1. Introduction
Mobile warriors are always looking for a good pair of earphones. While I don't use any of the Ipod/Zen/Zune multimedia players, my old, trusty Mp3 player needed an upgrade in sound quality, so I started looking for the most obvious improvement, a brand new pair of earphones. A quick walk down to the local store revealed a brand well known to audiophiles, Sennheiser. The only available set was the MXL51, which I eventually bought. How well does this product perform under everyday use?
- Sennheiser MXL 51
MXL51 is part of the new Sennheiser Street Line. With several improvements, Sennheiser promises "...great sound and powerful bass from the Sennheiser Basswind System are especially exciting...". The main features are listed below.
- Stereo earphones with integrated lanyard
- Sennheiser Basswind System for powerful bass response
- Ergonomic design ensures optimum fit
- Accessories: earpads, extension cable and carrying case
- Specifications
| Design |
Stereo earphones with lanyard |
| Transducer principle |
Dynamic |
| Frequency response |
19-21,000 Hz |
| Impedance |
64 O |
| THD |
< 0.1% |
| SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) |
116 dB |
| Ear coupling |
In-ear |
| Weight (without cable) |
Approx. 7 g |
| Connecting cable |
0.1m (+1m extension cable) |
| Audio connector |
3.5 mm right angled stereo mini-jack plug |
| Dimensions of product packaging (BxHxT) |
98x218x38mm |
| Weight of product packaging |
120 g |
| Dimensions of master carton (BxHxT) |
286x248x219 mm |
| Number of packagings per master carton |
14 |
2. Retail package
I bought the product at the retail price of €25. The price is not that high, but also not low for this type of earphone. There are several brands starting from €7, so the Sennheiser earphones at almost four times the money, do allow us to have high expectations. The retail package is standard with a transparent outer shell, so it's easy to see the product.
The retail package includes:
- Earphones
- Earpads
- Extension cable
- Carrying case
Opening the package is simple, in three steps. Just follow the arrows on the retail package.
And now a closer look at the components.
Not the best designed earphones we have seen...
Lanyard is very useful to hang MP3 players...
Additional cable...
Foam pads should be installed...
3. Use and Conclusion
- Use and Conclusion
After unpacking the contents, I realized that the MXL 51 earphones are designed for road warriors using some kind of MP3 player, mostly strapped on them. I didn't like the particular design, I prefer the classic design, but that's a matter of personal taste and not a design fault of Sennheiser. So, the most noticable feature is the lanyard, which is very useful. You can hang your MP3 player on it, but remember that this may add some weight to the strap around your neck. Provided that your MP3 player is light weight, this shouldn't be a problem.
The cables are of good length. In order to get the ear phones stay in my ears, I had to put the foam pads on the ear pieces. The cables don't pull on your ears and they don't interfere with your face. In general, they are very comfortable and give you all the possible freedom of movement you might need.
As for the sound quality, the bass is not what I expected, but again that's a matter of personal taste. I prefer to have better mid-range frequencies and clarity, which these earphones seem to have. Remember, you will probably be using these earphones for everyday use, so you'll have to make some compromises in sound quality. At the price of €25, I was very satisfied with my new earphones.
Positive
- Very comfortable after wearing them
- Lanyard will keep your Mp3 player in its place
- Cable length is proper length so as not to pull on your ears
- Good price for this class of product
Negative
- Foam covers need be installed on earpads so the earpiece stays in your ears
- Not so good a bass as Sennheiser promises