for the cynicastic who can't keep their eye on the real ball... note obvious typo in first line.
-=dave
----- Original Message -----
From: SE/30
To: idm@hyperreal.org
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 7:01 PM
Subject: [idm] Portable Headphone Review
i have 2 recomendations for iPod headphones.
these recomendations are based on the following criteria (in order of importance):
-pocket sized (this pretty much dictates in-ear "earbud" style)
-ability to deliver adequate fidelity (including low frequency response)
-efficiency (for adequate volume with relatively low power)
-cost
My 3 recomendations (in order of preference) are:
1) Sony EX70's - met all criteria extremely well.
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/pcsound/285955.html
pros:
-fidelity : provided exceptional fidelity when used with thebuiltin "Bass Reducer" EQ setting on the iPod.
-cost : ~$50 - much less than earbud headphones of comparible fidelity such as the Etymotic ER4S's (
http://www.epinions.com/elec_Audio-Headphones-EBrand-ER-ER-4S/display_~latest_prices ) and with better bass response (in my
opinion.)
-single input cable to left bud with smaller guage cable going to right channel (allows routing behind the neck and out of the
way. also when headphone cord is inadvertantly "yanked", the angle of the pull usually put less strain on the ear so it was less
tramatic.)
-more "cable rub noise" than normal earbuds.
-not much of a "pro" point, but comes with interesting extremely compact case to hold the in-ear portion of the phones.
2) Koss CS15's - met all criteria relatively well.
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/pcsound/285955.html
pros:
-cost: ~$10 - arguably the best value earbud on the planet.
-sturdy cushion made of some soft butyl material... washible and will probably last indefinately. comes with two sizes.
-extremely efficient bass response : (almost too much so)... requires a custom EQ profile (setup in iTunes) in order to tone down
the extremely fat lower octaves. those searching for reproduction of "trunk-thumping booty music" look no further.
cons:
-"mute" button on cord easily hit during activity, resulting in audible muting of program material. after a month or more of
usage, the contacts of unit became "dirty" and would cut out intermittantly. although i would still recommend them for anyone who
wanted budget headphones they wouldn't cry about being destroyed by dragging through the escallator mechanics at the Embarcadero
BART station (yes, that is the voice of experience) i would recomend modifying the headphones to eliminate the mute button by
soldering the momentary disconnect closed.
-"y" cable design (like most earbuds) would occasionally get in the way of activity.
-foam compression cushions appear to break down rather easily and would probably only last a year or so, although it does come
with a set of replacement cushions, they are larger than the stock ones so they may require modification for use with a "normal"
sized ear.
-foam compression cushions (again) are made of material much like standard disposable earplugs and ideally require washing hands
before "rolling" to compress them for maximum longevity.
-again, "cable rub noise" is rather high for all of these in-ear phones.
3) Sennheiser MX 400 - met most criteria fairly well
http://www.epinions.com/elec_Audio-Headphones_Sennheiser_RS-Sennheiser_MX_400
(fyi, not a single of the dozen or so standard earbud style phones that rest in the cup of the tragus produced adequate fidelity.
across the board, the bass response was lackluster at best. however, if you cannot stand the style of "ear plug" type earbuds, or
you require the ability to hear surrounding environmental sounds with ease, then these in-ear style are not for you. if that is the
case, i would recommend the sennheiser MX 400. i DO NOT recommend the MX 500. it is the MX 400 with the addition of an in-cord
volume control. avoid it like the plague.)
pros:
-cost: ~$15
-low "cable rub noise"
-comfortable if you cannot wear in-ear style
cons:
-marginal coupling for lower octave frequency response (this is a byproduct of the design and seems inpossible to overcome for
any non-direct coupling earbud headphone
-"y" cable design gets in the way during activity
these are opinions people. 'don't like them, make your own :)
-=dave
----- Original Message -----
From: EggyToast
To: idm@hyperreal.org
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: [idm] Headphones recommendations (perhaps with iPod)
At 12:04 AM 3/1/2003 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi -- could use your advice
>
>So, for the most part I like IDM and Experimental
>music.
>This is already unique itself since it is the "quality
>over quantity" of music I dig the most.
>
>I will be getting an iPod soon, thus need a
>replacement for those crappy earbuds they come with.
>
>Any recommendations as to headphones (perhaps noise
>cancelling) that would make my idm and experimental
>tunes sound "great"?
You don't need noise cancelling, as they tend to not be of a very high
quality anyway and it's more of a "gimmik" than a real solution.
You just need a really clear headphone with a complete range.
I'd recommend Sennheiser headphones. Me and a half-dozen other people
continually recommend them to anyone who asks on the IDM-Making list, and
so far, no one's been displeased with their purchase. They make an
exceptional headphone for all budgets.
derek
-------
eggytoast.com
-------
coming soon: eggtastic.com
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