Skip to main content
  • Overview

  • Design & Features

  • Audio Quality

  • Final Look

  • The Data

  • Frequency Response

  • Distortion

  • Noise Reduction

  • Overview
  • Design & Features
  • Audio Quality
  • Final Look
  • The Data
  • Frequency Response
  • Distortion
  • Noise Reduction

Overview

A steadfast fit and supposedly sweat-resistant profile are just part of what makes these in-ears so great for the overactive. The Monster iSport also boasts a three-button remote, a tangle-resistant cable, and a balanced, distortion-free sound profile—all in a portable package. Just be warned: The iSport's materials aren't as hefty as you'd think for something in this price range, so store these carefully.

Design & Features

Not as tough as Jillian Michaels

The iSport Victory is built for row-boating, weight-lifting, marathon-running fitness fruits. The 3.8-foot cable is unlikely to tangle as you jog in dazed circles around your local park, due to the tangle-resistant design. A three-button remote lends easy access to motivating music and phone calls. You even get a small shirt clip to prevent the cable from getting jerked around while you violently attempt your five stomach crunches. What's that? You work out shirtless to better showcase your powerful abs, rendering the shirt clip useless? Good for you, buddy.

These headphones include several sets of silicone speaker sleeves to help fit a variety of ears.

These headphones also include several sets of silicone speaker sleeves in a variety of sizes. Big ears, small ears, extra large—Monster has you covered. Altogether, there are five different sets, plus three sets of rubber ear tips (the funny rubber part that folds into your outer ear, serving as a lock). Try as I might, I couldn't shake the iSport loose, so if you need something that won't continually fall out in the middle of your workouts, these might just do the trick.

{{photo_gallery "looks"}}

These parts feel very cheap for a $169 set of headphones.

My only real complaint about the iSport is the cheap quality of the materials. While lightweight, portable, and allegedly sweat-proof, these parts feel very chintzy for the $169 asking price. The cord feels flimsy and thin, and the connections aren't particularly well-guarded. Even the remote is made of a very cheap-looking plastic. If you drop cash on the iSport, handle with care. To make sure they last, use the included carry case instead of flinging them into your gym bag at the end of your workout like a slob.

Audio Quality

Bassy boomers

These in-ears pump out big bass supported by substantial mids and highs.

Since exercise is pretty much the bleakest, most dreaded activity there is, music is needed to bolster the unhappy subject. The Monster iSport can help you manage the pain: These in-ears pump out big bass supported by substantial mids and highs, so you can enjoy your 3-6 Mafia and your Mozart, too. Yet the strong emphasis on bass doesn't overwhelm everything else. Delicate high-range notes on brass, strings, vocals, and percussion are prominent enough that they don't get lost. Sure, purists will complain about the big emphasis on bass, as usual, but really: Who wants studio-grade audio while scaling the side of a mountain in tight neon pants? Exhausted runners don't want a flat response, they just want Eye of the Tiger.

At the end of the day, these in-ears earned great marks because from top to bottom, they shined throughout trials: The balanced sound profile is distortion-free, and safe from distracting outside noises too. In fact, these are some of the best passive noise isolators I've tested. From low sounds like traffic and mumbling passerby to high noises like creaking doors or hollering kids, these Monster in-ears quiet the outside world considerably. And the outside world is safe from you, as well—the iSports effectively seal your music in. That's right, the guy next to me has no idea I'm blasting Tears for Fears right now. No idea.

Final Look

Rising up to the challenge of their rivals

Fitness nerds will be hard-pressed to find a better companion than the Monster iSport Victory (MSRP $169.99) in-ears. If you need the bump, bump, bump of big bass to get you through an hour of stair stepping, these in-ears can deliver. Take care though: $169 doesn't deliver the durability one might hope for in this case. Though the iSport packs the necessary lightweight frame and three-button remote that athletes are sure to love, they are not sturdy enough to withstand continual gym-bag abuse. Unless you plan to keep these in the included carry case, you may wind up with broken headphones sooner than you'd like. If you're a bit on the careless side, find something more sturdy.

Durability aside, these in-ears hit the mark with the distortion-free sound, comfort, and convenience that active listeners need. With a little searching, you can probably find the iSport for sale online like we did.

The Data

The Science page offers you a closer look at core performance. Like every other set of cans that come through these doors, the iSport Victory faced a barrage of audio tests upon arrival. And unlike every set of headphones we see, the iSport put up great marks in every trial. With a balanced frequency response, astoundingly low distortion, and effective isolation, these Monsters performed admirably over and over again.

Frequency Response

The bass is back in town.

I've come across a number of bassy beasts this year, and some are better than others. Happily, the Monster iSports fit into the latter group. These in-ears follow a very popular consumer trend in that they produce a frequency response that mimics an equal loudness contour. Never heard of one? Essentially, the equal loudness curve emphasizes every frequency in such a way that all notes sound equally loud to the human ear. Audiophiles dislike this curve—they'd rather have a flat response to tinker with themselves. Yet most casual listeners take very well to headphones that follow the ELC.

While the iSports put huge emphasis on the 20-100kHz range, which makes hip hop and dub step absolutely boom, mids and highs aren't left in the dust. So along with really prominent bass notes, listeners will also enjoy middle and high notes on more delicate instruments like violins, bells, and vocals. In a word, the overall balance delivers bass-heavy, dynamic, detailed music.

Distortion

Distortion lockdown

Testing for distortion revealed some truly shining results. The iSport didn't produce audible distortion from start to finish. From 20Hz all the way up through 10kHz, you won't hear any added garbage or clipped harmonics. Impressive.

Even if you push volume up past 112.92dB, you still won't get more than 3% distortion. As always, I encourage you not to do this if you value your hearing.

Noise Reduction

Go away, world!

If your building is under construction or you're stuck on a bus, the iSport is a handy companion indeed. This is often the case with in-ears in general, since they physically block your ear canal. In this case, mid and high frequency noises are reduced by as much as 1/8, and even low frequencies are cut down to 1/4 their original volume.

Looking further...

{{photo_gallery "other"}}

Meet the tester

Virginia Barry

Virginia Barry

Former Managing Editor

@

Virginia is a former Managing Editor at Reviewed.com. She has a background in English and journalism. Away from the office, Virginia passes time with dusty books & house cats.

See all of Virginia Barry's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next