Speaking of headphones (see Dre marries Monster story). I purchased my fair share in 2007, all the while trying to find the perfect sound at the perfect price point. I’ve been hearing, little by little over the past couple of weeks about some of the newer and better headphones out there, so I figure, why not blurb something about it. I enjoy the sound isolation and low end warmth that an in ear canalphone* set gives me so I will only mention those here.
*A canalphone uses specially-formulated sleeves to prevent environmental air from entering the ear canal.
The V-Moda Bass Freq $30
(V-Moda consider themselves a music lifestyle company)
This set surprised me. I had bought the higher priced ($100) in ear V-Moda Vibe to go along with my Trekstor Vibez mp3 player last year and I was very disappointed. The sound was a bit shallow for my tastes and they didn’t fit well (albeit I have weird ears). They are pretty though.
But the cheaper, ‘colorful’, V-Moda Bass Freq really impressed me with their fullness of sound and low end bass. A lady at J&R music world recommended these and I was reluctant. I have to remember to go back there and thank her.
Sony Fontopia MDR-EX51LP $25
Tied for best set under $50 (in my opinion) are the Sony Fontopia MDR-EX51LP. These are the first in ear canalphones that I've ever owned. They fit very well and have a surprisingly good sound for the price.
Oh. For those of you that have these already? They go behind your neck! Not in front. Again, I think that these are a much better deal than the more expensive MDR-EX71SL/WK which cost a little more but are not durable at all.
Apple in-ear headphones $35
These are actually a step up from the set that comes with the iPod... which suck!. And they are white, which if you’re looking for iPod status, will get you noticed. But who cares? These things suck as well... so sad. They hurt my ears, they are clear for the highs and mid-range but the lows were muddy and distorted in my opinion. Not worth it.
Sennheiser CX300’s $55
Currently I’m rockin’ a pair of these and they are pretty okay. Purchased based on a recommendation from a colleague while shopping at B&H photo, they still don’t have the bass I’m looking for at this price point, (I’m a bass hog) but they are very satisfying nonetheless. Between these and the sub fifty V-Moda’s.. I’d still go with the V-Moda, (if I could find a color I could live with).
Update: Sennheiser has upgraded the CX300 to the CX400 & CX500. The CX400 will cost just under $99.
Bose TriPoint In-Ear Headphones $100
Not an actual in-ear canalphone but a hybrid bud/in-ear, the success of these headphones are attributable completely to marketing. I see many a New Yawker, walking around with these in their ears looking very Star Trekish. But everyone I’ve spoken to that owns a pair or stocks them in their stores wave all kinds of danger flags. I’ve never gotten a positive remark about them. So these are definitely a Do Not Buy. Achtung baby!
V-Moda Vibe $90
Tied with them are the V-Moda Vibes that I mentioned about. Pretty? Yes. Good sound? Eh. For the money I’d go with the Bass Freq I mentioned above. I’ve read other reviews that claimed that the low end punch was overpowering, but I heard none of the punch that they mention (most probably due to the poor fit).
Ultimate Ears Super.fi $89
Ultimate Ears products such as the Super.fi line have received very good reviews. But from what I've been told by my friend over at J&R while the Ultimate Ears and the Shure e3c's have great sound, they still lack in the low end range.
The best bang for your buck in this category ultimately goes to:
The V-Moda Bass Freq!
For $30 bones, yea, these are definitely worth the money.
Honorable mention goes to:
The Ultimate Ears UE-11 $1,500
The best sound from a headphone ever that I’ve heard anyone ever speak of are the Ultimate Ears UE-11. These are probably the only headphones that you are required to go get a doctors note to wear. Why? Because they are custom designed and fitted by your doctor for your ear. They even allow you to choose the color and cord length if you wish. These are exorbitantly priced and intended for the professional artist/producer.
Now there are a whole lot of headphones out there, from over the ear to wireless bluetooth. The problem is that most if not all stores will not allow you to try them out before you buy them. So do your research or get a really nice hard working guy to help you pick a pair for you.
(Ahem! Cough!! Hack!).. me.
But in any case.. chose carefully.
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