We had more fun with this IEM than we expected.
Differentiating yourself in the budget IEM market is crazy hard and the Mee Audio M6 Pro 2nd Generation is competing right in the midst of it. At the ~$50 price range, you get companies like KZ who is able to pump out multi-drivers IEMs (See KZ AS10) at dirt cheap price.
Mee Audio positioned the M6 Pro as a professional monitor earphone for musicians. It further reinforces its seriousness on music with its IEM design and included accessories.
At the end of our review session, we weren’t too sure if it was indeed musician-worthy. But one thing for sure, we ended up finding the M6 Pro more fun than expected.
- Detachable Cable
- Both stereo cable and headset cable provided
- Custom faceplate
- V-shaped sound signature
- Strong punchy bass
- IPX5
- Not so pleasant-looking circuitry
- Unfriendly 2mm DC connectors
- Flat background detailing
Packaging
Key Points:
- Good quality packaging
- Additional cable with mic provided
- Comply foam ear tips
- 6.35mm adaptor
- No balanced cables options available
Instead of the usual flimsy packaging that you normally find on budget IEMs, the M6 Pro has actually put in effort in their package design. It comes in an attractive-looking packaging that is made from cardboard that doesn’t feel like it’s going to crumble with some pressure.
Detachable Cable
The cables of the M6 Pro is designed to be detachable. So what does that means for someone who is looking for a monitor earphones?
If you want to switch to a single-ear monitoring mode, you can detach the stock stereo cable and attach it with a stereo-to-mono cable.
6.35mm Adaptor
A 6.35mm (quarter-inch) adaptor is something rarely included for IEMs, even the expensive ones. I guess this inclusion is a statement for them to stay in line with the “professional monitor earphones” theme.
No Balanced Audio
Unfortunately, unlike their other models which supported MMCX connectors, the M6 Pro uses 2mm DC connectors. There are currently no balanced cables that supports that connector.
“I’d also just like to clarify about the 2mm connector – our internal data strongly shows that the 2mm connector is more reliable than the MMCX connector in the long run (partly because it is not allowed to rotate in the socket), so as much as we would like to keep our products compatible with the wide range of accessories available for the MMCX standard, we actually decided to move away from MMCX for our next musicians’ monitors – the MX PRO series.
Instead we will expand our accessory offerings for 2mm cables so customers have more choice (currently we have 5 cable types available). And of course 2mm cables are always going to be less expensive than their MMCX equivalents because the connector itself is so much less complicated.”
– Mike from Mee Audio
What’s in the box:
- M6 PRO In-Ear Monitors
- Cable (2)
- Hard carrying case
- Comply memory foam ear tips
- Silicone ear tips (6 pairs)
- Shirt clips (2)
- ¼” adapter (TRS)
Build Quality
Key Notes:
- Transparent casing reveals simple circuitry
- The custom faceplate can elevate the look
- Easy replacement of the cable
Transparent driver case
The transparent casing of the M6 Pro is an interesting choice. Given that it only has a single dynamic driver, with no complicated circuitry to boast of, the few exposed wires made the driver unit looked cheap.
Custom faceplate
However, the 2nd Generation of the M6 Pro has a secret weapon. You can purchase custom-engraved faceplates from Mee Audio and paste them on the side of the driver unit. This instantly brings up the classiness of the IEM. I can imagine someone engraving their band name on it.
Easy replacement of the cable
The M6 Pro uses a 2mm DC connector that plugs into the driver case. There is a marking that dictates the alignment, making the replacement of the cable a breeze. I actually prefer this over MMCX connectors which was a nightmare for me to detach (I always fear that I’m going to break the connector).
Comfort and Fit
Key notes:
- Low profile
- Lightweight
- Stiff over-the-ear memory wire
I like that the M6 Pro is low-profile. The flat driver shell (in order to paste the custom faceplate) makes sure that the driver unit doesn’t stick out.
The IEM is lightweight at 20g (including cable) and doesn’t feel bulky in the ears.
Fit is usually not the problem with IEM that is designed to be worn over-the-ear. However, I wish the over-the-ear memory wire had been more moldable. It was a bit tough to wear at first and took some time to get the perfect shape of my ears.
Sound Quality
Key notes:
- V-shaped sound signature
- Bass is my favorite frequency
- Background detailing is not strong
Setup: Spotify Premium > MacBook Pro > Mee Audio M6 Pro
The bass is nice and strong enough for me to enjoy EDM songs like Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack and Save The World by Swedish House Mafia.
The mids are okay. Nothing to shout about. Despite the stronger bass, I don’t find the mids being muddied by the bass.
The highs work pretty decently for me too. For classical violin songs like Rude by Daniel Jang (my favorite track for testing treble), I find that the M6 Pro round off the highs in a pretty smooth way without making it sound dull.
There are songs where I preferred the background detailing to be stronger. The IEM brings out those details but in a flat kind of way. For me, the sound signature of the Mee Audio M6 Pro is V-shaped. This is my favorite kind of signature when I’m working out.
Overall, I’m satisfied with the sound quality of the M6 Pro. It was within the expectation of what a budget IEM can offer and a little more with it emphasized bass. Among the ~$50 range of IEMs, it is one of the better ones that I have heard so far.
Mee Audio M6 Pro Replacement Parts
- M6 PRO Replacement Headset Cable (Smoke Black / Clear White)
- 72-inch Extended-length M6 PRO Stereo Audio Cable ( If you are looking for a longer cable)
- Comply Sports Ear Tips
- Custom Text Laser-Engraved Metal Plates
- Stereo-to-Mono Audio Cable
- BTC1 Bluetooth wireless adapter cable with aptX support
If you are looking to customize your M6 Pro, Mee Audio actually has a helpful tool to customize your IEM before you make the purchase.
Technical Specs
- Driver: 10mm Single Dynamic Driver
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Impedance: 16 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 100 dB(1mW)
- Water Resistance: IPX5
Conclusion
For me, the Mee Audio M6 Pro 2nd Generation is quite a bargain for its extendability.
At this price range, you get to do more things than other IEMs in the same group can offer you.
With detachable cables, you can try going wireless with the Bluetooth adaptor – BTC1. If you have cable damage, you don’t have to throw away the entire IEM. Just buy another replacement cable.
Do you want to try out the IEM with your studio equipment? Sure, there’s a 6.35mm adaptor right in the box.
With IPX5 waterproof rating, switch the stock ear tips with a comply foam ear tips and you can bring it out for a run or to your gym session.
Sick of the same design? Get a custom faceplate done. Stick it on and you have a brand new looking IEM!
Any comments on mic quality?
The sound levels are different , the volume is less in right and left has more treble. Is it how it should be or it is an defect ?
Definitely a defect
Anyway to replace the earphones ?
does this have a mic for phone calls ???
Hi Collin – thanks for such a great resource to get lost in. I’ve been on the site for hours now.
I’ve been sporting the M6pro 1stgen for 7 or so years. The low profile/over ear design is the best I’ve found in my motorcycle helmet. I was just going to grab another pair but turns out IEMs are a whole thing since I bought these!
Anything else you’d recommend with a low profile and minimal sound fatigue? I often spend 10+ hours a day wearing them and my ears are tiny.
PS, we recently grabbed some Mee MX pros for my partner and I’m not impressed. They’re tinny.
PPS, I’m mostly deaf in one ear so clear sound it’s really helpful, and I like comply tips for the MC as they block the wind and I can run my music at less damaging levels.
Thanks!
Hi Abby,
you can take a look at this article: https://www.headphonesty.com/2022/02/best-invisible-earbuds/
I’ve got both MEE M6 Pro and KZ AS10’s – the MEE are more treble, mid and top – they’re ‘sharper’, but the KZ AS10’s are warmer and bassier. I use IEM’s for acoustic guitar and vocals and for me the AS10’s are worlds ahead of the M6. I don’t use the M6 much since I’ve got the AS10’s. So if you want sharp, bright and clear get M6. If you want mellow, rounded, warm and bassy then get the AS10’s.