Review: Monoprice 8323 [Budget Headphone]

Music lovers are always looking for a pair of headphones of superb quality at a great price, and the Monoprice 8323 comes pretty close to achieving both these things.

Monoprice, as a company, has been around since 2002. Over the past 15 years, they have built a good reputation for themselves, particularly in terms of their customer service and product support. Initially known for their quality and low-priced HDMI cables, they now offer a wide range of consumer electronics including speakers, keyboards, and professional audio products. While the direction of Monoprice and the ownership has changed since its inception, their online store lays claim to over 6,000 electronic devices and accessories – that’s no small feat by any stretch of the imagination.

Based in California, Monoprice seems to have one aim: to get the best and cheapest product in the hands of the customer. As their website states, “We exist to bring simplicity, fairness & confidence to technology choices.” For the most part, they seem to be achieving their aim. Their products are frequently mentioned in publications, both offline and on, and the Monoprice 8323 is no exception.

Comfort and Fit

For a price tag of under $30, these full-size, over-the-ear headphones rival many other brands valued at twice the price. The headband is fully adjustable to approximately 1” on each side with pressure fit sliders and they are padded for maximum comfort.

The oval-shaped earpieces which fit close to the head may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but audiophiles can still appreciate the music experience that comes with such a pair. As with many closed headphones, they don’t breathe all too well, so your ears might get slightly warm after a period of prolonged use.

Noise Isolation

The snug fitting earpieces isolate the natural noise and put the focus back where it belongs – on the music. The Monoprice 8323 tends to overlook the hollowness that often accompanies other closed headphones.

They also show a marked improvement on isolation when compared to other higher priced models. While not 100% noise-cancelling, they dutifully block out the majority of external sounds.

Sound Quality

With a 50mm driver located in each earpiece, they provide a fluid listening experience with full sound. You will get plenty of punchy bass with the Monoprice 8323. And, it does it without overwhelming the mids. No sense of poor quality bass in the slightest.
The mids are full-bodied and forward, putting the vocals at the forefront of the music. You can expect to get stellar vocal experiences.

You can expect to get stellar vocal experiences.

The highs are where it disappoints. You can hear the highs but they are recessed and sibilant. To add to that, the heavy bass and strong mid-range give a stronger impression of a poor treble performance.

One thing which is necessary to mention is that these headphones have a narrow soundstage which gives the music a much more “in-your-face” feel.

In terms of flexibility, the Monoprice 8328 wouldn’t let you down. It is able to handle a broad range of song genres such as rock, pop, jazz, reggaeton, and hip-hops. James Taylor’s How Sweet It Is and Kiss’ Rockin’ in the USA both feel right at home here.

Build Quality

Despite being made from lightweight plastic, the DJ style headphone is solid enough to withstand regular use. They may not win any design awards or feature any exciting new “technological development” – but less than $20, who cares?

They come in a simple monotone black finish with the brand name logo on the earpiece. If this is a concern, then you can always add a decal or two creating a more personalized look.

The headphone fits small and medium-sized ears well. However, for larger ears, the earcups will sit on the fringe on the ears.

The ear pads are not glued on and can be removed by hand. The 8323’s stock earpads are known to be not very comfortable hence, you can find many online mods to help increase the comfort of the earcups.

Monoprice 8323 is a wired headphones with detachable cables. It comes with two 3.55mm audio cables and a 3.5mm to 1/4” gold-plated adapter plug.

Bonus Features

While sturdy in shape and size, their flexibility lies in the fact that the Monoprice 8323 can be folded at the band. This portability makes them particularly attractive and perfect for those who commute to work. The padded earcups also swivel outwards by up to 90 degrees to produce an instant set of speakers.

Conclusion

So there you have it! The Monoprice 8323 are proof that you don’t have to pay through the nose to achieve great sound. And even with a couple of small upgrades to improve the comfort and sound quality, they will still be pretty economical all things considered.