Baseus MC1 Pro Open-Ear headphones review: Good sound and comfortable fit
They don’t go inside your ears.
Baseus has added a Pro model to its well-known MC1 lineup. The MC1 Pro are open-ear headphones that clip onto the ear, letting ambient sounds pass through. The Pro version offers a higher IP rating and supports LDAC. We tested the MC1 Pro to see how they perform.Benedikt Winkel, ✓ (translated by DeepL / Ninh Duy) Published 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 ...
Verdict - Great comfort, balanced sound
The MC1 Pro impressed in the test with a balanced, customizable audio and a fit so comfortable you barely notice it's there. Thanks to the configurable button on the earpiece, the operation is also uncomplicated.
When compared to in-ear headphones, the MC1 Pro lacks bass. Apart from that, the headphones perform well for music and audiobooks. The call quality, however, could be improved.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The Baseus MC1 Pro has a recommended retail price (RRP) of €90 (about $100). At the time of our review, however, the headphones were available with a discount of up to 20% on both the manufacturer's website and on Amazon.
With the MC1 Pro, Baseus delivers an upgrade on the already familiar MC1. Both models share the same open design. In open-fit, or open-ear, headphones, the earbuds don’t sit inside the ear canal like in-ear models. This generally makes them more comfortable to wear, but they also block out less external sound.
Compared to the standard MC1, the Pro model offers better waterproofing with IP67. It also has Hi-Res Audio certification and supports LDAC drivers as well as Bluetooth 6.0. Baseus offers the MC1 Pro in three colors: black, white and titanium. We have the black and white as test samples.
Specifications
| Wearing style | Open-Fit |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Range | 10 m |
| Speaker | 3-Magnet-Dynamic-Driver |
| Audio codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| wireless charging | no |
| Weight | 42 g (case) / 5.5 g (per earbud) |
| Firmware version | V1.0.17 |
| Scope of delivery | 1 pair of headphones, charging case, USB-C cable, sticker |
| Price (RRP) | 90 Euro |
Design and ergonomics - MC1 Pro with titanium ear hooks
Baseus uses a clip design for the MC1 Pro. While the battery and control unit are positioned behind the ear, the actual speaker and opening sit directly in front of it. Both parts are connected by a titanium bracket coated with TPU.
The headband is flexible for easier attachment, but returns to its original shape - a feature Baseus calls the “memory effect.” The front of the headphones is padded at the contact point. However, if your ears are too small, the larger unit in the back may push the ear forward because there isn’t enough space between the ear and the skull.
The headphones are very comfortable to wear. With a little practice, they can even be put on with one hand. Thanks to the low weight, the headphones are almost unnoticeable and remain comfortable even after hours of use.
Features and controls - HiRes audio on the Pro model
Each MC1 Pro earbud has a button located on the top of the larger housing that sits behind the ear. With a little practice, the buttons are easy to reach and provide a satisfying click.
The control responds to single, double and triple taps, and long presses can be assigned to specific functions. The left and right buttons can be programmed independently, which works very well in practice. Commands are customizable, though not all functions are available for every input. For example, there are more options for a triple press than for a single press.
The MC1 Pro are IP67-rated for water and dust resistance. They also carry Hi-Res Audio certification. Baseus includes a bass boost mode called SuperBass 2.0, which is described as AI-based. The headphones can record and filter out ambient noise via 4 microphones, which should ensure good call quality.
The Baseus app provides various equalizers, and you can also create your own. The MC1 Pro also support multipoint connectivity, allowing seamless switching between two devices. However, this function - as well as the low-latency mode for games - can only be activated if LDAC is turned off.
Sound - Clear audio, little bass with the MC1 Pro
The sound of the MC1 Pro is pleasing. The mids and highs in particular are balanced and clear. There is no noise or distortion even at high volumes. Compared to in-ears, however, the MC1 Pro lack bass - even though the bass can be significantly increased via software.
Overall, I like the equalizer settings. The sound can be adapted very well to different music genres. The MC1 Pro always allow ambient noise to reach the ears. Nevertheless, there is no annoying whistling or wind noise, even when cycling. The Baseus MC1 Pro do not offer ANC.
Phone calls are comfortable for the wearer, but call quality can be inconsistent for the person on the other end. Baseus promotes AI-powered voice recognition and ambient noise reduction, which works well in some situations but not in others. As a result, call quality can fluctuate, which may be tiring for the listener. On the other hand, voice recording quality is impressive.
Battery life - MC1 Pro lasts for 5 hours
Baseus claims a battery life of 9 hours for the MC1 Pro, but without BassBoost. In our testing, the MC1 Pro lost about 20% of their charge per hour of music playback. Accordingly, the headphones last around 5 hours before they need to be recharged.
Charging in the case is very quick. Within 10 minutes, the headphones are recharged to 20% and can be used for another hour. The headphones are held magnetically in the case. They are easy to insert and do not fall out when opened.
Conclusion
With the MC1 Pro, Baseus offers an upgrade to the well-known MC1 Pro. The Pro model impresses with its good sound and comfortable fit. Especially given the small price difference at the time of testing, all signs point to the Pro model as the better choice.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
