by Scott
in Norton's Notebook
on 01/25/10
at 05:00 am
(0) Comments
Ear bud Headphones
I was planning on making this a review of the Bose In-Ear headphones, but realized that I have now tried 3 different types of ear buds for my iPhone/iPod, in the past year alone. Let’s make this an overview…
A person’s preference for a particular type of headphones is completely subjective. There are basically two different types of headphones: The first is the traditional, over-the-ear type, which come in various styles (cupped and isolated, rest on the outside of your ear, open backed, etc.). The second, and the one we will be discussing here, are the type popularized in recent years, the in-ear style commonly referred to as ear buds.
A Google/Amazon search lists 1288 mentions for ear buds for sale. That is a ton of choices for a simple product like in-the-ear headphones. Why so many? Well, there are a few factors that go into the purchase of headphones. First would be sound, second would be price, third would be fashion. Although anyone who knows me would say I couldn’t be pegged as having any fashion clue, I recognize that it is definitely a consideration for many people. After all, these things have become an accessory. But for our purposes here, let’s just focus on sound and price.
For this article, my use of these ear buds is only with my iPhone. Far more than I care to admit, I use the iPhone as a monitoring device for my mixes. In recent years, Apple’s, as well as other manufacturer’s portable audio devices, have arguably become the most popular way for people to listen to music. This means that listening to mixes I am working on through these devices is necessary.
The major difference between commercially available ear bud types is the way they fit into your ear. The standard type, which ships with most MP3 players, consist of a round, open-faced speaker, that sits just inside your ear. The second, often more expensive models, have ‘shaped’ ear tips (often with various sizes to fit your particular ear and comfort level) that insert into your ear canal to create a seal. The three models discussed here, all come standard with 1/8” stereo jack, targeted at the portable audio market.
The pair that shipped with my iPhone is the cheapest Apple has to offer, called Earphones ($29.00 if purchased separately). I used them exclusively for about 2 years. The one thing I really loved about these headphones was that they fit my ears perfectly. I never had an issue with them falling out – and the sound remained constant, no matter the situation. They offered a basic sound quality that I felt would best match the experience of the general listener. This is the equivalent of listening to mixes on a home stereo system – to make sure my work is in the ballpark. The Apple Earphones don’t offer a very good representation of low end, but then again, most people don’t listen to music on a system that provides adequate low end. I dealt with the mostly unpleasant sound quality in the hope that they would offer me a “true” representation of the common listening experience. I have to admit they just were not that fun to listen to.
The next pair I tried was the Apple In-Ear Headphones ($79.00). These are marketed as the superior, higher quality version of the Earphones. I was immediately troubled by the fact that I could hear nothing from the outside world. The cheaper Earphones never made me feel isolated, and I realized that I did not appreciate this type of isolation. Frankly, I expected to be hit by a car while crossing the street! The sound quality was definitely superior. I heard detail in mixes that had been lacking with the Earphones. The low end was tight and present. The highs were pleasant, without being harsh. The major problem with these headphones was that despite three sizes of silicone ear tips (meant to offer people a choice for their particular ear shape and size), they never really fit into my ears quite right. They always seemed to be working their way out of my ear – which would cause a complete lack of low end. Whether chewing gum, talking, or simply moving my head in any way, instantly these buds wanted to come out of my ear. I found myself constantly replacing them into the correct position in my ear, wondering whether they were giving me accurate sound. This made it impossible to sit back and simply enjoy music. This drawback was a deal breaker for me, and something I did not expect from a pricey pair of headphones. Overall, the superior quality was offset by my grievances.
Just recently I got a pair of Bose In-Ear headphones ($99.00). I have never been a fan of Bose products, feeling they often hype the low end, seemingly, for no other reason than to prove that they can accomplish this feat, from such a small product. This never offers me the type of monitoring I want to accurately make adjustments to my mixes. But these Bose surprised me. Often, my big problem with monitoring devices is that particular frequencies are hyped, and I find myself wishing for a level playing field, across the spectrum. Although they often feel like they might pop out, they stayed in my ears nicely. There has been no loss of low end, or frustrating changes to sound because of the fit.
The Bose headphones have a tighter bass response than either of the Apple products, without being overly hyped. The low-mids, frequently loose and boxy in headphones and speakers, was tight and detailed as well. The highs were ‘present,’ without being too present. I am not a fan of headphones (or speakers) that show me too much detail in the highs. Many times I find myself noticing parts of a mix that are better left seated, or blended into the whole. For example, I don’t need to hear the tip of the drumstick hitting the cymbal – just the cymbals as an equal part of the drum kit. That’s my personal preference, and again, is very subjective to each listener’s taste. The Bose offer a pleasant balance, evenly distributed sound response, across the full frequency spectrum. The detail is good, without being harsh. These are fun to listen to, and that makes the experience the best I have had thus far.
$100 is a lot to spend for a pair of headphones, especially ones that you will most likely only use with a portable device. The question is whether you will get more value from superior sound, and more balanced representation of the music you hear through them. I vote for good sound, but you decide…
