Features enhanced bass, an 84% sound accuracy rating that approaches the 100% benchmark for live performance, and a black earplug and cord with a shirt clip for optimal positioning
Also includes a deluxe carry case with cable management, one pair of replacement filters, and a filter removal tool
Rating: - extremely detailed and will destroy your poor mp3's
These are amazing earbuds. I have listened to some high end sennheiser's and beyerdynamic full headphones and the high end details these bring out rivals them. Be prepared to be very disapointed with your low quality mp3 files or crappy player as these earbuds will bring out all the details you may not want to hear. The bass response is fine on these and when seated properly in your ear is more than adequate. I can't understand those who review these and say they have no bass response (turn down your headphones morons and you wouldnt have ruined ears!!). The noise isolation on these is incredible, completely drown out airplane rumble on very low volume, ditch the noise isolation tech and go with in ear plugs, better isolation and cleaner sound.
Rating: - Great if you can find a bargain
This bud doesn't sound as good as er-4p, doesn't look as cool as er-6i, but it deserve my recommandation if it is cheaper than etymotic as a substitute. Audio quality sound simular to er-6.
Rating: - SIGNIFICANT Enhancement of Listening Experience!
A great pair of headphones is the poor man's version of a high-end speaker system since you get all of the quality and signal purity but with a much friendlier price tag. After using these extensively for the last three months or so, I thought I'd share my thoughts:
Noise-cancelling: Those fancy active noise-cancelling models (i.e; Bose) get all the press but they are actually pretty inferior to these in terms of how much outside sound they block out. The high end Bose ones block up to 20 db for $300; these can block up to 35 db. This is like the difference in the sound of your TV when you have the dishwasher/laundry running. Basically, the less outside noise, the purer the sound you're hearing. These are top-notch in that regard.
Sound Quality: One thing that jumped out at me was how clear you could hear individual instruments. I'm a sucker for lush, complex arrangements (think Radiohead) and with these headphones, each instrument has it's own distinct place in the mix. I regularly discover harmonies/riffs/effects in songs that I had never been able to hear before. The bass is tight and the treble is very clear. Subjectively, I would compare the improvement in sound/experience over a $20-30 pair to be like going from a standard-def TV to HD.
Style: You can pretty much throw away the included case because of its morbid obesity. Beyond that, the headphones themselves are distinct and attractive.
Functionality: I have sworn off my factory Honda sound system and use my Zune and these for car travel and general errands. They're perfect for this because a.) They block out most engine/road noise and b.) they're inconspicuous if you're worried about being pulled over for wearing headphones. Also, just as they can block sound out, they can keep sound in making them library-friendly.
Cost/Benefit Analysis: $50-75 Range. I would say that with this purchase, I didn't just upgrade my headphones, I upgraded all the things that I use my headphones with. My Zune with factory headphones was nice and functional, but these phones make it sound like a high-end system. I've rediscovered alot of my back catalog just to hear how it sounds with these and what new things I can find. Again, the closest comparison I can make is stepping up from a CRT TV to HD; the former was pleasant enough but the latter is what gets your jaw dropping.
Notes/Tips:
*The sound quality of in-ear phones is greatly affected by how well they are inserted into the ear. FOLLOW THE MANUAL'S INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSERT THEM. Essentially, you're looking to form a seal between the headphone and the outside world. Make sure to test both included earbuds to see what gives the better fit. While the winged earbud (as pictured) looks cool, I'd highly advise trying the included foam earplugs to see what's a better fit.
Rating: - Great sound, great value
For those rating these one star, you must be using them improperly. Admittedly, I got mine for $40 at a competitor site (I buy plenty at Amazon, but that deal was amazing and last all of one day). I had and sold my Ety ER4ps for a pair of Atrio M5s, but I missed the Ety sound sig, so these fit the bill. With the Futuresonic foamies, these sound simply awesome, and best of all, you don't need an amp to make them sparkle, through they do sound even better with a decent headphone amp.
They deliver clear, crisp mids and highs, and the bass can easily be maximized with a little EQing. Of course, as has been repeated here over and over, you need to get the proper seal for max SQ.
Again, if you hate something stuck in your ears, then stay away (get a pair of Yuin PK2 or PK3 ear buds instead). But if you don't mind the isolation and ear closure, these babies are a tremendous value, even at double the price I paid.
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