Zelda
Headphoneus Supremus
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- Jul 12, 2012
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MEE Audio Matrix Cinema ANC
Website - MEE Audio
Specifications
Price: U$149. (Direct purchase link from MEE Audio site.)
Design & Build Quality
The Matrix ANC continues the same design and quality as the previous Matrix Cinema iterations. A compact over-ear headphone set with 40mm dynamic drivers, made lightweight and very portable. The design is simple and convenient; with most of the main parts made by good quality plastic (could be ABS, but not sure). The inner headband mixes a solid metal and plastic band, while the outer part is covered by plastic towards the sides and synthetic leather for the upper section that lies over the head. The ear cups and yokes are also made of the same plastic while the plates are covered with different synthetic leather with the MEE logo on them. As meant for best portability and space saving, the cups can rotate to a flat or collapsible format; note that the included case is design for the flat folding. The cups swivel up or down what helps for a more natural comfortable fit.
The ear cushions are soft with the synthetic leather outside and memory foam inside, very plushy but not too deep so the speakers inside may contact the ears. While the cushions are meant for the over-ear fit the inner diameter can be too narrow for medium to larger sized ears and cause some irritation after an hour or so of use. The seal is very good, although due the Matrix design the passive isolation is about average and below for a closed over-ear.
Controls and ports are distributed between both ear cups. The left side holds only the micro USB charging port and stereo audio 3.5mm jack for wired connectivity. The right cup is more populated with all the buttons and microphone. There is the main multi-functional button in the middle that works for power, wireless pairing, play/pause, call handling and what else. The volume buttons serve as track skipping when held a few seconds. Then there is also the Active Noise Cancellation switch, and the CinemaEAR button to toggle between the 4 different EQ options or turn off the Cinema enhancement effects. And finally, a small LED indicator for the various status.
Moreover, there is voice notification in English for the power and battery status, current selected enhancement mode, etc. Worth mentioning that all the LED and voice indications can be disabled with different buttons combinations. All the information is detailed in the manual which can found online at MEE website.
Wireless performance
The Matrix ANC utilizes a Bluetooth 4.2 and supports AptX codec (including low latency, but not HD), which is a good standard for most devices now. The pairing is quick and once paired it can automatically connect with the device on the next use. The connection is very solid, at least no drops so far and the wireless range is decent if used in a open area from the paired device.
Wireless battery time is also very good, both on normal and with active NC on, and standby time is long as well (though haven't really tested the ~1000hrs time).
Active Noise Cancellation
Obviously, the main added feature on this last Matrix iteration is the active noise cancellation, and personally what got my attention together with the audio effects. The NC works both on wired and wireless setup. The performance is good when used on very noise areas or when travelling, eliminating a lot of the continued background noise from trains, car or buses engines; single noises and people conversations are less filtered if located too close. Without the NC the headphones let a lot of outside noise to be heard when playing music at moderate levels, so becomes practically a must to have it enabled. As could be expected, the sound quality drops when the NC is 'on', but I cannot comment how good or bad it is compared to more expensive brands sets with the similar tech.
Sound Quality
Sources: For Bluetooth, Fiio M6, Samsung Galaxy S7. Wired mode, iBasso DX120, HiBy R6 Pro.
The sound presentation differs from when the CinemaEAR mode is off or on. On the wired setup the CinemaEAR enhancement options are automatically disabled, but also when used in wireless mode the Cinema function can be disabled. The differences between the wired and wireless with the Cinema effects disabled are less pronounced than when compared to the default Dynamic Music mode, and as a matter of fact, the Dynamic Music effect is more enjoyable than the when it is off, which is a good thing as that's the main attraction of the Matrix ANC as to be used a wireless headphones set.
Nevertheless, the sound w/o the effects still works as a base for Dynamic mode. The overall sound signature is towards the warm tuning with a noticeable emphasis on the low frequencies and more reserved, laid-back highs. It is not a heavy bass sound but it is full with a thick texture that blends into the lower midrange giving a darker, smoother presentation, while the upper midrange and treble get more linear.
With the Cinema effect on, and starting from the Dynamic music option, the sound is more lively, as described having a boost in the bass and treble. To be more precise, if taking the no effect mode as reference then the boost is mainly on the upper mid and whole treble area, maintaining the same (or at least very similar) bass enhancement. Yes, it can be perceived as a v-shaped sound but the curve is not really that sharp. In fact, this is the most balanced sound mode with relatively even bass and treble and still not particularly recessed midrange.
Bass quantity is plenty; a strong weight but not to overshadow the rest of the sound. A typical mid-bass lift with normal average speed, good texture, depth and fair resolution for what Bluetooth quality goes with its more limited extension. On the Clear Voice mode, both of them, the bass is a little subdued; still maintains a very similar texture but less obvious due the more prominent mids and highs.
Switching to Bass boost mode makes it a heavy bass type, with a powerful mid and upper bass lift; it takes a lot of the quality for sheer extra quantity to the point of overpowering the rest of the sound range.
On the Dynamic Music mode the midrange sits slightly behind the bass and highs but the presence is good. It is rather neutral in texture, neither too thin nor too rich, with decent resolution and separation with fair balance between instruments and vocals. The Clear Voice mode boosts a strong lift on the upper midrange and lower treble setting the lower midrange a half step behind, and then gaining some more forward details. It isn't tuned for just more hearable voices but as a whole brighter tonality when compared to Dynamic music and completely opposite to the Bass boost options. On the Clear Voice option the overall balance is also similar to that of the Dynamic music with just a better match or female singers and upper instruments. The Voice+ raises the upper frequencies gain even higher putting a brighter, forward and more aggressive sound. Sibilance is not much of an issue with either modes, though Voice+ mode is more 'splashy' in the treble.
The treble quantities depend strongly on the selected music mode, though in quality it is good for an entry-level wireless portable set if considered as a $100 pair (you're getting Noise Cancellation for the extra price), and around average next to standard wired options that hold a more natural timbre and not as limited extension.
Now, with the active noise cancellation on the results are as expected. The most affected frequency is the bass losing a fair amount of mass and quantity close to being neutral. Changes in the midrange and treble are smaller, though there is a loss of air and thinner texture with a much closed and narrow surrounding effect. Considering the low passive isolation when used on noisy environments the noise cancellation mode is practically a must to still enjoy the music with much less distraction.
All in all, the Matrix ANC works as advertised for entry level wireless headphones with the extra noise cancellation feature. Apart from some discomfort with the ear pads, the build quality is solid and the design is lightweight, very portable and with good Bluetooth battery time. The CinemaEAR effects work well, and actually more enjoyable without them, and I personally find switching between the Dynamic and Voice (not +) modes to match the different music genres.
Website - MEE Audio
Specifications
Price: U$149. (Direct purchase link from MEE Audio site.)
Design & Build Quality
The Matrix ANC continues the same design and quality as the previous Matrix Cinema iterations. A compact over-ear headphone set with 40mm dynamic drivers, made lightweight and very portable. The design is simple and convenient; with most of the main parts made by good quality plastic (could be ABS, but not sure). The inner headband mixes a solid metal and plastic band, while the outer part is covered by plastic towards the sides and synthetic leather for the upper section that lies over the head. The ear cups and yokes are also made of the same plastic while the plates are covered with different synthetic leather with the MEE logo on them. As meant for best portability and space saving, the cups can rotate to a flat or collapsible format; note that the included case is design for the flat folding. The cups swivel up or down what helps for a more natural comfortable fit.
The ear cushions are soft with the synthetic leather outside and memory foam inside, very plushy but not too deep so the speakers inside may contact the ears. While the cushions are meant for the over-ear fit the inner diameter can be too narrow for medium to larger sized ears and cause some irritation after an hour or so of use. The seal is very good, although due the Matrix design the passive isolation is about average and below for a closed over-ear.
Controls and ports are distributed between both ear cups. The left side holds only the micro USB charging port and stereo audio 3.5mm jack for wired connectivity. The right cup is more populated with all the buttons and microphone. There is the main multi-functional button in the middle that works for power, wireless pairing, play/pause, call handling and what else. The volume buttons serve as track skipping when held a few seconds. Then there is also the Active Noise Cancellation switch, and the CinemaEAR button to toggle between the 4 different EQ options or turn off the Cinema enhancement effects. And finally, a small LED indicator for the various status.
Moreover, there is voice notification in English for the power and battery status, current selected enhancement mode, etc. Worth mentioning that all the LED and voice indications can be disabled with different buttons combinations. All the information is detailed in the manual which can found online at MEE website.
Wireless performance
The Matrix ANC utilizes a Bluetooth 4.2 and supports AptX codec (including low latency, but not HD), which is a good standard for most devices now. The pairing is quick and once paired it can automatically connect with the device on the next use. The connection is very solid, at least no drops so far and the wireless range is decent if used in a open area from the paired device.
Wireless battery time is also very good, both on normal and with active NC on, and standby time is long as well (though haven't really tested the ~1000hrs time).
Active Noise Cancellation
Obviously, the main added feature on this last Matrix iteration is the active noise cancellation, and personally what got my attention together with the audio effects. The NC works both on wired and wireless setup. The performance is good when used on very noise areas or when travelling, eliminating a lot of the continued background noise from trains, car or buses engines; single noises and people conversations are less filtered if located too close. Without the NC the headphones let a lot of outside noise to be heard when playing music at moderate levels, so becomes practically a must to have it enabled. As could be expected, the sound quality drops when the NC is 'on', but I cannot comment how good or bad it is compared to more expensive brands sets with the similar tech.
Sound Quality
Sources: For Bluetooth, Fiio M6, Samsung Galaxy S7. Wired mode, iBasso DX120, HiBy R6 Pro.
The sound presentation differs from when the CinemaEAR mode is off or on. On the wired setup the CinemaEAR enhancement options are automatically disabled, but also when used in wireless mode the Cinema function can be disabled. The differences between the wired and wireless with the Cinema effects disabled are less pronounced than when compared to the default Dynamic Music mode, and as a matter of fact, the Dynamic Music effect is more enjoyable than the when it is off, which is a good thing as that's the main attraction of the Matrix ANC as to be used a wireless headphones set.
Nevertheless, the sound w/o the effects still works as a base for Dynamic mode. The overall sound signature is towards the warm tuning with a noticeable emphasis on the low frequencies and more reserved, laid-back highs. It is not a heavy bass sound but it is full with a thick texture that blends into the lower midrange giving a darker, smoother presentation, while the upper midrange and treble get more linear.
With the Cinema effect on, and starting from the Dynamic music option, the sound is more lively, as described having a boost in the bass and treble. To be more precise, if taking the no effect mode as reference then the boost is mainly on the upper mid and whole treble area, maintaining the same (or at least very similar) bass enhancement. Yes, it can be perceived as a v-shaped sound but the curve is not really that sharp. In fact, this is the most balanced sound mode with relatively even bass and treble and still not particularly recessed midrange.
Bass quantity is plenty; a strong weight but not to overshadow the rest of the sound. A typical mid-bass lift with normal average speed, good texture, depth and fair resolution for what Bluetooth quality goes with its more limited extension. On the Clear Voice mode, both of them, the bass is a little subdued; still maintains a very similar texture but less obvious due the more prominent mids and highs.
Switching to Bass boost mode makes it a heavy bass type, with a powerful mid and upper bass lift; it takes a lot of the quality for sheer extra quantity to the point of overpowering the rest of the sound range.
On the Dynamic Music mode the midrange sits slightly behind the bass and highs but the presence is good. It is rather neutral in texture, neither too thin nor too rich, with decent resolution and separation with fair balance between instruments and vocals. The Clear Voice mode boosts a strong lift on the upper midrange and lower treble setting the lower midrange a half step behind, and then gaining some more forward details. It isn't tuned for just more hearable voices but as a whole brighter tonality when compared to Dynamic music and completely opposite to the Bass boost options. On the Clear Voice option the overall balance is also similar to that of the Dynamic music with just a better match or female singers and upper instruments. The Voice+ raises the upper frequencies gain even higher putting a brighter, forward and more aggressive sound. Sibilance is not much of an issue with either modes, though Voice+ mode is more 'splashy' in the treble.
The treble quantities depend strongly on the selected music mode, though in quality it is good for an entry-level wireless portable set if considered as a $100 pair (you're getting Noise Cancellation for the extra price), and around average next to standard wired options that hold a more natural timbre and not as limited extension.
Now, with the active noise cancellation on the results are as expected. The most affected frequency is the bass losing a fair amount of mass and quantity close to being neutral. Changes in the midrange and treble are smaller, though there is a loss of air and thinner texture with a much closed and narrow surrounding effect. Considering the low passive isolation when used on noisy environments the noise cancellation mode is practically a must to still enjoy the music with much less distraction.
All in all, the Matrix ANC works as advertised for entry level wireless headphones with the extra noise cancellation feature. Apart from some discomfort with the ear pads, the build quality is solid and the design is lightweight, very portable and with good Bluetooth battery time. The CinemaEAR effects work well, and actually more enjoyable without them, and I personally find switching between the Dynamic and Voice (not +) modes to match the different music genres.
