Monster Cable Turbine Pro Copper Edition (Playback 31)

The Crème de la Crème

May 19th, 2010 -- by Chris Martens
Source: Playback

COMFORT FACTOR/ACCESSORIES

Monster’s Turbine Pro Copper headphones come with two carrying cases (a flip-top magnetic closure case in suede, and spring-clasp pocket pouch), and a very extensive set of eartips (including five sizes of gel-type, double-layer Super Tips; five sizes of foam-type, multi-layers Super Tips; three sizes of conventional rubber eartips, and one pair each of conventional triple-flange eartips and foam eartips). Also included in the package is disc-like rubber eartip carrier with spaces for up to six pairs of eartips (the carrier looks a little the cylinder of a classic six-shot revolver), a shirt clip (to keep the signal cable from flopping around loose), and a ¼-inch phone jack adapter.

As a special perk, owners also receive a special Monster Cable headphone test/demonstration CD, which provides a variety of test tones and an assortment of musical selections spanning a number of genres.

Do make a point of trying Monster’s very special dual-layer, gel-type Super Tips. Once you find the right fit, you may find (as I did) that these eartips offer sonic performance second to none. One small caveat, however, is that the Super Tips are a bit stiffer in consistency than some silicone rubber tips, and for this reason Monster provides an assortment of Super Tips in very finely graduated sizes. Take the time to find the exact right fit for best results.

The Copper Editions are compact and easy to position for a good fit. They are among the most comfortable in-ear headphones I’ve tried, though they are not quite the equal of our all-time comfort champs—the Klipsch Image X10i.

BOTTOM LINE:

Let me come right out and say it: Monster Cable’s Turbine Pro Copper Edition headphones are one of the three finest “universal fit” in-ear ‘phones I’ve ever heard, and they are personal favorites of mine (I would certainly put them on my short list for “desert island” earphones).

They offer excellent resolution, terrific dynamic expressiveness, and a neutral sound that I’ve come to prize for its unfailing openness and honesty. If you what headphone that can show what’s really in your recordings and that present their findings with a powerful and addictive quality of immediacy, the Copper Editions could be an ideal choice for you.

SPECS & PRICING

Monster Cable Turbine Pro Copper Edition In-Ear Headphones

Accessories: See above
Weight: Not specified
Sensitivity: Not specified
Impedance: Not specified
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, plus additional coverage where Monster offers a one-time replacement of your Miles Davis Tribute ‘phones, “even if YOU break them.”
Price: $399.95

MONSTER LLC
(415) 840-2000
www.monstercable.com

Comments

Michael Bishop (not verified) -- Thu, 05/20/2010 - 11:12

I can certainly second Chris Marten's review on the Turbine Copper Pros - this is an "earspeaker" on which I can actually mix a master recording. Monster Cable has really done their homework in designing these in-ear 'phones to be accurate in their response without overblowing any areas as some other in-ears can do. Every part of the build quality lives up to the label "Pro."

Michael Bishop
Recording Engineer/Producer
Five/Four Productions, Ltd.
http://Recording.Pro

dsgoen@earthlink.net -- Thu, 05/20/2010 - 14:35

I chose the Pro Copper phones after vacillating between the Sennheiser and these beauties. I'm not looking back. I love everything about what my ears are telling me about the music to which I listen. Despite being a bass player, I want my sound reproduction to be as flat and neutral sounding as possible. This review is correct in praising the Pro Coppers. My only complaint: I now have an uncontrollable urge to change my speakers and amps rig of my main system; these phones have ruined me for listening to music with my current system.

Massimo Gori (not verified) -- Fri, 05/21/2010 - 01:32

Dear Sir,

The Martin Logan CLX is a two way design with a crossover frequency of 390 HZ. I reckon that the range from 0Hz to 390 Hz is smaller than 390 Hz to infinite, but music equally stays in both ranges (Just buy a couple of CLX, cut the wires of the woofers and check by yourself!)! Most of all, by no means the CLX design can be approximated to a single transducer system, hence your parallel with that monster cable design is absolutely wrong.

G Man (not verified) -- Wed, 05/26/2010 - 22:04

The reference to Martin Logan should be the CLS Model...I know that Mr. Lee owns this model.

Atul Kanagat -- Tue, 07/13/2010 - 08:50

Thanks for an excellent review, Chris. Again.
I woukld like to bring to your attention my observations regarding universal in ear speakers. For audiophiles, there is no contest between universal and custom-molded in ear speakers. Based on similarly strong reviews, I tried the Sennheiser universals with the bass adjustment feature. Compared to my UE 10 Pro's, there is really no contest. None.
I had earlier compared the UE 10's with the Etymotics and the Shures with the same result.
IMHO, molded speakers have the following virtues that cannot be matched by universal designs:
1. Per fect passive ambient noise rejection
2. Getting the transducer really close to the eardrum
3. Perfect fit and comfort; the surface of the speaker encliosure simply bonds with the skin in the ear and
the listener simply forgets it's there.

-atul