How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• MEE audio Professional MX4 — biggest strength: A quad-driver hybrid setup (10mm dynamic subwoofer plus three balanced armatures) with a fully modular design, two detachable cables, and the option to convert to custom-fit eartips later.
• MEE audio Professional MX4 — biggest trade-off: It's a hybrid with a dynamic driver, so the tuning leans toward linear bass and musicality rather than a strictly flat, reference-neutral response.
• Fanmusic Softears Studio4 — biggest strength: Four balanced armatures in a 3-way crossover tuned for a flat, natural, high-resolution response — designed specifically for studio recording, mixing, and stage monitoring.
• Fanmusic Softears Studio4 — biggest trade-off: Balanced armatures and a 120-ohm impedance mean it's more source-dependent and less forgiving of a weak or noisy output, and it has no wireless or call-control features beyond basic touch media control.
• Who each pick is for: Choose the MX4 if you want a versatile, customizable, gig-friendly IEM with a dynamic low end; choose the Studio4 if you want a neutral, isolating, studio-grade monitor for mixing and critical listening.
The MX4 PRO sits at the top of MEE audio's MX PRO series, and the spec sheet makes its priorities clear. It uses a hybrid four-driver array — a 10mm dynamic driver handling the low end and three balanced armatures covering the rest — tuned for what the brand calls linear bass, clarity, and detail. With a 12-ohm impedance and 103 dB sensitivity, it's an easy load for a phone, laptop, or interface, and the 20 Hz–20 kHz range covers the full audible band.
This is the pick for working musicians, performers, and anyone who wants one IEM that adapts to stage, rehearsal, and everyday listening. I'd steer away from it if your only goal is the flattest possible neutral tuning for analytical mixing — the dynamic driver and "linear bass" character are about musicality, not strict reference flatness. It's also the bulkier, more accessory-heavy option, which matters if you want something minimal.
Fanmusic Softears Studio4: Who It's For
The Studio4 is a purpose-built monitor. Softears developed the Studio series specifically for studio recording, mixing, and stage monitoring, and the tuning reflects that: a wide frequency response with flat, neutral characteristics for accurate, natural playback. It packs four balanced armatures into a 3-way crossover architecture designed around the output behavior of professional audio interfaces, and the result is a nearly straight impedance curve — meaning it behaves consistently no matter what source you plug it into.
The shell is the other headline. It's made with high-precision 3D-printed medical resin, and the mold was refined from Softears' earlier RS series to be thinner and smaller at the catheter, which should mean a more comfortable fit and compatibility with a wider range of eartips. Balanced armature designs like this also tend to isolate well, which is exactly what you want in a recording booth, on a loud stage, or during online meetings where you need outside noise kept out.
The cable uses four-lobed elastic bushing 0.78mm two-pin connectors with 10-micron-thick pins and twisted-pair oxygen-free copper for stable connections. Buy this one if you're a mixing engineer, producer, or detail-focused listener who wants a flat, source-agnostic reference monitor. Skip it if you want wireless flexibility, an inline mic for calls, or a punchy, bass-forward tuning — the Studio4 is deliberately neutral, and at 120 ohms it wants a decent source to sound its best.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for stage and live performance → MEE audio Professional MX4. The memory wire earhooks, secure hooked fit, and dual cables (one with a mic/remote) are built for movement.
• Best for customization and upgrades → MEE audio Professional MX4. Optional custom-fit eartips, engraved faceplates, and cross-model interchangeable parts make it an evolving platform.
• Best for noise isolation in a booth → Fanmusic Softears Studio4. Balanced armatures plus a medical-resin shell are explicitly pitched at fully isolated recording environments.
• Easiest to drive from a phone → MEE audio Professional MX4. At 12 ohms and 103 dB, it's far less demanding than the 120-ohm Studio4.
• Best for source consistency → Fanmusic Softears Studio4. Its nearly straight impedance curve is designed to sound the same across different gear.
• Best for call and remote control → MEE audio Professional MX4. It ships with a headset cable featuring an inline mic and remote.
• Most bass-forward, musical tuning → MEE audio Professional MX4. The 10mm dynamic subwoofer delivers linear bass that the all-balanced-armature Studio4 won't match.
If I had to pick one for myself, I'd take the MEE audio Professional MX4. In my opinion, the hybrid quad-driver setup, the two included cables, and the modular custom-fit upgrade path make it the more versatile long-term buy for someone who plays, practices, and listens in equal measure. That said, if your work is mastering, mixing, or strict reference monitoring, the Fanmusic Softears Studio4 is the smarter tool — its flat tuning and near-straight impedance curve are exactly what critical work demands. Match the IEM to the job, and check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
For mixing, the Studio4 is the more appropriate choice. Its flat, neutral response and 3-way crossover are designed for accurate studio monitoring, while the MX4's dynamic driver is tuned for a more musical, linear-bass character.
The MEE audio Professional MX4. Its 12-ohm impedance and 103 dB sensitivity make it far easier to power from a phone or laptop than the Studio4, which runs at 120 ohms and benefits from a proper source.
Yes — it ships with two detachable cables, including a spare headset cable with a built-in mic and remote for smartphones and tablets, plus an audio-only cable for pure listening.
Only the MEE audio Professional MX4 supports this. MEE offers optional 3D-printed custom-fit eartips and engraved faceplates, and all parts are interchangeable across the MX PRO series. The Studio4 comes with a standard 0.78mm two-pin cable and relies on standard eartips.
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