In-ear Xiaomi Pro HD: too rough audio rendering

Ergonomics

The Pro HDs assert their identity in all discretion, the whole returning at the first glance a neat or even sophisticated impression. All clad in aluminum, the chassis draws clean, frank and fluid lines, and benefits from a particularly clean finish.

The reinforcement at the start of the cable, in semi-gloss black plastic, and the sheath itself, in rubber rather than in braided fabric, however betray their tariff membership. However, it should be noted that these materials, not only light, provide flexibility and elasticity, essential properties for nomadic use.

At the other end of the cable, the mini-jack is unfortunately not bent - a point this time negative for their lifespan. Indeed, the readers (smartphones, walkman ...) being most often slipped in a pocket, the forces exerted at the junction of the cable (tensions, twists, folds ...) are much more dangerous when the mini-jack is straight , all the more so when the first centimeter is so little reinforced.

Angled at 45 °, the tips are very easily inserted into the user's duct and are held there perfectly naturally - the lightness of the assembly also contributes. Four pairs of tips are provided (XS, S, M, L), but we still deplore the absence of a pair of memory foam. Never mind: the cannula being of standard size, it is always possible to acquire a pair and install it there.

As promised, the remote control is indeed complete, offering all the usual functions: play / pause, call management, switching to the next / previous track (double / triple press), and volume control. Alas ... all commands are only accessible with Xiaomi smartphones! On iOS or Android, depending on the model, the possibilities vary: the main button still works (play / pause and call management), but volume adjustment or navigation between tracks are not guaranteed.

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Audio

The first thing you notice is the lack of bass extension. Pro HD sorely lack this bed which is the strength and energy of a mix, even its immersive nature. Indeed, the bass drops quickly below 200 Hz - still noticeable around 100 Hz, they are only a shadow of themselves from 60 Hz (as much to say that you can say goodbye to the sweep of intro in Unfinished Sympathy) -, but it is also important to specify that the reinforcement which one observes on the curve above in the low-mids (between 80 Hz and 400 Hz) is much less significant with the listen as you could imagine. In fact, the low mids are certainly not on the front of the stage, and even lack a little presence to be able to convey a real feeling of immersion. In addition, there is a slight crosstalk (interference between the channels), which prevents the stereophonic scene from unfolding as widely as the original mix hears.

As you might have guessed, the second part of the spectrum has the lion's share. The richness of the timbres is respected, the voices are perfectly intelligible thanks to the reinforcement between 1 and 2 kHz and the acoustic spaces are fairly precisely reproduced. Alas, here too the uneven nature of the frequency response makes its own (accents at 4 kHz, 8 kHz and 11 kHz), generating a rendering ranging from slightly hissing ("psshht psshht") to acid depending on the listening level. This phenomenon is reflected much less on the sibilants - very little sibilance to report - than around 4 kHz, mainly on the cymbals which take on a very hissing aspect. There is also a distortion which, as the listening volume increases, blurs the cards and can considerably affect the accuracy of the rendering.

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Conclusion

In terms of ergonomics, the Pro HD have an aesthetic, robust and reliable construction, excellent comfort and support as well as a complete remote control ... provided you connect them to a Xiaomi smartphone. On the audio side, the rendering suffers from a lack of balance, resulting in a lack of seating in the first part of the spectrum (bass / low midrange), and a fairly acidic aspect in the second (midrange / treble).

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