REVIEW: 2011 Headphone Review

Local DJ Scott Lelo takes a look at a full range of headphones currently available in New Zealand.
 

Sony MDR-XB300 RRP $129.95
Sporting a flat, light and simple design, the king-sized cushioned earpieces are extremely comfortable and push out buckets of skull-shaking bass. Low end frequencies are full and loud, while anything in the vocal and higher ranges can appear slightly muffled due to the prominence of the bass. Apart from the extra padding on the earpieces, the design is slim and simple. These Sonys are like having comfortable sub-woofers on your ears and will make bass fiends smile - but won’t entirely cover the full spectrum.

Sony MDR-PQ2 RRP $129.95
The audio response in these is faithful and subtle, while the design takes care of the creative side - perfect for anyone needing some intense colour injection into their headwear. The earpieces are well padded, and the headband is solid and sturdy - although it did start to get a little uncomfortable after a while. The flat cable is incredibly slick, and another reason why these headphones are mixing it up in more than one way.

Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 RRP $499.90
The triple drivers in these high end IEMs (In Ear Monitors) produce amazing clarity and depth. They are crisp without sounding harsh, and handle substantial levels of bass - but always sound well-balanced, thanks to each individual driver managing the highs, mids and lows. The cables near the earpieces can be moulded for comfort, and they can be stored in the sturdy metal crush-proof case. If these are your first pair of high end earphones, you're probably going to hear all new things from your music collection.

Ultimate Ears MetroFi 170VI RRP $56.00
These are the entry level model of the Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10s, built to the same quality but lacking the full depth and separation of their more expensive counterparts. They are still well-balanced and clear, not to mention light and comfortable. Built-in mic and control button on the cable allows you start and stop the music on your MP3 player, as well as switch over to calls on your smartphone.

Sennheiser OMX 181 RRP $79.95
A quality pair of in-ear buds featuring flexible ear hooks, and Sennheiser’s trusted build and audio response. The sound you get out of these may depend on how well they fit your ears, and the supplied options to customise their fit are limited compared to other similar models. If they are too loose in your ears some of the sound may leak, otherwise they produce well-balanced tones suited to a wide range of musical styles.

Sennheiser HD25 Adidas Originals RRP $699.95
HD25’s are a favourite amongst many audiophiles, and these Sennheisers will add Adidas sneaker fans to the group. A vibrant blue cable and padding differentiate these from the usual HD25 line, but the comfort and top audio quality are still firmly in place. Full volume isn’t required to experience how powerful and clear these are. Hook these up with your favorite old school shelltoes and you’re set.

Skullcandy Titan RRP $79.95
Easily some of the smallest earphones around, the Skullcandy Titans pack some serious power for their size. Bass is particularly strong, but without overpowering other frequencies. Great chrome design that will happily accompany any MP3 player, and the nylon anti-tangle cord is also a nice touch, although it does produce some unwanted noise in the earphones with too much movement.

Skullcandy Aviators RRP $349.00
Born out of a collaboration between Skullcandy and Jay-Z's Roc Nation, these Aviators deliver platinum sound performance in a high flyer and high roller design. Music stays locked in where it should be with the over-the-ear style, and they remain comfortable to wear for long durations. Like the Skullcandy Titans, these also feature the nylon anti-tangle cable, and fold up for easy transportation. The inline iPhone/iPod remote also takes care of you once you're off flight mode.

Panasonic RP-HC700 RRP $299.90
Ideal for frequent fliers, these Panasonic over-the-ear headphones reduce outside noise by 92 percent and are supplied with a two-pin, in-flight plug for planes. Comfort was taken into consideration for the long trips at 30,000 feet, allowing a greater in-flight entertainment experience, compared to the flimsy airline headsets. The RP-HC700s also perform well on the ground, with an extremely wide frequency response that produces well-balanced sound.

Panasonic RP-HC55 RRP $149.99
Despite their square appearance, these noise-cancelling earphones are surprisingly comfortable and fit extremely well. Panasonic is taking care of their flying customers, and supplies a two-pin in-flight plug, along with several sizes of rubber buds to customise to your ears. The downside is that they require a battery at all times, even when you're not using the noise-cancelling feature. The housing for the battery is halfway up the cable and contains a clip to attach to your clothes and some volume control. Once they're up and running, they produce a nice, warm sound.

By Scott Lelo