Review: Monster DNA Pro 2.0 Headphones

Musical artists spend large amounts of time and money, outfit their studios with professional recording equipment, and labor endlessly over their creations to produce a product that is unequivocally theirs. One can only imagine how they feel when they witness their tracks being played back through tiny ear buds or cheap bass-pounding mini Bluetooth speakers. Monster recognized this shortcoming and designed the Monster DNA Pro 2.0 headphones to deliver the artist’s original piece in studio quality, unaltered and as it was intended to be heard.

Physically, the headphones don’t look particularly revolutionary. Clad in sleek black plastic with silver highlights and rubberized padding, the DNA Pro 2.0 presents a clean and elegant appearance. Each ear cup folds inward for portability, and the phones fit snugly into the included velvet carrying pouch. As they should be, the left and right ear cups are labeled, and, of course, the band is adjustable. A 6-foot detachable tangle-resistant cable with 3.5 mm mini-plugs connects the DNA Pro 2.0 to standard audio jacks.

The headphones are very comfortable. Each ear cup fit over my entire ear, without pinching the lobe or pressing on the helix. Additionally, the ear cups and underside of the headband are both generously padded with soft materials.

LISTENING WITH THE MONSTER DNA PRO 2.0 HEADPHONES

On first listen, I imagine that I wasn’t alone in immediately turning down the volume. Given the fact that they don’t have a built-in amplifier, the headphones offer astonishing volume, even from devices that put out just .5 watts of power. I was afraid that this would translate to distortion and muddiness, but this was not the case, even at high levels. Instead, Monster DNA Pro 2.0 headphones produce honest and unaltered sound, going back to the DNA of the original track. Yes, the designation is intentional.

Listening to John Legend’s “All of Me” sent shivers down my neck. The vocals were so crisp and clear that I felt as if I hadn’t truly heard the song before. Halfway through “I Really Want It” by A Great Big World, I realized that I hadn’t ever become aware of the harmony in the chorus. Songs with strong acoustic or vocal presence sounded simply amazing.

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