Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition
| Dynamic Driver |
? Our Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition Review will put this in-ear headphone through our standardized tests to see if the budget friendly earphone from Xiaomi can provide a worthy bang for the buck performance.
We have reviewed several Xiaomi Mi earphones and most of them were very good to outstanding such as the Xiaomi Mi Pro HD
, Xiaomi Mi Quantie Pro Hybrid
or the super budget Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition. When looking at Xiaomi Mi Piston’s budget line is very easy to think of the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition vs Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition as both have similar prices and actually look so similar that they can be confusing. Both the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition and the Fresh Edition share almost exact aluminum housings and not only regarding construction materials, also in shape. Housings are solidly built and feel very robust, the coating applied over them is nice looking and kind of pearled.
The cables of the Xiaomi Mi Basic Edition vs Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition vs Xiaomi Mi Piston 3 are very diverse, the Xiaomi Mi Basic Edition has a flat rubberized cable while the other two make use of round cables. The cable of the Basic Edition has an inline microphone and a 1-button control, this control is differently shaped to the one on the Piston Fresh Edition model.
Some of Xiaomi’s earphones have an official name that is not the most used one, as we saw with the Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition vs Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Heaphones Pro vs Xiaomi Mi Piston 3 which are actually named Xiaomi Mi Piston Housai 3, Xiaomi Mi Quantie Pro Hybrid and Xiaomi Mi Piston Housai respectively. The official full name of the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition is Xiaomi Mi Piston Housai 2.
You can buy the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition in many good looking colors: blue, black, pink, purple or silver.
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Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition - Review
Tests & Scores
WWeight
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A
Accessories & Packaging
Packaging is the classic Xiaomi’s minimalist white small square packaging, inside you will find 2 extra eartips provided.
6/10
B
Bass & Sub Bass
The Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition
has enough punch and depth while not being too boosted or boomy. Seeing the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition vs Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition, the Basic Edition has a very conservative bass profile and far less impacting but cleaner and less boomier. Still the bass will be able to cover most music genres.
Utilizing an EQ, there is some increment of sub-bass depth but mid-bass looses control and becomes boomy.
During our extreme bass tests, the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition could tolerate a very respectable 55% of the maximum power coming of a Fiio E12
amplifier (high gain, bass boost on and custom basshead EQ were set) translating in an exponential increase of their mid-bass punch and sub-bass depth. Their basshead impact and rumble was not too strong, sitting below the KZ ATE but not that far from it and very similar to the Xiaomi Mi Pro HD. Looking again at the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition vs Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition, the Fresh Edition are able to achieve a way more impacting basshead level. Of course you cannot expect the Basic Edition to reach the crazy rumble of the Best Basshead Earphones Chart such as the Sony MDR-7550/EX800ST, Pioneer SE-CX8, Pioneer SE-CX9 nor to the Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro, Sony MDR-XB50AP, KZ ZST, KZ ZS1, KZ ZS2, Senfer 4in1, Plextone X41M or Puma Bulldogs.
7.25/10
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M
Mids & Vocals
Mids are rolled off on the lower section with distant lower vocals and lacking energy. Audiophiles probably won’t like their mids but for normal users they might be enough. Higher mids are also rolled off and harshness is not problem with them. Making a comparison of the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition vs Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition, the mids of the Fresh Edition has more mid-bass bleed but still their mids are able to sound far less recessed, also lower vocals feel a lot less laid back than those of the Basic Edition. Applying an EQ to the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition, lower mids became clearer but a bit boxy while higher mids started to become harshier.
6/10
H
Highs & Treble
The highs of the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition have enough brightness with a darkish tint with no sibilant or piercing highs issues. Comparing the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition vs Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition, the Basic Edition are a lot brighter and have the ability to resolve much more detail. Using an EQ, brightness is noticeably enhanced and most of detail is highly increased. Piercing highs remain controller but sibilance becomes empowered.
7.5/10
Xiaomi Mi Piston 3 Basic EditionMORE: Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition Review
SL
Sound Leak
The sound that leaks out of these Xiaomi earphones is about the same of most average earphones which makes them perfectly usable in normally noisy situations without disturbing or making too public what you might be listening to.
7/10
SI
Sound Isolation
The Xiaomi’s sound isolation is excellent with a high capacity of reducing ambient noise even while using moderate volume levels. They will totally isolate from surrounding noises if you crank up the volume.
8.5/10
C
Comfort
The comfort and fit of the Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition is wonderful, they fit tight, securely hold their place and are gladly comfortable; they can be used for very long time without any discomfort.
9/10
EQ
Response to Equalization
The Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition respond well to custom equalization but no jaw dropping changes were provided. Bass was able to achieve some enhancement of sub-bass while mid-bass got out of control; highs got noticeably brighter and certainly more detailed with also an increment of sibilance; mids responded with less recessed lower mids but harsher higher mids.
7/10
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BUY IT AT:
Scores- Accessories - 6/106/10
- Design - 9/109/10
- Bass - 7.25/107.3/10
- Mids - 6/106/10
- Highs - 7.5/107.5/10
- Sound Leak - 7/107/10
- Sound Isolation - 8.5/108.5/10
- Comfort - 9/109/10
- Response to EQ - 7/107/10
- Value for Money - 8.25/108.3/10
Summary
Fairly balanced sound signature (with mids running a bit behind)- Outstanding comfort
- Very good sound isolation level
Fairly balanced sound signature (with mids running a bit behind)- Mids may feel distant or lacking energy
- Their response to custom EQs introduced some sound issues
- 2nd dynamic driver amplification tolerance limits the basshead potential
Mids may feel distant or lacking energy- The Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition showed a balanced overall performance with a more recessed mids, better resolving an bright highs and less bassy style than the Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition. At the same time they offer marvelous comfort, solid aluminum construction and excellent looks at a very budget friendly price while offering some extra specs such as flat cables or some basic accessories included.
The Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition can be easily recommended to people that prefer more controlled bass and do not care too much about mids or to owners of the Xiaomi Mi Piston Fresh Edition that found them being too bassy or lacking a bit more of brightness according to their preferences. They can also be recommended to normal users that want a fairly sounding earphone with the Xiaomi brand backing it up and at a very accessible price.
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Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition Frequency Response
Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition
| Type | Dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver Unit | Unknown Sized Dynamic Driver |
| Sensitivity | 98dB/mW |
| Power Capacity | 5mW |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 20-20,000Hz |
| Diaphragm | Unknown |
| Magnet | Unkownn |
| Cord | Y-type, flat cord |
| Cord Length | 1.25m |
| Plug | Stereo mini plug |
| Weight (Without Cord) | Approx. 14g |
| Supplied Accessories | 2x Earphone tips |
Xiaomi Mi Piston Basic Edition
