Xiaomi has just launched in Ireland, in association with Three Mobile, and with them, they have brought nothing but bargains. At the launch, they announced the Irish release of the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, Redmi 6 and Redmi Note 5. You can read more about their pricing and availability here. Known for their honest pricing and quality builds, the Xiaomi launch was widely anticipated by tech fanatics. The Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 is a perfect showcase of what the company strive for: a perfect balance between quality and value. So what makes the Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 so special, besides their dirt cheap €29 price tag?
We tested the earphones in multiple environments, quiet, normal, moderately loud, and loud. Here is how they did:
Normal
The Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 performed exceptionally well in a normal, balanced environment. We tested them in an area with a noticeable amount of ambient noise, your average cafe level of volume. Here, it is clear that the product was set to be flagship earphones for Xiaomi. Boasting strong bass, comfortable mids and standard high end, the earphones exceeded expectations.
The mids were noticeably poor around percussion but made up for it in the low end. The earphones set a high standard for themselves in the bass, and we had high expectations going forward.
Loud
Our idea of a loud environment consists of a loud room of people, public transport, and other music competing to be heard externally. The Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 perform their weakest in this environment, yet still significantly better than most products in this price range. What carries them through this trying test for all earphones is their bass. They have a phenomenal bass projection at all volumes. The high end, however, noticeably suffers in loud environments. Vocals and high pitched instruments sound slightly tinny as if lacking treble support. That being said, again, they exceeded expectations in this regard in comparison to other earphones of this budget.
While their high end fell short of the higher-than-the-standard performance demonstrated at all other volumes, the mids performed comfortably. Falling short only at the heaviest of guitar solos and the most obscure of vocal effects, the combination of strong bass and mid is more than strong enough to justify using them in a loud area.
Quiet
This is where the value is. The earphones were among the best we had tried in a quiet, studio environment. The mids shone through, creating a stronger rhythm than the earphones had demonstrated before. The high end was noticeably more present, and the bass was ever consistently brilliant. The Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 flourished here, showcasing the brilliant nature of their craft.
Although their high end still lacked in comparison to headphones and other flagship earphones, the price tag more than justifies it. You will not see such quality at a bargain like this in earphones anywhere. The earphones demonstrate versatility in volume, genre and at such a great price it’s hard to say no.
Design
The design of the Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 is another noteworthy win. The wound cable emanates durability, consistency and quality. The earphones themselves come with several options for bud size, all included in the box. Personally, I found the size one smaller than the stock buds to be the most comfortable for extended use.
The control panel displays excellent functionality. However, it can be difficult to grip onto with one hand to pause or play quickly. This applies to the adjust volume option too, as well as skipping songs. It does, however, respond perfectly to the commands, never missing a beat.
The cable length is suitably long for keeping an audio device in your pocket, and with a comfortable amount of slack for movement. The L shaped 3.5mm plug is also perfectly designed with pocket use, durability, and functionality in mind. The Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 is designed for being carted around the place. Perfect for commuting and travel, or for home use either.
Overview
In conclusion, you would be mad to not consider the Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 as among the best “bang for the buck” earphones available. Excellent comfort, build quality and sound consistency in varied ambient volumes showcase a perfectly balanced set of earphones that provide excellently tweaked tone for an irresistible price. Xiaomi’s flagship earphones are not only among the best value but are also more than capable of rivalling other, more expensive flagship audio devices.
Released at €29 in Irish Three stores, the Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 is a worthy investment for anyone looking for easily manoeuvrable earphones that are durable, great value, and great quality. While they do lack a case or bag to keep them in, the earphones smite other audio devices in this price range.
