow of tunes. This is something that I personally feel every pair of earbuds needs to come stock with.

Specs and Audio Quality

When it comes to features, the M-TWEs have their own twists on the standard fare you’d come to expect with wireless earbuds these days, like noise-cancellation and touch controls. I’d have to say though that I personally feel most at home with what the M-TWE does, compared to what I’ve tried in the past. Noise-cancellation is effective and controls are very responsive.

There are also some features specific to these earbuds that make them even sweeter to use. The Bluetooth 5 makes connecting seamless, the mic is fantastically clear, and the audio is pure vibrance right out of the box, with a pumping bass that’ll have your hair standing on edge. Honestly, I’ve gotten goosebumps while listening to music with these, and it’s a feeling that I love every time it comes over me.

I was so happy to hear just how crisp and clear the audio was when I first started using them. You’d imagine my excitement then when I downloaded the SoundID app that partners perfectly with the M-TWEs. Using the app is also a seamless and easy experience that further enhances audio by allowing you to create your own unique audio profile.

It can’t be understated just how amazing these things sound after adjusting the EQ within the app. I’ve never heard such a beautiful soundscape come from such little speakers. These have shown me that earbuds really have a place when it comes to fantastic audio experiences. What I always thought of as “fast-food audio”, is finally starting to find its place in my daily life as something more.

When it came to gaming or watching videos, I was extra happy to see that there is literally zero latency between what’s being seen and what’s being heard. Games have a strong 3D feel, allowing you to always know when someone is coming up behind you or shooting in the distance.

I also did some testing on my PC as well, mostly in part due to the fact that there’s a beta for the SoundID app on PC and Mac currently. Using the app on the PC is pretty bare-bones as it stands for now, but still offers the chance to up the audio ante just fine.

I really found the M-TWE to be some of the most versatile earbuds I’ve ever used. They do their absolute best to work in every and any situation. I also found them to be able to hold their charge for quite a while which is definitely something that I need in my life.

What It Could Have Done Better

The only thing I could really say was an issue for me, and its only Achilles heel, has to be its LED indicators. It’s not super easy to decipher what they mean via their instruction manual at first. The manual and the earbuds don’t really seem to reflect each other clearly which can lead to confusion while you’re becoming acquainted with them. Clearer instructions or more recognizable signals would've been an improvement.

Verdict

Monoprice has delivered near-perfection through their Monolith M-TWE earbuds, opening my eyes to what could be possible if more companies put such thought and care into their own earbuds. For their price, I haven’t heard anything quite as gorgeous in such a small piece of audio equipment. I could literally not recommend these enough. You owe it to your ears to try these out for yourself.