Montblanc MB01 are a pricey pair of noise-cancelling wireless headphones

(Image credit: Montblanc)

Given the four-figure sums one might pay for a Montblanc fountain pen, a set of all-leather, metal-finish, noise-cancelling, Bluetooth wireless over-ear headphones for £525 ($595), may seem a bargain by comparison.

The new Montblanc MB01 over-ears are the Hamburg-based firm's first foray into headphone manufacture, and on aesthetics at least, they don't disappoint.

There's the traditional six-pointed star on the side of the all-leather headband and three opulent-looking colourways to choose from: black leather with chrome finishes, brown leather with gold finishes and light grey leather with polished metal finishes. Even the supplied cables (USB-C charger and 3.5mm headphone jack) come branded with the Montblanc six-pointed star.

And they fold up, too. Montblanc has added Google Assistant capabilities to the headphones, along with voice-activated device controls and commands. Most physical controls are on a metal band on the right earcup, including the dedicated Google Assistant button, noise-cancelling settings (there are three: 'live mode' for boosting outside sounds, 'off' and 'on') volume, power and initial Bluetooth pairing. The face of the right earcup features a larger ‘play/pause’ button, too.

There's also a proximity sensor, so the MB01s should automatically stop/start playing when you put them on or off.

The Montblanc MB01 wireless over-ears are now available via Montblanc’s website and boutiques, priced at £525 ($595, €595).

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Becky has been a full-time staff writer at What Hi-Fi? since March 2019. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, she freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 20-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo, This is Cabaret and The Stage. When not writing, she dances, spins in the air, drinks coffee, watches football or surfs in Cornwall with her other half – a football writer whose talent knows no bounds.