MEEAudio developers have got their own and very good niche — budget stage monitors for musicians that do not want to donate their kidney to Jerry Harvey or Ultimate Ears. The first M6 Pro have received much popularity that has been supported by the second generation. And now we get a whole new monitor series named MX Pro.
There are 4 models in the lineup that are different in internals and of course price. Basic MX1 Pro are a single driver dynamic priced at 60 USD. MX2 Pro add 1 BA driver and cost 100 USD. MX3 Pro use 2 BAs and are priced at 150 USD. Everything is logic and you can easily guess the setup and price of MX4 Pro. Apart from those new models there still are M6 Pro of the second generation (I will speak about them later) and M7 Pro that can be easily substituted with MX2, but later on that as well.
MEEAudio have done their best to satisfy their consumers.
First of all, not only number of transducers are different, but also tuning, so the lineup has variants for any types of musical activity.
Secondly, ergonomics and durability that has begun from M6Pro is present here as well and even if you are out of warranty and have damaged the IEMs, you can still get 50% off the new pair, that is not bad. All models have great passive isolation and it is a vital criteria for them.
Thirdly, the company has thought about upgrades and you can customize your monitors visually with changeable faceplates and ergonomically by ordering silicone tips for them that are made from custom moulds according to shape of your ear. Of course you don’t have to make all this at once and save some budget. Since the models of MX series are interchangeable, you will be able to move faceplate or tips to another version without making another order.
Fourthly there are many accessories available for the IEMs that are sold separately: different tips, cables of various length, Bluetooth module and much more.
At first I have thought to divide this review into 4 or at least 2 parts, but at last I have decided to keep it as a whole, since it is interesting to compare all models to each other.
Specifications
- Transducers: 1 × dynamic, 0 to 3 balanced armature
- Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Impedance (@ 1 kHz): MX1 PRO – 18Ω, MX2 PRO – 34Ω, MX3 PRO – 21Ω, MX4 PRO – 12 Ω
- Sensitivity (@ 1 mWt, 1 kHz): MX1 PRO – 100±3 dB, MX2 PRO – 104±3 dB, MX3 PRO – 110±3 dB, MX4 PRO – 103±3 dB
- Maximal power: 30 mWt
- Protection: IPX5
- Microphone: 100 Hz – 10 kHz, –42±3 dB
- Cable: detachable, 1.3 m, regular and with remote control
- Jack: 3.5 mm TRS и TRRS
Accessories and packaging
Everything is on good basic level — the carboard box with much printed information. There is a thick fabric pouch inside in which there are headphones and accessories:
- two cables, regular and with remote
- couple of clips for cable
- 3 pairs of single silicone tips
- a pair of double silicone tips
- a pair of Comply foam tips
- 6.3 mm adapter/li>
- carabine
As you can see, accessory range is rather good but you still can add to it by purchasing additional tips and cables.
Design and comfort
Appearance is minimal but well thought over — the compact bodies made of transparent plastic made for over the ear war. 3s and 4s are slightly thicker but it is what you expect when you gen couple of additional transducers. There are two colors available — fully transparent or smoky gray and you can order a pair of different colors. Depending on color of IEMs, there are different colors of cables and tips. What will you get is you buy a mixed pair?
The outer part sports a metal plate with company logo that is held by magnet so it can be easily changed to another one. MEEAudio offeres to order faceplates with different ornaments (camouflage, parts and so on), or even to create design by yourself and to send them a picture. Upon the whole it is an interesting way of customizing your monitors, making them unique.
The IEMs are very comfy and if you get correct tips you can wear them for hours. Sound isolation is above average and if we use foam or Symbian from MandarinEs, it becomes even better.
The stock cable is detachable, of course. There are proprietary connectors that remind of jacks from charger of old smartphones. The engineers say that it is the only variant that has allowed to keep mechanical durability and stay cheap. Of course there are ear hooks that can take different form in order to fixate well. The stock cables are very durable — thick silicone isolation, massive split, reliable jack. Of course cables are thicker than average audiophile solutions but here we speak about active stage use. Apart from that, MEEAudio have said that if the models have good demand they will release additional top cables with premium materials and another design.
Sound
I have used the following equipment for listening purposes
- Yulong DA10 and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and amp
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as a source
- Audirvana+ as a player
- Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, Astell&Kern A&ultima SP1000 and others as portable players
- Hi-Res recordings in Lossless-форматах (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
I have allowed 48 hours of burn in with audible changes for the first couple of hours which means that only dynamic transducer reacts to burn-in.
Since the review is complex, let us check the sound of each pair.
MX1 Pro
These are quite different from M6 Pro 2nd gen. MEEAudio have obviously decided that there shouldn’t be two models with similar presentation, since M6P2 have not been drawn back from production. MX1 Pro have got more mass tuning with accent on lows and highs.
The Bass is slightly accentuated, the IEMs are not basshead but not neutral too. Bass has good depth, reolution is above average, with the same level of control and textures. The mids are drawn back and have quite good resolution but this is not a model for micro details, since the main idea is on macro details. They can slightly lack aggression on brutal styles but cope with them in general. Highs are slightly accentuated but not exceedingly. They have normal resolution and average length and sound rather natural.
MX2 Pro
Differently from the previous model the dynamic is responisble only for the lower frequency and this helps it cope with the task better. The highs are played by armature transducer that is placed right in the nozzle. According to configuration this model is theoretical competitor to M7 Pro but in fact the new model kills it by offering similar presentation for less money.
The bass is accentuated and it is noticeable, since this model is addressed to bass guitarists and rhythm-section. The lows bump is not over emphasized, but rather big. And still it is compact and well controlled. Of course on bass-rich tracks it will bleed to mids but it is physics that you can’t argue with. Resolution and texturing are better than with MX1, probably due to second transducer. The mids are detailed with micro contrast. Of course one armature cannot always provide the needed weight so sometimes it is lacking, but it is what you get with the most single-drivers. When the mids are not covered by bass, you can hear that the IEMs have good dynamics, especially on vocals. The sound stage is above average in width and average in depth. Attacks and decays are slightly faster. Traditionally the resolution is good but there is lack of weight.
MX3 Pro
By adding another transducer MEEAudio have not only brought the mid frequency of MX2 back but have put in forward providing us with mid-centric headphones that are good for vocals and other instruments that fall into this spectre.
Bass is the same as in MX2 Pro but it is less abundant, although maybe it is because of increase in quantity of mids and highs. Of course, this model cannot be called bass-lacking, but lows are in their place and are there when it is needed. Mids have more weight and are moved forward and here we can speak about weight of instruments and better realism. This model is better than 2s in micro and macro details and this should appeal to everyone. Such mids presentation of course makes the IEMs more demanding to the recording quality, but this should be expected. The soundstage is above average in width and depth and it is a step forward from previous model. The highs are similar to 2s but here we get slighly more accent and they are more noticeable. I am comfortable with that but if you are treble sensitive you should better listen to them first. There is also increased length and better overtone transmission.
MX4 Pro
The most pricey and advanced model in the lineup that exceed everything MEEAudio has made before. The price is out of the budget segment where it is met by many competitors, so the engineers have tried to create maximally balanced and natural sound.
The lows have the same speed as in previous models. They are more abundant than with 3s but less than with 2s and it is ideal for me. This allows bass to be very versatile, playing both synthesized and natural lows well. The mids are the best in the lineup, there is an accent on micro details. They are less demanding to recording quality than 3s but still the resolution is not worse, while the weight and macro details are better. The sound stage is noticeable above average in depth and width and it is noticeable in separation. The highs are another step forward in terms of length, they are less accentuated than in MX3 but resolution, attacks and decays are the best in the lineup. The layering is basic but good for the price.
Example tracks
Alan Parsons — Years of Glory For 15 years the fans of Alan Parsons have been waiting for a new album and it is here. We can say as lot that it resembles many of well-known patterns but isn’t it what we have expected? Years of Glory is not only the vocals of Paul Joseph Ollson, but also two great solos — guitar and saxophone which are very well transmitted by mid-centric MX3 Pro.
Henry Fong — On My Way If we need a bassy track, let us celebrate the summer end with this pleasant track that mixes modern electronic rhythms with reggae and ethnic music into a sunny and positive coctail that is very good for MX2 Pro. Powerful and resonating slams, juicy bass line and armature strings will bring you relax and make you somewhat blue.
The Regrettes — Coloring Book MX1 Pro gets this example of pop-punk for the band that climbs the mass scene from 2015. Most of all the frontman has the main load and Lydia Night copes with all emotions quite well. MX1 help with that by playing this track if not too technical, but very emotional.
Verdi: Don Carlo — Ella giammai m’amò! I have thought a lot on what to throw at MX4 Pro to make them struggle, and have found this one. Dynamic transitions from powerful symphonic roars to smallest violin nuances. The power of orchestra and vocals. Here you will need something top (from 1000 USD and above) but what if you have some other interests apart from audiophile needs? Here they are — neutral and balanced MEEAudio hybrids that play this track not ideally but with great quality.
Conclusions
We get what is advertised — professional IEMs created for musicians, that can be used not only on sage. All models, including senior, are rather good for casual listeners that want to get quality sound and other bonuses.
Translated by: Vadim Kolchev
