Test of the Montblanc Mb 01 helmet: a bluffing sound rendering at a price far too high

Montblanc adds its claw to the accessory, starting with a design that combines several refined materials. One wonders why the company decided to embark on a competitive segment that it is far from mastering and where its legitimacy remains to be done. In reality, Montblanc sees MB 01 as a travel product, the one that its customers will be delighted to display with a bag or a suitcase. The challenge is whether, yes or no, this MB 01 is worth the 595 euros that he claims. The answer is between yes and no because, at this rate level, we are entitled to expect a faultless on all the criteria.

Over-Ear Montblanc MB 01 x House House Kitsuné

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This helmet is the fruit of our collaboration with Maison Kitsuné. This brand with multiple facets Marie Mode et Musique, making it an ideal partner to design this product. The printed leather arch, enhanced with the iconic kitsuné house renard logo, gives the helmet a striking look. The headphones and blue pads give this model a modern and luxurious look. The Over-Ear Montblanc MB 01 helmet is designed to meet the growing demand of our customers looking for more comfort during prolonged meetings, sound quality and haptic experience. Made of leather, it is adorned with comfortable pads and modern technology to allow our customers to make calls for hours for hours, to relax while listening to their favorite songs or to remain concentrated thanks to the active noise reduction.

Technology

• Sensors: proximity sensor (reading/automatic break of audio content when putting the helmet out of/off)
• Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 (multipoint, range of 10 meters), fixed and wireless. Connectivity to smartwatch.
• Buttons: ON/OFF button, volume, break/Next/previous, ANC button, Assistant button.
• Others: frequency 70 Hz ~ 18 kHz of 1 kHz, less than 10 dB SPL | Impedance 21 Ohms ± 10 % to 1 Hz | Sensitivity 104.3 ± 2.5 dB to 1 MW/1 kHz outside | THD less than 1 % to 1 MW/1 kHz | APTX and AAC adaptive codecs

In the box

• In the box: helmet, case, jack cable, USB cable, plane adapter intake

Others

*Public prices recommended by Montblanc on 05/01/2022

Test of the Montblanc Mb 01 helmet: a bluffing sound rendering at a price far too high

Montblanc has decided to embark on the high -end wireless helmets segment. Its MB 01 is a first conclusive test, but whose price reaching almost 600 euros is not justified.

We do not test helmets sold almost 600 euros every day, even if there will soon be Apple AirPods Max (629 euros) and even if the audiophiles will tell you that the most high -end products are offered to even more expensive prices. By its luxury positioning, Montblanc could hardly market a first affordable headset. Its MB 01 costs 595 euros. For this price, it obviously compiles the two essential features of the moment: the absence of a wire (except for recharging) and active noise reduction.

Montblanc adds its claw to the accessory, starting with a design that combines several refined materials. One wonders why the company decided to embark on a competitive segment that it is far from mastering and where its legitimacy remains to be done. In reality, Montblanc sees MB 01 as a travel product, the one that its customers will be delighted to display with a bag or a suitcase. The challenge is whether, yes or no, this MB 01 is worth the 595 euros that he claims. The answer is between yes and no because, at this rate level, we are entitled to expect a faultless on all the criteria.

The Montblanc helmet and its cover

Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Exquisite design, disappointing finishes

The MB 01 is a very pretty helmet, maybe the prettiest we have ever had in our hands. Known for its aesthetically exquisite products, Montblanc, which defends artisanal values, does not disappoint on this point. Leather – real – smells wonderfully good, aluminum dressed in the hoop shines with a thousand lights (a little too much elsewhere) and the grooves are as amazing as soft to the touch. The flexible structure makes it possible to fold the helmet on itself, facilitating its storage in a provided pocket (we would have preferred a shell, with regard to the price). We note that the hoop is only connected to the earphones on the rear part, giving a tanty -atypical look. On each side of the branches, we find the star -shaped logo representing the six valleys of Mont Blanc. The company also marked the cables of its imprint.

The MB 01 fishs a little on the side of the finishes

However refined as it is, the MB 01 fishs a little on the side of the finishes-an unacceptable point for very high-end. Our copy, loaned by the brand, accuses of a shouting lack of care granted to details, especially when we look at the metal paint applied to the hoop. The result is not clear, sometimes iridescent (the end of the branches), even badly posed. We have also noticed that the rail allowing the hoop to be adjusted in height tends to hang the shade of aluminum.

We fear for the sustainability of the object, which catches the fingerprints and seems to be able to scratch very quickly. We expected Montblanc much better on this very important criterion, moreover when we invest such a sum of money. Maybe our copy is abnormally damaged. Therefore, the new owners will be advised to check that the finishes are up to expectations, past the first unpacking.

Painting that cracks on the Montblanc Mb 01 helmet

Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Iridescent painting on the Montblanc Mb 01 helmet

Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Where is the companion application ?

At launch, Montblanc obviously did not want to get a companion application with its MB 01, which simply connects to your device via Bluetooth settings. Small advice on this point: be sure to press the ignition button long enough to properly engage the process (the diodes entering the level of autonomy must flash). The configuration was capricious during our test bench and, for example, We have not managed to link MB 01 to our MacBook Air without deleting it from our iPhone beforehand.

Montblanc has not yet made the companion application available to play on MB 01 settings or activate/deactivate features (example: active noise reduction). In the meantime, the helmet recovers to buttons arranged on the right atrium. In addition to that dedicated to ignition, there is a volume selector which naturally falls under the index and two shortcuts (a little to launch Google Assistant, another for active noise reduction and ambient mode). On the atrium, there is a masked button that allows you to pause or start reading.

Small disappointment: the MB 01 will not automatically stop if you remove it from your head – despite what is written on the box. Technologically speaking, the product of Montblanc is therefore not the most advanced, nor the best provided on the market.

The buttons of the Montblanc MB 01 helmet

Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Appreciable lightness

Montblanc sees MB 01 as a travel accessory. It even provides an adapter to connect it to a plane (double spindle). To be A perfect travel companion, As written on the packaging, the helmet must be flawless in terms of comfort. In use, it must be recognized that it is. He owes this quality first to its lightness (280 grams), which helps to diminish the feeling of crushing when we wear a helmet. The weight is intelligently distributed and the flexibility allows the MB 01 to place itself without locking up the skull too much.

You can also highlight the quality of the earrings, with padding that sinks very well when surrounding the ear. In terms of comfort, the MB 01 is really an example to follow.

The interior of the Montblanc MB 01 helmet

Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Ok, the sound rendering is stunning

Because its price tickles the 600 euros, the MB 01 must resolutely be impeccable on the ground of the sound rendering. Especially since we promise Exceptional acoustic experience. To transform its ambition into reality, Montblanc got closer to Alex Rosson, an expert who sells very high -end audiophile helmets at more than $ 2,000. We feel it from the first seconds in the company of the MB 01, which relies on a sound signature all in delicacy. The scene is presented with precision and accuracy, endeavoring to make the slightest note breathe in a very coherent whole. The balance is there, with comfortable bass, sharp mediums and treble that supports when necessary.

Premium experience

Montblanc could not really be wrong with the rendering of his MB 01, since he is imposed in the absence of an equalizer with which the user could play. We then end up with an experience premium, playing less the card of the swarming, more that of purity. It’s crystalline, a little confusing but we really feel that the slightest piece is highlighted with attention, to the point of hearing information until then imperceptible. As a bonus, we take advantage of a relevant cutting between the different planes and a power that involves not putting the volume too much (otherwise, we will hear from the outside).

On the active noise reduction, the MB 01 is no exception to the slight breath phenomenon that invites itself when the music is on a break. On the other hand, he gets out perfectly when it is necessary to lock up the user in what is called A bubble of tranquility – Once the music is deployed. We wanted to put the technology chosen by Montblanc to the test of a flight by plane – given the positioning – but the confinement prevents us. It is simply a shame not to be able to adjust it as we would like, knowing that Bose and Sony remain unbeatable on this functionality (they much better reduce noise, including the most complex).

The Montblanc MB 01 Helmet Logo

Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

8 p.m. to ensure a plane trip

The MB 01 is based on a range of 20 hours thanks to its battery that is recharged through a USB-C port (cable provided). On this characteristic, it is generously beaten by the Sony Wh-1000XM4, which reaches almost 30 hours in a single load. He finally boxes in the same category as Bose Headphones 700.