Monster Turbine Pro: Audiophile ear 'buds'

The original Turbine. The new Pro looks similar, but with more gold.

(Credit: Monster)

On Thursday night in Manhattan, Mr. Monster himself, Noel Lee, introduced a handful of journalists to his new top-on-the-line in-ear headphones, the Turbine Pro.

I'm a huge fan of Monster's original Turbine at $150. It's easily my pick for the best bang-for-the-buck in-ear. But the new Turbine Pro at $250, due out next month, is better. The Turbine remains in the line.

I was listening to a hand-built prototype Turbine Pro (the builder must have really tiny hands) and I have to say, the new baby has even greater clarity, more accurate bass, and sweeter treble. It's a more refined sound. Not that the standard Turbine is a slouch in those departments, but the Pro is just better in every area.

Lee also demonstrated his newly designed ear tips, which were extremely comfortable and provided improved isolation from external noise.

The headphone's technical details weren't disclosed. So for now I can't really say why the new ones are better. More to come on that.

[nickdallas1]

They could be the best headphones in the world and I wouldn't consider them because of the Monster name. No matter what the quality, I think that I will always associate Monster with overpriced junk.

[make_or_break]

I have no idea what a set of the Monster Turbines sounds like, but if it's ANYTHING as atrocious as the IEM Dr. Dre Beats that Monster also produced...I'll steer VERY clear of anything Monster produces on the headphone front. Except in their very early days I've thought very little about their generally overpriced interconnects, perhaps a pittance over their power stabilizers and even less about their speaker cables...Monster has done very little over their lifespan--particular in recent years--to impress me in any way beyond its self-delusional philosophy to think that the general public is gullible enough to swallow their price bloat.

[PvtPockets]

Cnet, I thought I could trust you, a positive review of anything Monster produces is just sad.

[hockeymanc]

Shame on your for promoting *any* Monster products!!

[noyp]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/monster-turbine-appreciation-thread-416736/?highlight=turbine

[Mikey0001]

Add $50 more and you can have custom fit, full shell, dual driver, professional ear-monitors.
I still think Monster products are over-rated and over-priced.

[idiosyncrasy]

That's why you get it on Sale. I got it for $99 at FutureShop. Anyways, read the reviews on Head-Fi. Many audiophiles are satisfied with these IEM's.

[jmpetersen]

Rather an anti-Monster slant around here. The only thing about the picture of these earbuds, from Monster I expected a humongous 10 gauge wire on them : )

[NYCgoalie]

Wish these were made with a rubber "loop" to go around the ear. I'd love to use these for the gym, but with this design, they'd just keep popping out (and thus, annoying the crap out of me).

[waynemarcus67]

I agree with Mikey0001 who says that for an extra $50 you can get a double driver in-ear-monitor with a fit made from an impression of your ear. I purchased from Earsound Customs. From personal experience, Monster products especially their $99 tv cables are WAY over priced.

[jparkindahouse]

I have turbines and love them. Looking into these monster turbine pros and i think they will deliver. If they do and last awhile then worth the investment IMO. Details on these bad boys are here... http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=5466

[JoshMillerline]

I believe that Monster has finally gotten their act together and turned their image around. I recently bought a pair of the turbines and I love them too. The Turbine Pros also got an awesome review on CNET, and that to me is a HUGE deal! http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/monster-turbine-pro-in/4505-7877_7-33775385.html

[RK777]

Just about like everyone else, I easily hate on Monster for what they do, but the turbines are the exception. The turbines may end up being the only product that Monster ever offers that is actually worth what you pay. I'll have to wait until I get my hands on the Pros to judge or until someone at head-fi gets hold of them.