Montblanc Unveils Luxuriously Lightweight MB 01 Wireless Headphones
Montblanc’s stature in the field of instruments of penmanship is indisputable and world renowned, a reputation the brand has leveraged into a varied catalog of travel finery and timepieces. But until now few would have suspected Montblanc intended to jump into the noise-canceling headphone category, recently revealing the Montblanc MB 01 Wireless Headphones, boldly offering features on par with other established players in the art of audio.
Fashioned in a handsome combination of aluminum and fine leather, the Montblanc MB 01 Wireless Headphones are the epitome of a premium product intended to communicate an obvious degree of prestige. But the MB 01 backs up its impressive aesthetics with ample credentials in the specs department that are par for the course within the wireless headphone game: lightweight build, adaptive aptX and AAC codecs support, Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity, over 20 hours of battery life, active noise cancelation, buttery soft leather cups covering 40mm neodymium drivers on each side, and a dedicated button for beckoning Google Assistant.
Weighing under 10 ounces and foldable, the Montblanc MB 01 Wireless Headphones are an optimal travel companion (and thankfully include an adaptor for flight entertainment systems). But they’re also very capable as an everyday audio driver connected to a desktop or laptop; a dedicated USB-C cable for charging and the addition of another USB-C-to-analog 3.5mm cable are both included.
Montblanc’s trio of color combinations present different degrees of eye-catching finishes, from the classically subtle sophistication of black and silver, the austere modernity of white, and the golden opulence of a brown and gold partnership.
Are the Montblanc MB 01 Smart Headphones worth nearly $600 compared to other similar premium over-the-ear designs like the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 or the Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature – each presenting a similar degree of luxurious attention to detail? As is often the case in the luxury goods category, there’s always a high price of admission, so it may be as much a matter of subjective taste as objective sound.
