Apple AirPods Vs Monster Earbuds: The Ultimate Showdown
I have always admired the quality of music I hear through my pair of AirPods and have spent hundreds of dollars on them. After all, Apple is one of the leading manufacturers of wireless earbuds in the industry and basically made earbuds popular. However, this year, I did something different. I decided to give Monster Earbuds a go. So, let’s dive into this Apple AirPods vs Monster Earbuds showdown and find out which device is worth spending money on.
| Specs | Apple AirPods 2nd gen | Monster DNA Go |
| Type | Open ear | In-Canal |
| Truly wireless | Yes | Yes |
| ANC | No | No |
| Mic | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 5 hours | 7.5 hours |
| Price | $113 | $79 |
Design and Build
The first thing you see in any device is its design and build, which instantly tell you if the product is worth your money or not. Well, I have used both of these devices, and they both deliver value for money as far as construction is concerned.
Apple AirPods 2nd gen has a signature white finish that looks and feels luxurious. The shiny finish and signature stem design speak for its price. The charging case also looks sturdy but small enough to hide in your pocket. However, I must command Monster audio earbuds because they offer something more. DNA Go has a very stylish design with a triangular-shaped case and sleek buds.
They don’t feel as premium but have a sophisticated finish. The 2nd Gen Airpods have an open ear design, so they don’t have silicon tips for covering the canal, while DNA Go comes with a tip style. The silicon tip provides extra stability so you can use the earbuds easily while commuting.
Honestly, I was satisfied with the tip-less buds before using Monster, but now I feel like nothing suits my ears anymore. Therefore, DNA Go is more comfortable, especially if you use your wireless earbuds while traveling or working out.
Moreover, AirPods Pro lacks water/sweat resistance, but the Monster Go comes with IPX5, which gives it an edge over more expensive Apple Buds, especially for those who listen to music while running or working out in the gym. You can even use them on the beach, but avoid dropping them in the water.
Controls
The touch controls of Airpods 2 feel responsive enough, but they don’t really do much; oh wait, there is just one gesture, so what would you expect? So, the main control center here is in the Bluetooth menu of the phone. Here, you can assign the double-tap function of either earbud to do anything you want.
You can set the tap of the left ear to play/pause music or the right ear to skip a track forward/backward. You can also set either of the earbuds to launch Siri with a double tap or disable this function completely. Moreover, there are no volume controls on the earbuds, but you can assign Siri to do so.
The Monster DNA Go has physical controls. These controls are more precise and let you know when you register a command. A single tap on either of the earbuds plays/pauses music, double taps skip the track forward/backward, and tripe taps summon voice assistance.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of AirPods is good. It offers a pleasing bass response when you listen to music at a high volume. However, the biggest problem here is the fit, not the sound. The open-ear design rests at an unstable angle in your ear, rendering less consistent audio.
In contrast, the Monster earphones provide a good seal, which brings more consistent audio quality. The bass of the sound is also good. Everything is rich and clear, and given the price, I was really impressed by the performance, especially compared to the more expensive Apple earbuds.
However, there are no EQ presets in either model, so you will have to compromise on your default music profile. If you want more cutting-edge features such as graphic EQ, customizations, and spatial audio, you might have to look for the newest AirPods.
Noise Canceling
There is no active noise canceling in both the earbuds, which is a shame because they do cost around $100. All you get is a little close-fit design on Monster that pretty much provides passive noise isolation from the surrounding sound, especially when using larger silicon tips.
However, AirPods 2 does not provide any isolation from ambient sounds because of its layout. If you really want a noise-canceling earbud on a budget, EarFun Air Pro 3 offers some solid performance.
Call Quality
The mic works decently on the Apple 2nd generation AirPods. Your voice will be heard clearly on the other end, but don’t expect the results of the newest Apple Airpods because sometimes the audio gets a little murky when you record a call and listen afterward.
The call quality of DNA Go is also fine. It fulfills everyday calling needs, so I mostly hear everything clearly. However, at times, I notice a lag while talking on a call, and I have also experienced echo in a few instances.
Battery Life
DNA Go has around 7.5 hours of battery life as advertised by the manufacturers. The case charging totals the runtime close to 28 hours. I find this claim pretty much true in practical use as I could use it for 7 hours with a single charge.
Also, the case gave me around 1.5 hours of juice after 10 minutes of charging. The AirPods, on the other hand, provide 5 hours of constant playback, but the case battery adds to 30 hours of runtime. I find this timing very practical for a wireless earbud.
Bottom Line
Apple AirPods vs Monster Earbuds, the battle is still on because both devices have pros and cons. The AirPods cost more than Monster while providing almost similar features and performance.
Both lack Bluetooth multi-pairing, ANC, and app customizations. However, the DNA Go has a more accurate fit with a tip-based model that provides somewhat passive noise canceling and consistent audio quality, but AirPods work better with iPhone devices and have better call quality and a premium finish.
FAQs
1. Which is the latest model of Apple AirPods?
The Apple AirPods’ latest model is the AirPods 4. It comes in two versions, with ANC and without ANC. The ANC model is a little expensive, but both have similar features.
2. Is Monster a good brand of earbuds?
Monster is a decent earbuds company that manufactures budget-friendly wireless earbuds. The company has been growing since its first launch despite the challenges and competition.
3. Are Monster earbuds noise-canceling?
Some of the latest models from Monster have active noise-canceling ability. For example, the Monster DNA Fit True and Mission V1 TWS wireless earbuds have ANC.
