Hey there audio fans. In this review, I’m testing the Mangird MT4 in-ear monitor. The MT4 is a quad-driver earphone with 1DD + 3BA drivers and stabilized wood faceplates. It comes hot on the heels of the successful Mangird TEA which was the company’s first major release. Will it impress like the TEA or is it just coloured water? Let’s take a look.

Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/

Disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.

Mangird MT4

Specifications

• Driver: 3BA+1DD
• Balanced armature drivers: 2*Sonion 23 series balanced armature for mid-high frequency + 1*Knowles 33518 balanced armature for ultra-high frequency
• Frequency range: 20Hz-44kHz
• Sensitivity: 112dB
• Impedance: 22Ω
• Connector: default 0.78mm 2pin (MMCX available)

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Packaging & Accessories

The Mangird MT4 comes in an unassuming black box with a lightly textured surface and Mangird logo on the top in silver. Opening the flip-top box reveals a round aluminium carrying case and a clear plastic box, both of which are seated in a black foam insert.

The earphones and cable are inside the carrying case and the plastic box contains 6 pairs of silicone eartips in 2 styles, plus 2 pairs of foam eartips.

Design

MT4’s shells are made of imported German resin and feature gorgeous stabilized wood faceplates. It’s available in 2 colours: blue and green. I can’t speak for the blue but my green unit has a low-key but really interesting aesthetic.

The resin shells are transparent smoky grey in colour and have really good build quality. There’s a single vent just behind the 0.78mm connector socket. For added durability, the nozzle is aluminium and has a good lip on it so eartips don’t slip off.

As for comfort, the pseudo-custom style shells fit naturally in my ears and are designed for a fairly deep insertion. Passive noise isolation is above average and with music playing you won’t hear much noise from the outside world. MT4 is great for commuting and busy public spaces and will keep you from getting distracted by external noise.

Cable

Included with the MT4 is an 8-core OCC silver-plated mixed braided cable. The 2-pin connector housings, Y-split and straight 3.5mm termination are all matching brushed aluminium. There’s also a chin slider in the form of a clear plastic bead.

Handling is excellent and there is almost zero microphonics. The cable feels quite premium and durable. Overall, this is a nice addition for an IEM at this price point.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes:

• Laptop -> Lotoo PAW S1
• FiiO M6
• iBasso DX120

The Mangird MT4 has a mature, linear sound signature that’s slightly on the warmer side of neutral. It has a slight emphasis on the sub-bass, followed by a clean midrange and topped off with a relaxed treble response. MT4 has a cruisy, smooth presentation with good technical ability.

It might not be the most exciting sound but the tradeoff is an IEM that is super easy to listen to for long periods of time. Yet MT4 also has good detail retrieval and overall resolution. This earphone and its nuanced character is one that has grown on me more over time.

Bass

MT4 has an emphasis on the sub-bass which gives it a solid, authoritative foundation. This is where MT4’s warmth comes from, in addition to some gratifying sub-bass rumble. But the bass is not pushed too forward in the mix and it maintains a good tonal balance with the mids and treble despite being somewhat boosted.

The mid-bass is not stressed as much but is still punchy and has good definition. It’s a tidy and tight bass but one that is full-bodied with good thickness and impact. In Nils Petter Molvær’s “Puri Jati”, the MT4 renders the big kick drum and bass with strength and confidence. However, there’s little bass bleed and the midrange is left unsullied except for a touch of residual warmth.

Mids

MT4’s midrange is warm and buttery smooth. A boosted upper midrange shelf adds vocal articulation and clarity to guitar and piano notes. I’m impressed with the tone and liquid nature of MT4’s midrange considering its price point. Vocals and instruments sound natural with good note size and density.

Vocals are a real strong point for the Mangird MT4. It does a great job on songs like Above and Beyond’s “On My Way To Heaven – Live”. Cobi’s voice is rendered with articulation and richness simultaneously while each individual instrument is clearly defined and represented with a natural tone.

Treble

MT4’s treble is somewhat relaxed but in a good way. It’s crisp yet soft, clear yet a tad warm but is still quite revealing in terms of detail retrieval. You won’t hear any sibilance or harshness but the MT4 treble doesn’t sound muted or dark either.

It has pretty decent extension too, although sometimes the treble nuances get slightly masked by the bass. Perhaps the treble could be a touch more forward to add some extra energy and additional clarity but I’m not complaining. This is definitely something the treble-sensitive should appreciate: a non-fatiguing treble but one that doesn’t sound dull or stunted. It’s also reasonably airy too, which is good for the soundstage and adds spaciousness to the overall sound.

Soundstage

The soundstage has average dimensions and is a bit wider than it is deep. In terms of imaging, MT4 is quite adept and gives good positional cues. The stage position is a bit forward but doesn’t feel crowded thanks to the consistency of the instrument separation.

Although it has a warm sound, MT4 keeps the stage organized and uncluttered. The centre image has good density but reveals more information on the sides than it does in front of the listener. Despite its somewhat relaxed treble, there’s plenty of air which makes the space feel sufficiently open.

Comparisons

ThieAudio Legacy 4 ($195)

The ThieAudio Legacy 4 has the same 1DD + 3BA config as MT4. It has a leaner, brighter presentation with a notably boosted presence region. Both IEMs have similar sub-bass depth but it’s not as prominent on Legacy 4 due to its boosted upper mids and treble.

Legacy 4’s midrange is pushed forward, especially vocals. This makes vocals very articulate and clear but it can be quite fatiguing over time. It’s the same with the treble, where Legacy 4 is more forward, brighter and crisper. This gives it a slight advantage in detail retrieval but again, it comes at the cost of tiring the listener’s ears in addition to sometimes introducing sibilance.

Legacy 4’s upper midrange focus brings the stage position forward which limits the size of its soundstage in terms of depth. MT4 on the other hand, has a more neutral stage position, increasing the perception of depth in front of the listener.

Mangird TEA ($299)

The Mangird TEA is a 7-driver unit and the big brother of MT4. TEA has a more dynamic sound with better end to end extension. The sub-bass reach is greater on the TEA, although it doesn’t sound any more forward that it does on MT4. That’s because TEA’s midrange and treble are also more forward, so the lower bass has more bands to contend with.

TEA is a more mid-centric IEM with more prominent and articulate vocals. The centre image is leaner but denser, making the vocals more tangible. There’s more clarity in TEA’s mids too, a result of the extra lift in the presence and treble regions.

The Mangird TEA has more treble energy and presence, giving it improved clarity but also a brighter tone. Furthermore, it can retrieve more detail but those who are treble sensitive might find it harder to deal with than the smoother MT4. TEA has a slightly larger stage but not by much, as the midrange is pushed forward, bringing the stage closer to the listener.

IKKO OH10 ($189)

The IKKO OH10 Is a dual-driver IEM with copper-alloy shells. Like the MT4, OH10 also has a light v-shaped signature. Although the bass curve looks very similar on both IEMs, the OH10 has a much more powerful sub-bass rumble and mid-bass impact.

OH10’s midrange is a bit more recessed but with added clarity and thinner notes. Vocals aren’t as forward or as warm on the OH10 but the payoff is a more spacious sound and larger soundstage. Like the MT4, OH10 also has a fairly subdued and non-fatiguing treble. Both monitors, however, maintain a good level of detail. OH10 has an in your face type of sound while MT4 has more of a chillout vibe.

Conclusion

The Mangird MT4 is a competent and interesting follow-up to the TEA. It’s an earphone that plays it fairly safe in terms of its tuning but backs that up with ample technical chops. It might not wow you on the first listen but will intrigue with its subtle nuances over time.

What we end up with is a very competent IEM that lands in the midst of a very competitive and thriving segment. This is an in-ear monitor that should not be overlooked, especially if you are someone who is treble-sensitive but still demands good detail retrieval.