How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wired in-ear monitor built for stage monitoring with a shielded, braided cable and up to 40 dB of isolation, choose Mackie MP Series In-Ear; if you need a quad-driver hybrid with a CNC aluminum-alloy shell and two included cables, choose BASN Metalen 4.
• Mackie MP Series In-Ear — biggest strength: a dynamic-plus-balanced-armature hybrid design paired with a shielded, internally braided audiophile cable and a detachable MMCX connector that swivels for comfort. Biggest trade-off: one cable in the box, so there's no spare or alternate control option included.
• BASN Metalen 4 — biggest strength: four hybrid drivers per earbud (two balanced armature, two dynamic) in a CNC-machined aluminum-alloy housing, plus two cables for different uses. Biggest trade-off: a heavier, bulkier physical package at 0.28 kg, which matters more for pocket carry than for desk or stage use.
• Mackie MP Series In-Ear is for the performer or engineer who wants a low-profile, ergonomically molded monitor with serious sound isolation and a rugged cable.
• BASN Metalen 4 is for the musician, drummer or bassist who wants maximum driver count, a metal finish, and cable-swapping flexibility right out of the box.
The Mackie MP Series In-Ear (MP-240) is built around a hybrid driver design that pairs a dynamic driver with a balanced armature. In plain terms, that's a setup meant to give you vocal clarity and articulation from the armature side while the dynamic driver handles the low end. Mackie's own description frames this as a balanced sound that performs well across the full spectrum, and the listed frequency range runs 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 16 ohm impedance. Low impedance like that generally means it doesn't demand a lot of power to get loud, which suits plugging straight into a mixer, interface or phone.
What stands out most to me is the isolation and the cable. Mackie claims up to 40 dB of sound isolation from the ergonomically molded low-profile enclosure and the included ear tips. If you've ever tried to hear a click track over a drum kit, you know why that number matters. The cable is detachable via an MMCX connector that swivels, and it's internally braided with outer shielding — a design aimed at surviving real use rather than living in a drawer. The enclosure is stainless steel, and it ships with a molded hard plastic carrying case plus a clip for attaching to a backpack.
BASN Metalen 4: Who It's For
The BASN Metalen 4 goes the other direction on driver count. Each earbud packs four hybrid drivers — two balanced armature and two dynamic — and BASN's stated goal is more definition, more detail, enhanced bass, and balanced frequencies. More drivers isn't automatically better, but the logic is sound: splitting the work across dedicated drivers lets each one handle a narrower band, which can surface nuance a single driver smears together. The dynamic pair is doing the bass-lift work here, which is exactly what a drummer or bassist wants to feel the low end without losing the mids.
The build is the other half of the story. The housing is CNC-machined aluminum alloy, hard-oxidized and milled, cut and reshaped to a textured natural metal finish. In practice that means a shell that feels denser and more premium than molded plastic, and aluminum alloy dissipates heat differently against your ear over a long session. It also ships with both silicone and foam ear tips, which is a real convenience — foam tends to seal and isolate better, silicone tends to be quicker to seat and easier to clean. The detachable MMCX connector lets you run it into an in-ear monitoring system or a phone, and BASN includes two cables: one for straight audio IEM use and one with volume control and music playback.
Buy it if you want the highest driver count in this comparison, a metal shell, and the flexibility of two cables and two tip types without buying anything extra. Skip it if portability is your priority — at 0.28 kg the package is noticeably heavier than the Mackie's 1.12 ounces — or if you specifically need the swiveling MMCX joint and the shielded braided cable design Mackie emphasizes. The 32 ohm impedance and 108 dB sensitivity also mean it's a little less sensitive than the Mackie on paper, though both are easy enough to drive from normal gear.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for stage monitoring and isolation → Mackie MP Series In-Ear (up to 40 dB isolation, low-profile ergonomic mold, 16 ohm).
• Best for driver count and detail → BASN Metalen 4 (four hybrid drivers per earbud vs. Mackie's dynamic-plus-armature hybrid).
• Best for cable durability → Mackie MP Series In-Ear (internally braided, outer-shielded, swiveling detachable MMCX).
• Best for a premium metal build → BASN Metalen 4 (CNC aluminum alloy with hard oxidation).
• Best for long-wear comfort and light carry → Mackie MP Series In-Ear (1.12 oz, stainless steel enclosure, molded case and clip).
• Best for tip options out of the box → BASN Metalen 4 (both silicone and foam tips included).
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → Mackie MP Series In-Ear (one cable, one clear purpose).
In my opinion, the Mackie MP Series In-Ear is the safer buy for most people shopping this category. The 40 dB isolation claim, the low 16 ohm impedance, the swiveling shielded cable and the stainless steel build all point to a monitor designed to disappear into a long session and just work. If you're performing, tracking, or monitoring yourself in a loud room, that focus matters more than an extra driver pair. I'd pick the BASN Metalen 4 only if you specifically want four drivers per side, a CNC aluminum shell, and the two-cable, two-tip kit — it's the more configurable, more fashion-forward option. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that's the one variable that can flip this call.
how to fit in ear headphones
Seat the tip so it forms a seal, not just a contact — a proper seal is what gives you bass and isolation. Both of these ship with rounded-tip earpieces, and the BASN includes both silicone and foam tips, so try foam first if you want the tightest seal, then rotate the housing until it sits flat and comfortable.
how to clean in ear headphones
Wipe the housing and cable with a dry or very slightly damp cloth, and never run water into the nozzle. For the tips, remove them and rinse silicone tips in warm water, letting them dry fully before refitting. Foam tips degrade faster and are best replaced rather than washed repeatedly.
how to open in ear headphones
Neither of these is meant to be opened by the user — both use sealed, molded enclosures, and prying them apart risks damaging the drivers. The serviceable parts are the detachable MMCX cable, the ear tips, and the carrying case, which is exactly what you should treat as replaceable.
how to ear headphones
If you mean how to wear them, route the cable over the top of your ear and let the housing sit in the concha, then tighten the seal with a slight twist. The Mackie's swiveling MMCX joint and the BASN's ergonomic shape both exist to make that over-ear routing comfortable for long sessions.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: KZ Zax vs BASN Metalen 4: In Ear Headphones, Moondrop ARIA 2 vs BASN 6: In Ear Headphones, Mackie MP Series In-Ear vs Sennheiser HD 490