Mackie MP-240 Hybrid Dual-Driver Professional In-Ear Monitors
The MP-240 keeps the same driver count as the MP-220 but changes what the drivers are. Instead of two dynamic drivers, one is swapped for a balanced armature and a custom crossover splits the frequencies between the two. That is the whole story of this model: same size, more separation.
- Hybrid dual driver design: a dynamic driver handles low frequencies while a balanced armature handles mids and highs.
- Custom crossover divides the range between the two drivers for clarity and instrument separation on stage.
- Up to 40 dB of sound isolation from an ergonomically molded low-profile enclosure.
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
- Impedance: 32 Ohms plus or minus 15 percent, with sensitivity of 94 dB plus or minus 3 dB at 1 mW and 1 kHz.
- Detachable MMCX cable that swivels at the connector, on a shielded braided cable built for durability.
- Over-ear routing keeps the monitors seated and the cable behind your head through a whole set.
- Nine sets of ear tips: foam, silicone and double flange, each in small, medium and large.
- In the box: a hard case and a gold-plated 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch adapter.
Mackie has spent decades on loudspeaker design, and the MP Series is that work applied at a much smaller scale. The MP-240 sits at the point in the range where the driver technology changes, and it is worth understanding why that matters more than a driver count on a spec sheet.
Why hybrid rather than two dynamic drivers
The MP-240 keeps the same driver count as the MP-220 but swaps one dynamic driver for a balanced armature. Dynamic drivers move more air, which is what low frequencies need. Balanced armatures are far smaller and faster, which suits mids and highs. A custom crossover splits the frequencies between the two so each one only does the job it is good at. Mackie describe the result as stunning clarity and instrument separation for an accurate and punchy monitoring experience, and on stage that separation is the difference between hearing your own vocal and hunting for it.
Fit and isolation
The enclosure is ergonomically molded and low-profile, which gets it deep enough to seal properly without pressing on the ear. That seal is what delivers up to 40 dB of sound isolation, and isolation is what lets you monitor at a sane level instead of chasing the stage volume upwards. Nine sets of ear tips are included, foam, silicone and double flange in small, medium and large, because the seal depends entirely on getting the right tip rather than on the earphone itself.
Cable and connectors
The cable is shielded and braided for durability and sonic performance, and it detaches at an MMCX connector that swivels for comfort and to reduce strain on the joint. Detachable cables matter on in-ear monitors more than on anything else, because the cable is what fails first after a few hundred shows. The over-ear design keeps the monitors securely in place and routes the cable behind your head, out of the way of a mic stand and a guitar strap.
Specifications and what ships with it
Frequency response runs 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Impedance is 32 Ohms plus or minus 15 percent, with sensitivity of 94 dB plus or minus 3 dB at 1 mW measured at 1 kHz, so they run happily from a wireless bodypack. A hard case protects them off stage and a gold-plated 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch adapter is included for desk and console use.