Monoprice Monolith HTP-1From real comments

Name: Monoprice Monolith HTP-1
Rating: 3 (12 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 12 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment58%

PROS 58%

CONS 42%

Rank based on 12 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want fine-tuned Dirac Live multi-sub bass management
You value clean two-channel and Atmos sound over extra room-correction brands
You want Auro 3-D and DSD support along with granular loudness compensation

What users love

Strong long-term sound quality0 mentions

Strongly positive

Dirac Live multi-sub bass management0 mentions

Strongly positive

Fine loudness compensation control0 mentions

Widely praised

Auro 3-D and DSD support0 mentions

Widely praised

Satisfying upgrade over prior AV receivers0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You need guaranteed HDMI 2.1 support without long waits
You rely heavily on responsive manufacturer customer support
You already use Auro 3-D speaker positions and want full compatibility

What users complain about

Stalled HDMI 2.1 updates0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Inconsistent customer support0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Slow update cadence0 mentions

Generally negative

Missing Auro 3-D height channel options0 mentions

Generally negative

Power-on pop0 mentions

Mildly negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

Panasonic SA-BX500

Modern decoding formatsConvenient front-panel S/video accessFlexible speaker configurationMarketing/title inaccuracyPerceived brand decline in receivers

Panasonic SA-BX500

Modern decoding formats

Convenient front-panel S/video access

Flexible speaker configuration

Marketing/title inaccuracy

Perceived brand decline in receivers

Best value

2Mid

Onkyo TX-RZ70

Dirac Live room correctionStrong value for priceExcellent Atmos and multichannel sound qualityHistory of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units4-ohm impedance switch pitfallSteep international price disparities

Onkyo TX-RZ70

Dirac Live room correction

Strong value for price

Excellent Atmos and multichannel sound quality

History of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units

4-ohm impedance switch pitfall

Steep international price disparities

3Premium

Marantz SR8012

Excellent music and movie sound qualityStrong power delivers 11 independent channelsEffective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakersSubwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failureCriticized power supply and component quality for the price

Marantz SR8012

Excellent music and movie sound quality

Strong power delivers 11 independent channels

Effective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakers

Subwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent

4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failure

Criticized power supply and component quality for the price

4Premium

Marantz AV10

Excellent long-term sound quality

Marantz AV10

Excellent long-term sound quality

5Mid

Yamaha RX-V573

Future-Proof HDMI SupportGood DSP Sound ProgramsGood Price-to-Performance ValueMenu System Criticized by Some

Yamaha RX-V573

Future-Proof HDMI Support

Good DSP Sound Programs

Good Price-to-Performance Value

Menu System Criticized by Some

6Premium

Yamaha RX-A3080

High-end DACs and XLR outputsLong-term reliabilityBest-in-class control appComplex menu and setupInconsistent subwoofer bass handlingHDMI and setup issues for some users

Yamaha RX-A3080

High-end DACs and XLR outputs

Long-term reliability

Best-in-class control app

Complex menu and setup

Inconsistent subwoofer bass handling

HDMI and setup issues for some users

7Mid

Onkyo TX-NR7100

Dirac Live room correctionClear, detailed sound qualityStrong value for the priceBrand reliability concernsHDMI switching and dropout issuesBluetooth headphone switching is manual

Onkyo TX-NR7100

Dirac Live room correction

Clear, detailed sound quality

Strong value for the price

Brand reliability concerns

HDMI switching and dropout issues

Bluetooth headphone switching is manual

8Mid

Marantz NR1711

Slim, space-saving form factorBenefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outsWarm, musical Marantz sound signatureLimited power may require an external amp for demanding setupsRuns warmOnly one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support

Marantz NR1711

Slim, space-saving form factor

Benefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outs

Warm, musical Marantz sound signature

Limited power may require an external amp for demanding setups

Runs warm

Only one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support

9Premium

Sony STR-AZ7000ES

Immersive 360 Spatial Sound MappingClear, Detailed Sound QualityStrong Multichannel PowerDated, Uninspired Chassis DesignDim, Hard-to-Read DisplayNo Phono Input

Sony STR-AZ7000ES

Immersive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping

Clear, Detailed Sound Quality

Strong Multichannel Power

Dated, Uninspired Chassis Design

Dim, Hard-to-Read Display

No Phono Input

10Mid

Denon AVR-X1700H

Overall positive owner satisfaction8K future-proofingEasy initial setupConfusing speaker/subwoofer setupHarsh highs out of the boxPerceived sound quality decline vs older models

Denon AVR-X1700H

Overall positive owner satisfaction

8K future-proofing

Easy initial setup

Confusing speaker/subwoofer setup

Harsh highs out of the box

Perceived sound quality decline vs older models

You are here

16Premium

Monoprice Monolith HTP-1

Dirac Live multi-sub bass managementStrong long-term sound qualityAuro 3-D and DSD supportInconsistent customer supportMissing Auro 3-D height channel optionsPower-on pop

Monoprice Monolith HTP-1

Dirac Live multi-sub bass management

Strong long-term sound quality

Auro 3-D and DSD support

Inconsistent customer support

Missing Auro 3-D height channel options

Power-on pop

Dirac live
1. Onkyo TX-NR7100arrow_upward11
2. Onkyo TX-RZ70arrow_upward10
Sound quality
1. Onkyo TX-NR7100arrow_upward6
2. Sony STR-AZ7000ESarrow_upward6
3. Yamaha RX-V573arrow_upward2
Value for money
1. Onkyo TX-RZ70arrow_upward8
2. Onkyo TX-NR7100arrow_upward5
Build quality
1. Marantz SR8012arrow_upward3
2. Yamaha RX-A3080arrow_upward3
3. Panasonic SA-BX500arrow_upward1
Easy setup
1. Sony STR-AZ7000ESarrow_upward3
2. Denon AVR-X1700Harrow_upward1
No hdmi 21
1. Marantz SR8012arrow_downward1
2. Yamaha RX-A3080arrow_downward1

Overall Impression

Sound quality keeps long-term owners loyal. Multiple users highlight how good the HTP-1 sounds, especially paired with Dirac Live and multi-sub bass management. One owner of nearly five years still prefers it over upgrading to pricier processors like the AVM90 or Marantz 10, citing strong stereo and Atmos music performance. Another switching from a Marantz SR8015 receiver found the sound simply cleaner, with movies and music both improving in their theater.

Feature set impresses but updates lag behind. Reviewers like the one-decibel loudness compensation control, Auro 3-D, and DSD support, calling them standout features versus competitors like Anthem. However, some potential buyers walked away because HDMI 2.1 updates never arrived while the unit sat out of stock, choosing alternatives like the Yamaha RX-A8A instead. Others wish Monoprice devoted more resources to faster, more frequent updates.

Support concerns temper enthusiasm. Despite decent performance, commenters flag Monoprice's customer support as inconsistent compared to rivals like Emotiva. One user also mentioned experiencing a power-on pop, though still expressed overall satisfaction. These concerns suggest the HTP-1 rewards patient owners willing to tolerate rough edges in support and firmware pace for its sound quality and feature depth.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqStrong long-term sound quality

2 mentions

Strongly positive

A five-year owner and others report consistently good, satisfying sound across stereo and Atmos content. One user found it noticeably cleaner than a Marantz SR8015 receiver.

@xTremeSequences

I have had the HTP-1 for almost five years and it has been great. Certainly, I had to do a lot of research to get comfortable with the unit. It has many capabilities. I used Dirac Live and purchased the Bass Managment for multisubs. I run SVS Ultra mains, center, LR Surrounds, and Elevation heights for Atmos. My rear speakers are Acoustic Zen Adagios if you can believe it. I have the new SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacles with new center speaker on the way. I think the one thing I have learned over the years being, at best, a hobbiest is that no matter what you put in your room without good treatment it will never sound its best. I have been on the fence lately about replacing my HTP-1 with the AVM90 or Marantz10. But why? I don't game. My family watches mostly movies while I like to enjoy stereo and atmos music. While the HTP-1 is not perfect it does sound very good. I would rather put that money in speakers and further room treatments. Thanks for all the video content. It helps.

smart_display

September 9, 2024

@anthonyjackson1177

Jon always does a fantastic job with these videos and helped me decide between the Arcam 41 and the HTP-1. I chose to sacrifice the Auro 3-D center height and voice of God for the sound quality. Coming from the Marantz SR 8015 the sound is simply cleaner. I'm running my LCR through a Buckeye Purify 3 ch amp and Emotiva Bas-X A-5 and A-6 for side surround, back surround, front and rear heights. I'm running four subs and with Dirac Live multi bass, it all comes together nicely. The music in 2 channel is the best I've heard and I just watched Dune 2 and believe it or not, my wife had me up the volume and this is the best my theater has ever sounded. I would really like to have the Auro 3-D options as I have speakers already wired in those positions so they are not being used so that's kind of disappointing and I actually do get the power on pop, but all in all, for now, I'm satisfied. Thanks again Jon!

smart_display

May 28, 2024

speakerDirac Live multi-sub bass management

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple owners praise the Dirac Live integration with multi-subwoofer bass management, saying it brings the whole system together nicely for both movies and music.

@xTremeSequences

smart_display

September 9, 2024

@anthonyjackson1177

smart_display

May 28, 2024

tuneFine loudness compensation control

1 mentions

Widely praised

The HTP-1 offers one-decibel granularity for loudness compensation starting at any volume level, described as more refined than competitors like Anthem.

@MuenchenBob

This is a good choice for people who listen at lower volumes since its loudness compensation can be set to start at any level with one decibel of control. That's more refined control than the others, and Anthem doesn't include this feature at all.

smart_display

May 28, 2024

surround_soundAuro 3-D and DSD support

1 mentions

Widely praised

Reviewers appreciate that the processor includes Auro 3-D and DSD support, calling it a valuable feature set for a processor in this class.

@jb.2986

Not a bad processor, Jon. Great to see Auro 3-D and DSD support as well. Thanks for the in-depth review.

smart_display

May 28, 2024

movieSatisfying upgrade over prior AV receivers

1 mentions

Widely praised

Users moving from receivers report the HTP-1 delivered better-than-expected results, with one noting their best-ever home theater experience after watching a film.

@anthonyjackson1177

smart_display

May 28, 2024

cableStalled HDMI 2.1 updates

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A prospective buyer waited for HDMI 2.1 updates that never materialized while the unit was out of stock, eventually choosing a Yamaha receiver instead.

@a1racer441

did they ever update the HDMI to the new 2.1 i was looking into buying this a while back but went the Yamaha rx-a8a because it has pretty much everything I needed and sounded great all for a little less money. the htp1 offered a lot of the stuff I wanted but was out of stock for so long and no word of it incoming or the HDMI fixes, so I gave up.\n\nmaybe when they release a new model and I'm ready for the next set of upgrades I'll give them a relook.

smart_display

May 28, 2024

support_agentInconsistent customer support

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

Commenters describe Monoprice's support as not consistently good or on point, contrasting it unfavorably with competitors like Emotiva.

@whocares0503

While the Monolith HTP-1 has some decent things, at the end of the day Monoprice will not be consistently good and on point for support. While Emotiva is NOT perfect, their customer support is pretty decent. Thanks for the review

smart_display

May 27, 2024

scheduleSlow update cadence

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user wishes Monoprice devoted more resources to the HTP-1, updating it more frequently instead of relying on slower outsourced development.

@BrianGarside

Wish Monoprice would throw more resources at its HTP-1. I think they would sell more if they keep the value firmly in place and update it more frequently or as needed vs outsourcing and taking longer. They have an opportunity to win over Anthem 70 buyers etc.

smart_display

May 28, 2024

speaker_groupMissing Auro 3-D height channel options

1 mentions

Generally negative

One user regrets that their pre-wired Auro 3-D center height speaker positions go unused since the HTP-1 lacks that specific Auro 3-D option.

@anthonyjackson1177

smart_display

May 28, 2024

warningPower-on pop

1 mentions

Mildly negative

A user mentions experiencing a power-on pop noise issue with the unit, though it did not outweigh overall satisfaction.

@anthonyjackson1177

smart_display

May 28, 2024

Monoprice Monolith HTP-1chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Dirac live

Sound quality

Value for money

Build quality

Easy setup

No hdmi 21

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Monoprice Monolith HTP-1From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression