Mackie MC-100 Professional Closed-Back Headphones

Name: Mackie MC-100 Professional Closed-Back Headphones
Brand: Mackie
Rating: 4.6 (34 reviews)

Closed-back Headphones with Padded Headband and 1/4-inch Adapter

34 reviews Write your review Item ID: MC100

Mackie MC-100 Professional Closed-Back Headphones

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High-quality Headphones at a Great Price!

When you're recording music or producing content, a good pair of headphones is essential. The Mackie MC-100 professional headphones from Sweetwater help you do your best work by providing the optimal balance between isolation and accurate sound reproduction. These headphones have large custom-designed drivers that deliver a clear, detailed signal at all levels. Don't worry about discomfort over long sessions either — these lightweight cans feature ergonomically designed cushioning on the earpads and headband. Rest assured, you'll feel comfortable with these headphones on for hours at a time. And, at their incredibly affordable price, you can stock up on Mackie MC-100s, so everyone in the studio can have a high-quality set of cans.

MC-100 Professional Closed-back Headphones Features:

Closed-back design provides isolation for recording and critical monitoring applications
Large drivers deliver clarity across a wide frequency range
Padded headband and ergonomic ear pads increase comfort for long listening sessions
Provides the high-quality audio experience for which Mackie is known
18-inch–1/4-inch adapter included

Resources

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Tech Specs

Type: Wired
Open/Closed: Closed
Fit Style: Circumaural (Around the Ear)
Driver Size: 40mm
Frequency Response: 15Hz-20kHz
Impedance: 32 ohms
Connectivity: 1/8" plug, 1/4" adapter
Cable Type: Straight
Cable Length: 9.8 ft.
Color: Black
Weight: 0.5 lbs.
Manufacturer Part Number: 2052559-00

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Reviews

4.5

34 Reviews

Customer Photos & Videos

I don't even know where to begin with this personal review of the Mackie MC-100 headphones, because I'm quite astonished with the audio performance capabilities of this supposedly entry-level unit. More so, with one simple modification/addition, all of a sudden this MC-100 becomes a strong contender for other far more expensive headphones - including some well known planar models!

As a matter of background information, I do quite a bit of review blogging about various entry level and/or budget gear to determine their price vs performance levels. And whenever I discover an audio component that defies comparisons and punches far, far above its weight vs its ridiculous low price, I have to give it a shout-out to the world. Such is the case with the MC-100.

I decided to purchase this MC-100 because I read some of the reviews and when it temporarily dropped down to the unbelievably low price of only $19.95 during a sale, I figured, "why not." After all, to be honest, I was expecting the MC-100 to be just so-so set of headphones, assuming that at that price, it couldn't possibly be a contender, but boy was I wrong.

Upon receiving the headphones, I was correct in assuming that it was not going to have first-rate build qualities, yet it's not overly cheap feeling either. It's a stylish unit with oval ear pads that can be easily removed. I also realized that at such a low price point, a fixed headphone cable would be part of the deal. The MC-100 comes with a 10' cable permanently attached, with a 3.5 MM connector on the other end - which also comes with a 1/4" screw-on adapter, so you'll be ready for any scenario.

The types of music I always use to evaluate audio gear involves classical music, jazz, all brass orchestras, Latin Jazz, and other larger, multi-instrumental groups. Why? The more instruments the better, as this is the best way to evaluate either speakers or headphones to determine things like instrumental timbre, imaging, "air" around the instruments, etc. And since the MC-100 are considered entry level headphones, I elected to use a variety of lower cost gear to include the following for the listening evaluation:

DAC'S:

iFi ZenDac
Soundavo HP-DAC1
SMSL Sanskrit 10 Mk II with the xDuoo MT-602 Tube Preamp/Headphone amp
Schiit Modi 3+ with the Douk Audio P1 Tube Preamp/Headphone Amp
SMSL M100 with the Douk Audio U3 Mini Headphone Amp

All DAC's were connected to a desktop PC using AudioQuest USB cables (Pearl Models).

RCA cables used were either AudioQuest, World's Best Cables, or Blue Jeans Cables.

Speakers used were the powered Presonus Eris E5 XT monitors and the Mackie CR8S-XBT 8 inch powered subwoofer.

Listening to the Mackie MC-100 headphones right out of the box, on various DAC's, they sounded pleasant, but nothing out of the ordinary - in fact, they sounded a bit bland. To my ears, they were lacking a palpable upper midrange and high frequency presence, and in some familiar recordings, I felt that the highs were missing In addition, on first listening, I didn't feel moved in any way and then mistakenly assumed that these headphones "might" be good for entry level gamers or just plugging into your phone or other cheaper devices.

As I always do, after first listening - which I never trust right off the bat - I went to bed the evening I received them, realizing that I'd have better clarity in the morning. The next day I began listening again, and the same results ensued - nothing special, much rather bland, etc.

In looking over the headphones I decided that I was going to change out the ear pads (of which I have many on hand), specifically those ear pads that were thicker and moved the ear away from the drivers somewhat. Remember, the MC-100's use oval style ear pads (not round) and the ear opening is oval also. The stock pads are not thick at all and bring your ear a bit too close to the drivers in my judgement. The replacement pads - of which I included a photo of them here - are 1.5 inches thick.

However, if you look at the Sweeterwater website, you should be able to find similar models, however, keep in mind the Delkoni versions are ridiculously more expensive, many of which cost far more than the headphones themselves.

After exchanging out the ear pads for the ones I referenced above, I was stunned (in a very positive) way of how everything was transformed. With the new pads attached (which was a simple exercise), all of a sudden the MC-100's became an audiophile grade instrument that was capable of projecting music in a very convincing manner. With the new ear pads attached, the sound became:

1. Sound-staging, Imaging and Depth: The sound staging was projected forward (in front of you), with imaging that was superb. You could easily pick out where instruments were in that sound stage. Musical depth became uncanny in that you were now literally transported to the center of the performance - as if you were there. Each instrument - no matter how small or silent - could be heard, with tremendous air around each instrument, allowing you to feel and hear the ambience of a given venue.

2. Bass Performance: Improved substantially - became more dynamic, solid (without being mushy). Superb recordings with excellent bass were rendered with a dynamic response that could be eye opening.

3. Midrange and Highs: Here is where the music really opened up. With the new ear pads, the midrange and upper frequency instruments were now more airy, more open - and instruments such as brass had that prerequisite (realistic) bite, free of any colorations. If you had a good recording, highs - in particular such as stringed instruments - had a silky sheen to them. More so, if there is one instrument that I use to determine audio coloration, it's the cymbal. The cymbal - in any scenario - is often colored (yet, we never really pay attention). Cymbal reproduction - whether in classical music, jazz, or other musical genres, now came through with a clarity and sizzle that was immediately recognizable as realistic and accurate.

4. Instrumental Clarity. More so, is the fact (alluded to earlier) that each instrument can now be heard clearly (in good recordings of course). I kept looking at these headphones, shaking my head in disbelief that these cans only cost $19.95. Heck, with the new pads on, even if they were to cost $100+, I'd say they were a bargain. And yes, now I am going to say it, with the new ear pads attached, the overall musical presentation and impact was better than my HiFiMan 400i 2020 version Planar headphones - there, I said it!

So as you can tell, the MC-100, with one small modification/addition, will transform these entry levels cans into a contender. These are now one of my favorite headphones (I currently have 27 headphones in my collection). Need I say more - I strongly suggest that you go out of your way to purchase these and follow what I suggested here with regard to the ear pads - just to see what a transformation these go through with that one simple modification.

In the end, audio qualities are the result of a synergistic combination of a variety of gear you may use in your listening evaluations. If you are going to plug these headphones into a phone, or a cheap stereo, or whatever, then you probably really won't get to appreciate them. If however, you have the type of audio gear that I referenced above, you will be pleasantly surprised at the results you will garner.

OK - enough said. I give these MC-100 an easy 5 stars - uncanny, realistic/accurate, and highly moving (with the earpad modification of course).

I don't really have other headphones to compare this with but this is very much better than the earphones I was using. So far it is comfortable to wear but I haven't used it for longer periods. I added pictures of the box for other details you may want to know.

Please check my video review on this headphones with comparison to my Audio Technica M40X

The package I got with this was high quality. Made my week! :)

I'm just about to purchase a third pair to use with my synths and drum machines. They're perfect for programming or laying down patterns. It's just easier (and affordable) to have several pair on hand rather than constantly swapping out the one pair. I have other well-known brands, but they simply don't sound as good.