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HEADPHONES ELECTRONICS

Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Ultimate Ears. The regular list price is $199.99. Sells new for $138.59. There are some available for $178.56.
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Purchase Information
5 comments about Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 EB Earphones (Black).
  1. Hello, I've been utilizing these for several months. I was looking for something sturdy for the Gym and to block out the noise in the back ground so I could concentrate on my workout. These work great while lifting or more stationary activities. While doing cardio on the elliptical machine, they keep loosing the seal, and the sound quality. So while I working out I keep on having to slide them back in, not something I want to keep doing for a 30-45 minute set. It took a bit of time but once you get the right size ear insert, and tight seal, I was able to reduce my ipods, volume level to 25%. The quality was better than the Shure E3. So that was a plus. One note of concern, when I take them out of the nice case, I can smell out-gasing from the plastic. I let them sit on the bench while I dress, 5 minutes or so I'm able to wear them. If you leave yours out all the time, you won't have this issue. The wire thickness and type is a lot better than the Shure I had. I had the E3's and they lasted just over a year. These are easy to work into your ear, and remove. Since Cardio is a major part of my workout, I went and bought a pair of Vibes. The are smaller, the wires aren't as thick, but they stay in place better. The Vibs are a bit harder to remove, since I don't want to pull by the wires. On lifting days I will use the UES's hands down. For the others days it seems the Vibs are in.

    I see people still wearing the basic ear buds and wonder what kind of ear drum damage they may be doing. I used to wear them, and the type that had the big foam pad over the ear, my volume level was 3/4's to full power. I notice I have some hearing issues, so thought spending a little might be better.
    It took a bit too get use to the case for UES, but Once I figured how many fingers to use to wrap the wires around my fingers in a circle, to slid into the case not a big issue. No tangling if ever.
    The Vib, has a thin vinyl case, since the wires are thin, I'm getting tangles.

    Hopefully this is helpful for other out their.

    Thanks M.


  2. Please take my review with a grain of salt. I am not a hardcore music/sound critic. I simply wanted a pair of multi-purpose headphones that I could also use for gaming. In summary, I am really satisfied with these headphones and recommend them to the bass-music lovers and/or gamers out there.

    Pros
    1. Excellent bass response (comparable to some of the giant headphones)
    2. Great sound quality
    3. Comes with most of the needed accessories
    4. Comes with 5 types of earbuds for maximizing fit (takes some experimenting)

    Cons
    1. The bass armature causes the external appearance to be larger than most in-ear headphones (not really an issue for me)
    2. For first-time users of in-ear headphones, it takes some getting used to (getting comfortable with them and making sure not to eat while listening - eating noises interfere greatly)


  3. If you can tolerate an object in your ear canal then you would love the rich high sounds and deep bass.


  4. The Superfi EB and I would imagine the Pro's and pretty much any product from this manufacturer is not a good product. I have just discovered my second pair is broke. The plastic components on the ear piece come apart and the wires inside will break. On top of all this the sound quality is marginal. Do yourself a favor and go with the Bose. I spent my 150 bucks on headphones for the year. Next January I am getting rid of these things. For now I am waiting for the warranty RMA return. Which my first experience with was awful. The first time the headphones broke was 3 months after the original purchase. I contacted the company received an RMA number and sent the package next day air. The company refused to match my express shipping so I also included a prepaid shipping label to get them back next day. Well a few days go by and I received no phone call and no headphones. Finally I called and got a BS answer about the label not working and they would be shipped to me. This was after the conference and having to endure a 4 hour flight of bickering children. I would rather stuff peanuts in my ears than deal with this company again. Looks like a cheap Kmart brand will have to do until next year. Ultimate ears if you read this. CHANGE YOUR MANUFACTURING PROCESS! IF SOMEONE PROVIDES A NEXT DAY SHIPPING LABEL GET THE STUFF IN THE MAIL!


  5. I purchased these headphones after much contemplation and review because of the sound quality they promised especially enhanced bass response. I was not disappointed. The bass response is huge! The highs are great but a bit too much in the background but not muffled. The fit was a bit tricky at first but included is a number of different types of replaceable tips which I finally got the best fit with the double silicone ones.

    That's the positives. The negatives are the headphone construction is not very durable and doesn't stand up to more rigorous applications such as workouts at the gym (my primary usage) and outdoor activities such as hiking where conditions are not ideal. I have owned these headphones for about a year now and the connection point of the wire to the headphone comes loose (breaks) and has done so three times. I sent the first pair back and UE replaced it no problem after the right side broke but it soon broke again and I used epoxy to reattach it. Now the left side has broken and once again I'm in the role of repairman. Terrible! The last problem I have found is the type of wire used in these headphones. It is rather stiff and retains its coiled shape causing me to bend and work the coils out of it just prior to putting them on. Also, the wire itself as it is visible thru the insulation is starting to discolor, showing signs of corrosion. The sound quality has not noticeably diminished however it leads one to the conclusion that the wiring is not sealed well indicating further lack of thought in its construction. Other headphones I own have flexible wiring and seem to handle daily usage much better and don't have this coiling problem.

    Overall, I would not recommend these headphones to anyone who plan on using them for working out or any other applications where they might be exposed to less than perfect conditions.


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Koss. The regular list price is $99.99. Sells new for $58.99.
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Purchase Information
5 comments about Koss Pro-4AA Studio Quality Headphones.
  1. I got these headphones a few months ago and have been very pleased with the sound quality that I get out of them. I do think they could've been built better however. The size adjuster keeps sliding down when I'm wearing them causing me to constantly readjust them. The "right" symbol on the earpiece fell off (not needed, but disappointing to see a pair of headphones falling about after 2 months of use). The rubber surrounds I didn't find to be the most comfortable for long editing sessions.

    They do sound good though, and the long cord is very nice.


  2. The cable that runs between the L and R earphones develops an intermittent connection within weeks of purchase or repair. I own 4 pairs and they're all bad at the moment! I've spent over $60 getting these repaired over and over again but they continue to go bad. It doesn't matter how durable and solid the construction is if you use a poor quality cable. I never used to have a problem with the cable, just in the last 2-3 years or so since they switched from a glossy cable to a matte cable. Surely I'm not the only one with this issue. In any case I'll be selling mine after getting them repaired again.



  3. I bought two sets of Pro 4AA phones in 1974 (yes, that's right, 34 years ago). They both still work well. The only problem I have had is that one set fell and a piece broke on the headband, requiring a quick and sloppy repair with duct tape. With proper care (don't drop on concrete) they just go on and on.

    When they were introduced in the 1970s, they quickly became a standard in recording studios of the time, as well as audiophile stereo setups. If you look at still pix and videos in studio settings from that time, you will often see Pro 4AAs. You might also notice that they have a mounting point on one side for a microphone boom, as they could be used for many professional tasks that required a mic.

    They are not "portable" in the current sense of the word, nor were they considered to be then. They are large and somewhat heavy. The original portable sound systems, Sony's "Walkman" series audio cassette decks, were not on the scene yet, so there wasn't much need for lightweight, portable headphones. They were designed for use indoors within a small distance of an audio system.

    The main requirement was that headphones do as good a job as possible of replacing good stereo speakers for private listening. Pro 4AAs did that very well. They seal well around the ears, blocking out noise, and creating a nice sonic environment. They have great bass response.

    They are comfortable for moderate periods of time if you have good neck muscles - longer if you are laying down with your head on a pillow (one of the favorite positions for listening to music "back then"). The headband is well padded and the earpieces are comfortable, however most people would probably find them a bit of a challenge to wear for long periods of time.

    All in all they are great phones with a lot of history. Not many products are well designed enough to stay in the market for nearly 40 years (especially today).


  4. The headset came in quickly and is of high quality. The only knock on the headset is it's a little heavier than I would have hoped for the purpose I intended. That's to use it in the field attached to a metal detector...I give it 4 stars.


  5. When I was 15 (35 years ago), I was hired by my next door neighbour to stain her garage. With my profits, I went headphone shopping. For around 60 to 70 bucks Canadian, I splurged on a pair of Koss Pro-4AA headphones. Wow! Great bass, terrific highs, fine midrange. I was in love with the sounds enveloping my head. At that time, there was no better headphone in its price range. I still remember when I was 17 and in my first semester of university and was listening to the first album by Deep Purple with the phones on while reading Jane Austin's Emma sprawled out on the chesterfield. Them was the days.

    A lot has happened since then. I not only finished reading Jane Austin's Emma, but I actually finished college a few times, got a job, and along the way purchased some other cans: Sennheiser 595, Grado SR-60, and a pair of AKG 271S. I have an Ipod clone and a Total Bithead headphone amp. I use my cans on my regular stereo kit with an Adcom 565 preamp headphone outlet. Each headphone has its virtues and warts. I enjoy them all, but usually listen to the AKG 271S (I listen to a lot of jazz, folk, world music, but also other genres as I teach courses like the sociology of music and popular culture for a living).

    Re-evaluating my Koss Pro-4AAs, I'm surprised at how good they sound for a pair of 35 year old headphones! They are still involving, good overall sound, with excellent sound isolation and a snug, vise-like fit. If the darn things weren't so robust (read: a pain in the neck after a while as they are rather heavy) and so tight, I'd probably use them more often. I've been spoiled by the competition (and with the exception of the Grado SR-60s, paid substantially more for the other cans).

    The sound of the Pro-4AA's is pretty well balanced--some over emphasis of bass, but that isn't displeasing and is oftentimes welcome (it isn't super accurate like the AKG 271S phones which excell in monitoring music, studio use, and mixing). The bass does get a bit muddy and the overall sound presentation isn't as smooth as the AKG 271S and the Sennheiser 595. The midrange of the AKG 271S is hard to beat. The midrange on the Pro-4AA's holds its own, but is not as smooth and detailed at the AKG. In some ways, the Pro-4AAs are more "musical" than the AKG 271S. The Pro-4AAs are fun to listen to and are very good. The AKG 271S is much more accuate and for me, a better phone for critical listening when I really want to dissect a song. In a sense, the Pro-4AA's are like good home stereo speakers; the AKG 271 sounds like studio monitor speakers. Both have their place in the world, but if it's a party, go with the Koss Pro-4AAs. If you are into analysis or studio work, go with the AKG 271S.

    I still like the Pro-4AAs and listen to them every now and then. If you want sealed cans and are on a budget, you'd get an excellent bang for your buck with these headphones. If you don't mind leaking sound, the on the ear, Grado SR-60s are a delight. If you have the lolly and really want an accurate pair of sealed headphones, the AKG 271S is well worth it (don't bother with the MkII version as it really isn't all that different than the original version and is much more expensive). If you just want a pair of musical and involving headphones and want comfort, go with the Sennheiser 595s. Still, for a lot less, you can get the Pro-4AAs and if you are a casual listener the weight and the vise-like grip shouldn't be a detriment.

    35 years later, the Koss Pro-4AAs are still viable and a very good pair of cans that can still kick the jams.


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Sony. The regular list price is $19.99. Sells new for $11.49.
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Purchase Information
5 comments about Sony MDRG54LP Street Style Headphone.
  1. I bought these because I was looking for something I could use while jogging. These are not good for jogging. They get really uncomfortable to wear after about 30 minutes. Also the cord is way too long. I had to loop it several times so that it wasn't hanging ridiculously low. I thought perhaps if I used them when I wasn't jogging that they wouldn't be so uncomfortable. But I find that even when I am just sitting on the sofa with these on that my ears get tired from the weight within about 30 minutes. They sound ok (decent amount of bass), but since I can only wear them for about 30 minutes before they get uncomfortable, I don't find them worth owning. The Sony MDR-J10 h.ear Headphones with Non-Slip Design (Black) are way better for jogging and cost half the price. For inexpensive general use I'll stick with my V-MODA Bass Freq Earbuds - Bling Bling Black.


  2. I've had this headphones for about 3-4 years and I love them. Unlike the other behind the neck ones Sony made with circular earpieces, these ones don't hurt my ear no matter how long I have them on and fit comfortably.

    I can't say much about the sound quality other than the fact that it sounds good for what you pay for.


  3. I just received these headphones a couple of days ago, and based on some of the more negative reviews I wanted to see how comfortable they are for a whole day before commenting.
    Well, I guess I can say that I can get used to these no problem. There is a slight discomfort after a day (I use them at work at my desk, typical cubicle nation usage), but I had the same with my MDR-Q33's (clip around the ear) for the first couple of days as well. A couple of weeks into using them every day I couldn't even tell anymore that I had them on. I loved my old Q33's and would have bought another pair if I could still find them anywhere. The old Q33's have a metal jacket around the earphone wires, and my right ear is getting shocked every so often now from a short when plugged in. The newer Sony versions of this style have much thinner pieces going behind the ear now, so I decided to give the street style a try.

    The sound - I have to say that they sound great for me. I compared them to the old Q33, and these sound defintely more crisp (highs) and defined (base). I can see though that for other folks there might be an issue sound-wise depending on ear size and head size (I have a relatively small head and very small ears) and how close you get the actual speakers to your ears. The bars are resting on top of my ears, with the connecting piece just hanging in mid air behind my head, which seems fine. All in all I am very happy with this purchase and would defintely recommend anybody to try them out.


  4. Bought this pair of headphones about 6 months back. The headphones are good but not perfect. They look good and the sound quality is good too for such a low price. I use the headphones rough and are normally stored in the front pocket of my backpack. They lasted long (none of my prev. headphones lasted more than 2-3 months) and I'm still using them.
    I wear spectacles and at first they were a little uncomfortable around my ears but now I got used to them. One major irritant is the v-shaped frame. It doesn't sit properly at the back of the head and frequently touches the collar of my shirt. I have to readjust them every time the frame falls down between my neck and the shirt collar.
    Overall, 4/5 . Good sound, nice looking, durable but with few drawbacks.


  5. These headphones have good sound quality. They fit comfortably behind the head. They have a lot less pressure than the over the head type headphones. The neckband does not get in the way of eyeglasses. After using them for a while, I can feel a little pressure on my ears, but no discomfort.


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Koss. The regular list price is $44.99. Sells new for $25.06.
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Purchase Information
2 comments about Koss SB49 Communication Stereophone.
  1. Koss SB49 Communication Stereophone

    The only major flaw to this, really, is the size. Some people dont like those bigger headsets, i dont mind personally. Even though its big, its comfortable, nice big oval shape ensures that it doesnt rest on your ears. The long mic is precurved to stick out infront, right to the side of your mouth. And the volume control is nice (its just a cheapy slider, not a round dial like most), but lacks a mic mute switch/button.

    The product is great for a cheaper headset, highly recommended. Puts bass sound out very well, too.


  2. A very good headset. Very convenient, and the quality of the of the sound is excellent. Also excellent noise-canceling properties.


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Sony. The regular list price is $122.51. Sells new for Too low to display. There are some available for $38.99.
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Purchase Information
5 comments about Sony MDRRF970RK 900 MHz Analog RF Wireless Headphone.
  1. They look cool but I needed more than that in my wireless headphones. If anyone thinks these will sound like wired over the ear Sony headphones, they are kidding themselves.

    Other 1 star reviews nailed it, with static and horrible bass my biggest issue. I had no problem with the battery.

    This is yet another disappointing product from Sony that I returned. These should be bluetooth, how hard would that have been? My Motorola Q9m and S9 headset sound superior to these at 15 feet, but alas I wanted something simple for the home.

    I took these back, got a Jabra A120s stereo bluetooth transmitter and $75 in change, it is still charging now but I'll see how that goes.


  2. I use these headphones to listen to TV in bed before falling asleep so that I don't disturb my spouse. They are a little on the heavy side but since I wear them with my head resting on a pillow it isn't an issue. I particularly wanted the auto on/off feature. I don't have to think about turning them off when removing them in order to save the batteries. I just set the sleep timer on the TV and I'm done. Since, I have them connect to the TV audio I didn't expect them to sound anything like the our other Sony headphones that connect to our amplifier. They are primarily for listening to music. To my surprise these headphones make the TV sound much better than expected. Setting them in the recharger is easy and has worked out very well.


  3. I bought this product so my wife and I could workout while watching TV or listening to music. Occassionally I get a little static but I'm not sure where it comes from and it's not often enough to be bothersome. Sometimes it's there, other times the reception is crystal clear. We have a Wii game system and when wearing these headphones you hear things that you don't hear through the TV speakers (the players footsteps, audience talking, more discreet sounds of the racket hitting the ball, etc). Hearing those extra sounds are necessarily important but I'm mentioning them to say the headphones are very good. They work just fine and buying them online (Amazon) I saved about #25 over stores in town.


  4. I discovered after getting these headphones on that the plastic cups make noise every single time I move my head. This is very bothersome esp. when watching a movie with lots of dialog. Also I have noticed a lot of hissing in these headphones, even when the base is within arm's length of the headphones, still lots of noise. As I write this review I am listening to music on my computer and I still head hiss sounds and static. This is ridiculous, I do not want to hear hissing in the background of my favorite songs, very very disturbing.

    I would recommend looking at different brands when buying wireless headphones, because clearly Sony needs to improve theirs.


  5. I was a bit skeptical of the quality of this wireless headphone after reading some of the lukewarm reviews here. I also went to Crutchfield to download the owners manual (too bad Amazon doesn't offer this feature - it's very helpful).

    This was to be a gift for my soon-to-be 92 year old aunt. She has problems hearing certain frequency ranges and is missing out on much of the dialog on television.

    She has an older Sony TV set (circa 1998) without a headphone jack, so a Sennheiser (my 1st choice) headphone was out of contention. I needed something to plug into the line out RCA connectors on the back of her set. This Sony unit seemed to fit the bill. I decided to have it sent to my home first to ensure it would work and to look for any idiosyncrasies. To my delight, I found none. Not a single problem...well, getting the headset out of the plastic packaging was a bit tough !

    I followed the instructions for the setup (I have a Sony, but a newer model) - easily done, by the way. I allowed the headset to charge overnight. So far, so good. I removed the headset from the cradle and placed it on my head...Voila...sound! And not just any scratchy audio, but rich and crisp. The audio compression circuitry was working as advertised and the headphone audio adjust allowed me to turn up the volume to an uncomfortable level. Perfect for a 92 year old lady hard of hearing.

    So, I gave it the range test...kinda. I gingerly stepped out of the house and walked around...perhaps 50 to 75 feet away. Not a hiccup or a dropout. I had a good feeling about this.

    So, I packed it up to be sent off to California...and my dear old aunt. I used my yellow Hi-Liter to mark areas of interest and attention in the instructions (my auntie is a bit of a Luddite).

    Several days passed and I called her to see if it had arrived. The USPS had not let me down. She had already unpacked it and hooked it all up following my explicit instructions (a yellow Hi-Liter makes all the difference). She was quite upset that it did not work...no green light to indicate audio was being received by the transmitter from her Sony TV.

    We went round and round over the phone - double checking everything, yet the audio was still AWOL. I found her Sony TV model on a manual download site on the Internet and obtained a PDF copy of the manual. No surprises there. I might note that I had discovered that many older Sony models required the user to TURN OFF the built-in speakers of the TV set before audio would be enabled to the line out jacks. Hers was not of that vintage.

    The next morning I called her, armed with printed information so we might attack the problem once again. She, quite sheepishly, admitted to me she had found the problem. Her television was turned off and she had not thought to turn it back on - and I had not thought to ask her if it was on. Oh, my! Operator error.

    In any case, the headset works wonderfully. She is amazed at the sound quality. I could almost hear her ear-to-ear smile in the phone.

    So, dear readers. I can only say all is well, that ends well. And if it pleases my dear old auntie, how can you go wrong?

    As with nearly all products,you will sometimes get a lemon...something that slips through quality control, or a component that becomes defective after a period of time. However, in this case, I can give this headset a 10+ without a second thought.

    My wife was so taken with this that she has requested I order a unit for her to use. Oh my...what HAVE I done?

    Happy listening !Sony MDRRF970RK 900 MHz Analog RF Wireless Headphone


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Panasonic. The regular list price is $29.99. Sells new for Too low to display.
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Purchase Information
5 comments about Panasonic RP-HJE300 Portable Earbud Headphones with Carrying Pouch.
  1. I have been looking for new headphones to replace original ones coming with ipod. It has pretty good sound with much less annoying noise from outside which is what I want because I use in train all the time. Plus, it was offered at affordable price.


  2. After I shorted out my $100 V-Moda Vibes while working out at the gym (V-Moda replaced them free of charge), I decided it might make sense to have a cheaper pair of phones for running and working out. These definitely were a good choice. While V-Modas produce phenomenal sound (I highly recommend them), they also have a tendency to fall out while jogging. These stay put. I also noticed that the Panasonics have great sound isolation. When I work out, I hear no noise around me. That said, these are $20 headphones, and while they are worth every penny of their modest price tag, do not expect audiophile-level sound. They are way better than the junkers that come with an Ipod, but you are not paying for Sennheisers or Shures.

    Pros: Great noise isolation, stay put in your ears
    Cons: Sound is good, not great


  3. These are really great. I had trouble finding ones small enough to fit me...the small size on these are perfect fit. They stay in even when I exercise. They also block out ALOT of noise. My whole family wants them.


  4. I have never been able to find earbuds that work for me and stay in my ears. I think I have really small ear holes. It is really nice that these come with different size rubber to get the right fit. Sound is good. I mainly use these for working out at the gym and traveling in an airplane. Very satisfied for a great price!


  5. For $15 on sale, what can you expect? I would be disappointed if I'd paid $30. They have very little bass. However, they are very comfortable. As I use them when I'm running on a treadmill at the gym, the lack of bass isn't a deal breaker.


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By V-MODA. The regular list price is $101.00. Sells new for $66.95. There are some available for $49.99.
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Purchase Information
5 comments about V-MODA Vibe Earbuds - Midnight Blue.
  1. As the other reviews state, these earbuds sound great, however, I've found that they are not very durable. Within two weeks of enjoying them, I began to notice the cable near the 3.5 mm jack beginning to fray. Two weeks after that, sound in the right earbud was gone, never to return. I've just purchased the Shure EC2-n earbuds, hoping they last longer.


  2. I initially bought these headphones soon after their initial release, before all the fancy colors after first having the cheaper V-Moda Bass Freqs. I broke the Bass Freqs about 9 months after i bought them, but it was my own fault as i accedentally pulled on the wire on a rowing machine while wearing them...stupid me. I really enjoyed the quality of sound of them, and most people said these were superior sound to them...not just bass but midrange and treble...and they were built from metal so they were more durable...i would believe. (When i pulled on the wire the plastic head casing broke in half and ripped some small wires out, not easy DYI repairing :( ). So i bought these through amazon and was impressed with the sound they produced. The bass was not as present as the aptly named bass freq, but the midrange and treble was not even comparable. I was pleased with my 30 dollar extra spent. (Both sets block out the sound more than you can imagine. My colleagues got mad at me not hearing them.) However, after about 6 months of use, the left headphone stopped working! Well it is EXTREMELY faint. I cannot stand listening to music with only one side so i began looking for new headphones immediately. Because i was pleased with the quality of the sound i decided to include these in my search for new headphones. Thinking it was going to be an easy v-moda vibe buy again i came to amazon, shocked to see the number of reviews 3stars and under. after reading the reviews i noticed many other people have had this same problem and i decided it wasnt a coincidence that a lot of people were losing sound in the left ear, so i shied away from them and decided to look else where. Unfortunately i could no longer go down to the $50 bass freqs because i both enjoyed the improved sound and they were made by a company with a huge design flaw in a higher grade product. I've decided to buy the Westone UM1's because of their great reviews everywhere.


  3. Despite having absolutely no interest in cosmetic design of earbuds, I have great interest is functionality and performance, and the Vibes shine in these areas.

    Thanks to the (relatively few) negative reviews, I have found several plausible solutions to the cord failures, microphonics and one-side loss of audio for this otherwise outstanding product. I also propose likely solutions to some confusion about tonal characteristics.

    Preventing cord failure at the ends
    The simplest preventative is minimize movement of the cord. At the 'bud ends, this is easily done by wrapping the cord around the ear instead of just letting it hang (heck, at this price you might even prefer to lose an ear than damage the cord). A big additional benefit of ear-wrapping is that noise from cord movement is practically eliminated.
    The durability of the cord at the stress points at the plug and earbuds can be easily improved by applying a small drop of 'Liquid Electrical Tape' (Star Brite, Ft. Lauderdale, FL) for about 2 mm (3/16-inch) along the cord from the existing rubber strain reliefs, using a toothpick. I obtained this from the Ace hardware store for about $5, and have used it successfully for several similar jobs, indoors and out. This liquid vinyl gradually stiffens over time, but retains flexibility and durability similar to that of the existing rubber reliefs. It adheres very well to the black rubber cord, but I can't speak to the clear insulation on some models (although this may not impede its effectiveness). Of course this doesn't make the cord any stronger, but may increase durability by increasing the minimum bending radius.

    Fixing loss of sound on one side
    Near the bottom of the FAQ on the V-Moda website is the description of this problem being often caused by foreign matter entering the earbud and physically obstructing motion of the transducer. The FAQ recommends blowing gently into the business end of the earbud to clear the obstruction. Perhaps some of the negative raters might have solved their problem this way.

    Distorted audio characteristic
    The Vibes are the first earbuds that I find allow me to completely disable all equalization and hear much of the definition that the sound engineer intended (when listening to an appropriate sound source*). However, the downside to this level of quality is that the distortion introduced by equalization can become glaringly obvious. Perhaps some who don't observe the richness of the Vibe's audio may be hearing the real effects of some equalization or audio processing they have enabled to improve the sound of weaker devices. Try disabling all equalization and see what happens. I found that most SRS and DFX features, while still functional, tend to obscure the superb definition that these 'buds can otherwise provide. If distortion remains, check for dirty connectors.

    * For example, when listening to 'Music Choice' 48-kHz PCM from an SA digital cable box via S/PDIF decoded with the Intel ICH4 AC'97.


  4. I purchased these in January of 2008 (I'm writing this review on 7/21/08). The headphones for the most part worked, noticed I said worked, fine, but since I use them a lot and they are in and out of my cargo shorts pockets they need to address a very important durability issues. The wire just above where you plug them into your iphone must have broke as only one ear piece works unless you jiggle it and then don't move. I was going to call them, but they don't have a phone number on their website or at least I couldn't find it (that should have been my first clue), so I had to email them only to get a automated reply that they'll contact me. Overall they are very good, but quality and customer service are my most important criteria when choosing products, so I think V-Moda has some work to do here.

    If you use your iphone headphones a lot I suggest you save up or spend another $70.00 + and get the Etymotic's HF2's. They have some of the best reviews (they have a phone number) and as an example of impeccible service I had a pair of ER-6i's (white) that had issues and when I called Customer Service they said they changed their end to right angle as they had problems and if I'd mind black instead (which I wanted anyway). Boom less than two days later I had them. IMPORTANT NOTE: These headphones where past the 1 year warranty NOW THAT'S SERVICE!!!

    The long and short of it is if you're looking for high quality headphones or iphone headphone/mic combos look no further than Etymotics. You won't be disappointed.

    Etymotic Research HF2 Hands-Free Earphones / Headset (iPhone Compatible)


  5. The voice from right-hand earbud becomes much lower than the other 1 month after I got it.


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Kensington. The regular list price is $39.99. Sells new for $27.98. There are some available for $39.94.
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Purchase Information
5 comments about Kensington Noise Cancelling Headphones ( 33084 ).
  1. I've never really been a sound snob, so simple ear bud headphones have been my routine, but I got sick of not being able to hear stuff with ear buds if I was mowing the lawn or using a snowblower.

    I bought these a couple of months ago and love them. I have a REALLY loud snowblower and I was amazed at how well I could hear while snow blowing the other day. I listen to podcasts on my iPod, and spoken word was always impossible to hear while doing anything noisy. But these headphones make it so that even the loudest noises become a very low hum while the music or spoken word comes through really great without seeming too loud.

    Like I say, this is my first pair of noise-cancelling headphones I've ever owned so I can't compare them other brands, but I'm very impressed at this pair and how the outside noises are greatly reduced or eliminated.


  2. A few years ago I bought noise cancelling headphones from Sharper Image for $50. Recently the cords were in a terrible accident involving sharp cat teeth. Very upset I tried to find them again online. While I couldn't get them from Sharper Image, I stumbled upon these from Kensington. Exact same headphones except there was now a blue piece on them but the price was now $20 less! I really like these headphones. I have been using them for years everywhere - buses, cars, waiting rooms, home, gym, by the pool, in a park, and airplanes. I do notice an odd tinny noise if I try to use these with tape players or turn on the noise cancelling without listening to anything. Otherwise, with CD players, DVD players and MP3 players I have really enjoyed them. I find that most sound is blocked and the quality of sound is excellent. They work perfect for my needs. If you don't want to pay $300 for a pair of Bose and your needs aren't extensive get these!


  3. These are not at all reliable.
    These sound bad too, they just add a hiss and boost the sound thats all.


  4. I own both these and the Sennheiser pxc300's. The Sennheisers win hands down, The Sennheisers also cost about 7 times as much. These Kensingtons are much larger and cover more of the ears, but nowhere near the noise-killing quality of the others. (but the price is also much less) These kill a little bit of noise, but they introduce a hiss.. basically, it is like turning Dolby NR off and hearing the hiss (if you remember those days). I will use these around the house to watch vids on my machine, but when I am sitting in the back row of a MD80 next to a P&W..I am not gonna use these. No problems with weight or comfort. Sound is good enough. Cellular interference is awful. So.. were they worth the price? yeah, but not too functional as noisekillers.


  5. I needed a pair of headphones that I could use on airplanes that would actually allow me to hear what was playing. To that end these work as advertised. The ear cups are comfortable (wore them for over 3 hours in-flight). I could hear the movie I was watching while the drone of the plane's engines faded into the background.
    Some may complain about the sound quality, bass, frequency response and such. To them I say go ahead and spend the extra money (A lot of extra money). For the majority of users these will work just fine. Great value for the money


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Innovelis. Sells new for $8.99.
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Purchase Information
3 comments about Innovelis BudFits - Stealth Black (Exercise Adapters for iPod & iPhone Earbuds).
  1. I was so excited to receive my iPod as a gift, but was incredibly disappointed when the earbuds that came with it kept falling out of my ears. I was stuck with one of two situations: The earbuds kept falling out or I had to jam the earbuds in my ears so tight to keep them in that my ears hurt like crazy. BudFits are awesome--they keep the earbuds in even when I work out and they're totally comfortable and lightweight!! This is a fantastic product!!


  2. I got my new BudFits out today and the earbuds connected into them with ease. When I had them on my ears I could hardly feel them because they're so LIGHT WEIGHT! This is a smart product and I will recommend them to my friends and family.


  3. I was impressed by this product. The Budfits essentially mate with your i-Pod earbuds to turn them into something similar to a pair of earhook type headphones. The advantage is that they are a lot cheaper than a separate pair of headphones and that the sound quality of the iPod headphones is maintained. This is the kind of product I wish I would have thought of...


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Posted in Headphones (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)

By Koss. The regular list price is $99.99. Sells new for $59.61.
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Purchase Information
5 comments about Koss Pro4AAT Titanium Pro Headphones.
  1. These headphones sound very clear and open. You hear detail in every recording that you never noticed before. They are also surprisingly comfortable given their size. Excellent headphones.


  2. These headphones sound great and work well. The only problem is that your neck starts to hurt after wearing them for a while because they are heavy. This will pass though! After wearing them for a while your neck gets use to the extra weight and you will fill fine again. Same with the ear's, they are tight against your ears. While it blocks outside sound great they hug up on your ears pretty hard and start to hurt after a while. My head and ears are of average size and I thought after reading some of these reviews, only people with big heads had this problem. I think if you have really small ears then you wont have this problem. But they are great headphones. I bought them mainly for gaming to block outside noise so I could hear footsteps.


  3. I had a friend who owned some Koss UR20s, and they were awesome headphones. The bass response was good, they were THE most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, and they've lasted a good many years.

    Contrasting this, I decided to "go all out" and buy some Pro4AATs. The statistics on the Pro4AAs were blowing the UR20s out, so I bought it.

    I've been dissatisfied with my purchase ever since.

    The Pro4AATs have mediocre bass response at best. The sound quality is thin. They weigh too much! I can't wear them for longer than an hour, because it presses down too hard on the top of my head.

    3 years later, I'm still using these Pro4AAs, and my friend is still using his UR20s. I did a sound test, and the UR20s still wup up on the Pro4AAs.


  4. My father had some original Pro 4AAs from the 70s. They were built like a tank and still work despite the foam keeps coming off. I think the sound quality is a little better with these although I never got to A/B them and these are more efficient which makes these usable with sources other than your home receiver.

    I got these as a replacement and I drop them on the hard floor almost once a day and they're still intact. Granted they aren't exactly tank-phones like the originals, but they are much lighter, and a little bit smaller which is unfortunate for us with large heads, but still decently sized.

    Most importantly, the sound is at the quality you'd expect when in the $200-250 range. Seriously, you can't go wrong with these for for $60.

    You can still get the Pro4AAs too if you don't mind the weight. Those things are an absolute tank, but I am not sure how the new ones compare to the old ones either.


  5. after trying a few different open backed headphones i knew i had to have closed back phones. these koss pro4aat's are right for me. block out almost all ambient sound while delivering the music as you want it to sound.initially i found the sound muddy and booming-easily cured by turning bass levels down (not something i normally do!!) some reviewers find them heavy or hot on the ears-but not me. they also look good and are well made. you would have to spend a lot more money to get a better headphone.


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Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 EB Earphones (Black)
Koss Pro-4AA Studio Quality Headphones
Sony MDRG54LP Street Style Headphone
Koss SB49 Communication Stereophone
Sony MDRRF970RK 900 MHz Analog RF Wireless Headphone
Panasonic RP-HJE300 Portable Earbud Headphones with Carrying Pouch
V-MODA Vibe Earbuds - Midnight Blue
Kensington Noise Cancelling Headphones ( 33084 )
Innovelis BudFits - Stealth Black (Exercise Adapters for iPod & iPhone Earbuds)
Koss Pro4AAT Titanium Pro Headphones

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Last updated: Wed Jul 23 21:49:32 EDT 2008