Monster has released yet another pair of earphones for the inexpensive category under the name Monster XKT12, from the first look it has a distinguished design, but that only goes for the charging case since the earbuds look exactly like the Monster XKT08.
On the inside it packs a Bluetooth 5.3 chip, a microphone & a 33mAh battery on each earpiece, it is capable of ANC and ENC and it even has a gaming mode, the case has a USB C port for charging and boasts a battery capacity of 300 mAh delivering up to 20 hours of total playtime, in this news article we will get into the nuts and bolts of these earbuds to get a better overview of them.
Monster XKT12 Features
- Multifunctional Touch control, Easy to use
- Ergonomic design
- Bluetooth 5.3 stable & easy connection
- ANC
- Low-latency gaming mode
- Long-lasting battery
- High-Fi audio
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Design And Build Quality
The design and build quality of the Monster XKT12 earphones showcase a sleek and practical approach. Both the case and earbuds are crafted from durable plastic materials, ensuring a lightweight yet sturdy construction. The case features an open-style design with no lid, providing easy access to the earbuds. Its rectangular shape is accented with a stylish transparent top part, complementing the solid color base. With color options such as black, beige, white, purple, and pink, users can choose a design that suits their personal style. It has another transparent part at the bottom that shows the internals of the device and also has LED lights that light up when charging, additionally, it has a lanyard hole, 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.
The earbuds themselves boast a design reminiscent of the AirPods 3, fitting comfortably in the ears. The sealed ear cups offer passive noise-canceling capabilities, enhancing the overall audio experience. The earbuds securely slide into the case, thanks to a magnetic mechanism that holds them in place for charging, ensuring convenience and protection.
Furthermore, the XKT12 earphones boast a certain level of water resistance, although the exact rating remains unspecified. Assuming an IPX4 rating, the earphones are protected against water splashes and light droplets, making them suitable for workouts and rainy conditions. However, it is essential to exercise caution and avoid submerging them in water, as they are not designed for complete water immersion, which may lead to irreversible damage. Overall, the design and build quality of the Monster XKT12 earphones offer a blend of style, practicality, and protection for a satisfying user experience.
Touch Controls and Functionality
The Monster XKT12 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 either earpiece
Monster XKT12 – Connectivity & Pairing
The Monster XKT12 earphones come equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 technology, offering a robust and dependable wireless connection. With a transmission distance of up to 10 meters, users can experience uninterrupted connectivity without the hassle of wires. These earphones are compatible with a wide range of modern operating systems and Bluetooth-enabled devices, making the pairing process simple and hassle-free, allowing users to enjoy their favorite content on various devices effortlessly. Additionally, the XKT12 supports AAC and SBC codecs, ensuring high-quality audio performance for a satisfying listening experience.
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 XKT12
- Connect and allow pairing.
From that point on, the automatic connection will kick in when 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 XKT12 – Audio Quality
The Monster XKT12 earphones boast a 13 mm driver, covering a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz, ensuring a broad and immersive audio experience. The sealed ear cups provide sound isolation, effectively reducing external noise without compromising battery life or sound quality. This feature enhances the overall audio performance, allowing users to enjoy their favorite content without interruptions from the surrounding environment.
The XKT12 earphones support both AAC and SBC codecs, contributing to their high-fidelity audio quality. SBC codec prioritizes power efficiency while maintaining satisfactory sound quality. On the other hand, AAC offers superior audio performance, particularly for iOS devices, although it may lead to slightly shorter battery life. Users can enjoy noise reduction benefits and experience rich and clear sound during both single and binaural use independently, without worrying about master-slave switch constraints. With Bluetooth 5.3 technology facilitating seamless sound transmission, the Monster XKT12 earphones deliver an exceptional audio experience for music enthusiasts and on-the-go listeners alike
Microphone Quality & Bluetooth Calling
The Monster XKT12 earphones feature microphones on both earpieces, contributing to an improved calling experience. Combined with Bluetooth 5.3 calling support, users can enjoy seamless connectivity and clear sound during calls, particularly in quieter environments. The earphones also employ ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) algorithms to minimize background noise and enhance voice clarity. While this technology is effective in reducing noise in certain situations, in more complex and noisy environments, call quality may be affected, leading to occasional muffled voices and limitations in noisy settings.
The XKT12 earphones provide a convenient calling experience with their integrated microphones and Bluetooth calling feature. The ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) algorithms contribute to improved voice clarity in relatively quiet surroundings, allowing users to have clear conversations. However, it is essential to note that in noisier environments, the performance of noise reduction may vary, and call quality may be impacted. Despite these limitations, the earphones offer practical calling capabilities, catering to users’ communication needs during daily use.
Low Latency & gaming mode
The Monster XKT12 earphones come equipped with a gaming mode that can be activated using the touch control feature. This gaming mode is designed to reduce latency, providing users with a better gaming experience while playing mobile games such as PUBG Mobile and COD. By minimizing the delay between audio and visual cues, the gaming mode enhances the responsiveness of the earphones, giving users a competitive edge in gaming.
It’s important to note that the gaming mode prioritizes low latency over sound quality. As a result, users may notice a slight reduction in sound quality while using this mode. However, this trade-off is intentional to ensure a seamless and immersive gaming experience without any lag or delay.
For optimal performance, users are advised to activate the gaming mode only when gaming, as it may not provide the same audio quality for music or other forms of media playback. With the gaming mode, the Monster XKT12 earphones cater to gamers and mobile gaming enthusiasts, delivering a more enjoyable and responsive gaming experience on the go.
Monster XKT12 Battery Life and Usage
The XKT12 earphones come with a 300mAh C Type-C charging box, providing a promising battery life of up to 20 hours. The charging box itself can be fully charged in around 1.5 hours. Each earpiece has a battery capacity of 33mAh and offers up to 5 hours of active use. The earphones can be fully charged in approximately 1.5 hours as well.
With the generous battery capacity of the charging box, you can enjoy extended usage without worrying about running out of power. The convenience of fast charging ensures that you can quickly recharge the earphones and get back to using them in no time. The XKT12 earphones are designed to keep you connected and entertained throughout your day with their reliable battery performance.
Final Verdict
The Monster XKT12 earphones deliver an impressive package with their Bluetooth 5.3 technology, providing a stable and reliable wireless connection, and supporting AAC and SBC codecs for versatile audio performance. The design and build quality showcase a sleek and practical approach, with a variety of color choices to match different preferences. The sealed ear cups offer passive noise-canceling, enhancing the overall audio experience. While the specific water resistance rating remains undisclosed, the assumed IPX4 rating provides adequate protection against splashes and light droplets. With the added convenience of an open-style case and a magnetic mechanism to hold the earbuds securely, the XKT12 earphones present a user-friendly and stylish choice. If you’ve enjoyed the XKT08, you’ll find the XKT12 to be a worthy upgrade with enhanced features and a similar level of satisfaction.
Monster XKT12 Price And Where To Buy
If you liked the Monster XKT12, you can now get it from the AliExpress store at a discount, check it out at the link below and don’t miss out on this great deal!
What’s in the Box?
- 2 x Bluetooth Earphones
- 1 x Charging Case
- 1 x USB Cable
- 1 x User Manual
- 3 x Earphone Tips (S, M, L Size)
Monster XKT12 Specifications
| Specifications | |
| Product Name | Monster XKT12 |
| Driver Size | 13mm |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Transmission Distance | 8-10m |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Charging Interface | Type-C |
| Microphone Sensitivity | 96dB ± 3dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | ≥102dB |
| Distortion | ≤5% |
| Speaker Impedance | 32Ω ± 15% |
| Battery Capacity (Earbuds) | 33mAh |
| Battery Capacity (Case) | 300mAh |
| Playback Time (Single Charge) | 4-5 hours |
| Total Playback Time (with Case) | Up to 20 hours |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours |
| Game Mode | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | Yes |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android devices |
