The Chinese tech company Monster has been releasing many budget earphone models, we have already reviewed some, and today we are reviewing some more with the MONSTER XKT08, this new model is supposed to cover all your daily needs with high efficiency, whether you are an avid music listener, a gamer, a student, or an office worker, this device with its promising features, may be able to get you through your day with no issues.
This Monster packs the latest Bluetooth 5.3 with its Bluetooth calling feature, it has an amazingly long lasting battery with up to 24 hours, in addition to a cool and elegant design style that makes this device look, on paper, like a very easy pick over many other peers, but will it actually deliver on its promises? that’s what we’ll be answering in this review.
Monster xkt08 Features
- Multifunctional Touch control, Easy to use
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Up to 5 hours of continuous playback
- Voice assistance
- Smart Noise reduction
- Waterproof
- Skin-friendly materials and comfortable wear
- 13mm Large Dynamic Coil
- Creative design
- Low-latency gaming mode
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Airmars XKT08 – Design And Build Quality
Charging Case
The Monster XKT08 charging case showcases a new and creative style, designed without a lid for easy accessibility. Constructed with ABS plastic, it combines matte and glossy textures, adding an elegant touch to its overall appearance. The rectangular shape with curved corners provides a sleek and modern aesthetic, while the wide base allows you to rest it securely on a desktop surface, making it convenient for office workers and students.
The charging case consists of two compartments. The inner compartment features a matte finish and houses the battery and contact pins responsible for charging the earphones. This compartment ensures efficient charging while protecting the earphones from falls and potential hazards. The second compartment is a transparent shell, providing a glimpse of the earphones inside. While the texture of the transparent shell may be susceptible to scratches, its primary function is to safeguard the interiors of the case.
Available in various colors such as red, black, blue, orange, white, and lime, the Monster XKT08 charging case offers customization options to suit individual preferences. The top of the case features right and left indicators, clearly labeled to prevent confusion. Additionally, a prominent Monster logo adds a confident touch to the design. A USB-C port is conveniently located on the front of the case, accompanied by a subtle LED indicator that provides charging status information. On the side, a lanyard hole is present, allowing you to attach a strap and carry the case with ease. The inclusion of a strap in the box is a thoughtful gesture, encouraging the utilization of this practical feature.
Compact and comfortable to grip, the charging case is designed with mobility in mind. However, it is worth noting that the case’s open design may not provide ample protection for the earphones in the event of a fall. Therefore, it is advisable to handle the case with care to prevent any potential damage. With its stylish aesthetics, user-friendly features, and convenient portability, the Monster XKT08 charging case complements the overall experience of these TWS earphones.
The Earbuds
The Monster XKT08 earbuds prioritize both aesthetics and comfort. Weighing a mere 20 grams, these earbuds are lightweight, ensuring a comfortable wearing experience even after extended periods. With their short stems, they boast a cute and subtle appearance in the ear, distinguishing them from models with longer stems.
The style of the earbuds is in-ear, without rubber ear tips, which has proven to be a popular choice among many customers. This design allows for a secure fit inside the ear, preventing them from easily falling off, even during movement. The absence of rubber ear tips also contributes to better sound isolation, enhancing the overall audio experience.
Equipped with an LED light indicator, the earbuds provide clear visual cues for charging and connectivity status. This feature adds convenience and helps users stay informed about the earbuds’ battery levels and connection status.
The body of the earbuds exhibits an elegant and cohesive unicolor design. Comprising two pieces, the majority of the body boasts a glossy finish, exuding a sleek and modern look. The second piece covers the outer side of the stem and features a matte finish with the distinctive Monster logo engraved on it. This combination of glossy and matte textures enhances the overall aesthetics of the earbuds.
The magnets embedded in the earbuds are strong, ensuring a secure connection when you slide them inside the charging case. This magnetic attraction provides peace of mind, as it eliminates concerns about the earbuds accidentally falling out of the case and potentially getting lost or damaged.
With their lightweight construction, appealing design, secure fit, LED indicators, and reliable magnets, the Monster XKT08 earbuds excel in both style and functionality, delivering a satisfying user experience.
Build Quality
The build quality of the Monster XKT08 earphones is highly commendable, reflecting a solid construction designed to withstand daily wear and tear. These earphones are crafted using rigid materials, ensuring durability and longevity. The attention to craftsmanship is evident, further bolstering their overall robustness..
One notable feature that contributes to their durability is the waterproof capability. The XKT08 earphones are designed with a level of water resistance that protects them from everyday hazards such as water splashes and dust. This feature enhances their resilience, making them suitable for various environments and activities without the worry of potential damage.
Despite their impressive build quality, the Monster XKT08 earphones are offered at a budget-friendly price point. This affordability provides peace of mind, as users can enjoy their audio experience without constantly worrying about the earphones getting damaged or worn out from regular use. The combination of exceptional build quality and an accessible price tag makes the Monster XKT08 earphones a reliable choice for those seeking durable and long-lasting audio companions.
Waterproof
The Monster XKT08 earphones boast an IP54 waterproof certification, offering reliable protection against dust and water splashes from any direction. This feature provides significant value, particularly considering the earphones’ price point. With this level of waterproofing, the XKT08 earphones are safeguarded against a range of hazards, effectively extending their lifespan and allowing users to enjoy them for an extended period before needing to replace them.
The waterproof feature of the XKT08 earphones enhances their versatility for everyday use. Fitness enthusiasts can now engage in vigorous workouts or outdoor activities without worrying about potential damage from sweat droplets. This durability makes the earphones well-suited for active lifestyles and expands their range of applications.
It is important to note, however, that despite being waterproof, the XKT08 earphones are not designed for submersion in water or exposure to hot or saltwater environments. Such conditions may cause damage to the earphones, compromising their performance and longevity. Therefore, it is strongly advised to avoid subjecting the earphones to these situations to maintain their optimal functionality and durability.
Monster XKT08 – Touch Controls and Functionality
The Monster XKT08 earphones feature a convenient multifunction touch control located at the top of each earbud’s stem, just above the LED light. This strategic placement enables effortless operation with a single finger, applying gentle pressure against the ear without causing discomfort. The user-friendly touch control provides easy access and ensures seamless functionality whether you’re stationary or on the move.
With the multi-function touch control, you can effortlessly manage music playback, adjust volume levels, and handle calls directly from the earphones. This eliminates the need to retrieve your smartphone from your pocket, enhancing convenience and allowing you to stay immersed in your audio experience.
Play and pause: double click on either earpiece
Play the next track: Triple-click on the right earpiece
Play the previous track: triple click on the left earpiece
Increase volume: ono tap on the right earpiece
Decrease volume: one tap on the left earpiece
Switch between music mode and game mode: press and hold the right earpiece for 3s
Launch voice assistance: press and hold the left earpiece
Answer call: double tap on either earpiece
Reject call: press and hold the either earpiece
Monster XKT08 – Connectivity & Pairing
The Monster XKT08 earphones feature Bluetooth 5.3 technology, ensuring a stable and reliable wireless connection. With a range of up to 10 meters, you can enjoy seamless connectivity without being tethered to your device. The earphones are compatible with most modern operating systems and Bluetooth-enabled devices, allowing for easy pairing across different devices.
To pair the earphones with your smartphones, you’ll need to follow these few steps:
- Turn on Bluetooth on your device and pull the earphones out of the case
- Find the device on the list of available devices under the name of Monster XKT08
- Connect and allow pairing.
From that point on, the automatic connection will kick in whenever you pull the earphones out of the charging case and turn on Bluetooth on your device, the two will seamlessly pair enabling you to play your favorite tracks and enjoy high-quality sound with low latency.
Monster XKT08 – Audio Quality
The Monster XKT08 earphones deliver impressive sound quality with their powerful audio components. With a 13mm diaphragm and support for frequencies ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz, these earphones produce a wide range of audio, capturing both low and high frequencies with clarity.
The Bluetooth 5.3 technology utilized in the XKT08 plays a crucial role in transmitting clear and loud sound, ensuring a seamless listening experience. These earphones support both AAC and SBC codecs. SBC is known for preserving battery life while delivering good sound quality. On the other hand, AAC offers even better sound quality, although it may slightly compromise battery life. It is particularly optimized for iOS devices, so iPhone users are recommended to activate the AAC codec for optimal performance.
When it comes to sound description, the Monster XKT08 earphones provide a punchy bass response that adds depth and impact to your music. The overall tuning is well-balanced, delivering a satisfying audio experience at this price point. The earphones produce loud and audible sounds, ensuring every detail is heard with clarity. Whether you’re listening to music or watching YouTube videos or movies, the synchronized lip-syncing and HiFi stereo sound enhance the immersive experience, making the XKT08 suitable for various forms of entertainment.
Microphone Quality & Bluetooth Calling
The Monster XKT08 earphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 technology, which not only provides seamless connectivity but also enables Bluetooth calling functionality. Each earpiece of the XKT08 features a microphone, ensuring clear and reliable communication during phone calls.
The quality of the microphone is crucial for a good calling experience, and the XKT08 excels in this aspect. The signal treatment applied to the microphones ensures exceptional performance, especially when compared to other TWS earphones in the same price range. In quiet environments, the microphone works flawlessly, capturing your voice accurately and delivering intelligible communication, but in noisy environments, it is recommended to raise your voice slightly or bring one earpiece closer to your mouth in order to help the microphones pick up your voice more effectively and filter out background noise, ensuring that your voice remains clear and audible to the person on the other end of the call.
Overall, the Monster XKT08 delivers exceptional microphone performance, making it a reliable choice for phone calls in both quiet and noisy environments.
Low Latency and gaming mode
The Monster XKT08 earphones provide a low latency mode that greatly enhances the gaming experience, reducing latency to as low as 60 ms. This feature ensures more responsive and synchronized gameplay for popular mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty. However, it is important to note that activating the low latency mode may slightly compromise the overall sound quality. Nevertheless, for casual gaming sessions with friends, the trade-off is acceptable as the focus is primarily on gameplay rather than audiophile-level sound. For those seeking a more immersive and competitive gaming experience, I would recommend exploring dedicated gaming earphones such as the Lenovo GM2 Pro, which offer even lower latency and optimized sound quality specifically designed for gaming.
However, it is important to note that the Monster XKT08 earbuds, with their low latency mode, still provide an enjoyable gaming experience for casual gamers. For more intense and competitive gaming, wired earphones with even lower latency may be preferable, although they often come at a higher price point.
Monster XKT08 – Battery Life and Usage
The Monster XKT08 earphones are equipped with a 300mAh battery in the charging case, which can be fully charged in approximately 1.5 hours using the included USB-C cable, each earpiece has a battery capacity of 33mAh and also charges in around 1.5 hours, with a full charge, the earphones offer up to 5 hours of continuous playback and when combined with the charging case, you can enjoy a total battery life of up to 24 hours.
This generous battery capacity ensures that you can use the earphones for a week of moderate usage without worrying about them running out of power, the charging case itself is capable of charging the earphones up to 4.5 times, providing convenient and on-the-go charging options, this feature allows you to extend the battery life of your earphones while you’re on the move.
Overall, the Monster XKT08 earphones offer a good battery life that meets the demands of your daily audio needs. With reliable autonomy and the ability to charge quickly, you can confidently take them with you wherever you go and enjoy your favorite music and calls without the worry of running out of battery.
Final Verdict
With everything factored in, I can confidently recommend the Monster Airmars XKT08 to the average user, it offers great features with a solid implementation at a very low price, and it is very versatile, you can use it for many purposes such as work, school, sports or even just for chill, thanks to its waterproof, compact size & lightweight, but also optimized software and the Bluetooth 5.3 stable connection and the high-quality microphones which is rare in this category and is a challenge even for pricier options.
Monster XKT08 Price And Where To Buy
The Monster XKT08 TWS earphone is available for purchase on the AliExpress store for only under 15$ on a discount.
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What’s in the Box?
- Charging case
- 2x earphones
- USB-C Charging cable
Monster XKT08 Specifications
| Specifications | |
| Product Name | Monster xkt08 |
| Driver Size | 13mm |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Transmission Distance | 10m |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Charging Interface | Type-C |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -42dB ± 3dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | ≥102dB |
| Distortion | ≤5% |
| Speaker Impedance | 320Ω ± 15% |
| Battery Capacity (Earbuds) | 33mAh |
| Battery Capacity (Case) | 300mAh |
| Playback Time (Single Charge) | 4-5 hours |
| Total Playback Time (with Case) | Up to 24 hours |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours |
| Noise Reduction | Smart Noise reduction |
| Game Mode | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | Yes |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android devices |
