05-25-2004, 08:00 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,186
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PocketPCReviews: Future Sonic EARS EM3 "Earphones" Reviewed
 "Would you pay some $160 dollars for a set of earphones? No, not for headphones but �just� for in-canal type earphones that you can use on your iPod or Digital Audio Player [or Pocket PC - PL]. While that may sound like a lot of money it may well be worthwhile if you can really hear the difference. We�re testing (very subjectively, I might add) the EARS EM3 Universal Fit Monitor Earphones from Future Sonics (FSI)...
Future Sonics is a crowd that caters to the professionals with their custom-moulded ear monitors as well as these EM3 universal fit �personal monitors� (in this league you can�t just call them ear buds or earphones any more�) Just check their very extensive list of clients, from Celine Dion to U2 and Cirque du Soleil and hundreds more. They must be onto something good here�"
Generally speaking, I'm not a big fan of celebrity endorsements, much less plugs from screeching divas and freaky bizarro clown-type things. While not exactly my cup of tea, I do realize that the diva in question is the pinnacle of screeching diva-ness, and the clown-things are probably the TOP clown-things in the clown-thing field. That being said, I'm willing to look objectively at these "ear monitors". :mrgreen: As an owner and fan of Sony's in-ear phones, I'm curious as to how these stack up against lesser headphones (like mine), and something like Shure E3cs or Etymotic Er-6s. Has anyone used these or any other in-ear headphones? What's your verdict?
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05-25-2004, 08:25 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 130
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I'd like to listen to these...... but they'd have a hard time beating my Shure E3's. Note I traded up from a set of E2's to my E3's.... a small difference, but an audible one.
From the specs the E3's and EM3's seem pretty comparable, although the Shures get into the low frequencies a bit further. The Shures are also lower impedance.... meaning that it's easier for your device to drive them (reducing the need for an external amp and/or better sound response in those quiet passages).
The case that comes with the Shures is far better, and you can tell from the photographs. Nice little pouch for the EM3... but the Shure is a smaller HARD case. I love it for travel because I can toss the headphones in my laptop bag or suitcase and not worry about the headphones getting damaged or wire kinked. Also, not that with the EM3 you only have foam sleeves in two sizes.... the C3's come with three different types of sleeves in three sizes.... you can also get a 4th type or fitted sleeves if you want to order them, and replacements are cheaper from the price-list. The sound isolation is all about the sleeves.... the comfort is all about the sleeves. I can wear my Shure E3's on a long trip (10-12 hours including layovers, connections, etc) comfortably, and can seat them so I can hear announcements in the airport or carry on a conversation while still listening.... or press them a little further in and not even hear a whisper of the jet engines.
I also wonder what the EM3's warranty/repair policy is. Shure's policy is that if it's covered by warranty, send it in and you get a new pair. If the damage (or time) says it's not a warranty repair, $75 gets you a new set. Doesn't matter what the problem is or if it's the $160 E3's or the $500 E5's.... $75 gets you cared for in short order.
As for the music? Well, I've alluded to the fact that the E3's are more easily driven by a pocket device. I have a few pieces I listen to where I can actually FEEL the bass vibrating my head (much like my $1200 Velodyne Subwoofer does at home on the same passages). I find them perfect for all the types of music I listen to (including Classical and Jazz as well as the little bit of Rock I listen to.... yeah... a little metal mixed in on rare occasions). YMMV.
If anyone wants to loan me a set of the EM3's for a week or two, I'd be glad to give a more detailed comparison :lol:
Cheers,
D.
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05-25-2004, 08:26 PM
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05-25-2004, 08:31 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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I'll wait until these come down in price... then I can be amazed while you guys are already blown away by newer technology. Its all relative. If I listen to music on my $10 headphones, these things will be a wonderful suprise in a few years.
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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05-25-2004, 08:35 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,097
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how do ultrasonic speakers compare to these (the ones where you have to be in a really small cone to here the sound at all)
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Please see www.grlt.com "Tech with a twist of lime!"
The Midlands Hybrid Club MidlandsHybrid.com
Current: Kacey's Wing, T-mo Wing Past: GCM_T, T-Mobile MDA |
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05-25-2004, 08:45 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 200
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I destroy headphones on a regular basis. You'll never catch me buying expensive ones for that reason.
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05-25-2004, 08:49 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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I'll never be able to justify spending $160 for earbuds..at least not to my wife. For my money, the Sony MDREX71SL Fontopia In-Ear Portable Headphones are great! I only wish there were an easy way to get replacement "sleeves."
I've also tried some Koss earbuds with the foam sleeves. My problem was that I'd squish them like you're supposed to, but they un-squished too quickly for me to get them into my ears.
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05-25-2004, 09:06 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 734
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rob Borek
I destroy headphones on a regular basis. You'll never catch me buying expensive ones for that reason.
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I have to buy a new set every three months. Cheapos, expnsive, sony, philips - doesnt matter. Ive resorted to buying two pair since i really hate being without them. I now have two pair of good philips in-ear type.
Can you really tell the difference with that kind of heaphone compared to say, top of the line sony? I doubt it makes much of a difference when listening to 128kbps MP3'S on my laptop
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05-25-2004, 09:35 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 109
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by bjornkeizers
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rob Borek
I destroy headphones on a regular basis. You'll never catch me buying expensive ones for that reason.
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I have to buy a new set every three months. Cheapos, expnsive, sony, philips - doesnt matter. Ive resorted to buying two pair since i really hate being without them. I now have two pair of good philips in-ear type.
Can you really tell the difference with that kind of heaphone compared to say, top of the line sony? I doubt it makes much of a difference when listening to 128kbps MP3'S on my laptop |
I used to be notorious for destroying headphones and earbuds. The Sony ex70's (an in-ear canal type like the e3's) are bulletproof in that respect, I had a pair for 2 years and they never died. I lost my set and ended up replacing them with the newest iteration of the design -- the ex71L. The new version comes with a hard case in addition to the smaller 'bullet' case. I've never had wires fray inside the cord (a real PITA to fix) no matter how much I kink them.
Quite a few people have found the ex70's to be too bassy with a muddy midrange. Someone discovered that by plugging the air vents with some blu-tac you can dramatically improve the sound. I did the modification and was somewhat impressed. For the money they are a decent value.
The one thing I will say about the E3's they need to have some colours other than flesh tone. I can imagine people thinking they are a hearing air or even a small radio links that the FBI use. I get strange looks from people with the Sonys on when I'm listening to music and doing work with the Ipaq, like I'm up to something. Then again, it seems EVERYONE is wearing these huge earmuffs now that were considered geeky even 5 years ago.
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05-25-2004, 11:02 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 146
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When I tried the B & O headphones which looks so good, I was deeply dissappointed. I should have known better as B & O does re-use so many re-engineered much cheaper Philips products.
David
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