Baseus Bowie MC2 - Open-fit headphones with lots of comfort

Baseus delivers a complete package with the Bowie MC2. The open-ears are even more comfortable and better adaptable to ear sizes. The sound can be easily customized via app. The MC2s offer LDAC support and multi-point support. The bass is weak due to the design.

Baseus sells the Bowie MC2 on its own website. However, the headphones are also sold at major retailers such as Amazon. The RRP is 90 euros. At the time of launch and testing, there is a discount in the Baseus store, so the MC2s are priced at 60 euros. The headphones are sold out at the time of testing.

The Bowie MC2s are available in three different colors: white, black and dark blue. The test devices are white, but this is a very warm white, more like cream.

The manufacturer also sells the slightly less well-equipped MC2 Air at a lower price

Baseus offers a wide range of headphones in various designs. One focus is on open-fit or open-ear models. These headphones are positioned in front of the ear canal and therefore always allow ambient noise to pass through. This is intended to ensure greater safety in everyday life or during sport.

Unlike over-ears and in-ears, these headphones are not designed to dampen ambient noise. The Bowie MC2 are therefore unsuitable for anyone looking for an extra dose of peace and quiet in the office or on the train.

Baseus has redesigned the housing of the Bowie MC2. Compared to the present XC1 and MC1 Pro it is noticeable that the MC2 has a thinner bracket. Above all, however, the manufacturer has revised the design of the actual loudspeaker. In the MC2, this is no longer only covered with soft material in one place, but is now encased in a silicone cover.

This cover can be removed for cleaning, for example. Baseus also includes attachments in various sizes in the scope of delivery. This allows the MC2 to be adapted to the size and shape of the ear. The aim is not to block out noise, but to ensure a secure fit and good wearing comfort.

In fact, the MC2s fit the tester's ear even more comfortably. The headphones don't get in the way at any point and are pleasantly light. Wearing them is almost forgotten after a while. At the same time, the headphones sit firmly enough to do sports with them. They don't get lost when jogging either. The only time they get caught in clothing is when changing clothes.

Thanks to IP67, sweat is no problem for the headphones. Baseus provides a corresponding app for Android and iOS. Settings can be made via this. The manufacturer also installs a physical button on each of the parts that sit behind the ear, which can be used for control. The button assignment can be set individually for both headphones via the app. If you prefer, you can also use the MC2 without an app.

Baseus uses an 11 mm driver with three magnets. The Bowie MC2 support the LDAC codec, but the headphones must be set to a separate mode for this, which excludes other functions such as the bass boost. The app also offers a low-latency mode, a BISA mode and an extensive equalizer.

In addition to many preset sounds - which differ significantly - you can also create your own settings. The MC2s also offer multi-device support and can be connected to two devices simultaneously. Switching was quick and reliable in the test. There are 4 microphones built into the MC2, which can be used for making calls.

The Baseus Bowie MC2 impressed in the test with a balanced sound in various music genres. In LDAC mode, the sound is audibly more detailed. The already weak bass decreases even further. The digital bass boost is perceptible. Fortunately, it does not outshine the mids and highs. However, the bass remains far behind what is possible with in-ears or over-ears. On the positive side, the environment hardly hears anything even at high volumes.

We really like the equalizer with a wide range of different settings that differ significantly in terms of sound. The BISA mode is said to offer a particularly immersive sound. However, the music loses a lot of detail. The sound is fuller, but also very compact. This can work well with pop music, but takes away the appeal of piano music, for example. A further distinction can be made between music and cinema in the mode.

Overall, the MC2s impress with a well-balanced sound and good customizability via the app. The MC2s are also suitable for making phone calls. Baseus promises sound improvement through AI. This should reduce background noise. In the test, the MC2s are very pleasant for the wearer, but for the other person it sounds more like using the hands-free function. The headphones are absolutely usable for short phone calls.

Baseus promises a runtime of 11.5 hours at 50 percent volume and using the bass boost. The runtime may be shorter in LDAC mode. We never wore the headphones for that long in everyday life. However, they lasted an entire office day without any problems, and thanks to the good comfort, long wearing times are no problem.

The headphones also recharge quickly. After 10 minutes in the case, they are already 20 percent charged. The MC2 are held magnetically in the case. The case can fully charge the headphones up to four times and is itself supplied with power via USB-C.