Review: Beyerdynamic Amiron 100

In July, we reviewed the Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 and concluded that the company had significantly evolved its in-ear headphone strategy since the launch of the Free Byrd. The Amiron 300 was a nearly flawless product, impressing with its sound quality, controls, and comfort. It represented an excellent pair of headphones without any discernible weaknesses. Upon its release, it was priced at approximately 2,900 SEK, positioned just below models like the Technics EAH-AZ100 or EAH-AZ80.

Similar to Technics, Beyerdynamic now offers a more accessible variant, the Beyerdynamic Amiron 100, which features fewer functionalities and a different performance profile. At senses.se, we often find value in comparing flagship models with their entry-level counterparts. This review will delve into the distinctions between Beyerdynamic’s two in-ear headphones to determine if the 1,000 SEK price difference is justified.

First Impression of the Beyerdynamic Amiron 100

Interestingly, Beyerdynamic has opted for a charging case for the Amiron 100 that bears no resemblance to the Amiron 300’s, neither in tactile quality nor form. Even the Beyerdynamic logo is absent on this more affordable model. The design of the headphones themselves evokes comparisons to models such as the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC or Apple AirPods. The LED indicator, elegantly concealed on the rear of the Amiron 300, is prominently located on the front of the Amiron 100, a more conventional placement. Connectivity is quick and seamless, allowing for immediate use. Following a firmware update to the latest version, we proceeded to explore the accompanying application to assess its interface and features.

Software Differences

While broadly similar, a closer examination of the various functions immediately reveals distinctions. To begin with, the ability to customize controls is limited, and Beyerdynamic has reconfigured the functionality of the control buttons. For instance, track skipping can no longer be assigned to a double-click and must instead be set to a triple-click. The ‘one + long press’ gesture is also absent, which is an expected differentiation. More significantly, the included audio codecs are limited to AAC (maximum 320kbps) and SBC (maximum 328kbps). This means LDAC (maximum 990kbps and 24bit/96kHz) has been entirely removed, a feature even Technics’ most affordable variant, the EAH-AZ40M2, retains. Neither aptX (maximum 352kbps) nor aptX HD (576kbps) are supported. Undoubtedly, these omissions impact audio fidelity, though their significance can vary. We will elaborate on this in the ‘Sound Experience’ section.

Hardware Differences

The Amiron 100 features a slightly lower battery capacity, though a two-hour difference is not a significant factor in daily use. They are also a few grams lighter and, like the Amiron 300, support wireless charging. However, the frequency range sees a notable reduction, operating between 20 – 20,000 Hz compared to the Amiron 300’s 20 – 40,000 Hz. This limitation primarily affects the dynamic range. One key reason for preferring a frequency range exceeding human hearing is that headphone drivers tend to exhibit distortion at frequencies near their maximum capacity. A wider frequency range places this potential distortion further outside the audible spectrum. As always, the overall sound profile is influenced by a combination of various other factors. For the average listener, the Amiron 100’s frequency range remains perfectly adequate.

The Sound Experience – Beyerdynamic Amiron 100

The sound profile is characterized by powerful bass and a rich mid-range, effectively reproducing tracks like Daft Punk – Get Lucky. For a direct comparison, we connected both headphones to a Xiaomi 14 Ultra and activated Low Latency mode on both (deactivating LDAC on the Amiron 300, as we know this significantly impacts quality). The comparative analysis revealed that the Amiron 100’s sound profile, while distinct, tends towards an over-emphasized and intense presentation. Nuances and dynamics often feel artificially boosted, contrasting with the Amiron 300’s nuanced, balanced, and authentic sound reproduction, which exhibits restraint when appropriate.

While the Amiron 100’s powerful sound profile can initially be engaging, its limitations become apparent over extended listening, with the continuous intensity proving somewhat fatiguing. However, this characteristic is not equally pronounced across all music genres. Songs like Trevor Guthrie – This is what it feels like and Alok – Headlights are well-suited to its delivery. Conversely, Alan Jackson – Drive or Apparat – Goodbye sound thin, lacking a more developed mid-range and exhibiting limited dynamics. This also impacts the perceived soundstage width. Thus, in a direct comparison, for users prioritizing superior sound quality, the Amiron 300 clearly justifies its higher price point.

Regarding active noise cancellation (ANC), the Amiron 100’s performance is notably underwhelming. During commutes, such as on a subway, its effectiveness is so minimal that one might question if it is active at all. Significant ambient noise penetrates, potentially exacerbated by suboptimal fit. The substantial housing near the eartip impedes achieving an optimal in-ear seal, a stark contrast to the Amiron 300’s design.

The Bottom Line – Beyerdynamic Amiron 100

The Amiron 100’s powerful sound profile is likely to satisfy the average listener. However, users must temper expectations regarding its comparatively weak active noise cancellation, dynamic range, and nuanced audio reproduction. It does, however, deliver impactful bass.

The Amiron 100 has been priced at approximately 1,500 SEK since mid-August (at the time of writing, Black Friday promotions offer it around 1,000 SEK), while the Amiron 300 has been available for approximately 2,000 SEK during the same period. This currently translates to a price difference of about 500 SEK. If one’s budget already extends to 1,500 SEK for the Amiron 100, we strongly advise investing the additional amount for the Amiron 300 instead. The Amiron 100’s feature set and performance do not justify its current price point. The Amiron 300 is largely without weaknesses, superior in every aspect, and received a 9/10 score in its own review here on senses.se, a commendation rarely bestowed.

Recognizing diverse budgetary constraints, if the 1,500 SEK mark represents a firm limit, compelling alternatives exist, such as the EarFun Air Pro 4+, available for 750 SEK via senses.se’s exclusive link, or the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, which, despite being an older model, currently costs around 700 SEK. Under these circumstances, recommending the Amiron 100 is challenging, despite its Beyerdynamic branding. The absence of the logo on the case, perhaps, subtly hints at its positioning.

Beyerdynamic sent review samples for this test. The sender of the material has no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with our readers and consumers in focus.