Showing posts with label in-ear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in-ear. Show all posts

8/28/2012

Klipsch Image X10i Audiophile Noise-Isolating Headset with 3-button Apple Control (Copper) Review

Klipsch Image X10i Audiophile Noise-Isolating Headset with 3-button Apple Control (Copper)
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I've probably been using portable music players for at least 20 years now. First it was cassette players, then CD players and now MP3 (or other music/video file type) players. Progressively as I upgraded from one type of player to the next, I wanted an even better (i.e., not cheap) kind of player(s) which would give me more features and of course, better sound. It wasn't until more recently that I discovered it wasn't so much the player, as the headphones that made the big difference in sound. (Duh!) I don't know why I didn't bother to get better headphones until recently, but I guess it was because I didn't understand that the type of sound I was hearing wasn't nearly as good as what the source material was capable of giving me. (Especially for CD's) So I finally decided to stop using el cheapo's and plunk down some coin for a decent pair of headphones.
The first pair I bought was a few years ago and were the Bose In-Ear earbuds. The player I was using at the time was the Apple Ipod 5G video. Compared to the Skullcandy earbuds I was using before, they sounded like THE BEST sounding earbuds I had ever heard. (That I had heard, not that existed). I quickly became disillusioned with these, especially when wearing them as I worked out at the gym and they would constantly fall out of my ears as I worked out. Surprisingly, this would also happen when I wasn't working out, although far less frequently. I tried all the different size ear tips, but made no difference. I knew there were far better (more expensive) buds out there to try, so after doing some research and comparing, I next went with the Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 pro earbuds. These had a bendable wire built-in to allow wrapping around the ears and fits deeper into the ears, which they did. Also, the sound was MUCH better! In fact, while waiting to get the X10i's, I sold my Super.Fi 5's and reverted back to the Bose to see how they measured up and after listening to them again, I can't believe I ever thought the Bose sounded good! The bass they give is so overpowering and muddy that it drowns out some of the mids and highs, making for a poor listening experience when compared to the Super.Fi 5's.
A little over a month ago, I finally upgraded from using some of the Ipod Nanos to the 64GB Touch (3rd Gen). This model has an in-line/voice control feature which I wanted to use immensely, but I didn't want to use the craptacular earbuds that came with the Touch. After doing a little research, I found that the Klipsch were the only game in town that had some in-line controls/microphone earbuds that work (mostly) with these features. I know there is the cheaper S4i model, but after reading some of the reviews, I was afraid that they would be a lot like the Bose I had (i.e. strong bass drowning out the mids and highs), so I decided to go all out and go for the brass ring and get the X10i's.

I was definitely weary about paying the $350 price tag these things have, what with buying them online (harder for exchange/refunds) and not knowing how well they work. For the price though, they had to be good! And luckily, the gamble paid off. The X10i's sound every bit as good, if not better than, my old UE Super.Fi 5's! The earbuds are definitely smaller as well and fit much more comfortably in the ears due to the oval shape of the ear tips. This makes quite a lot of sense, considering how oval-like the human ear canal is shaped. It is surprising how much research Klipsch (and others like them) put into making their earbuds; the micro technology, form, design, etc. The medium size tips are what 60% of users find the most comfortable, so those are the ones that are already attached to the buds. I guess I'm one of the 60% because I just left them on when I tried the X10i's out for the first time and they fit comfortably and securely. I bought these for 2 main reasons: 1. The awesome sound. 2. The in-line/microphone controls. So I will review these 2 aspects of the earbuds.
1.The sound: Again, this is a major pro! Unfortunately I had already sold my Super.Fi 5's before I got the X10i's, so I couldn't do a sound check and compare the two. I can note that when using the Super.Fi 5's VS the X10i's with my iTouch I had to turn the volume back up a bit when using the X10i's to get the same volume level. I don't know exactly what this suggests; maybe that the X10i's need a little more power (volume) than the Super.Fi 5's did? Nonetheless, I get all the sound flavors. The sound is very clean, vibrant and reproduces the source as well as it can be done. Knowing how well these reproduce sound, I went ahead and re-ripped my music library from the AAC (.m4a) file format @ 150Kbps VBR to the same format @ 300Kbps VBR. This is about as high as I can go in the AAC format before it becomes too high a bit rate for the iTouch. I'm also not ready to go lossless just yet, but someday. (When there's more memory for PMP's like the iPod.) Anyway, I'm hearing some sounds in my music that I never have heard before. Some just small, background sounds; others have become more distinct and vibrant. I don't know if this is because of the earbuds, the fact that I doubled the bit rate of my music or a combination of both. (Probably both.) The highs and mids are where these really shine. I listen mostly to Alternate rock, industrial, electronica, techno, etc., so nothing too bass intensive like R&B. Don't get me wrong, you still do get some tight, relatively strong bass, but I've heard headphones with more. This may be the way they were designed, so the bass won't be too strong and over power the rest of the music spectrum. Still, I think the lows could be a bit stronger, so I'd have to list this as a small con.
2.The in-line/voice control: This is actually the main reason I decided to get the X10i's. There's a lot of things I like about the iTouch, but its auto-lock feature is not one of them. Having controls that allow me to have some basic functionality without having to unlock the iTouch every time I want to pause/play, go to the next track or listen to a different album is VERY handy. Unfortunately, not all of the controls work properly or at least not all the time. I'll give a bullet point of each control and how well it works (or not) with my iPod Touch 3rd Gen.
- Volume +/-: These controls work flawlessly every time. They will turn the volume up or down in about 10% increments across the volume bar.
- Pause/Play (middle button press 1x): This works every time as well. Press it once to pause, press it once again to continue play.
- Next Track (middle button press 2x): This only works about half the time. I don't know why, but it's not fully compatible with the iTouch for some reason. The specs for the X10i's give a compatibility list and it has the 2nd Gen iTouch listed, but not the 3rd, so maybe the 2nd Gen is more compatible? Other reviewers have stated that this feature doesn't work all the time for them either with different model ipods/iphones. I have noticed that when I do double tap to go to the next track and it doesn't work, the song will skip for ½ a second like it's trying to go to the next track, but can't. Sometimes I can get it to skip to the next track by trying multiple times, but it doesn't work every time.
- Previous Track (middle button press 3x): Same problem as the next track incompatibility.
- Voice Control (middle button press, hold down 2-3 seconds): So far, I have had little to no trouble having this work, thankfully. I've only used it about half a dozen times or so, but I've tried playing a few of my playlists by saying, "Play playlist Powerman 5000" or albums by saying, "Play album Thirty Seconds to Mars" and every time it played the exact album or playlist I asked for. I did once ask it to play a playlist and it misinterpreted what I said and started playing songs by a certain artist instead, but all I had to do is restate my request more clearly and it played the proper playlist. SO MAKE SURE YOU SPEAK CLEARLY WHEN USING THIS FEATURE! There are many other voice commands besides the ones I mentioned, but haven't tried them all yet. Also, you don't have to say the full name of whatever it is you are requesting, as long as it's close enough. For example, when I said to play my Powerman 5000 playlist, the full name of the playlist is actually Powerman 5000 Mix, but I left out the "mix" part.
One last thing I have to say about these. Some reviews (both amateur and professional) have said that these are mainly for serious audiophiles that mainly listen to lossless music because these buds will uncover any flaws in lesser quality music. That's somewhat true, but with a little BS sprinkled on top. These are for anyone who really cares about getting the best sound out of their music (whatever the source may be), want ipod/iphone in-line controls and can afford them. The truth is these earbuds will only let you hear flaws in your music if they actually exist. Let's say you have your music ripped at a standard .mp3 @ 192Kbps. You listen to a song with your old, cheap earbuds and then listen to that same song using the X10i's; it's not going to make that song sound like crap. It will make it sound better than the cheap buds you were using, but only as good as that file format/bit rate will allow. The X10i's may make your music sound inferior to higher quality versions in comparison, but that's only if you ACTUALLY compare them. If, for instance, you're use to listening to your music as audio files and not straight from the CD's you ripped them from, then you're not going to be aware of any possible deficiencies in your music. Audiophiles may say that music at anything less than lossless quality IS a flaw, but that's a matter of opinion.


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Audiophile In-Ear Headset with 3-button iPhone/iPod control and superior Comfort, Noise Isolation & Sound

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8/17/2012

Klipsch Image S5i RUGGED In-Ear Earphone with Mic, 3-Button Apple Control and Saftey Case (Black/Gray) Review

Klipsch Image S5i RUGGED In-Ear Earphone with Mic, 3-Button Apple Control and Saftey Case (Black/Gray)
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Klipsch is a well-known high-end speaker maker, so I was excited to try one of their headphone products. I'm obsessive about my sound, and I'm always looking forward to trying another high-end product, especially when it's priced fairly reasonably.
In terms of construction quality, the S5i hits the right balance between size, weight and overall quality. The cord seems flexible and strong without looking like it would come apart at the first strong tug. The 3-button control is slightly small for big hands, but the buttons are large and easily operated, even with gloves. The earpieces also seem well constructed, and as an added bonus, the whole thing is water resistant should you get caught in the rain. The included case has a small LED flashlight integrated with it - another nice touch.
As for operation, they worked fine with everything I tried - a few different types of iPods/iPhones, an Android phone and the headphone jack on a few PCs. The volume control and microphone seemed to work on all of these devices, but the third button (play/pause) only worked with my latest iPod Touch. In my opinion, this is a great addition to the iPod Touch...I liked that the older iPods with the wheel controls could be left in your pocket and operated by feel - the Klipsch adds this feature back to newer touchscreen devices.
To me, the number one criteria is sound quality, and while I wouldn't rate the Klipsch as equal to my all time favorites (Shure SE530 - about five times the price of the Klipsch), they are quite good overall while also being very comfortable. The level of sound isolation is good, the headphones feel light in your ears, and they seem comfortable for hours of continued use. Low bass is reasonable - clear and uniform, without being overwhelming or muddy (this is my big complaint about Bose headphones - strong bass, but very muddy). Midrange sounds are probably Klipsch's best attribute and are reproduced as well as any I've heard. Highs are somewhat subdued and occasionally muted but raspy. Overall, the sound quality is above average, and I'm not sure you could find anything better at the price. If you listen in a noisy environment, you might not even notice the difference between the Klipsch and anything else.
Bottom line is that Klipsch offers fine quality at a reasonable price point - they certainly deserve an audition if this is what you want.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Klipsch Image S5i RUGGED In-Ear Earphone with Mic, 3-Button Apple Control and Saftey Case (Black/Gray)

The Image S5i RUGGED All-sport/All-weather nosie-isolating in-ear headphones are extremely durable and perfect for active outdoor lifestyles. Designed to live with the elements, the Image S5i has a competitive edge because, unlike other brands, it uses patented oval ear tips for unequaled comfort and a secure fit as well as incorporating over 60 years of audio expertise. These headphones are also moisture tested and the remote is rubberized to offer weather resistance for outdoor activities. The Image S5i features a unique Apple-based mic and three-button remote system for taking calls and having full music and/or voice control on iPad and select iPhone and iPod models. The buttons on the remote are slightly enlarged, making them easy to navigate when on-the-go or wearing gloves. The Image S5i Rugged also features powerful dual magnet motor structures allowing for powerful bass yet significantly reduced distortion, making these headphones sound amazing, with clear highs and enhanced lows.

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8/01/2012

Scosche Increased Dynamic Range Noise Isolation Earphones with tapLINE II Remote and Mic Review

Scosche Increased Dynamic Range Noise Isolation Earphones with tapLINE II Remote and Mic
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I purchased this set of earphones to replace the uncomfortable ones that came with my iPhone 4. The earphones are an excellent value for the price paid. The package contains the earphones with remote and mic (many offer mics but not remotes that will work with iPods and iPhones), six color change caps, one set (sm, med, lg) of flanged ear covers, one set of double flanged ear covers (sm, med, lg) and a nice carrying pouch. The sound quality is fantastic. Music tones are heard in rich, full quality. Call quality is also excellent. I hear callers clearly and they hear me clearly as well. The remote is comfortable, with nice responsive buttons, (sometimes too responsive) and handles the iPhone voice controls, phone calls and music playback expertly. It also handles noise isolation very well. You may have to experiment with the flange sizes to see which ones will seal in your ear the best, but they are much more comfortable than the set the comes with the iPhone. This set does work with the new iPhone 4 with no problems. If you are looking for a great set of earphones at a great price with excellent features, these earphones are definitely the ones to get. This set is also available in black. Scosche also makes several others, but this set DOES work with the iPhone 4.

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Denon AH-C560R Premium Mobile Elite In-Ear Headphones with 3-Button Remote and Microphone (Black) Review

Denon AH-C560R Premium Mobile Elite In-Ear Headphones with 3-Button Remote and Microphone (Black)
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I bought these ear buds on a hope and a prayer. There weren't any reviews for it, but it seemed to have a lot of the features I wanted (mostly the remote).
Before I start the review, I would like to state that I AM NOT AN AUDIOPHILE. I can tell the difference between 128kbs MP3 and 320kbs MP3s, but between 320kbs and Lossless files, my ears can't tell too much of a difference, if any at all. Also, I keep the equalizer flat.
Anyways, on the the review. Each area I will review will be out of 5 points.
1. Build Quality: 4/5
These headphones are well built. The main cord is nice and thick and seems durable (well see) and the cords from the individual earphones are thicker than most other headphones out there. The remote is light but it also feels a little too much like cheap plastic, like the kind of plastic the toys from those quarter vending machines are made of. Also, the cord is plenty long (for most people) but it doesn't seem to go perfectly straight and sometimes you will fight with it. Oh, there is almost no cable noise, at least noticeable cable noise. I walk a lot and my cord bounces and rubs my shirt and I have never noticed cable noise.
2. Treble (Highs): 5/5
When I first got the headphones the trebles were a little harsh, but after some burn in, they soften up and sound great. They are bright and clear. Listening the Air's "Sexy Boy" is awesome with these!
3. Mids: 4/5
The mids can get a little lost between the highs and the lows. They aren't as pronounced, but what is there doesn't sound bad, just wish there some more of it. When I listen to Gillian Welch, who uses a lot of acoustic guitar, the mids sound great, but with most rock/electronic music emphasizing highs and lows, the mids can get lost in those genres. It is almost like they headphones have the "Rock" EQ built in them (You know, lots of highs and mids, like a V shape on the equalizer).
4. Bass (Lows): 5/5
Another reviewer said that the bass was weak. I suspect he or she is using the ear tips and not the foam tips or there isn't a tight seal in their ear canal because I think the bass is great. It's tight and not overpowering. They can still bump on certain songs and give you that "music is coming from inside of my brain" feeling (like when the bass kicks in on Ween's "Exactly Where I'm At")but it doesn't overpower. The bass is respectable and courteous. It's the kind of bass I would want to date my daughter, if the bass were a person and if I actually had a daughter.
5. Microphone/Remote: 3/5
Like I said, the remote feels a little cheap and there is a slight delay when you skip or rewind songs (but not when you use the volume). I have recorded some voice memos (I use an iPod Touch 2g) and my voice sounds clear, however, it does pick quite a bit of background noise. If you are going to be making a ton of calls in noise environments, the microphone may not be best for this, however, I haven't used other headphones with mics so I'm not sure about how much noise other headphones pick up. But the sound might make it worth it!
6. Value: 4.5/5
There are A LOT of iPhone/iPod headphones at this price range. These are definitely worth the price but I can't say that they are a deal to end all deals. They seem priced exactly where they should be.
7. Overall (not an average): 4.5/5
Since Amazon doesn't let you give half stars, I guess I will round up and give it 5 stars bur really it deserves 4.5 stars. It does a lot of things right, a couple of things not so well, and priced fairly. What more can you asked for?Other Things:
You are provided with 3 sizes of ear tips (S, M, L) and 1 set of Comply foam tips (which seems to be medium sized).
My advice? Forget the ear tips and go straight with the foam tips.
Some more advice? Roll the foam tips in your fingers a little and then quickly put them in your ear. They will expand in your ear and form a seal which will help with sound isolation and give you better bass response.
Also, make sure when you put the earbuds in your ears, the cords are aiming down. When I first got them, I wasn't to careful about it because it didn't matter on my old set of earbuds, however, these can be a little finicky so make sure they are in as for as possible. Like I said, roll the foam tips in your fingers, stick them in your ear as far as possible (with out injuring yourself, of course) and you should be good to go.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Denon AH-C560R Premium Mobile Elite In-Ear Headphones with 3-Button Remote and Microphone (Black)

Part of Denon's exclusive Mobile Elite series, the AH-560R in-ear headphones combine our latest technologies with an inline three button remote that can control select iPod and iPhone models, and includes a microphone that lets you record voice memos with select iPod models and answer calls with select iPhone models. With the inline remote, you can control volume level as well as play, pause, forward and back functions. The AH-C560R contains a host of exclusive Denon technologies to deliver optimum sound quality and superior comfort. Denon's Acoustic Optimizer system provides equal ambient air pressure on both sides of the diaphragm for naturally balanced sound. Our exclusive Radial Cascade Damper system reduces cable transmitted vibration, and the cable features Oxygen Free Copper wiring for the purest sound quality. The earpiece housings are a hybrid design, constructed of a combination of precision machined aluminum alloy and a sophisticated resin compound. Together, these materials dramatically reduce resonance improving sound detail and balanced. The large 11.5mm diaphragms are driven by powerful Neodymium magnets for dynamic sound and high efficiency, extending the battery life of your portable music player or computer. To ensure optimum fit and comfort, the AH-C560R comes with four sets of compliant ear pads. Three of the sets are made from form-fitting silicon, while the fourth set features Denon's exclusive Comply foam tips. The 1.3 meter (4½ feet) cable features equal length (left/right) earpiece cables, along with an adjustable branch point adjustment slider, as well as a cable clip. A compact soft shell carrying case is included.

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7/20/2012

Scosche Increased Dynamic Range Noise Isolation Earphones with tapLINE II Remote and Mic (Dark) Review

Scosche Increased Dynamic Range Noise Isolation Earphones with tapLINE II Remote and Mic (Dark)
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I cannot convey in words how amazing these are. I own many excellent headphones, and I must say these are on par with Grado world renown SR80's. For the price, you will not be disappointed! Not only do they have mind blowing sound (and ridiculous bass for those who like that), they have excellent passive noise isolation. When I have music playing at soft to normal volume, they successfully block out loud-talking people near me. I also love the extra features of these buds: perfect iPhone/iPod remote functionality with microphone, a host of extra earpieces and color attachments, an attachable shirt clip, and the wire isn't "grippy" like stock iPhone earbuds that tend to tangle and stick to your shirt and get caught. I also like how the in-line remote and microphone are separated ( mic is close to your mouth where it should be) so that a caller does not hear noise when you press the remote buttons. Te cable is just the right length--a little longer than Apple earbuds. Scosche should be very proud for making these, as I am perfectly satisfied that this is exactly what I ever wanted for ear canal buds.

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6/06/2012

Monster® Mobile Jamz™ High Performance Mobile Phone Earbuds with ControlTalk™ Jamz™ Mobile Headphones w/ ControlTalk (MH JMZM IE CT KIT) Review

Monster® Mobile Jamz™ High Performance Mobile Phone Earbuds with ControlTalk™ Jamz™ Mobile Headphones w/ ControlTalk (MH JMZM IE CT KIT)
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The Sound quality on these Monster Ear buds is AMAZING. Fantastic Highs, Lows, Bass, Treble, and Volume. Completely lived up to my expectations and at $99, a great deal as well since they retail for $150 usually.

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The Mobile Jamz kit has everything you need to easily manage music and photos on your PC and transfer them to your MicroSD card compatible phone. An included 2GB MicroSD card and USB adaptor comes pre-loaded with Monster Mobile Media Manager Software. The included Lil Jamz headphones deliver amazing sound and the convenience of hands-free calling with an on-cable mic.

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4/18/2012

Scosche HP65MD2 Chameleon Earbuds with tapLINE II Remote and Mic (Dark) Review

Scosche HP65MD2 Chameleon Earbuds with tapLINE II Remote and Mic (Dark)
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Total junk. Compared to standard ipod earphones, these have inferior quality, crackle at times and are les comfortable in your ears. If you only care about price, these are definitely cheaper but I can't say much else about them.

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2/14/2012

Scosche HP65MD Chameleon Earbuds with tapLINE II Remote and Mic (Dark) Review

Scosche HP65MD Chameleon Earbuds with tapLINE II Remote and Mic (Dark)
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I got these for language learning, if I repeat with the recording I cannot use the (now much more common) ear plugging type earphones that make your own voice sound strange. Open air like these are also a lot more comfortable for talking on the phone. I was surprised that music doesn't sound bad at all at lower volume levels, gets muddy though if you crank it. Overall about the same difference in sound as the original Apple headphones (which I had to replace do to the junk quality button and mic). When I made a test phone call, the other party said the mic was very clear.
I was very disappointed that with my 3G iPhone the volume up and down WILL NOT WORK. It is not Scosche's fault as the 3G just does not support this. But just as a warning to others, I had no idea until after getting these and searching the apple forums.

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10/28/2011

Klipsch IMAGE S4i-WH Premium Noise-Isolating Headset with 3-button Apple control, White Review

Klipsch IMAGE S4i-WH Premium Noise-Isolating Headset with 3-button Apple control, White
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I bought these to go with a shuffle to use while working out and I am very happy with them.
Sound quality: The sound quality is excellent for the money ... they have a ton of bass which is perfect for what I am using them for. I own the Image X10s too which are superb but they are 3 times the price and don't have the inline controls. The X10s sound quality is definitely superior, they're more accurate and have much better separation but that's just not necessary when I'm more focused on not passing out while running up the hills here in San Francisco. I find the Klipsch's Image range to be pretty bassy in general so if you are listening to classical music or a lot of instrumental stuff at high bit-rates you will likely be happier with a set of Etymotic ER4Ps (very accurate with amazing separation) but if you're listening to rock/hip-hop/dance etc. the Klipsch Image range are a great choice.
Build quality: Time will tell how well they hold up but they feel sturdier than the X10s and I have had those for 8 months ... I've been pretty hard on them and have had no issues whatsoever.
Comparison to other brands: I have had Shures and several sets of Etymotics in the past and am now a total Klipsch fan. The Klipsch IEMs have comparable sound quality (better for some types of music), are far more comfortable than both Shures and Etys, are better made than the Etys and are better value for money than the Shures.
One word or warning that you will see in many of the reviews: if you have never used IEMs (In-Ear-Monitors aka sound isolating earphones) - they take some getting used to. You need to make sure to get a good seal in you ear for them to work well, if they're lacking bass it's probably because you don't have a good seal. They really do block out pretty much all noise so make sure to look both ways before crossing the road ;-)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Klipsch IMAGE S4i-WH Premium Noise-Isolating Headset with 3-button Apple control, White

In-Ear Headset with 3-button iPhone/iPod control and superior Comfort, Noise Isolation & Sound

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9/12/2011

Scosche Increased Dynamic Range Noise-Isolation Earphones with tapLINE II Remote and Mic Review

Scosche Increased Dynamic Range Noise-Isolation Earphones with tapLINE II Remote and Mic
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I have a puppy. My Puppy ate my previous IPhone headphones, which were not perfect, but they sufficed. I went shopping, and they arrived yesterday.
These IDR655M earphone are perhaps the best sounding headphones I've ever owned, which include AKG K140, AKG K270, half a dozen senheiser sets, Audio Tecnica 2.1 and so forth..
At the volume I listen which is considerably below the "blow the eardrums", These guys sound very natural. But the bass is really solid. I keep looking for the subwoofer. There seems to be no muddiness when a bass note is hit, or tinny treble. It is very easy to listen to. I wore them straight for over 2 hours yesterday and my ears were not fatigued, which is rare.
I also got the Hearing Components Comply T-400 Foam Tips to go with them. I just prefer foam since I travel a lot and I like to not hear the plane's engine. The foam reduces the noise just a bit (maybe 3-6 Db), but the silicone ear tips were acceptable.
I have sampled this with everything from classical piano to Jazz, to lite rock to hard rock. It was weakest with the piano, though more than acceptable. It really shines with Jazz. Especially Stanley Clark, who I've never heard this well before.
Ok, in reality, it is weakest on the Beach Boys. Every flaw of recording in 1969 shows through. Is that a bad thing??? I don't know. Everything that was recorded in old analog has all the hiss and white noise from the original tapes showing up. When I compared to more recent recordings, the noise floor is barely audible, if at all.
On to the control: The control unit is great. I've never had this kind of control for my iphone before, and I really like it. I don't have to touch my iphone to bypass the next song or change the volume. It seems very well built.
The cord is not made of rubber. It is like a braided 1/12" nylon rope around the wires inside. It does not tangle like most headphone cords do. Best feature ever...
The plug is great quality as well, small head to fit into my otter box IPhone case (which is unforgiving for plugs)
All in all, I am very pleased with this product. Worth much more than the $42 I paid for it.

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Scosche Increased Dynamic Range earphones accurately reproduce brilliant highs, silky smooth mids and powerful bass for all musical genres. These audiophile-grade earphones have been designed by audio enthusiasts for audio enthusiasts, to get the most out of any music--listen and you'll hear the difference. The IDR655m are the top of the line offering from Scosche. With impressive 11mm drivers and a frequency response of 15 Hz - 20 kHz, it's easy to hear the difference. The IDR655m's also feature a cable length of 52 inches, with a non-tangling nylon braided jacket.

tapLINE II Control
The integrated tapLINE II control surface gives you complete control without touching your device. You can play, pause, adjust volume, skip tracks and much more, all from the tapLINE II control surface. Adjust volume by pressing the + and – buttons or control your music and video playback--including play/pause and next/previous--by pressing the center button. The remote is centrally located at the Y junction for easy visibility and use, andthe microphone is located inline on the right channel for optimal performance.

Seriously Mac-Friendly
The tapLINE II controls are compatible with the recently released iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPod nano (Gen 5), iPod shuffle (Gen 3), iPod touch (Gen 2), iPod nano (Gen 4), iPod classic 120GB & 160GB (2009) and Mac computers purchased after Oct 2008. You can also navigate playlists and activate the VoiceOver feature on the iPod shuffle (Gen 3). The integrated microphone allows for handsfree conversations, voice command and recording voice memos on the iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPod nano (Gen 5), iPod touch (Gen 2), iPod nano (Gen 4), iPod classic 120GB & 160GB (2009) and Mac computers purchased after Oct 2008.

Included Accessories
Scosche IDR655m's include small, medium and large single and dual flanged silicone inserts. Match the size to your ears, for unparalleled noise isolation and comfort. The included sheepskin leather travel pouch keeps your earphones and inserts neatly tucked away when not in use.

Enjoy the Best
At CES 2010, Scosche received the prestigious "Best of Show 2010 Finalist" award for the IDR655m model from leading tech website iLounge.com. iLounge covers "All things iPod, iPhone, iPad and Beyond" and is an "independent provider of information about Apple Inc.'s iPod, iPhone and iPad digital media players, accessories, and related software".

About Scosche
Scosche Industries is an award-winning innovator of car audio installation hardware as well as portable electronics accessories. Scosche was founded on its commitment to quality, value and customer service. With 30 years of passion and innovation, we have invented successfully developed leading-edge products.Scosche owns over 70 patents and trademarks worldwide and continues to win industry awards for our relentless drive to create unique and innovative products. Scosche accessories are designed, developed and tested by our user-innovation team of consumer electronic fanatics. As a result our products work better, look nicer and are the most innovative on the market today. Our unique lines of accessories include everything you need to listen, power, protect and connect your personal media devices to your lifestyle. Scosche is still 100% family owned and operated with over 120 great people alongside them.

What's in the Box
HP155m Earphones, Small/Medium/Large Silicone Inserts, Sheepskin Leather Travel Pouch, Instructions


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7/26/2011

MEElectronics M9P-BK Hi-Fi Sound-Isolating In-Ear Headphones with Microphone (Black) Review

MEElectronics M9P-BK Hi-Fi Sound-Isolating In-Ear Headphones with Microphone (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Introduction
The M9P IEMs hail from a small California-based company by the name of MEElectronics. They produce a wide range of IEMs that cater to different users with various sound signatures. The M9 and M9P IEMs are among the most inexpensive products available and are currently selling for $20 and $23 respectively. I decided to buy the M9P IEMs because they not only function as earphones but will also have use as a headset for my cell phone and iPod Touch. After breaking them in and listening to them with a variety of music in my collection, these are my favorite IEMs in the sub $30 price range and are fantastic earphones for the price.
Technical Specifications
Driver: 9mm dynamic driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 16 Ohm
Sensitivity: 95dB/mW
Cable Length: 1.2m/4ft.
Packaging/Accessories: The M9Ps come packaged in an attractive transparent box and include a bevy of accessories including a hard zippered case, a cable wrapper, four sets of silicone eartips which includes a set of biflanges, a shirt clip and an airline adapter. Considering that the M9Ps only cost about $23, MEElectronics has included a highly impressive accessory package that puts many other inexpensive IEMs to shame.
Design and Build Quality: The M9Ps feature lightweight aluminum housings which feel durable and are ported at the rear to allow for more air flow. This helps with the low end response and the soundstage but cuts down the isolation.
The cable is perhaps the best I've seen on any IEM. It's lined with what appears to be delicate braided silver wiring inside and coated with a transparent plastic coating that both looks very attractive and makes it feel very durable. The cable is properly relieved at both ends which inspires confidence in terms of long term durability. Because of the great cable design, microphonics are negligible when worn straight down and practically non-existent when worn over-the-ear.
All in all, these are very attractive and durable IEMs that should be able to stand up to pretty heavy usage and last quite a long time.
Comfort and Fit: MEElectronics includes three pairs of single flange silicone eartips as well as a pair of bi-flanges for deeper insertion and better isolation. I have small ear canals so I opted for the smallest single flange tips and managed to get a good seal. The included silicone eartips are fairly soft and made the M9Ps very comfortable to use for long periods of time.
One thing that was a constant point of contention with the M9Ps is the seal itself. Now it's common knowledge that IEMs require a good seal in order to sound their best but the M9Ps take that concept to another level. Simply put, I've never come across an IEM that was as finicky about the seal as the M9. If the seal wasn't absolutely perfect, the resultant sound was imbalanced, shallow or just plain bad. That said, using the M9Ps while on the move isn't the best idea because of its need for a perfect seal.
Sound Quality
Usage/Burn-in: These IEMs have been given 50+ hours of burn-in prior to review but settled into their final sound signature after about 10 - 15 hours.
Low End: The most dominant frequency range on the M9Ps is also the best detailed. Prior to burn in, the bass was somewhat muddy but now, it has tightened up and boasts surprising refinement. Bass is still a bit boomy but not too much so. Extension is pretty good as well, reaching down into the sub bass levels before rolling off.
Midrange: Definitely recessed in comparison to the other two frequencies (especially the bass) but not so much so that it is overly detrimental to the overall sound signature. They're smooth and don't stand out too prominently, which may disappoint fans of Rock and Alternative music. The low end can creep up on bassier tracks which does make the midrange sound a bit washed out in comparison but overall, I think they are decently detailed.
Highs/Treble: Nice extension, detail and clarity. There's a bit of harshness in the upper treble region but overall, highs are pleasant sounding and have a nice sparkle.
Soundstage: Wide and airy. Imaging isn't too great but instrument separation is surprisingly good.
Sound Signature: Dark, warm, thumpy and very fun. Very bass forward and somewhat aggressive but rarely fatiguing. I love the sound signature of these when listening to Hip-Hop, Jazz and R&B. I think the low end is a bit too overpowering to be used with much Rock and Alternative music and the highs are a bit too harsh to be used with Classical but overall, these are very versatile and will work with a large number of genres that I haven't mentioned. This is definitely the best and most entertaining sound signature I've heard for the price.
Microphone Quality: Very good considering the price. Voices come through clean and clear and the microphone does a decent job of filtering out ambient noise but can get overwhelmed in noisy environments. It works well for making phone calls as well as Skype calls on the iPod Touch.
Conclusion
As a whole, I'm very impressed with the M9P IEMs. They are well designed, perform above their price range and are, above all, inexpensive. $23 is a very small price to pay for a great pair of IEMs and considering that price, I can't find much fault with them. While the bass may be a bit too deep for some listeners and there can be some harshness in the treble region, there isn't much these do wrong. If you're looking for a fun pair of IEMs that will work as a headset for your iPhone or other cell phone, sound good and won't put a strain on your wallet, look no further. These things are practically a steal.


Click Here to see more reviews about: MEElectronics M9P-BK Hi-Fi Sound-Isolating In-Ear Headphones with Microphone (Black)

M9 second generation delivers ultimate sound with stylish color options (black or silver). Improved cable to eliminate microphonics. Redesigned casing provides superb durability. Headphone offers clear, accurate sound from any portable music or DVD player. MP3 and iPod accessory blocks out ambient noise for better listening. Electronic device features comfortable in-ear sound-isolating design. Lightweight, in-ear design blocks out ambient noise better than many bulky battery-powered noise-canceling headphones. Enjoy the full dynamic range of your favorite music and movies without cranking up the volume. M9 in-ear headphones deliver rich, clean sound from your portable player. Aluminum casting produces deep clean bass. 9mm drivers with neodymium magnets. 48-inch straight cord with gold-plated stereo mini-plus. Frequency response: 20 to 20,000 Hz. Impedance: 16 ohms. Our earphones require proper seal to achieve best sound quality, please choose from provided tip sets that best fits your ears. "MEElectronics stands behind our products and wants you to be satisfied.From time to time achieving a good fit and therefore proper bass response and sound for in-ear headphones can be challenging.If your MEE in-ear headphones don't sound great for the price or you have any other issues, please contact our customer service department at customerservice@meelec.com."

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