The almost legendary MMX 300 was followed by two more affordable wired gaming headsets from German manufacturer beyerdynamic last year. MMX 100 and MMX 150 could almost completely convince us in the test. Now, both models are joined by a wireless variant that is supposed to score with some special advantages. Whether this succeeds, clarifies our beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless test.
Technical data
| Product | MMX 200 wireless |
| Design | Over-ear |
| Driver | 40 mm |
| Frequency range (headphones) | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ohm @ 1kHz |
| Microphone type | Omnidirectional; Condenser (Electret) |
| Frequency Range (Microphone) | 50 Hz – 18,000 Hz |
| Capsule size | 9.9 mm |
| Connectors | 3.5mm jack; USB Type-C |
| Weight | 304 g |
| Compatibility | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Mac, Smartphone |
| Price | € 267.08 * |
beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless review: design and finish
- Discreet, slightly playful design
- Pleasantly grippy texture
- High-quality workmanship
The beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless relies on a similarly playful design, as the smaller siblings MMX 100 and MMX 150 and also comes optionally in black or gray color scheme.
Thus, the new headset also relies on quite compact ear cups with comparatively thick leatherette ear pads and orange design accents. The manufacturer’s logo and product name are emblazoned on the outer sides of the ear cups.
Small microphone slots also catch the eye here, which are responsible for the “augmented” mode – the counterpart to the classic transparency mode, which is usually found in noise-cancelling headphones.
The headset is largely made of plastic, but still leaves an excellent and robust impression. The surface has a textured finish, which makes for a very pleasant feel.
A high-quality aluminum frame underlines the good build quality, which does not give any reason for criticism. By the way, the ear pads are removable and can be quickly and easily replaced by turning them clockwise, very commendable.
In the scope of delivery we find, besides the headset and separate microphone boom, a USB-C to USB-A cable with a length of 2.4 meters, as well as a USB-C wireless receiver including a USB-A adapter.
Comfort of wearing the beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless
- Appreciately thick ear cushions
- Rightly tight fit
- Comparatively small ear cups
Inherited the beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless the bulky, about 25 mm thick ear pads, which together with the also thick and pleasantly soft padding on the headband promise a high wearing comfort.
At 350 grams, the MMX 200 weighs considerably more than its smaller siblings and thus also weighs more than, for example, the HyperX Cloud III Wireless (our review) and minimally less than the Corsair HS80 Max (our review).
Combined with the rather high contact pressure and the rather small proportioned ear cups with 55 mm x 55 mm inside, the headset cannot quite keep up with the competition in terms of wearing comfort and is rather aimed at users with small to medium-sized ears.
On the other hand, the size adjustment scores points with a comfortable grid in a total of eleven levels. The thick ear cushions provide an excellent passive seal against external noise, but it quickly gets warm underneath during longer gaming sessions.
Operation and practical test
- Controls directly on the headset
- Controls do not always work reliably
The beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless is operated via various elements directly on the headset. The gaming headset consistently does without a touch control or accompanying app. On the bottom of the right ear cup we find the power button, which can also be used to reset the headset to factory settings.
On the left, we find a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5 mm jack for connecting the microphone, a pleasantly rastered and clickable volume wheel, and a round button that allows us to switch between Bluetooth and USB mode.
The latter also triggers Bluetooth pairing (press three times briefly), which proved to be a bit bitchy in our test and only revealed the corresponding smartphone as a source after several attempts. However, the pairing finally worked.
The button is also used for call control in Bluetooth mode and should, in theory, also be able to pause or resume music playback – but this did not always work reliably in the practical test. Jumping to the next or previous song, on the other hand, is unfortunately not possible at all.
beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless in practice
- Various connectivity
- Bluetooth mode
- Dual connection unfortunately only via cable
Otherwise, the beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless cuts a good figure in practice. Also offered is a Low Latency mode, which is supposed to reduce the delay between picture and sound – although I consider this to be very low even without this dedicated mode.
The Augmented Mode allows additional noise to pass through the two microphones on the outside. We know this in a similar form from most ANC headphones and it offers an undistorted, realistic sound – when music is played or the MMX 200 is otherwise reproducing sound, you won’t hear anything from the additional external noise, though.
The Hybrid Mode is a very nice idea in itself, as game sound and calls via Bluetooth can be mixed in a 50/50 ratio and played back simultaneously.
Unfortunately, the whole thing only works when the gaming headset is connected to the PC and console using an analog cable (which is not included). Other competitors also manage this with a wireless connection.
By the way, you need the same cable to use the beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless on Xbox consoles. These do not allow a wireless connection. However, this works perfectly on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as Nintendo Switch with the help of the dongle.
Range and battery life
- Average battery life
The beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless operates in the modern Bluetooth 5.3 standard and supports the Bluetooth profiles A2DP, HFP, SBC, LC3. This realizes an excellent wireless range of up to 15 meters.
The battery life is on a decent, but by no means outstanding level. The headset lasts up to 35 hours before it needs to be recharged. The well-known competition sometimes manages four times that.
Playback and recording quality
- Very good, detailed sound
- Bulky, precise bass
- No equalizer
beyerdynamic promises a studio-quality sound that should fall between the MMX 100/150 and the MMX 300. Realize this should 40 mm studio drivers, which cover a frequency band from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz at an impedance of 32 ohms.
By comparison, all other (cable-bound) headsets in the MMX series have a frequency range of 5 Hz – 30,000 Hz, which is significantly lower in the bass segment and higher in the treble.
Nevertheless, the beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless cuts a very good figure in terms of sound and scores with a clear, powerful sound including detailed highs and pleasantly rich basses.
The well-rounded mix is equally good for gaming, watching movies and videos, or listening to music, but competitive gamers will only be happy with the present bass to a limited extent.
The detailed and clear mids are also very pleasing and bring instrumentation and vocals pleasantly into focus, especially when listening to music. On the other hand, the upper trebles lack a bit of brilliance and airiness.
Especially in the super-high range (from 10,000 Hz), the MMX 200 sounds a bit too thin, while the bass – although nice and clear and precise – is a bit too present for me. The MMX 200 draws a pleasing sound picture. One you’ll have to live with, as the headset unfortunately doesn’t offer any settings or equalizers.
The spatiality of the stereo sound is pleasing, but the manufacturer consistently does without (virtual) surround sound functions. In summary, I would say that the MMX 200 wireless sounds good to very good, but can not quite keep up with some sometimes even cheaper competitors.
Microphone Quality
- Excellent microphone quality (for a wireless headset)
- Removable microphone
The beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless comes up with a META VOICE microphone that relies on a 9.9 mm capsule and promises a clear sound. In fact, I am positively surprised by the microphone quality.
In fact, the MMX 200 wireless fights for the top spot in terms of sound quality in wireless headsets. Vocals are transmitted beautifully clear, detailed and lifelike.
The usual difficulties that wireless headsets often have to contend with come to light in sharp S-sounds – but the MMX 200 does a very good job here as well. The microphone could have used a bit more gain only at maximum volume. This is comparatively low.
beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless review: conclusion
The beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless marks an (almost) all-around successful wireless gaming headset that can put exclamation points especially in terms of workmanship and microphone quality.
The headset also cuts a good figure in terms of sound. Moreover, the dual connectivity via USB dongle and Bluetooth is pleasing, so that you get a convincing over-ear headset after removing the microphone boom, which also cuts a good figure when listening to music.
BUT, and this is a big but, you will unfortunately search in vain for real unique selling points and the operating concept does not work as smoothly and reliably as one would wish.
Even though the beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless doesn’t really make any major mistakes, some competitors simply deliver more for the same or even less money, so it’s hard for us to give the gaming headset a clear buy recommendation at its current price.
Especially in the price segment around 250 Euros, some competitors simply offer the more coherent overall package. Above all, the lack of options to adjust the sound is heavy in my eyes. However, should the price drop, the beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless is an exciting option.
beyerdynamic MMX 200 wireless
Workmanship
Comfort
Sound quality
Recording quality
Features
Value for money
87/100
The MMX 200 scores with high-quality workmanship, dual connectivity, good sound and a very good microphone. However, real special features and unique selling points are missing.
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