Headphone World - Blog

Pros

 Top quality audio performance with no distortion on deep bass tracks, even at maximum volumes
 In-line remote and microphone for Apple iOS devices
 Simple lightweight design helps earpieces keep securely in shape

Cons

 Not for bass fans, nor fans of brighter, crisper audio

If you are unfamiliar while using the name MartinLogan, it’s possibly because you are not dropping thousands of dollars on high-end electrostatic speakers that use a entirely unique method than, say, a typical tweeter, to produce audio. The excellent news, for those devoid of thousands to spend on their speakers, is that MartinLogan now makes earphones, like the Mikros 70. At $149.95 (list), this in-canal, lightweight pair sounds quite different than an electrostatic speaker pair, but offers quality performance nonetheless. Built-in iPhone controls add some value to the cost, but the Mikros 70 does very little to distinguish by itself inside of a very crowded field—and bass fiends should definitely appear elsewhere.

Design
The Mikros 70 is portion of your spare, non-descript school of earphone design. The company name is emblazoned in tiny white letters about the earphone’s narrow black earpieces. Along the left earpiece’s audio cable, which is also black, a chrome-and-black in-line remote for Apple iOS devices houses a built-in microphone and controls for volume, playback, and track navigation. Call clarity is neither amazing nor poor—your call partner will be able to understand you clearly, but because we are dealing with cellular fidelity, really do not assume excellent articulation.

The end of each narrow earpiece also has some chrome accent work, but basically, the earpieces utilize a very narrow design that isn’t most likely to attract significantly attention. Many thanks to their shape and lightweight body, the earpieces also match quite securely. The Mikros 70 ships with five pairs of eartips of various shapes and dimensions. A black, rigid zip-up pouch is also included.

Performance
On deep bass tracks, the Mikros 70 does not distort, even when playing at maximum, unsafe listening levels. The Knife’s “Silent Shout” and Thom Yorke’s “Cymbal Rush” both present distinct types of low frequency challenges, but on neither track does the Mikros 70 succumb to distortion. It also delivers a noticeable level of bass response, so we know the Mikros 70 isn’t employing the old trick of entirely avoiding a frequency variety in order to avoid distortion within that array. This is what you should expect from a $150 earphone pair.

However, the Mikros 70 doesn’t produce a terribly intense bass expertise, either. The lower frequencies are rich, but not solid. Occasionally, certain small (but not sub-bass) seem to get somewhat of a boost, and the Mikros 70 will sound a hair extra robust than it typically does, but generally speaking, this is not a pair for bass lovers.

The treble performance in the Mikros 70 is, like its bass response, nuanced. It’s not the crispest-sounding response you’ll ever hear, but it does nice things with the treble edge of Bill Callahan’s vocals on “Drover,” a track that, around the wrong earphones, can sometimes produce his unique baritone voice in a very muffled manner. Higher percussion drum hits have a high-mid presence to them, but lack much sparkle or truly high frequency brightness.

This is most apparent on classical tracks, like John Adam’s “The Chairman Dances,” where we obtain a nice sense on the lower register strings and deeper percussion, as well given that the substantial pitched wood-block hits. But where the wood blocks at the end on the track typically stand out brightly, to the Mikros, their presence seems slightly toned down. Basically, the Mikros 70 is a pair that tends to focus to the mid-range elements of a mix, whilst subtly reproducing a great deal lower or higher elements. I found that it complimented classical songs nicely, but individuals seeking a tad much more substantial frequency flare or boom from the low-end will want to glance elsewhere.

During the $150 variety, there are seemingly unlimited selections. If you are on the lookout for more booming bass, the Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats usually are not probable to disappoint, and as an added bonus, they are gym-friendly. If you like the idea with the Mikros 70′s reserved response, but want just slightly extra low-end, the Phiaton Moderna MS 200 offers a similar approach to the frequency assortment, but with perhaps a little extra presence during the sub-bass realm. The Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones are slightly extra pricey, but offer you a superior sense of depth, space, and treble—and much more secure suit. If you are searching to invest considerably less money, the AKG K 350 delivers a nice, balanced seem at a far lower value.

The MartinLogan Mikros 70 is not a disappointment; it simply isn’t a standout within this crowded field. Electrostatic speakers are famous for their rich bass and an excellent, life-like reproduction of audio that creates a great sense of space. It’s hard to do that by having an in-ear pair, but the Mikros micros 70 at minimum however delivers its refined reaction without a hint of distortion.