MEE Audio

Formerly Meelectronics

MEE Audio M7 PRO

Specs.
Hybrid IEM, with a 10mm dynamic driver and a balanced armature
Frequency range: 10Hz – 20KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 96 dB/mW
RRP: $149.99



Build quality and accessories.
The build quality is excellent, as always with MEE Audio, everything from the materials used to the well thought out design is top drawer.
The cables, you get two of them, are detachable and come with a standard MMCX connector in the housing, and a 90 degree jack, one plain cable for audio only and the other with a microphone and call/audio controls.
The included accessories are, five pairs of different sized silicone sleeves and two pairs of Comply foam sleeves, two cables (audio and headset), a 6.3mm adapter, a shirt clip and a nice big case for storage.
Excellent accessory kit, if you ask me.


Comfort and fit.
The M7 PROs are about average both in size and weight. The comfort is is on top, thanks to their rounded design. They are meant to be worn with the cable running over your ears, and they have a memory wire that can be “moulded” over your ears to keep them put. Isolation from ambient noise is very good and microphonic noise is pretty much non existent, even without using the shirt clip.



Sound quality.
The M7 PROs use a dynamic driver to give you the fullbodied bass slam, and a balanced armature to give you the detailed and crisp treble.
The sound signature is slightly V shaped, with a powerful low end and sparkling high end. The mids are nicely detailed and life like, and the soundstage is rather big with excellent separation and layering.

To me the M7 PRO is the perfect companion to the Pinnacle P1, one for the mellow and fine tuned music and the other for AC/DC on full pelt.
Engaging, powerful, dynamic and club like, would be a few words to describe their sound, they will make you tap along to the music.

Their sound signature make them well suited for bassdriven music like hip-hop, dance, house, while the likes of folk, vocal and classical may sound too powerful for some. They are aimed at professional users, as the name suggests, and for on-stage use and have been tuned for that purpose.

That said, the M7 PRO is a great IEM, not only for bass lovers and professionals, I have been enjoying them hugely with all sorts of music, have a listen to Shadow Of The Day by Linkin Park, and you will see the light too.



To sum up.
The good: engaging, powerful and excellent sound, excellent build quality, excellent design and aesthetics, very comfortable.
The bad: not for the purists.

Verdict: Once again MEE Audio has come up with a great value IEM. Highly recommended!

MEE Audio Pinnacle P1

Specs.
Dynamic driver: 10mm
Frequency range: 20Hz – 20KHz
Impedance: 50 Ohm
Sensitivity: 96 dB/mW
RRP: $199



Build quality and accessories.
The build quality is excellent, in fact it's the best I have seen in any IEM. The housing is a zinc alloy die-cast, which is tougher than aluminium and lighter than steel.
The braided cable is detachable and comes with a standard MMCX connector in the housing, and terminates in a 90 degree jack. The second cable has a microphone and call/audio controls.
The included accessories are, six pairs of different sized silicone sleeves and three pairs of Comply foam sleeves (S, M, L and two pairs of dual flanged and one pair of triple flanged silicone sleeves), two cables (audio and headset), a 6.3mm adapter, a shirt clip and a very nice leather case with engraved serial number.



Excellent accessory kit, and a very premium looking and feeling leather case!



Comfort and fit.
The P1s are slightly bigger than average and quite heavy. That said, they are very discreet and comfortable to wear. They can be worn with the cable running over your ears or straight down, when swapping cables for the housings to avoid reversal of the channels. Very innovative and a win-win situation for all and everyone. Isolation from ambient noise is very good and wearing the cable over the ear eliminates any microphonic noise, even without using the shirt clip.



Sound quality.
The P1s uses a patented acoustic diffuser and a proprietary sound chamber and damping scheme to provide the best balance between high frequency extension and smooth response. In short, this means better detail and natural extension in higher-mid and high frequencies.

The P1s are not only top of the food chain when it comes to build quality, but the sound is absolutely top notch as well. There, you can skip reading the rest and head straight to your preferred online shop and order the MEE Audio Pinnacle P1.



If you decide to continue reading, here we go.
The P1s are all about quality rather than quantity when it comes to the presentation. They sound stellar from the very first listening, but a bit of burn in makes them even smoother and really exquisite. The bass is pretty much linear all the way down, true sub bass! The mids are smooth, natural and detailed and the highs are very expansive and clear, without a hint of sibilance or shrillness. The soundstage is the largest I have heard in an IEM, very nicely layered and with great instrument separation.
The sound signature is best described as natural/neutral.

The spaciousness of the presentation could fool you into believing you're listening to full size headphones. Playing the late Mr. Bowie and his The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars on the P1s is nearly an out of body experience, the precision, resolution and the sheer musicality is something else. The conga drums at the beginning of Hotel California from Hell Freezes Over, the guitar solo on Comfortably Numb, absolutely fantastic.

Just a little word of warning though, the resolving sound comes with a slight drawback, the P1s highlight all flaws in a poor recording or low bitrate file, but feed them with high quality lossless files and they will make the hairs on your arms stand up.

If you are looking for a new set of IEMs around the £150 mark (or pretty much any price upwards), these are the ones to get, you will not find a better sounding earphone for the money, that's a fact.

To sum up.
The good: superb sound, superb comfort, superb build, superb price, superb value.
The bad: not for low quality files (but then, who listens to them anyway?)



Verdict: Probably the best value for money IEM on the market today. I cannot recommend the Pinnacle P1 highly enough!

MEE Audio Pinnacle P2

Specs.
Dynamic driver: 10mm
Frequency range: 17Hz – 20KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
RRP: $99.99

Build quality and accessories.
The build quality is very good, even if the all metal housing from the P1 has been replaced by plastic for the P2.
The cable is detachable and comes with a standard MMCX connector in the housing, and terminates in a 90 degree jack. There is also a microphone and call/audio controls on the cable.
The included accessories are, six pairs of different sized silicone sleeves (S, M, L and two pairs of dual flanged and one pair of triple flanged silicone sleeves) a pair of Comply foam sleeves, a 6.3mm adapter, a shirt clip and a very nice case.
Excellent accessory kit!



Comfort and fit.
The P2s are identical to the P1s when it comes to comfort and fit. The P2s are slightly bigger than average and about average in weight. That said, they are very discreet and comfortable to wear. They can be worn with the cable running over your ears or straight down, when swapping cables for the housings to avoid reversal of the channels. Very innovative and a win-win situation for all and everyone. Isolation from ambient noise is very good and wearing the cable over the ear eliminates any microphonic noise, even without using the shirt clip.



Sound quality.
Keep in mind that the P2s need a little time to settle, or burn in, to sound their best.
Once settled in, it’s pretty obvious that they share DNA with their older and bigger sibling, the P1, but they are not identical in sound. They have much of the same qualities, but add a little more quantity in the low end.
The bass is quite strong, but very controlled and does not sound artificially elevated. The mids are smooth, detailed and natural sounding with a little bump in the upper part. The Highs are clear, expansive and very detailed, without becoming piercing or sibilant.
The soundstage is one of the biggest I’ve heard, nicely layered and with a great separation. The sound signature of the P2s is best described as slightly V shaped.

My test tracks sound very, very good, the opening drums on Victim Of Love, the bass line on Shadow Of The Day, the guitar on Like A Hurricane, in a word, mesmerising.
Just bear in mind that the resolving sound also highlights any imperfections in a bad recording or low bitrate file, use high quality lossless files and the P2s will surprise you big time.

If you are looking for a new set of IEMs around the £75 mark, these are the ones to get, you will struggle to find a better sounding earphone for the money, that's a fact.



To sum up.
The good: the sound, the comfort, the price, the value.
The bad: nothing.

Verdict: MEE Audio has done it again, I can dust off the words I used to round up the P1 review, probably the best value for money IEM on the market today. I cannot recommend the Pinnacle P2 highly enough!

Meelectronics

Meelectronics Air-Fi AF72 Metro2

Specs.
Bluetooth headset, V4.0
Dynamic driver 5.5 mm
Frequency range: 10 Hz – 20 KHz
Battery: 5-5.5h use, 200h standby
Colour: black
Price: $79.99

Build quality and accessories.
The Metro2 is very well built and looks classy in a minimalistic way.
The call and music controls are on the flat cable loop, on the right earpiece you have the micro USB charging port and a flashing light for charging and bluetooth uses.
The accessories included are, three pairs of sleeves (S, M and L), a pair of stabiliser fins, a cable cinch, a micro USB charging cable, and a hard-case to store them.



Comfort and fit.
The Metro2 are light, the lightest wireless headset in the world, and comfortable to use even for longer listening sessions. The Metro2 can be used with the cable loop running over the ear or straight down, and with the cable cinch and stabiliser fins they sit secure whichever way you wear them.
Last but not least, the lack of cables is a real freedom and comfort boost.



Sound quality.
In an earlier review I said; Let me start by saying that I never thought wireless headphones could sound as great as the Matrix2. Now let me add the Metro2 to that as well.

The Metro2 connects to your player, or smart-phone over bluetooth, the pairing is easily done by pressing the on/off button for a few seconds and after that the connection is automatic. I tried them with a Sony Xperia Z.

The low end is strong without being overpowering, the mids are natural with good detail, and the highs are crisp and clear without ever becoming shrill or piercing. The soundstage is one of the biggest and most 3D I have heard in an IEM, and not only is it big, but it's nicely layered with great imaging as well.

My favourite tracks sound very good, astonishing when considering they are wireless. Well done Meelectronics!

Metro2 is a great all round headset with excellent sound and call quality, and they look great too.

To sum up.
The good, class leading sound, call and music management, stylish design, feather light, price.
The bad, nothing really springs to mind.



Verdict.
Treat your new smart-phone, and yourself to this stylish, easy to use and great sounding wireless headset. Highly recommended.

Meelectronics Crystal

Specs.
Dynamic driver. 7mm
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
Built in microphone and call/music control
Price: $49.99
Colour: gold, pink, silver or blue with Swarovski Crystals

Build quality and accessories.
The build quality is very good and the materials used are high quality. The housing is made of metal and has Swarovski Crystals at the outer tip of it, a very nice and clever marketing push towards the female audience. The cable is 120 cm long and terminates in a straight jack, it also has a sparkling look and a very nice feel to it, to suit the rest of the design.
On the right hand side there are the call and music management buttons and a built in microphone.
The accessories included are, six pairs of different sleeves (S, M and L in transparent and black/transparent), a shirt clip and a soft pouch. The retail box also deserves a mention, it has the same look and feel as jewellery boxes.



Comfort and fit.
The Crystals are light and about small, clearly made for smaller female ears, very good thinking there. With the small size, comfort is very good and the isolation is also very good, for a dynamic IEM. They can be worn both with the cable running over the ear as well as straight down. The microphonic noise is well under control, and it can be pretty much eliminated by wearing the cable over the ear.



Sound quality.
The Crystals require time to settle (burn in) to sound their best. Once settled they offer a natural sound with a powerful undertone. The bass resembles more sub-bass and kicks plentiful when called upon, the mids are detailed and slightly elevated in the upper regions, while the highs are clear and as the name suggests crystal like. The soundstage is big and the imaging and positioning is impressive as well as instrument separation.

The sound is slightly V shaped, with the sub-bass like low end and raised upper mids and highs, a very nice sound signature and one that you can enjoy for very long periods of listening. My test tracks sound very good with just the right amount of power in the dynamics, very addictive and fun.



To sum up.
The good: female friendly size and looks coupled with great sound.
The bad: a chin strap would be nice.

Verdict: treat your better half to a nice looking and comfortable IEM that delivers on sound just as much as on style. The Meelectronics Crystal gets the PH WAG approval. Highly recommended!

Meelectronics M6

Specs.
Single dynamic driver, 9mm
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 95dB/mW
RRP: $49.99, now on sale for $36.49
Colours: Black, clear and maroon

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is very good. The housing is made of plastic and the cable is 140cm/55in, with a 90 degree jack. The cable has a so called ”memory wire” built in where it runs over the ears. This means that it has a bit of metal wiring attached to it, which can be bent into the shape you wish, to help them stay put. The cable is quite soft and smooth with a good quality feel to it and it looks very nice in clear, it also has a shirtclip attached.
The included accessories are, four pairs of different sized silicone sleeves (S, M, L and triple flanges), a pouch, airline adapter and a cable manager. All in all a generous amount of accessories.

Comfort and fit.
The M6’s are light and about average size. They are to be worn with the cable running over the ear. The memory wire can be an advantage as well as an disadvantage, unfortunately I’m in the latter group, I find it too fiddly and generally unnecessary for comfort and fit, but that’s just me. Isolation from ambient noise is good and microphonic noise is minimal thanks to the clip.

Sound quality.
Being a dynamic IEM they require time to settle (burn in) to sound their best. Once settled the M6 offer a dynamic sound experience, with a tight and punchy bass that does not over-power the rest of the soundspectrum, the mids are lively, the highs are crisp and the soundstage is wide. The laidback and pleasing warmth is very nice sounding and one can listen to them for hours on end, without any fatigue. The detail in the overall sound is impressive for a dynamic IEM in this price range.
The M6 will make all music styles sound lively and enjoyable, with their dynamic sound nicely wrapped into a large soundstage, they make for a great listening experience that soon will have you tapping along to the music. It can also be noted that they respond well to the use of DSP’s and EQ’s.

To sum up.
The good: excellent and involving/fun sound, build quality, design, price.
The bad: the memory wire (but that may be a good thing for some).

Verdict: for the price they offer a combination of well thought out accessory pack, overall sound quality and glorious looks/design, especially for the clear model, that is very hard to beat. Highly recommended.

Meelectronics M6 Pro

Specs.
Single dynamic driver, 10mm
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
Colours: Clear and smoke (added October)
RRP: $59.99 (Now on sale for $49.99)

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is excellent. The housing is made of clear plastic so that all the nice details can be seen. The cable is detachable, and there are two cables included, one with music/call control and mic, and one without, both cables are 130 cm long, with memory wire over the ear and terminate in a 90 degree jack.
The included accessories are, six pairs of different sized silicone sleeves (single, dual and two different triple flanges) and one pair of foam sleeves, two shirt clips, a spare cable with mic, a 6.3mm adapter and a very nice case that is big enough to accommodate a player too. That is what I call a very generous accessory pack.
ETA, now also available in smoke colour and additional accessory available for purchase, a 180cm long cable.



Comfort and fit.
The M6’s are light and about average size. They are to be worn with the cable running over the ear. They fit easily and are very comfortable even for longer listening sessions. Isolation from ambient noise is good and microphonic noise is minimal thanks to the clip.



Sound quality.
The M6 Pro requires a little time to burn in and to really shine with the sound. Once settled they offer a dynamic sound, with slightly forward vocals, just as you would expect an IEM for professional use to sound. The bass, even if it can punch hard when needed, is toned down and natural sounding, the mids are smooth with slightly forward vocal range, and the highs are clear and crisp. Soundstage is more intimate, as you would like it on stage, but still very well spaced out and the instrument separation is really good.
They really sound exquisite with live, acoustic and scaled down recordings. Of course they can handle other types of music as well, feed them with RnB and they will dance, heavy metal and they will headbang, but they truly are as made for live and acoustic music.

I recommend you to listen to Johnny Cash – The Man Comes Around with the M6 Pro, sublime.

To sum up.
The good: very nice sound, build quality, accessory pack, price, design, detachable cable.
The bad: nothing really



Verdict: when I first got the M6 Pro I had to double check the price, under $50 for a very nice sounding IEM, with all the equipment you will ever need and a build quality that would make Rolls Royce proud. Highly recommended! And I would add to that, a necessity for the aspiring musician/stage performer.

Meelectronics M9

Specs.
Single dynamic driver, 9mm
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 95dB/mW
RRP: $24.99, now on sale for $17.49
Colours: Black

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is very good. The housing is made of aluminium and the cable is 120cm/48in, with a straight jack. The cable has a more rubbery feel to it than the one on the M6, and feels softer and smoother in use.
The included accessories are, four pairs of different sized silicone sleeves (S, M, L and double flanges), a semi-hard zippered case, a airline adapter and a cable manager. All in all a generous amount of accessories.

Comfort and fit.
The M9’s are light and quite small. They can be worn with the cable running over the ear as well as straight down. Isolation from ambient noise is good and microphonic noise is minimal thanks to the clip.

Sound quality.
The M9 use the same driver as the M6, and sound identical when used with same sleeves.
Being a dynamic IEM they require time to settle (burn in) to sound their best. Once settled the M9 offer a dynamic sound experience, with a tight and punchy bass that does not over-power the rest of the soundspectrum, the mids are lively, the highs are crisp and the soundstage is wide. The laidback and pleasing warmth is very nice sounding and one can listen to them for hours on end, without any fatigue. The detail in the overall sound is impressive for a dynamic IEM in this price range.
The M9 will make all music styles sound lively and enjoyable, with their dynamic sound nicely wrapped into a large soundstage, they make for a great listening experience that soon will have you tapping along to the music. It can also be noted that they respond well to the use of DSP’s and EQ’s.

To sum up.
The good: excellent and involving/fun sound, build quality, price.
The bad: may not offer best fit for all ears.

Verdict: for the price they offer a good overall sound quality and generous accessory pack as well as a build quality that, I dare say, no other IEM can match. Highly recommended!!

Meelectronics M9P 2nd Generation

Specs.
Dynamic driver: 9mm
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 97 dB/mW
Built in microphone and call/music control
Price: $19.99
Colour: gunmetal, silver or red

Build quality and accessories.
The build quality is very good and the materials used are high quality. The housing is made of metal and the 130 cm long flat cable, with its 90 degree jack has a nice feeling to it. On the right hand side there are the call and music management buttons and a built in microphone.
The accessories included are, five pairs of different sleeves (S, M, L, normal sleeves and one set of triple sleeves and one set of dual sleeves), a shirt clip and a zippered pouch.

Comfort and fit.
The M9Ps are light and about average sized, so they should fit most listeners well. Comfort, to my ears, is very good and the isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They can be worn both with the cable running over the ear as well as straight down. The microphonic noise is well under control, and it can be pretty much eliminated by wearing the cable over the ear.



Sound quality.
The M9Ps require time to settle (burn in) to sound their best. Once settled they offer a powerful but laidback sound with a big soundstage. The bass rumbles nicely and doesn't feel too overpowering, the mids are smooth even if they are a little in the background, and the highs are crisp and detailed without being sibilant. The soundstage is big and the imaging and positioning is impressive as well as instrument separation.

The sound is U shaped, with slightly boosted lows and highs and slightly recessed mids, but fear not, the M9Ps sound really exceptional for the asking price. My test tracks sound very catchy and musical, the M9Ps are made for a fun and enjoyable listening experience.

The strongest point of the M9Ps, yep, you've guessed it, the sound quality for the price, it is simply unbeatable.



To sum up.
The good: best sound per pound available today, best build quality for the price available today.
The bad: at the price, nothing.

Verdict: how can you produce any IEM at under $20, and one that sounds as good as the M9P at that? Buy it, now! Highly recommended!

Meelectronics M11

Specs.
Single dynamic driver, 7mm with a tuned bass-reflex system
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 95dB/mW
RRP: $49.99, now on sale for $44.49
Colours: Black, red, silver

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is very good. The housing is made of aluminium and the cable is 140cm/55in, with a 45 degree jack, and a shirtclip. The cable is not quite as soft and smooth as on the M6, but it is of high quality and looks very nice in clear.
The included accessories are, five pairs of different sized silicone sleeves (S, M, L, double and triple flanges), a pouch, a airline adapter and a cable manager. All in all a generous amount of accessories.

Comfort and fit.
The M11’s are light and small. They can be worn with the cable running over the ear as well as straight down. Isolation from ambient noise is good and microphonic noise is minimal thanks to the clip.

Sound quality.
Being a dynamic IEM they require time to settle (burn in) to sound their best. Once settled the M11 offer a dynamic sound experience, like the M6 and M9, but with added detail and more forward mids. They offer a tight and punchy bass that blends perfectly with the rest of the soundspectrum, the mids are smooth, detailed and forward, the highs are crisp and the soundstage is big. They are not as laidback as the M6 and M9, but they do sound excellent, and they can be listened to for long periods without any fatigue.
The M11 suits all music styles, and will make them sound lively and natural. The dynamic sound with a clear mids focus offer a detail that is normally found only in much more expensive IEM’s. Overall the M11 are highly enjoyable and they have a great combination of detail and energy wrapped into a big soundstage. Just as the M6 and M9 the M11 also respond well to the use of DSP’s and EQ’s.

To sum up.
The good: excellent and involving/fun sound, build quality, design, price.
The bad: very subtle L and R marking is easy to miss.

Verdict: for the price they offer stylish build and sound quality, that can match much more expensive IEM’s. Highly recommended.



Top M6, left M9, right M11

Meelectronics M-Duo

Specs.
Dual dynamic drivers
Frequency range: 10 Hz – 20 KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 101 dB/mW
Price: $79.99
Colour: black/chrome

Build quality and accessories.
The build quality is very good and the materials used are high quality. The housing is made of metal and the 130 cm long cable, with its 90 degree jack has a nice feeling to it. On the left hand side there are call and music management buttons and a built in microphone.
The accessories included are, six pairs of different sleeves (S, M, L, normal sleeves and S, L triple sleeves and one set of dual sleeves), a shirt clip and a zippered pouch.



Comfort and fit.
The M-Duos are light and about average sized (they are remarkably small actually for being dual dynamics), so they should fit most listeners well. Comfort, to my ears, is very good and the isolation is very good for a dynamic IEM. They can be worn both with the cable running over the ear as well as straight down. The microphonic noise is well under control, and it can be pretty much eliminated by wearing the cable over the ear.



Sound quality.
The M-Duos require time to settle (burn in) to sound their best. Once settled they offer a very musical and powerful sound in a very large soundstage. The bass is tight and very deep, the mids are detailed and smooth, and the highs are crisp and detailed without being sibilant. The soundstage is big and very 3D in its character, the imaging and positioning is impressive as well as instrument separation.

The sound is quite neutral, but still powerful and dynamic. My test tracks sound excellent, the altering drums in Hotel California sound magnificent and the overall musicality is top notch.

The strongest point of the M-Duos is the life-like sound and the dynamic range of the dual dynamic transducers, and of course the soundstage that is on par with a stadium concert.



To sum up.
The good: exceptional musicality and overall delightful and enjoyable sound, large and detailed soundstage, sound per pound.
The bad: depending on the source a very slight hiss can be heard when volume is cranked up, but this is really nit-picking.

Verdict: the M-Duos are very good and offer great value. Highly recommended.

Minerva

Minerva Mi-3

First of all, a big thank you to Lee at minerva-hearingprotection.co.uk for excellent service and first rate know-how.

Minerva Hearing Protection is a UK based company that has been in the hearing protection business since 1952, they are one of the largest actors in Europe with more than 8 million custom earmoulds made since the start.
Now Minerva are breaking new ground and expanding into the custom earphone market with their new line of custom earphones, the single driver Mi-1, dual driver Mi-2 and the triple driver Mi-3.

Today I will have a closer look at their flagship model, the Minerva Mi-3.



Specs.
Three balanced armature drivers with a passive three-way crossover.
Frequency range: n/a
Impedance: n/a
Sensitivity: n/a
Colour: For the customer to choose
RRP: £356.42

Not many specs are known, but from what I can hear they cover the full frequency range, and by estimation of the sound and volume setting, I would say that the impedance is higher than average and/or the sensitivity is lower than average.



Build quality and accessories.
As these are custom made, the customer can quite freely specify how to build them by choosing different cables and connectors, different colours and custom artwork. To buy the Minerva Mi-3 you need to have ear impressions done at an audiologist, this is already baked into the total price when ordering from within the UK.

The build quality is top notch, excellent craftsmanship. The housing is made of medical soft silicone, which is moulded to the shape of your ear. There are no marks or irregularities on the housing. The cable is 130cm long with a 90degree jack.
The included accessories are, a cleaning tool, a soft pouch, a shirt clip, ear gel and a instruction leaflet with a test certificate. Then one can add as many extras as one wants, mine came with an excellent personalised hard case.



Comfort and fit.
The size of the Mi-3’s depends on your ear size, but tends to be bigger than the average universal IEMs. If you get the impressions made properly you will have a very, very comfortable fit with the Mi-3’s, they are easily the most comfortable IEMs I have tried. They can be made for cable over ear or straight down use. Isolation from ambient noise is easily the best I have experienced, these will be perfect for frequent flyers. The cable is very low on microphonic noise, and there is the clip to further reduce it as well.

There is a slight learning curve for the proper insertion of the silicone custom shells, but once you master the technique, the comfort, fit and isolation is absolutely on top!

Sound quality.
The Mi-3’s are triple balanced armature IEMs, and do not really need time to burn in, we can go straight to the heart of the matter, the sound.



I plugged the Mi-3’s into my player and hit play. Wow! These are very, very good.
The attack and sub bass these deliver is impressive. The mids are detailed and very smooth, the highs are well extended and airy, without ever sounding shrill or sibilant. Soundstage is very nicely layered and expands nicely.
The sound signature is natural, with a slight emphasis on bass and treble, but this is only very slightly and it is very well done as not to hide the glorious mids. The entire sound spectrum is fully audible, and reproduced in a brilliant way. The Mi-3’s take the music, and really make the most of it, without adding or leaving anything out. If there is no bass in the music, then there is no bass in the reproduction, if there is sub bass, then that will be clearly audible, without distortion or muddiness.
Minerva has really made a wonderful IEM in the Mi-3.



Even if I have been listening to some of the very best universal IEMs on the market, I was not prepared for the huge difference in presentation that a custom IEM can offer. I am able to pick up small pieces of detail that have been drowned out before.

My test tracks, and all other tracks I have tried with them sound like I have never heard them before. If I concentrate on the music it’s like I am on stage with the guys, and in the first row if I take a more relaxed stance to listening. However I choose to listen, critically or enjoying the music, I never feel like I would want more of anything, or less for that matter, it’s all there, in a perfect mix and a perfect musical presentation that I haven’t heard before.

Since I got the Mi-3’s I have probably spent more time with them in my ears listening, and reinventing my music library, than I have spent not doing so. Lucky they are so comfortable, as it would soon become painful to listen to music for 10 hours at a time if they were not. In fact, I get drawn into the music so much so this review is getting hard to keep on track.

Let me just round it up by saying that the level of detail and sheer musical enjoyment the Mi-3’s offer has set a new standard for me.


To sum up.
The good: the magnificent sound, perfect fit and comfort, price compared to the rivals
The bad: nothing really stands out



Verdict: Absolutely! Highly recommended.

Nocs

Nocs NS400 Titanium

Specs.
Single dynamic driver, 8mm
Frequency range: 20Hz – 20KHz
Impedance: 16Ohm
Sensitivity:106dB/mW
Microphone and music controls for iPhone/iPod
RRP: $99

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is excellent, the housing is made of titanium as the name suggests. The rubbery cable is 120cm and it terminates in a straight jack. The driver is titanium coated, which means it is very stiff and delivers a clear sound free from distortion.
The included accessories are, three pairs of different sized silicone sleeves (S, M and L) and a shirt clip. A pouch of some sort would have been nice, but still everything needed is included.

Comfort and fit.
The NS400 are about average both weightwise and sizewise. They can be worn with the cable running over the ear as well as straight down, for best mic use straight down is preferred. They are very comfortable and unobtrusive in use, even for prolonged hours. Isolation from ambient noise is very good for a dynamic IEM and wearing the cable over the ear and fixing it with the shirt clip can eliminate any microphonic noise.



Sound quality.
As a dynamic IEM the NS400 require time to settle to sound their best. That said, they do sound very nice straight out of the box as well.
They offer a powerful sound with a nice analogue feel. The bass is strong yet very well controlled, the mids are a little in the background but have great detail and lush sound, the highs are very nice and clear without being harsh or sibilant. The soundstage is open and nicely layered.



My test tracks sound absolutely fabulous, the powerful yet very detailed sound really makes for a very relaxing and enjoyable personal concert. Bass driven music really comes to its right with these, but they are more than a one trick pony, they are very well suited for all music thanks to the dynamics and detail in the presentation.

I must just add that a 8mm driver seems to be the perfect compromise between earth shattering bass and fine detail across the spectrum. The titanium-coated diaphragm has surely got a thing or two to do with the clarity and the distortion-free sound of the NS400 as well.
For the asking price they are very, very good, well done Nocs!



To sum up.
The good: powerful and detailed sound, build quality and materials used, performance/price, headset.
The bad: not easily available to purchase, headset can be off-putting for some.

Verdict: one of the best performance/price IEMs I have heard. Highly recommended.

Nuforce

Nuforce NE-700X

Specs.
Single dynamic driver, 8mm
Frequency range: 20Hz – 20KHz
Impedance: 16Ohm
Sensitivity:105dB/mW
RRP: $65

Also available as a headset, NE-700M, $79.

Build quality and accessories.
Build quality is great. The housing is made of machined aluminium, the slightly plasticky feeling cable is 135cm and it terminates in a straight jack. The driver is titanium coated, which means it is very stiff and delivers a clear sound free from distortion.
The included accessories are, four pairs of different sized silicone sleeves (S, M, L and triple flanged) and a soft pouch. Maybe not the most generous amount, but still everything needed.

Comfort and fit.
The NE-700X are about average both weightwise and sizewise. They can be worn with the cable running over the ear as well as straight down. They are very comfortable to wear, but may not fit small ears, due to the bullet design. Isolation from ambient noise is very good for a dynamic IEM and microphonic noise can be minimized by wearing the cable over the ear.



Sound quality.
As a dynamic IEM they require time to settle (burn in) to sound their best. That said, the NE-700X do sound very nice straight out of the box as well.
The NE-700X offer a warm and powerful sound with a nice analogue feel. The bass is strong yet very well controlled, the smooth mids have good detail, the highs are very nice and clear without sounding harsh or sibilant. The soundstage is open and nicely layered.
My test tracks sound great, drums and bass slam just as they are supposed to and guitars and voices blend in nicely to create the smooth and laidback sound, I can listen to these for hours and be totally absorbed by the music. For the asking price they are very, very good.



To sum up.
The good: excellent and powerful sound, build quality and materials used, exclusive looks, price/performance.
The bad: somewhat plasticky cable, not easily available to buy.

Verdict: excellent sound, excellent build quality and exclusive looks at a really affordable price. Highly recommended.