Beyerdynamic MMX 200 review: A first try that doesn’t stand out

Concerning the Beyerdynamic MMX 200

• Value: $249
• Model: Over-ear, closed-back
• Colours: Black, Grey
• Drivers: 40mm dynamic drivers
• Connections: 2.4 GHz by way of USB-C dongle, Bluetooth 5.3, Wired USB-C, Wired 3.5mm-to-USB-C
• Battery life: 35 to 50 hours
• Gadget compatibility: PC, Mac, Android, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Sequence X|S, Nintendo Swap, iOS
• Microphone: 9mm electret capsule condenser increase microphone (removable), twin pinhole mics (built-in)
• Digital encompass sound: None
• Noise canceling: None
• Weight: 362 grams (12.8 ounces)
• Particular options: Ambient sound mode

What we like

Balanced, impartial sound

Sound is the primary job of a gaming headset, and the Beyerdynamic MMX 200 will get it proper. These headphones supply a clear, impartial sound with out latency because of the devoted wi-fi transmitter. Bass tones don’t blow over the remainder of the frequencies like they will on different gaming headsets, and the mids and treble come by means of with honest precision.

Listening to Of Montreal’s False PriestI can simply select the varied devices layered collectively. In the meantime, in Overwatch 2I can maintain observe of the various completely different sound cues the sport provides even because the chaos ramps up, so no quantity of gunfire stops me from listening to a Hanzo final go off.

These cans supply loads of influence, too, with the scream of a Howler setting off a chase and the huffing of many zombies hounding me down in Dying Mild 2 coming by means of loud and clear.

That balanced start line additionally offers room for tweaks. If you happen to favor heavier bass, you’ll be able to run an equalizer to spice up it. You’ll have to seek out your individual app for EQ settings, although, because the headset doesn’t include any software program.

It is usually value noting that the audio high quality over Bluetooth doesn’t maintain up as nicely. Testing the Beyerdynamic MMX200 with a Pixel 7 Professional, it supported AAC however not higher-quality codecs like aptX HD or LDAC.

The mic is stunningly good for a wi-fi headset

One factor that’s virtually common amongst wi-fi gaming headsets is that their microphone high quality is nicely beneath that of their wired counterparts. If that’s the case for the Beyerdynamic MMX 200, I’d like to see what a wired model of this headset feels like as a result of the mic high quality on this factor is superb.

I made recordings with and with out a lot background noise, and in each instances, the mic picked up my voice with a smoothness, richness, and readability that only a few wi-fi choices present. Some are first rate, just like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 with its good enhancements, however the Beyerdynamic MMX 200 captures my voice on one other stage. Assume “silky tones of a late-night radio host speaking gently into their condenser microphone”.

The headset doesn’t have lively noise cancelation on the mic and may choose up slightly from the encompassing surroundings, however the tradeoff is a a lot better sounding voice than the opponents.

If you happen to take away the increase mic, the headset’s inside microphones will kick in, however they’re not practically pretty much as good.

Sturdy noise isolation

While you wish to tune into your video games, you’ll be able to both crank up the amount and danger listening to injury in order that nothing interrupts your means to listen to the sport or you will get cans with good noise isolation and proceed to hear at affordable, secure volumes. The Beyerdynamic MMX 200 offers good noise isolation, and whereas they don’t utterly block out all sounds (learn: no lively noise cancelation), it prevents sufficient sound from coming in that I can comfortably maintain listening with a low quantity.

Ambient “Augmented Audio Mode” is helpful

If you happen to usually put on headphones out in public or simply need to have the ability to hear what’s occurring round you at residence, ambient sound mode permits you to hearken to your headphones however nonetheless hear your environment. The Beyerdynamic MMX 200’s Augmented Audio Mode provides simply that. The characteristic additionally stands in for mic sidetone, letting you higher hear your individual voice whereas talking, which handily prevents shouting in the midst of a firefight in a sport.

I’ll observe that Beyerdynamic suggests the characteristic makes the MMX 200 extra like open-back headphones. My expertise with open-back headphones is that they supply a a lot wider soundstage than closed-back headphones, and this simply doesn’t do this. Positive, you’ll be able to hear what’s round you want with open-back headphones, however that’s usually not on the record of professionals for that model of headphone.

What we don’t like

Consolation will differ

The Beyerdynamic MMX 200 isn’t uncomfortable, however simply how comfy will probably be goes to differ significantly. On a scorching day, will probably be disagreeable. On a head that does not neatly match the curvature of the headscarf, it may trigger some discomfort.

The headset isn’t unreasonably heavy, nevertheless it’s not mild both, and I’ve discovered suspension headbands are superior to the one band used right here for spreading the load of a headset out to keep away from making a stress hotspot on the highest of the top. I anticipate some MMX 200 wearers (myself included) may get slightly sore after prolonged put on.

The thick, marshmallow-like ear cushions, with their leather-like wrap, don’t breathe. Even casually listening to music in a heat room, the aspect of my head will get slightly uncomfortably heat.

Switching sound sources is sluggish

Headsets that may swap between a low-latency 2.4GHz connection for gaming and a Bluetooth connection for on a regular basis use are extremely helpful. SteelSeries has made a superb show of placing the 2 applied sciences aspect by aspect, even letting them run concurrently. Beyerdynamic’s implementation is much less elegant.

The Beyerdynamic MMX 200 can change between the 2 connections with a double faucet of a button, nevertheless it takes a couple of seconds to do. Frequent switching shall be a headache.

Mic mute solely works as soon as the mic is on

It is a curious concern, however the headset will solely allow you to mute the mic when it’s really lively, and that muted standing will reset every time the mic is reactivated. I got here throughout this concern as a result of I by no means may get the mute indicator on the increase mic to activate whereas I used to be prodding the varied controls.

Solely as soon as I jumped into Discord or a voice recorder app that was actively listening to the mic may I activate mute and get that indicator mild to return on. If I wish to enter a voice name with my mic muted, there’s no method to do this.

The plastics really feel low-cost

There’s no getting round it. The Beyerdynamic MMX 200 has plastic that feels prefer it got here out of a mediocre 3D printer. The leatherette cushions and metal yolks have a high quality really feel to them, however the plastics on the headscarf and ear cups simply don’t. The one factor that helps me virtually forgive it’s that the USB-C dongle conveniently plugs into the headset’s USB-C port, making it straightforward to maintain it from getting misplaced.

The notched quantity wheel

Clicky wheels are plenty of enjoyable in plenty of contexts, however not on headphones. The wheel on the MMX 200 clicks with the sound of low-cost plastic and it’s extremely disruptive to the listening expertise as a result of it reverberates by means of the entire left earcup.

To make issues worse, there doesn’t appear to be any motive the wheel must be notched. It’s not as if every notch really corresponds to a quantity adjustment. Spinning the amount wheel down, typically Home windows responds after a click on, earlier than a click on, or in the midst of clicks. So, in the event that they’re not associated to modify actuation, the notches are simply there to make noise.

Do you have to purchase the Beyerdynamic MMX 200?

Sure, if mic high quality is a precedence

The MMX 200 could also be Beyerdyanmic’s first wi-fi gaming headset, however you wouldn’t comprehend it. They’re moderately nicely polished the place it counts, providing the audio efficiency you’d anticipate whereas offering shockingly good readability from the microphone. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a one-stop store for wi-fi sound high quality, then that is it.

That stated, should you’re not involved in regards to the microphone as a lot, the Beyerdynamic MMX 200 has its competitors reduce out for it. The SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova 7 Wi-fi provides extra options and extra spectacular connectivity with its means to concurrently play completely different wi-fi audio sources. The Beyerdynamic MMX 200 can play an analog enter alongside Bluetooth, however not two wi-fi sources. The SteelSeries’ cans are additionally lighter and extra comfy, mic high quality doesn’t lag far behind (with software program enhancements), they usually’re significantly cheaper at $179.

For audiophiles, the $300 Audeze Maxwell provides a barely costlier improve choice. The mic doesn’t evaluate, however the audio high quality soars from the headset’s 90mm planar magnetic drivers, the battery life basically doubles Beyerdynamic’s, and the cans supply connectivity choices to rival SteelSeries’ finest; no marvel it’s probably the greatest gaming headsets you should purchase proper now.

Beyerdynamic MMX 200

The Beyerdynamic MMX 200 is balanced, has low-latency sound, and an A category-leading microphone.

Meet the tester

Mark Knapp

Contributor

Mark Knapp has coated tech for a lot of the previous decade, protecting readers on top of things on the most recent developments and going hands-on with all the pieces from telephones and computer systems to e-bikes and drones to separate the advertising from the fact. Catch him on Twitter at @Techn0Mark or on Reviewed, IGN, TechRadar, T3, PCMag, and Enterprise Insider.

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