Monoprice THX AAA Portable _(Z Reviews)_ Portable Insanity 

This unit was suppose to appear on Amazon but they seem to think its either a CB or Medical Equipment.

I feel like monoprice should put out a program for windows and/or macos for this unit and the desktop amp, so you can make all of your EQ and other settings on the PC and upload the settings to the units. Feel like that would be significantly more intuitive.

A year ago Monoprice had an open box unit for $199, I had to get it and it was mint condition. I was debating between a iDSD Micro Black Label and a Chord Mojo, your review and the fact that it has incredible EQ capabilities sealed the deal for me. Still one of my favorite portable headphone dac/amps.

We had the same reaction for that shutdown animation! That sold me right there! LOL another fun review, thanks for all you do!

Great review. I just got mine - your description was incredibly accurate to the experience. I am ecstatic with the purchase. I use Sennheiser HD 650' s. The fact that I can control the sound with such precision is just incredible. This little AMP brings them to life, WOW!

Great reviews brother!! Lovin it! You make me feel like I am listening to some sort of audiophile Jack Black.. What ever the case keep on keeping on!

Me before this review “ I love my Ha 2-se” After this review “ fuck this piece of shit” I need THX with AAA

I love Z. Sometimes I just don't know if he's kidding or serious. Basically Z said that this Monolith just crushes everything else he owns or has heard in this price category. Ok. I gave it a try. And all I can say is THANK YOU Zeos! I love you man!!!

Bout time. This is the only amp I’ve been using for the past couple of months. Btw, you can use shelf eq on both bass and treble (I do to add bass and treble) and on top you can add peq on top, say for the mids. You can tailor each headphone with what it’s missing.

Monoprice needs to make an android app for connecting to this and using it with phones and DAPs. And very short (maybe even 90 degree) usb-c to usb-c otg cable. Just connect it with usb and it would have all the controls and settings on a normal screen, you could shut of the volume knob, use smartphone's music library, bluetooth, it would have a good driver to connect it to the phone as external dac/amp. Streaming services, dlna, etc. It would make a lot of sense.

Owned this since November. It's my go too everyday

Received my topping nx4 recently and I'm blown away by that thing, listening with sivga sv007's and only having to go up to about 12'oclock on low gain before my head explodes so thank you very much for both of them recommendations, I really am not interested in my fiio q1 mark 2 now but this thing seems on a whole other level. Peace

You're missing the high/low shelf with the high/low pass filters, the first is just an extended EQ, the second is an extended pass or cut of certain frequencies.

My wallet hates you, but you also need to compare these to where they would stand vs desktop equipment. The price range is enough where people may have to choose between the two, y'know?

This amp sounds great as long as the connectors aren't falling out and rattling around inside, gotta RMA this thing every 6 months.

And sold! Thanks Mr Z Sir! Cheers!

Really surprised this was still in stock.

does it compete with desktop amp/dacs. I've never really been that interested in portable units but Zeos you got me, this review hyped me.

Got mine yesterday, here's my take. I spent hours blind testing myself with a Sescom A/B switcher: iPhone SE 3.5mm output vs. MacBook Air usb to the THX Portable. Playing the exact same songs via iTunes on each device at the exact same time and the exact same volume, then twisting up the cords a bunch and plugging them into the switcher so that I had no idea which was which. I tried dozens of different tracks, many genres from classical to metal, full spectrum of audio and recording qualities. M40X's, HD58X's, and HD650's. Switching back and forth listening as intently as possible desperately trying to hear any difference in sound. ABSOLUTELY NONE. Half the time I couldn't even make a guess as to which was the THX because they literally sound 100% exactly the same. The other half of the time I thought MAYBE I could hear a very slight improvement in one, so I checked which it was and it was the iPhone just as often the THX. The only time the iPhone was SLIGHTLY lacking in power was with quiet tracks using the HD650's. All this said, the THX portable sounds absolutely phenomenal, It's also indistinguishable from an iPhone... This is my own personal experience and yours may be different and that's great. However, I strongly recommend everyone BLIND A/B tests themselves before making any claims about anything. Snake oil and placebo are real.

At 10:42 You know it was recorded a while ago when he says "Klipsch HP3:just got these in"

They should make it have 10 memories for different headphones and max volume in the next firmware update

The best review intro: "Oh, schiet!" 😅

Man monoprice is killing it

Just got my NX4 this morning. Very very happy with it so far

finally! Ive been looking at picking this up for a while

You turned me on to the thx aaa portable, so much so I have ordered one via ebay, due to arrive in a couple of weeks, thank you Z🙂

Z, there's a new model of the q5 called the q5s. It has the same dac chip as this, only two of them. But more evidently, you can get thx 4.4mm amp module to put on it. Granted, in total that would cost you $500 ($350 + $150), so we'll see.

Enjoyed the review Zeos. I lol'd when you were talking about how well made the headphones were, right before the earpads fell off hehe. Keep up the enthusiasm. You're reviews are fun to watch!

IF ONLY IT HAD A BALANCED OUTPUT!!!! D:

Happy 1 year anniversary to this video! Should I buy it then? xdd

It would be great if you could pull the volume knob up and it would lock hard. Like when adjusting time on wrist watches. And it would be quite hard to pull up for lock but very hard to pull down for unlock.

Another inspiring late night drunk Z review that makes us all spend money

Alot of other reviews dont seem to give as well of a description of these...

I consider the volume know too sensitive. I like fine control over the volume.

FiiO Q5s with the THX AAA Amp Module may be the only portable option that can rival this. Can't wait for June

Just received mine. Hans Zimmer, Mountains, +5.0dB, t60rp. I cried.

I hope more amp/dacs come with eq.

If they could do a software update to lock the volume knob that world be awesome . Free wheeling volume knob does sound scary

Great! Zeos spending my f-ing money again. Now I want this!

3:56 Can you please review the THX module for the Q5 pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and compare it with this.

It will be interesting to see how the new Fiio Q5s with the AAA THX amp module will compare. The combo will be $220 more, but at that point would the blue tooth and balanced capability of the Fiio be worth $500?

O behold. The blessing of the Z!

Unrelated, but for those of you who care: Advanced Alpha 1.2 is out now in Indiegogo. Please support the project. I would really love a pair!

Bass boost is usually done using shelf filter, not peaking filter

Amazing review, Monoprice THX and BTR3/ES100 for ultra Portable. Keep up the Humor

My Monolith THX AAA Portable battery bloated and doesn't hold it's charge anymore. Any idea which battery replacement is best ? Anybody ? Thanks

Love it. A link to watch War Games.

"Beeuuuuuaah." I feel you man.

Great review , the more I watch this channel, the more confused I get about my next purchase!!😂 I was settled to get the archel pro and dac but now.....

i've got one of these, the headphone jack has snapped and is rattling on the inside of the unit. I want to find out how to dissemble it and replace the headphone jack. Dissembling doesn't seem straight forward. I cannot find a replacement port. Although watching this video I have seen that you can use it through USB OTG and optical which seems like the only way that I could use it but would prefer to remove the loose metal piece in the portable amp in-case it decides to cross with something it shouldn't and blows up.

You know the review's gonna be good when it's 34 minutes long and the wallpaper is *that hot!🔥*

"A little... T H I C C" or so he says.

AM3D THX AAA module for Q5 is available on fiio aliexpress for $180

How does this compare to the Monoprice Monolith 788 THX desktop amp/DAC combo?

Damn, I wonder how well this will go with the Verum 1's...

Watched the first 30 seconds and bought one.

I have the ES100 and thinking of getting an amp to go in front of it. Just not sure what one to get. Thinking about this one or the "Drop + THX AAA 789" or the "S.M.S.L SP200 THX AAA-888". Only consern i have is the ES100 amplification. I don't think you can turn it off and not sure what to set the volume at

I'm going to wait for the FiiO Q5s with their AAA module and wait for reviews. It's $350 which is well past my own pain point for anything mobile but we'll see. The specs are eyepopping anyway, on paper. And Q5 owners can of course just pick up the amp module for theirs if they don't want to upgrade to LDAC and all that other Bluetooth hotness.

"She's a little bit thicker, and a little bit wider, little bit heavier, it's a chunky unit"........ Hell yeah. Some of us like that shit.

So.....this is Basically more of a desktop device than a portable device. No BT, limited connections for portable music device connection, detailed menus, awkward control buttons etc. for crying out loud it has an optical out, screams desktop.

I've watched Zeos turn it off like 20 times. That's what he is very good at.. Making me want something I don't need LoL

I always ask for quarter in. Deffs my preferred output method

I’m powering my Fostex T60rp with Radsone’s EarStudio ES100 single ended perfectly fine. Please review the ES100 and be on the look out for future Radsone products.

How does this compare to the Woo WA11? Do either of them stack up against the sound quality of a desk top setup like the Magni/Modi?

Is this better than the CHORD MOJO or IFi Xcan? Anybody here knows?

5:39 Z's O-sound.

Bought this. Love it. Thank you. Use it with my seinhauser hd600. Noob question incoming, should/ could I use it to power desktop speakers?

Fathers day sale $30 off put my order at 280 and change. Get on it bois, link is up top.

Argh why no BT? Missed opportunity right there me thinks 🤔

Real good Port/DAC powerful paired with AEON FC, blue tacked an MPOW bluetooth 4.2 w/AptX receiver and it's golden lol.

Hey Z, Benchmark makes a THX AAA bridgeable Poweramp called the AHB2 with speakON connectors.

Z, how would this go with decent IEM's (eg Unique Melody Miracles). Could I emphasize mids or bass interchangeably? I'm looking for a portable version that can do something similar in terms of EQ to something like the Schiit Loki.

Why is the Cayin amp upside down?

Uh shelf EQ does not mean high-pass/low-pass.

THX put this headphone AMP in the next LG V40 and also LG bring back the removable battery. Thank you!

How does this compare with the iFi Micro iDSD BL?

Made it 30% through watching before I bought one. Watched the rest afterward. Can't wait for Wargames.

Are you gonna review the q5s?

thx needs to make the ultimate razor gaming headphone amp.

I had the Monoprice THX Desk Amp. I actually like it more than the Massdrop 789. Both are great, but I think the Monoprice THX is smoother and not as edgy and sharp in high frequency as the 789 sometimes. However, mine has firmware issue as well. It has serious phasing issue when going balanced. I cannot update the firmware as I am a Mac owner. Unfortunately, I had to send it back for refund. The only other thing I wish they can do better is the interface. A remote would have also made navigation much better.

This may be a dumb question, but can you do sound demos for amps? Just use an amp dependent headphone and showcase how different amps make them sound different. I think that could be really interesting.

The only thing I don’t like about these Monolith dac/amps is all the settings I want to play with are buried inside other menu settings instead of a nice and simple mechanical button or switch ( I’m assuming this is the same as their desktop version).

hi, first off: i love your reviews (even when they are a bit over my head! lol). would you pick the monolith thx portable over the mojo for electronic music? i listen to a lot of IDM. your input would be greatly appreciated! best, g.-

wow that funny my lg v50 has setting similar to that. it add dtx surround but you can fix it front, wide or side to side. it seriously works and makes a big difference. its takes my iems from amazing to amazing in a different way haha

You should also end the video with the thx's turning of screen! (WarGames.. Atari style)

what bookshelf stands are those! ? love the look and size of them.

If I'm not planning to go anywhere with it, is this good for desktop use? Or should I spend the extra $200 more than the Monolith THX Desktop DAC/AMP?

For me to even consider one it need to be able to accept signal through bluetooth too.

Is this better than the EL AMP from JDS lab???

Wish it has Balanced and USB C

Been waiting for the Monoprice thx desktop amp for months z, I joined a medical trial to afford that so it better be fucking good.

Does the EQ ing can be done while still playing the music so we can monitor the change? Also, you don't really use the Fiio BTR3 for your portable Bluetooth needs anymore?

Thx pls put this tech in a phone and il buy it... thnx

Hey zeos, I bought HD 58x Jubilee headphones and I'm looking to combo them with an amp & dac. i thought these look like a fantastic choice but i want to stick them on my desk and use them for my computer permenantly, i thought that would just kill the batteries after 2 years of my constant daily use and then the amp would not be portable anymore or maybe wouldn't function as it's suppose to cuz the batteries are fucked. what do you think should i get it or get something like JDS labs atom

What does THX add or do to the amp? like what is the difference- if this product had a version that was a non THX amp what would be the difference between that and this, the "thx enabled" version?

Got it and yes Z is right. The BEST portable AMP/DAC easily. It may make me sell my +1000€ Audio-GD NFB 28 AMP/DAC. It is better than 90% desktop AMP iw heard too :D

Please need help in knowing what cable/s I need to purchase along with this DAC, To connect to my MP3, PC, etc. Thanks

Great review, Zeos. I have a Dragonfly Red. Is the Monoprice THX AAA circuitry an upgrade over that to drive planer Oppo PM-3s?

Can I tether this dac to something like Loxjie stereo amp?

Have you had a chance to hear the new Monolith Desktop Headphone Amp/Dac yet?