Stereo imaging and width on the Mi Headphones are very impressive for this price point. Vocals and instruments can be heard clearly and there is good depth and separation in the sound stage, making it quite an enjoyable experience.
However, that’s if you get past the first thing you notice when using the headphones: it’s pretty bass-heavy. There is a lot of energy in the sub-bass, lows and lower-mid frequencies when compared to the Urbanite and M50. A bottom-heavy sound, or pumped-up bass response can be desirable for some, particularly to bass heads as the low-end boost accentuates the resonance frequencies of kicks, snares, toms and bass, making them sound more punchy and energetic. But, this also causes the overall mix to sound boomy, muddy, loose and cluttered – it’s especially apparent with music which already has a lot of low-end energy present.
This bass-heavy approach also can be a little distracting for some people, especially for those like me who prefer a much flatter tonal balance and tighter low-end. When it comes to audio, there’s always some subjectivity involved.
In the high mids and highs, there are no real harshness or piercing sibilance, which is pleasant. However, at this range the audio is a bit muffled and lacking in a bit of clarity when compared to the M50. In the highs, the Mi Headphones is almost like the polar opposite of the M50, where the M50 can be a bit harsh while the Mi Headphones can sound a bit tame.
Having said that, for its price range, the Mi Headphones really does sound good, clear and detailed with an added low-end oomph (for better or worse, depending on what you prefer). Its impedance level is also designed to be suitable for mobile phone outputs. Furthermore, due to its open back construction, you could really wear it for long periods of time and not fatigue your ears as quickly as the M50 or Urbanite.
Naturally, the Mi Headphones are not designed for professional use for monitoring or mixing (where critical listening and accurate tonal balance is paramount) like the entry-level M50 are, but then again how many people out there actually need a pair of professional headphones unless your job requires you to?
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