The Yamaha EPH-M100 should not be confused with the (very) similar-looking Yamaha EPH-M200 ($49.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) ; at $99.95, the EPH-M100 is a full $50 less expensive, sure, but that’s not all. There are subtle difference in the respective audio performance of these earphones; both offer deep bass response and a dialed-back high-mids presence that means things sound a bit less crisp than some listeners may prefer, but the more expensive sibling is a bit brighter to help balance it out. Bass lovers with a $100 cut-off point could find great value in the EPH-M100, but there are plenty of standouts in this crowded price range, like the Editors’ Choice Audio-Technica ATH-CKX7iS ($83.58 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) .

Design
Like the EPH-M200, the EPH-M100 ($49.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window)  offers an excellent, secure fit thanks to a circular driver housing that rests against the ear for added stability. Side-by-side, it’s hard to see much of a visual difference: Both pairs flaunt the Yamaha logo of overlaid tuning forks, with the EPH-M100 offered in black, blue, or white, and the EPH-M200 offered in black, red, or white. The EPH-M100 is mostly glossy plastic everywhere, while EPH-M200 features some paneling that features a more matte, rubberized finish.

An inline remote control and microphone compartment is situated along the left ear’s cable, just below chin height. There are three buttons: two dedicated to raising and lowering the volume, and a multi-function central button for Play/Pause, Track Navigation, and Call Answer/End.

The zip-up semi-hard protective case that ships with the EPH-M100 seems identical to the EPH-M200’s, as do the other accessories: a generous five pairs of black eartips in various sizes, and a ¼-inch headphone jack adapter (a rare inclusion in this price range).

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Performance
On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the EPH-M100 delivers plenty of thunderous low-end without distorting, even at top, unsafe listening levels. At moderate-to-loud levels, the bass doesn’t quite overpower the mix on this track, but it certainly competes for attention. Luckily, there’s enough high-mid and high frequency presence for things to sound fairly balanced and not muddy.

On Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” his baritone vocals don’t get quite enough high-mid presence to help them stand out in front of the mix, but they don’t sound muddy, either: It’s mainly that the bass response adds a bit more focus to the drumming on this track, and the high-frequency presence is more focused on the guitar strumming than the treble edge of Callahan’s voice. Thus, his voice fights a bit for the spotlight with these other elements. Overall, this track’s balance feels a bit shifted towards the lows and low-mids, but not in an unpleasant way; it’s just a bit less crisp than some listeners may prefer. The more expensive EPH-M200 also seems a bit light on the high-mid presence on this track, but it has enough higher frequency presence to make things sound a bit brighter.

The kick drum loop’s attack on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild” gets enough high-mid attention to still sound sharp, but doesn’t quite slice through the mix like it does on earphones with more emphasis on that range. The sub-bass synth hits on this track are delivered with plenty of deep low-end push, but not quite on the level of, say, a Beats earphone pair. The higher frequencies are boosted enough that the vocals still stand out in front of this mix, and the vinyl crackle that often slips into the unnoticed background is more prominent here.

Classical tracks, like the opening scene in John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, get boosted bass that brings out the lower register instrumentation in an exciting way. The high-mids could stand to be a bit more front and center here, but the highs are present enough that everything stays in focus, even though the vocals take a subtle step back in the mix.

Clearly, the EPH-M100 is a bass-forward earphone pair that isn’t going to appeal to purists or those seeking a very crisp sound signature. If you’re looking for something with more high-mid definition in this price range, both the Klipsch R6i  and Audio-Technica ATH-CKX7iS offer healthy bass with balance. If you’re looking to spend far less money and still get a sense of bass and overall balance, the Skullcandy Method ($29.61 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) is a good value. For $100, the Yamaha EPH-M100 is a solid earphone pair, but while there’s not much to complain about, there’s not a whole lot to get really excited about either. It’s perhaps worth saving up a little extra for either the brighter, slightly more dynamic-sounding EPH-M200, or another pair in that price range.