OneOdio Monitor 80 Review

Specs of the OneOdio Monitor 80

• Driver Diameter: 40mm
• Impedance: 250 Ω
• Sensitivity: 100 dB±3 dB
• Distortion: ≤1%
• Frequency Range: 10Hz-40kHz
• Headphone Connector: 3.5mm and 6.35mm (Quarter-Inch Jack)
• Headphone Weight: 0.99 lbs

What’s in the Box?

• OneOdio Monitor 80 headphones
• Carrying case
• 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable (3m/~10ft long)
• 3.5mm to 1/4″ coiled cable (max length 3.5m/~11.4ft)
• User manual and warranty documentation

Design and Build Quality

Although these are quite a bargain (compared to other brands), the OneOdio monitor 80 mixing headphones are (currently) the most premium pair of headphones designed by OneOdio. They look very high-end and stand out from the rest of their usual lineup thanks to their open-back design.

For starters, they stray away from the usual shiny chrome backs on the ear cups and instead utilize an open honeycomb mesh made of stainless steel. This mesh, along with the complementing silver accents, is the most striking feature in the OneOdio monitor 80s and gives it that much-deserved premium look and feel.

The yoke attached between the headband and ear cups allows the cans to rotate and swivel. Meanwhile, the hinges (connecting the headband to the yoke) let the ear cups fold or collapse inwards. The hinges and other moving mechanisms are reinforced with metal, but they’re squeaky.

Similar to the OneOdio A30, there’s sufficient cushioning on each ear pad, creating a soft yet secure fit. However, unlike its close-backed cousins, the OneOdio Monitor 80 is equipped with velvet ear pads. These velvet/velour ear pads make for more open and breathable padding material. Apart from keeping things cool, they also enhance the audio quality of these headphones.

The headband has lots of cushioning and is lined with a soft faux leather material that doesn’t flake away after a couple of weeks of use. The headband is a bit bulky but flexible and can expand to accommodate large heads.

The headphones are mostly built out of ABS plastic, with small amounts of metal for reinforcement. Although it keeps the entire setup lightweight and durable, these “plastic” headphones tend to feel cheap and less resistant to scratches and accidental drops.

Comfort

Overall, OneOdio Monitor 80 open-back headphones are very comfortable. The clamping force isn’t too tight, the ratcheted headband has enough levels to conform to various head sizes, and the “velvety” ear cups are a treat.

Unlike closed-backs, your ears don’t get too hot, and you can safely wear them for more than a couple of hours without hurting your ears or head. Also, you can instantly wear them on or start DJ’ing without worrying about damaging the hinges — although, be careful not to drop them.

Sound Quality

The OneOdio Monitor 80 boasts a pair of 40mm dynamic drivers with 250Ω high-impedance speakers, and they are even hi-res certified by JAS and CEA.

Although you can listen in without a dedicated headphone amp, to experience the full nuance of its sound signature: you need an amp.

The bass frequencies are satisfying; it’s accurate and neutral enough to distinguish different levels and elements. Unfortunately, it’s not the most accurate, and you only start hearing those warm tones once you reach the mid-bass range.

Thankfully, the mids are excellent: they are clear, neutral, and serve justice to the mix. That said, the vocals can come out a bit unusual but only in specific ranges and timbres. The treble is a bit tricky and needs more detail, especially in the upper ranges.

Soundstage

The headphones deliver a middling soundstage performance. It’s not the best, but it’s a good pair that can do much better than other headphones with closed backs.

The sound space is not very wide. You can only hear sounds coming in front of you, and it cannot project an accurate 360° soundstage; hence, you’ll often feel like you’re listening to a live performance 100 feet in front of you.

Also, since these are open-backs, you shouldn’t expect these headphones to outperform closed-backs in terms of sound isolation. You will hear background noise, and the headphones will leak sound away from your ears.

Controls and I/Os

Unfortunately, these wired headphones do not include controls on the ear cups. Instead, everything from the volume controls to the bass and treble needs to be controlled using the source device.

That said, the I/O panel is pretty impressive. There’s a 3.5mm headphone port on the left earcup and a 1/4″ port on the right earcup. Therefore, you won’t need to worry about carrying extra adapters.

Cables and Carrying Case

You get two cables out of the box: a 3.5mm to 3.5mm and a 3.5mm to 1/4″ coiled. There’s nothing special about the cables except that they can be too long for some users and tend to get twisted and tangled pretty easily.

The hard carrying case has enough space to fit your headphones and features a pouch to hold the cables. The case is made of EVA and has a clamshell design with zippers running around. Also, there’s a small handle at the top.

What We Like

• Super comfortable ear cups
• Cool-looking case with enough space
• 3.5mm and 1/4″ ports installed on the headphones
• Budget-friendly price tag

Know Before Buying

• The soundstage could be better
• Lacking a lot of clarity in the highs
• Included cables are too long

Final Thoughts

The OneOdio Mintor 80 is the brand’s introduction to the world of open-back headphones. After considering the build quality, audio performance, accessories, and price, I have to say these offer good value for money, and they are a budget-friendly alternative for anybody hoping to get set up with a home studio.

That said, I cannot induct these headphones into the list of SGL’s top 10 studio headphones because of their entry-level soundstage and middling frequency response.