Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Review

It’s been a long day here at the Headphone Dungeon, what with a new shipment of rats to sign for, and the Gate of Untold Horrors once again failing to close. However, now that I’ve taken care of these chores, I can finally kick back in the Inner Sanctum and devote some time to the Beyerdynamic MMX 300. Lauded by many hardcore gamers as a TOTL gaming headphone, is it worth the $349 asking price?

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Review

The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 serves as the German brand’s flagship gaming headset, with a premium build quality and exacting sound solidifying its reputation among gamers. Made in Germany, this headphone commands a well-deserved air of respect from it’s proponents, who tend to laud the solid construction and masterful engineering.

Design

There are no LED lights or gimmicky design features on this headphone. Instead, the MMX 300 exudes a feeling of utilitarian focus, with a simple but ruggedly durable construction. Every part of the headphone is replaceable, from the headband and earpads to the yokes and the mic itself. Yet, even though every part can be removed and swapped out, the headphone still gives one the impression of a rock-solid build quality.

The removable headband cover features comfortable PU leather padding, while the earpads utilize a velour material. Constructed from spring steel, the headband allows the headphones to adjust to almost any user’s head, provided a tailored fit for extended periods of use.

A gooseneck microphone on the left earcup swivels up and down, expanding on the pliable design to offer an air of personalization. This mic can be muted via the aid of the in-line controls on the removable headphone cable – a improvement over the first-generation version of the MMX 300 that didn’t sport such a control. There’s also a volume-attenuation dial and a call-answer button.

Straight out of the box, this headphone offers immediate compatibility with PCs and PS4 consoles. However, XBOX users may require an adapter to use the MMX 300.

Sound

Beyerdynamic has been cranking out headphones and audio equipment since the 1920s, and you don’t make headphones for almost a century without learning a thing or two. The MMX 300 bears witness to this, offering the kind of sound quality you’d expect to find in a headphone costing almost twice as much.

Despite a slight impression of warmth, this headphone still manages to sound fairly neutral, with a fairly equal emphasis on lows, mids, and highs. Bass impact remains solid, though not as heavy-handed as some more consumer-oriented gaming headphones.

During gameplay, the MMX 300 seems less like a headphone and more like an extension of my ears, adding another layer of sensitivity via volume control. Directional cues and atmospheric sound seem about as natural as they could possibly be, without distortion or compression. As a result, these headphones also lead to a more immersive playthrough.

Music-wise, this headphone isn’t as fun to listen to. The level of detail will render any soundtrack beautifully, but this headphone seems a little too neutral for pure music enjoyment. Unlike certain models from Sennheiser, there just doesn’t seem to be as much emphasis on the lows or highs to really render music differently.

Final Thoughts

For its $349 price tag, the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 offers a rare level of quality. Virtually indestructible, but featuring easy-to-replace parts, this headphone could easily be the last you ever purchase. Add to this a transparent, accurate sound profile and you’ve got an impressive gaming headphone that dominates its competition.

Specifications

Design: Closed Back, dynamic driver
Headphone Frequency Range: 5-35,000 Hz
Nominal Impedance: 32 ohms
Cable Length: 8.2 ft (2.5 m) PC cable / 3.9 ft (1.2 m) Console
Sound Pressure Level: 96 dB

Microphone Pickup Pattern: Cardioid
Microphone Sensitivity:m -33.98 dBV/PA
Microphone Frequency Range: 30-18,000 Hz

Weight: 11.71 oz (332 g)