BASN MTPro Review – Make Planars Great Again
Pros — Excellent comfort
– Rich accessory set
– Proper planar bass slam and punch
– Mostly smooth treble response
Cons — Lower-mids on MTPro can get hazy and undefined in bassy track
– Resolution lags behind the class leaders
– Microdynamics are not well defined
In this Article
INTRODUCTION
The Planar driver hype has gone down quite a bit in recent years, thanks to the popularization of this driver type, along with a significant reduction in price thanks to more efficient production methods. New releases has not stopped, however, as is evident from the BASN MTPro which utilize the good ol’ 14mm planar driver.
The MTPro is not a new release, I think it’s been around for at least a year now. Good sound does not get old though, so I find it worthwhile trying the ones that I missed out on in the hopes of unearthing a gem or two.
BASN was kind enough to send me the MT Pro for evaluation.
Sources: Questyle CMA Twelve Master, Lotoo PAW Gold Touch. Stock eartips were used.
Price, while reviewed: USD$199. You can use the promo code BASN get 20% discount (non-affiliated) on BASN official store.
PHYSICAL THINGS AND USABILITY
The MTPro carrying case is rather interesting, thanks to an all aluminum build and a design that’s reminiscent of high-end, luxury carry-ons. The black paint is prone to chipping off though so it doesn’t look that pristine after a while.
Provided accessories are complete as well with 12 pairs of eartips (including 3 pairs of foam tips), 2 different cables (one with an inline mic), and an mmcx removal tool to further sweeten the deal. I would have preferred the option to choose the cable termination which is missing.
The entire MTPro shell is metal with a PVD coating on top. There are two vents that help reducing pressure buildup. I found the mmcx connectors to be of good quality, as frequent cable changes did not loosen the connector in the last few months.
Comfort is excellent, which is rather uncommon among planar IEMs. They tend to have bulky shells that compromise ergonomics so props to BASN for getting the basics right. Isolation is average with stock silicone tips, while the stock foams tips offer further passive noise cancellation.
DRIVER SETUP AND SPECS
- Driver type and size: Planar magnetic, 14.5mm, dual-sided magnet array.
- Sensitivity and Impedance: 102dB/mw (@ 1kHz), 32 ohms
HOW DO THE BASN MTPRO SOUND?
BASN has gone for a V-shaped approach on the MTPro, with noticeably emphasized sub and mid-bass and relaxed upper-mids.
Bass is definitely star of the show, with the low end rumble often overpowering the subtle nuances in the lower-mids. Baritone vocals can come across as overly thick as a result. The sub-bass rumble is not as powerful however, due to the bass shelf sloping downwards as it reaches the low sub-bass region. Bass speed is still good due to the planar drivers, but certain textural information are lacking.
The relaxed upper-mids are quite suitable for long listening sessions and help in avoiding the dreaded “planar timbre” to a certain degree. You can still hear hints of said anomaly in tracks with pronounced “S” and “T” words, but the MTPro are one of the least offending planar IEMs in that regard. Female vocals have a certain lushness to them and this aids in avoiding listening fatigue.
The treble is surprisingly good in terms of attack or leading edge of notes. Cymbal strikes and hi-hats have a pronounced hit and the decay is quite evident. Perceived stage is intimate, as is the case with most planar IEMs. Imaging is above-average. Macrodynamic punch in sudden bass drops is satisfying due to the strong bass presence, but microdynamic shifts are not as well rendered.
SELECT COMPARISONS
The Hidizs MP145 has been my planar benchmark for some time now. The MTPro has far superior ergonomics due to lighter shell and better nozzle angle that aids in a more stable fit.
As for the sound, the MP145 can be tweaked due to the clever tuning-nozzle system. I am using the reference filter here which offers a more balanced tuning overall.
Mids are noticeably fuller and more forward on the MP145, but the mid-bass has better slam and body on the MTPro. Both IEMs avoid planar timbre to a degree. Treble is slightly less airy on the MP145, while perceived resolution is better on the MP145 overall.
Soundstage is wider and deeper on the MP145, and the imaging is also more precise. Macrodynamic punch is more enjoyable on the MTPro while microdynamics are better rendered on the Hidizs IEM.
In summary, I find the MP145 to be a more accomplished performer in terms of tuning and the ability to present nuances in the tracks. However, the MTPro are far easier to wear, especially during commute, and the V-shaped tuning works well across genres like Pop and Electronica.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
I am glad that I gave the BASN MTPro a shot. They are definitely not another “run of the mill” planar and despite the non-conformist V-shaped tuning, they sound quite enjoyable with many tracks.
I would suggest BASN to even out the lower-mids for their next release, as that’s the only “caveat” for me throughout. Bassy planar IEMs with decent timbre is difficult to come by and the MTPro accomplish that task well. They just need the last bit of refinement to be true standouts.
DISCLAIMER
Our generic standard disclaimer.
