Sennheiser MM 70 iP headphones for mobile phones review
Provides: In-ear audio reproduction with in-line smart remote and microphone
Developer: Sennheiser
Minimum Requirements: 1/8” audio output, Apple iPhone for mic functionality
Price: $129.95
Availability: Now
If you’ve read any of my previous headphone reviews at Appletell, you know I’m not a huge fan of in-ear headphones, especially Apple’s. I’ve reviewed some good sets, but still prefer to use over-the-ear sets when possible. Trouble is, they’re not as portable. You can’t take them for a jog, and they’re sometimes too much to carry onto an airplane, bus and such.
So, if I have to use in-ear headphones, they have to be pretty darn good. Sennheiser’s MM 70 iP headphones for mobile phones are better than that. They get great sound, they’re comfortable, and they include a microphone for use with Apple’s iPhone. It’s everything you wish Apple’s earbuds were, for about $100 more.
Of course, you get a lot for you money, as you can see in the image below.
Considering you get six “ear sleeves” (S/M/L in standard and lamella designs), you’re pretty much assured of getting a good fit. The speaker is a bit larger than you’re likely used to seeing, so the sleeves are a bit thinner, making them easier to fit. You still get good noise isolation, however, so you won’t have to turn the headphones up too loud to overpower out most background noises.
The ear pieces themselves are quite light, and the cord is thin enough so they stay in place well. In fact, considering how thin the cord is, I was quite surprised at how good the sound reproduction is.
The shorter left cord contains the inline controls and microphone, which hung just a couple of inches below my chin. The + and – volume buttons are a bit too small for my thumb, so I occasionally hit the center control when I really just wanted to adjust the audio level. That’s not uncommon, though. The center button allows you to pause the track, fast forward to the next track (double click) or back up to the previous track (triple click). When a call comes in, you click it to accept the call or click and hold for a couple seconds to reject it. Quite simple.
The microphone quality is fine. People with whom I tested it didn’t know I was doing anything different, but would acknowledge a slight difference after I pointed out I was on headphones (especially if I wasn’t holding the mic to my mouth).
What really matters here, though, is the audio quality of the speakers, and that’s quite impressive.
Technical data:
Frequency response: 80 – 15,000 HzSound pressure level (SPL): 106 dBImpedance: 16 OTotal harmonic distortion (THD): < 0.5%You can see the full spec list at Sennheiser’s website.
The headphones don’t handle bass as well as I prefer, but my tastes pretty much demand over-the-hear headphones for that. Compared to other in-ear headphones, the MM 70 iP is right up there amongst the better models I’ve evaluated. Mids and highs are clean and crisp…probably better than you need with the old MP3s on your iPhone, and certainly better than you’ve heard if you’re used to Apple’s.
The main benefit here is with music, of course, but you’ll also be surprised by how much better phone calls sound. You’ll find yourself saying, “Can I call you back when I get home?” much less often.
Whether you need a set of $130 headphones for your iPhone depends specifically upon your use. I’m never opposed to paying that much for quality audio reproduction, but you can do better for this price. However, you likely won’t get the in-line controls and iPhone microphone functionality.
So, if your iPhone is your audio system when you’re exercising or travelling, the MM 70 iP offers a fair balance between audio reproduction, portability and phone functionality.
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These headphones don’t just look good – they are that good, all the way down to their high-tech insides. Exceptionally comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, they provide a perfect example of what exquisite headphones Sennheiser specialists can produce out of pure enthusiasm and solid years of experience and expertise. The beige exterior of the HD 598 high-end headphones features high-gloss burl wood parts with matching earpads – all this slendour betrays the HD 598 earphones as pure unadulterated elite in the eyes of everyone around. And people will be looking – Sennheiser products tend to draw attention.