The 7-mm Beryllium drivers do a standup job right here (frequency 20 Hz to twenty okayHz), and Alex Grell has tuned them simply the suitable facet of impartial. There’s one thing of the Goldilocks about them, with simply the correct quantity (and by that we imply a good and appreciated wallop of bass) of low finish, and sufficient within the higher registers to make all digital recordings shine. There aren’t any shocks in retailer for the listener, only a richly rewarding supply that’s indulgent and pleasurable.

Some of you may effectively be considering, “$400 for some good headphones … I expect nothing short of brilliant for that kind of money.” This is a good level. Indeed, there are better headphones for a lot less money, however Obschonka counters that headphones are a life-style merchandise as a lot as a tech merchandise as of late. In different phrases, purchase a Biro in the event you want a pen, select a Montblanc in the event you’re making an announcement.

Quite surprisingly once more, given the excessive worth level and typical hyperbole surrounding audio product launches, Alex Grell doesn’t take into account the MTB 03 to be audiophile. “It’s a great sounding profile,” he tells WIRED, “but it is not made for the audiophiles. It’s made for people who want to have something to make them feel good.”

He goes on to make clear that “not everyone’s listening to the exact same music, and you cannot produce headphones that everyone enjoys the same way. So we built headphones that we believe our target group will enjoy.”

He’s proper, after all, and people of us within the audio sport are sometimes far too fast to use that audiophile tag to all method of merchandise. The MTB 03 are a really nice pair of headphones, although, and sound beautiful no matter whether or not you’re blasting the Beastie Boys or binging on Bach—and they’re going to virtually actually put a smile in your face when you hear.

Take Control

I dislike companion headphone apps. They’re usually bloated, brand-recognition, price-tag-justifying, data-collection workouts with little advantage past providing firmware updates. That, or possibly I simply don’t like having to get my cellphone out to vary the settings on my headphones.

That stated, the Montblanc Sound App is fairly, straightforward to navigate, and loaded with choices, together with a complete EQ with sound profiles for many genres, plus audiobooks and podcasts. Each profile can be tweaked to fit your tastes, and you too can create your personal customized profile.

Rumor has it that Montblanc could also be providing customized sound profiles through an app-based listening to take a look at quickly by way of one other firmware replace (hopefully after the one that can make ours work once more), however we’re unable to verify this proper now.

The app is complete and user-friendly, however we are able to’t assist feeling that tweaking Axel Grell’s sound profile selections is like telling 19-time Michelin Star–successful chef Alain Ducasse which finish of the knife to carry. Yes, it’s good so as to add a bit additional hertz right here and there for that non-public contact, however having tried all of the presets with their respective genres, the default simply sounds higher. Be conscious, nevertheless, the “audiobook/podcast” possibility must be ignored.

Verdict

The Montblanc MTB 03 are high-class, premium-quality headphones. They’re unashamedly costly, and have been designed ground-up to attraction to govt business-class traveler sorts and the core Montblanc buyer base. In this, the corporate has succeeded.

They’re comfy to put on for lengthy intervals of time, they telegraph their exclusivity in a classy, understated method, and, most essential of all, they make music sound implausible.

Yet regardless of that premium worth, they’re not one of the best. The ANC lacks the real-world muffling of one of the best in school, and it might be useful if our pattern weren’t dogged by dodgy chipsets. The WIRED rating right here would probably have been an 8, if the MTB 03 hadn’t damaged—twice.

However, as soon as teething issues have been sorted, in the event you’re a loyal fan of the model and admire the exclusivity that the tiny white snowcap emblem represents, you received’t be disillusioned.