MONSTER CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF AMAZING EARTH, WIND & FIRE MUSIC WITH DEBUT OF “GRATITUDE™” IN-EAR HEADPHONES, CREATED IN ALLIANCE WITH LEGENDARY BAND

-- Monster Joins Forces with Earth, Wind & Fire; Band Members Will Visit Retailers
Across the Country During Their Summer Tour to Promote “Gratitude” Launch --



NEW YORK, NY, JUNE 22, 2011 — Monster, one of world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance headphones, today introduced the first fruits of a recently announced alliance with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees and 8-time Grammy Award winners Earth, Wind & Fire to create a line of advanced consumer electronics products based on the iconic band. The first product, scheduled to debut in September 2011, is “Gratitude™,” a specially created high-performance in-ear headphone that combines leading edge Monster audio-enhancing technologies and engineering with the unmistakable stamp and style of the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. Monster is proud to join forces with Earth, Wind & Fire for the creation of Gratitude headphones, which are specifically engineered and tuned to faithfully reproduce the true harmonics of live music and the sonic details of each musical instrument, resulting in a more natural and vibrant audio experience.

Noel Lee, the Head Monster, noted: “Earth, Wind & Fire is legendary for instrumental virtuosity, perfectionism and attention to detail in all the music they create. With ‘Gratitude,’ we aimed to capture the unique passion, feel and experience of the band with headphones that will reproduce the sounds of real music, not synthesized sample or tracks created purely in the studio. These headphones are specifically tuned to produce the signature tones and harmonics of brass, the staccato punch of the percussion, the cleanest possible bass and the most natural vocals. ‘Gratitude’ is truly a gift for Earth, Wind & Fire fans who want to celebrate 40 years of the group and their amazing music – and literally take a piece of the band home with them. We are especially thrilled to be able to bring members of the band to our valued retailers this summer to help promote ‘Gratitude,’ and we are looking forward to creating more products in this unique line that will help change people’s expectations about how great their music can sound, both at home and on the go.”

Earth, Wind & Fire Band Members to Visit Retailers to Promote “Gratitude”

Monster’s alliance with Earth, Wind & Fire will be evident in the company’s support for the group’s 2011 summer tour, and in conjunction with the debut of “Gratitude,” members of Earth, Wind & Fire will actively promote the new headphones with retailer visits as they tour the country. In special in-store and corporate events such as “fireside chats” with consumers and industry insiders, band members will discuss the new Monster products and the overall state of music reproduction and listening quality.

What the Band Members Are Saying about “Gratitude”….

“This is what music is supposed to sound like. Many times with ear buds, you miss the low end...with these buds, the fidelity is incredible and the frequency response, from top to bottom, is all there.” –Ralph Johnson.

“You hear incredible articulation and detail with these headphones...it's impressive!. There’s amazing separation....you can really hear the difference between my voice and Maurice's. I clearly hear details in the music that I don't with other headphones, especially the bottom end.” –Philip Bailey

Earth, Wind & Fire bassist and founding member Verdine White noted: “Earth, Wind & Fire has always combined our passion for music with a passion for technology, and we have looked forward to new innovations that help us create and share our music in exciting new ways. We are so happy to be partnering with a technology leader like Monster for this new line of products."

Monster Tech Helps Fans Get Closer to Earth, Wind & Fire’s Music

Monster Gratitude In-Ear headphones, featuring an eye-catching rose gold finish, were designed and personally tuned by members of Earth, Wind & Fire and “Head Monster” Noel Lee. They boast a specially engineered noise isolation architecture that results in superior audiophile sound, with the ability to reproduce detailed harmonic soundscapes. Key Monster innovations that contribute to their natural sound, and help listeners truly get “inside the music,” include a new Monster design that allows the earpiece to rest more comfortably and deeper within the wearer’s ear canal, enabling a perfect fit, superior isolation and ultimate performance. A specially created carrying case is included with each pair of Gratitude headphones.

Monster Gratitude headphones are being made available with the Monster ControlTalk™ headphone cable*, which can be used with iPhone™ and iPod® for music playback control as well as to take hands-free calls with iPhone and many smartphones. The integrated high-grade microphone and answer button allows users to access their music and answer phone calls without having to reach into their pocketbook, backpack or pocket.

Remaining Earth, Wind & Fire summer tour schedule:

June 22nd –Clarkston, MI
June 24th –Boston, MA
June 25th –Lenox, MA
June 26th –Vienna, VA
June 28th –New York, NY
June 29th –New York, NY
July 1st –Atlantic City, NJ
July 2nd –Danbury, CT
July 3rd –Atlantic City, NJ
July 4th –Philadelphia, PA (Private Show)
July 23rd –Las Vegas, NV
July 26th –Milwaukee, WI


ABOUT MONSTER®
Monster was founded by Head Monster Noel Lee with a commitment to creating products under the Monster Cable® brand to literally “make music sound better.” Today, Monster has grown and diversified to become the world's leading manufacturer of connectivity solutions for high-performance audio, video, car audio, computer, console and computer gaming, as well as a leading innovator in the field of iPod®, iPhone™ and iPad™ accessories and professional audio and sound reinforcement. As part of its commitment to improving the music listening experience, Monster worked with Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine to create the Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ headphone line, including the Heartbeats by Lady Gaga headphones. The company is also continuing to innovate with its own line of Monster brand headphones, including “Turbine Pro™ In-Ear Speakers™,” the first in-ear headphones geared for use by music professionals and audiophiles. Additionally, under its Monster Power® brand, the company is the leading manufacturer of high-performance AC power line conditioning and protection products for audio/video systems.

Explore the world of Monster at www.monstercable.com.



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