When it comes to some mobile-specific pair of earphones, there aren’t much with an in-line switch and doesn’t rip wallet apart. The new Beyerdynamic MMX 102 iE has entered that part of the market, but just how well does it work? Let’s find out.
Beyerdynamic took the same approach over all their products that are released this year – that is with a simple packaging and a flap to open up, where you’ll find a window and look at what is it that you’re going to get.
Based on the packaging, the MMX 102 iE looks like a small upgrade from the MXP 50 iE, but more on that later..
You get some of the basic accessories, the carrying bag that is the same as the DX 120 iE, three sizes of eartips like the MXP 50 iE, a cable clip that was found on both models of earphones, and also a VoIP connector which separates the audio/mic jack into its dedicated ports.
It has a 1.2 meter cable, 41Ω nominal impedance and the sensitivity of 105dB, a frequency range of 10Hz to 24kHz to go along with the 9mm speaker size.
You really do get more accessories from the MMX 102 iE, as it is usable even for video chats since it has the VoIP adapter, unlike the MXP 50 iE which doesn’t have them.
[nextpage title=”Sound test”]The MMX 102 iE has build that has implied a love-hate relationship with me for the Y split on the cable. It’s not flexible, thus retaining its shape and really doesn’t bend unless you give it much force. Definite plus since it doesn’t break that easily, right? Yes, but that means you’ll have to keep the earphones in the pouch in a certain way – that is to have the Y split and the in-line button lined up since they can’t bend.
Like its younger sibling the MXP 50 iE, I had no problems differentiating between the left and right earbud as it does have the in-line switch stuck to the left earbud, though the L and R are displayed in a rather subtle way but clear to the eyes.
Using my Nexus 4 and my laptop to test the list of designated music, here are the results.
Adventure Time – Rogue (Monster 010 – Conquest) [FLAC]
- Lows : Mild, punchy bass
- Mids : Drowned by the bass
- Highs : Sounds okay
Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (Bioshock Infinite Soundtrack) [320kbps MP3]
- Lows : Drum sounds great
- Mids : Crisp voice
- Highs : A little muffled
Orpheus Of The Underworld – Adya (Adya Classic 2) [215 kbps MP3]
- Lows : Each drum hit sounds great
- Mids : Electric guitar is a little too bassy
- Highs : Flute is a little soft on volume
An Accent Beyond – Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory (Portal 2: Songs to Test By) [320kbps MP3]
- Lows : Has the punches on it
- Mids : Crisp tunes
- Highs : Distinctive highs
Rosen aus dem Suden, op. 388 – Orchestra Of The Viennese Volksoper (Great Strauss Waltz, Polkas & Marches) [320kbps MP3]
- Lows : Bass is non-intrusive
- Mids : Got all the sound right
- Highs : A little muffled
Salome – The Johann Strauss Orchestra & Andre Rieu (Andre Rieu In Wonderland) [320kbps MP3]
- Lows : The gong had no punch, others parts are okay
- Mids : Did get a little too bassy
- Highs : Muffled flute sound
The Entertainer – Scott Joplin (The Entertainer – The Very Best of Scott Joplin) [320kbps MP3]
- Lows : Subtle bass is heard clearly
- Mids : Piano sounds great
- Highs : Clear highs
Skyliner – The BBC Big Band (The Age Of Swing, Volume 1) [FLAC]
- Lows : Bass string are felt
- Mids : Distinct mids
- Highs : Clear highs
The Ballad Of Mr Steak – Kishi Bashi (Lighght) [FLAC]
- Lows : Bass strucks are great
- Mids : Vocals are a little too bassy
- Highs : Muffled highs
In The Mood – The BBC Big Band (The Age Of Swing, Volume 1) [FLAC]
- Lows : Each pluck of bass string is felt
- Mids : Clear separation from lows and highs
- Highs : Trumpet sounds amazing
Throughout the entire test, I found out that the MMX 102 iE is definitely something more fitted to the bass lovers, just like most of the other Beyerdynamic earphones I tried out. Maybe that’s just the sound signature of the entire company, I don’t know.
The cable on the MMX 102 iE is super light, which I don’t think the cable clip is even needed most of the time. One good thing about this that is doesn’t distort on highs like the MXP 50 iE did, so the quality is definitely better on this. The microphone also picks up the voice clearly, making it suitable for desktop usages if you’re opting for VoIP and music listening.
[nextpage title=”Wrap up”]So here’s my take on the MMX 102 iE. It has nothing unnecessarily fancy features or accessories – it has all you need for both smartphone and laptop/desktop usage thanks to the VoIP adapter, a definitely plus from the MXP 50 iE. It also has better sound quality and no noticeable distortions as compared to the MXP 50 iE, but definitely biased to more bass than treble. The cost of it is somewhat a tipping point for me, as it comes to a price tag of RM299.
Rating : 9/10
It really has nothing unnecessary, a minimalist yet stylish design, lightweight albeit without the flat cables, a decent build quality and has a single-button in-line button, all for only RM299. Sure, that’s quite a gap from the MXP 50 iE but I think it’s worth the money, especially for the build quality and some of the necessary extras included, not to forget the better sound quality too.
Might be better than the Klipsch S4a II too.
Thanks to Jaben Malaysia for letting us review the Beyerdynamic MMX 102 iE!
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I recently got mine for RM169 only at Flash Gadgets, Suria KLCC. They are having a promition right now according to the saleslady.