INTRO:
Sennheiser goes way back with their line of sports earphones. The most current generation is all new and brings further improvements and changes. The MX model is now a hybrid earbud style and not totally open as before. The PX headband model has been dropped and we have a new color scheme, new cabling, and build and sound quality improvements. Rosmadi from Sennheiser has graciously arranged for me to have a pair of the MX686G for review.
SPECIFICATIONS, BUILD, AND ACCESSORIES:
Technical Data
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| Impedance | 30 Ω |
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| Frequency response | 18–20,000 Hz |
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| Sound pressure level (SPL) | 118 dB (1 kHz/1 Vrms) |
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| Total harmonic distortion | <0.5% |
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| Jack plug | 3.5 mm, angled |
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| Cable length | 1.2 m symmetrical cable |
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| Pick-up pattern | Omnidirectional |
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| Sensitivity as per 121 TR 9-5 | –44 dB V/Pa |
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What's in the box?
- MX 686G SPORTS
- Storage pouch
- Cable clip
The MX686G build quality is top notch. I have owned earlier versions of the Sennheiser sports phones and these are more robustly built. The more tangle prone, thinner round cables have been replaced in favor of a weightier, thicker, flat, serrated cable. The plastics are thicker and more overbuilt this time. Weight does go up some but they are not truly heavy and the added heft helps them to bounce around less during your active pursuits. The mic/control unit is incorporated into the Y join and now has a relief on the bottom where there was not one before. The plug and housing strain reliefs are quite beefy and sturdy. The clip is strong and holds fast to where you attach it. Here are some pics:
FIT/COMFORT:
Fit and comfort are always personal and a bit subjective traits. The MX686G is both good and not so good in it's design and fit. I find that they do the main job of staying in the ear securely quite well. This is achieved with plastic arm extensions that slide up and down. Rubber ear fins are adhered onto the plastic pieces. The fit can be a bit more difficult because of thickness of the build. The plastic arm extensions are not flexible at all. Neither is the piece that attaches the drivers to the arm section. Third, the rubber ear fins are also pretty thick and not as flexible as they might be. The overall "stiffness" does make the fit more difficult. Takes a bit longer to get the hang of it. You can also just slide the ear fins all the way down and use them that way but the they fit more like a normal earbud and lose the stability and won't lock themselves in anymore. Of course you may not need it with normal use and just for sports. You may be able to use them both ways depending on need.
Comfort is a bit less than ideal as the ear fins have a more pointy crest that could be rounded a bit more. So if you use them the fins may make the ears sore after a while. Takes longer but the comfort period gradually gets longer and longer with more use. It does depend on the ear and how the fins rest in them of course. If/when you don't use the fins or if they lock in with little pressure against the ear you will be better off.
SOUND:
Being a hybrid earbud design, the MX686G has soft silicone caps over the driver housing. This allows for a less open design with a bit of a seal. Depends on the fit of the caps which only come in one size. Ear canal size will most likely dictate the seal and exact bass and warmth amount you will get from the MX686G. The caps have notches to line up the nozzles position but they do not lock in place as far as direction. You may twist/rotate them clockwise or counter clockwise to aim the nozzle which helps to get both the best seal and sound and balancing it on both R/L sides.
Aside from the particular to one's canal fit, the MX686G departs from the usual sports earphone bassy signature for a closer to balanced and neutral one. A smaller canal and more seal will be warmer but they will never be close to a bass head phone. They have an open and airy sound. This sound is seemingly designed in conjunction with the hybrid design. Hybrid designs usually loss some stage size and sacrifice some air not being as open. Listening with the caps off is a very airy sound almost a bit too spaced out and just right with the caps on. The caps do not restrict the airiness nor the SQ to any appreciable level. The best of the hybrid cap design I have ever heard. Yurbuds and others have a more negative effect on the overall SQ. If you can fit and aim the caps right you should have a sound free of any hollowness or boxy sound.
Open and airy and balanced. Frequency response is very well balanced between bass, mids, and treble as is the frequency extension at both ends. Detail is good as well as clarity and texture. They have quite the natural sound. More natural sounding than the previous Senn sports earbuds and less bassy. Treble is more apparent and very refined. Smooth and even and has a correct sounding tone. Previous versions had either grainy and peaky treble that was far from smooth or it was too laid back and rolled off. This is a more "audiophile" treble that reminds me of the BLOX BE5 though not quite as extended. Clean notes, no peaks, a good sense of separation and air. The bass and mids follow suit as well making them have that natural, cohesive overall sound. Bass has good extension and a bit of speed for a bud. Not high end but a cut above the lower models and worthy of the price tag. Bass is free of any bloat or excessive mid bass humps. Those who feel the need for big bass or more thump for their workouts may need to use EQ to add some more low end but the 686G take equalization quite well. The mid range and vocals are again clean and quite airy with good separation. More than one vocalist and they are clearly distinct and legible. Male and female vocals both sound good and sibilance is kept in check. Mid range is natural and neutral in between a dry and a sweet sound.
Overall presentation is, again, open and airy and the spaciousness keep things easily heard and does not let things smear up. The overall tone is neutral and smooth. Neither a dark sounding phone nor bright but clean and clear. Smoothness keeps sibilance at bay in the mids and treble. Notes are crisp and have a clean edge throughout.
They do sound a bit more monitor than sports phone but it works. A lack of flaws to the sound and the 686G being refined, natural, and smooth works by staying out of the way and letting you enjoy your audio during a workout or activity.
VALUE:
The price is already dropping on the street from $60. At $50 to $60 they are a good value. Some design thought went into them. The build is very sturdy and the cable is strong a behaves itself. The case is decent. The sound is very likely the second best below the MX985 of all the Senn models at this point in time(I did have the MX880 but not the MX575; MX686G is better than the MX475, MX760, MX880 IMO). Could have been an even better value with more cap sizes and a nicer hard case. Still, a good deal here!
CONCLUSION:
I gave the MX686G four stars. A very good design that may be improved a bit more to allow for an easier and even more comfortable fit is the only thing holding it back. A bit of a longer learning curve to get the right fit for comfort and sound gets better with time and practice but very worth it. The sound may not be everyone's first choice for sports but it is good sound and good sound works!. Sennheiser made more of a change in this round of sports phones and these are a bigger step up in quality than the last. Keep it up!!
