Reviews of headphones and best buy recommendations
Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors dynamic and balanced armature reviews
Type: Single 13.5mm Dynamic
Spec: 16Ω (@1kHz) | 5Hz~ 24kHz | 105dB SPL | 6g
Cord Style: J-cord. Two pieces, 0.50m + 1.00m
Mini Jack Style: Gold plated L style, normal build.
Eartips Used: Single flange
Packaging: N/A (OEM package)
Build Quality: 4/5 (Nothing special)
Accessories: 4/5 (Still looking for the same old shirt clip)
Isolation: 3/5
Microphonics: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5 (Weird angle of the earpiece)
Soundstage: 3/5 (fair soundstage)
Sound Quality: 3/5 (warm, not particularly detail but acceptable, slightly muddy mid, bass lacks depth and quality)
Value: 3/5 (Low street price gives it a fair value)
Remark: EX85 is about the same level as CX300 in SQ, but different in sonic character. CX300 has bloated bass and treble while lack good body mid; EX85 has good mid but lack good detail and bass depth. Like the CX300, it can serve as a good backup pair since the street price is reasonable, but it isn't 'monitor' level SQ like Sony claims.
Type: Single Dynamic
Spec: 32Ω (@1kHz)
Cord Style: Y-cord, 0.90m.
Mini Jack Style: Gold plated straight style, very light build.
Eartips Used: Big bi-flanges
Packaging: n/a (sampling package)
Build Quality: 4/5 (solid but nothing spectacular)
Accessories: 4/5 (a shirt clip will be nice)
Isolation: 4/5 (semi-open design but doesn’t leak sound)
Microphonics: 3/5 (earbud style)
Comfort: 5/5
Soundstage: 5/5
Sound Quality: 4/5 (analytical, light on bass, clearly a step up from ER6i and approaching the amped iM716)
Value: 5/5 (what can a man ask for with such a low price of $99?)
Remark: RE2 sounds like a more refine ER6i. Though not pumping out a lot of bass, the great detail should be more than enough considered it is only $99. The included big bi-flanges really do their job well. Better soundstage and not need for amping make it a better choice over iM716. The only downside is the short cable (plus the included extension cable is quite heavy).
Type: Single 8mm Dynamic
Spec: 16Ω (@1kHz) | 6Hz~ 23kHz | 106dB SPL | 9g
Cord Style: Y-cord, 1.20m
Mini Jack Style: Gold plated straight style, light build.
Eartips Used: Single flange
Packaging: 3/5
Build Quality: 4/5 (light build)
Accessories: 3/5 (nothing but different size eartips)
Isolation: 3/5
Microphonics: 3/5
Comfort: 5/5
Soundstage: 3/5
Sound Quality: 2/5 (warm, muddy bass without much treble)
Value: 3/5 (cheap price so there is nothing to expect)
Remark: Except for comfort, there is nothing especially good on EP-630. However with price so low, how can one expect it to sound good? It will serve okay as a cheap backup, but not really a good choice for SQ.
Type: Single Balanced Armature
Spec: User selectable HD / Bass mode on inline volume control pod
Cord Style: Y-cord, 1.40m
Mini Jack Style: Gold plated L style, light build.
Eartips Used: Tri-flanges
Packaging: 4/5
Build Quality: 4/5
Accessories: 4/5 (Included case is balky, but functional)
Isolation: 4/5
Microphonics: 2/5 (w/o clip) | 4/5 (w/ clip)
Comfort: 3/5 (not the best to wear because of the inline volume pod)
Soundstage: 2/5 (HD mode) | 3/5 (Bass mod)
Sound Quality: 4/5 (Analytical, Bass mode adds a bit warmness)
Value: 4/5 (One of the best bargain when you find it cheap. Only downfall is it is out of production so don’t expect warranty for long)
Remark: One of the best values in IEM market as dealers are clearing their stock with ultra low price. The volume pod can be mod'ed to give an even better SQ closer to than of ER4P. However, don’t expect Altec Lansing to honor the warranty once you mod it. Will sound really great if you amp it.