Beyerdynamic T 50 p
Where should we start our grandiose review, if not with a pair of beloved Beyerdynamic T 50 p - perhaps the most dear to our hearts the participants of today's test?
Having entered the market with minimal advertising support at the very end of last year, these excellent headphones made a splash. Made of two different alloys, their body is slim and durable, functional and elegant.
They are very comfortable: leatherette ear cushions are firmly held in place by a tenacious bow, the total weight is only 174 grams. And the closed construction, which practically does not let in noise, is perfect for traveling in transport.
As for their sound, it will not leave anyone indifferent. The soulful song Bon Iver Perth performed by T 50 p is superbly worked out; they accurately convey every nuance of any of the many vocal lines, while sounding precise and energetic, joyfully rattling drums at the right moment in the song and building a thoughtful cacophony of incredible creshendos.
Flawless integration
Bass delights with depth and weight; they are perfectly matched to the tight and full-blooded mid-range. Sparkling HF delights with reliable control; the clinking of the cymbals is detailed and incendiary, but not overly bright or too harsh.
Their inherent combination of energy and attack with control and smoothness means that they will not be too ruthless with recordings with heavy compression, however, you should not be inhumane to them - offer them a treat in a format with no compression or loss of quality, and they will reward you a hundredfold. All they lack is a microphone and a remote control, which would be useful for those who like to listen to music from a phone, we have no other complaints about them - they are simply gorgeous.
Advantages: Stylish, lightweight and comfortable; detailed and superbly integrated across the entire range of sound, smooth and energetic; excellent dynamics.
Disadvantages: A microphone and remote would have been nice.
Verdict: T 50 p are equally good for home and for a noisy subway car.
Audio-Technica ATH-ES55
Consumers often think that headphones should sound perfect right out of the box. This is not true; every pair of tests starts to play better after a day of constant warm-up, and Audio-Technica is no exception. At first, their sound seems compressed and overly bright, but after warming up they are excellent. For closed-back headphones, they are amazingly open and natural; even in a stuffy subway car, you may think that you are transported to the site of an open concert.
Plus, you can wear them with pride: unlike the daring Skullcandy or the trendy Beats by Dre, the ES55 looks very sleek and stylish. The workmanship is excellent; the flimsy-looking bow is actually strong and rigid, solid and nice aluminum cups are attached to it. If something can be called not solid enough, then this is a "protective" case in which the headphones can be folded. The model that was designed for frequent outing would be worth adding something more substantial.
Open, transparent and detailed
But if the only complaint about the headphones is the reliability of the case, then they sound better than you might expect. In addition to the already mentioned openness, ES55 pleases with amazing transparency and high detail; analogue to the last note soundtrack by Nick Cave to the film "Road" transmitted flawlessly accurately. The soundstage is smooth and balanced, and the dynamics are excellent at both low and high levels.
Like the Beyerdynamic models, the AT would do well with a microphone and remote control; but for $ 110, you won't find better sounding on-ear headphones.
Advantages: Graceful and stylish; open sound with a closed structure; detailed, balanced and dynamic.
Disadvantages: No remote control and microphone; the protective case is unreliable.
Verdict: Comfortable headphones with excellent sound - you can't even dream of more.
Bowers & wilkins p5
Given the company's reputation in the Hi-Fi world, it made sense to include the P5 in the Hi-Fi headphone section. But it is worth taking at least a brief acquaintance with them, and you will agree that these exquisite beauties will be an excellent and luxurious addition ... to an MP3 player. Foldable, closed-back design for virtually no sound leakage and ideal for public spaces; and when they are not needed, they are easy to hide under clothes. Modest proportions, metal and leather finishes, and high quality workmanship make the P5 desirable in stores and at presentations. They deserve to be presented to the public and attract approving and envious glances.
The voices in the song Huns Slay take the soul, a In Da Club50 Cent demonstrates lively and straightforward bass, endowed with delightful precision and excellent rhythm. However, the highest frequencies sound a little harsh; there are models with softer and more refined treble.
But while the P5 loses a bit because of this, they remain incredibly cute and comfortable, and their quality is generally in line with the price category.
Sennheiser HD 25-1 II adidas originals
The packaging of these headphones seems to be more suitable for a pair of sneakers. But the design choice seems more logical when you remember that they were developed in conjunction with the Adidas Originals clothing line. If you are not a fan of the Adidas brand, then you can choose another HD version - in a simple black finish and at a more modest price.
If we talk about the design, then we can immediately note that they thought about convenience in the first place. The bow is padded with soft material and divided into two parts, allowing you to adjust the mount to the shape of the head. The right ear cushion rotates within 45 degrees - so DJs will love it, as will the extra-long cable. The kit includes a set of spare (white) ear pads, an adapter from 3.5 to 6.3 mm jack and a carrying case.
The main beauty of these headphones is their tonal balance. They are incredibly generous with detail, dynamics and neutrality, surpassing almost all competitors. In Empire Slate of Mind Jay-Z, they create tightly controlled, weighty and texturally rich bass, while Alicia Keys' strong voice sounds powerful and emotional.
The HD 25-1 II are great in every way and are also great for listening in public transport.
Bose QuietComfort 15
As the saying goes, "silence is gold", but the best silence is the one that you can fill with your favorite music.
This is the silence that noise canceling headphones give you, and the Bose QuietComfort 15 are the best of them.
Advanced noise canceling technology and simple noise-isolating ear cups on these stylish headphones block out ambient noise more than any other model we know. Unlike many competitors, they do not add an unpleasant and well-audible hiss to the sound, so they can be worn without even turning on the music when you need to detach from the outside world - for example, on an airplane or train.
However, in most cases, we still listen to music, and in this regard, the QC15 will also not hit the face in the dirt. Their sound is coherent, balanced, dynamic and detailed. Bass in the song Never Had ItFlobots are expressive and superbly controlled. Female vocals are pleasing with purity, directness and many nuances: rap performed by a man against his background sounds no less detailed. The open soundstage demonstrates excellent separation of individual voices and instruments. For this price you can buy passive on-ear headphones with more detailed and sophisticated sound, but QuietComfort is good in many other respects too.
No batteries - no music
Is this all too good to be true? Yes, a couple of comments are still worth making. Firstly, they do not have a “TalkThrough” feature that allows you to talk to others without taking your headphones off. Secondly, QuietComfort 15 does not work in passive mode: you cannot turn off noise cancellation and just listen to music - in order for it to last forever, you will have to replace the batteries.However, the battery "holds" as much as 35 hours; and when they run out, you only need one AAA battery.
Advantages: Excellent noise cancellation; comfortable; open, balanced and organized sound; microphone and remote control.
Disadvantages: Do not work as passive headphones.
Verdict: Excellent sound and even better noise cancellation; Bose is an airline passenger's best friend.
Sennheiser PXC 310 BT
РХС 310 ВТ are packed in full: aptX-compatible Bluetooth. NoiseGuard 2.O active noise canceling system, TalkThrough function (allowing you to talk to others without removing your headphones) and volume and song switches on the right earcup. These are compact and foldable headphones; the kit includes a cable for a regular wired connection (useful if the batteries "run out" halfway through).
The most "delicious" in them is AptX Bluetooth. Owners of new "Macs" and many new phones and players with a built-in adapter do not need anything additional; others can get a Sennheiser USB adapter for computers, a 30-pin adapter for other Apple devices, or a 3.5mm adapter for everything else; each one costs about $ 50.
Great wireless sound
Sennheiser's sound is excellent on aptX transmission. Elastic, lively, weighty bass, shimmering treble and clear voices distinguish the reproduction of the Guns and Horses song.Ellie Gul-ding; The PXC 310 BT does not accentuate its inherent brightness, so it sounds exciting but very enjoyable.
The sound as a whole is very clear and crisp, all components of the frequency range are kept at the same level. By plugging in the cable, you get a slightly more natural, warmer sound and slightly better attenuation of each note; however, aptX is so good that most listeners will switch to Bluetooth whenever possible.
Noise cancellation works effectively; Bose QuietComfort 15 blocks more noise, but Sennheisers are only slightly behind them. However, we recommend turning it off wherever possible, as it slightly alters the tonal balance and reduces battery life, which is a whopping 12 hours using Bluetooth.
Advantages: AptX Bluetooth; effective noise reduction; excellent sound quality; very compact.
Disadvantages: You may need to purchase aptX module for your computer separately.
Verdict: AptX takes the best from Bluetooth and Sennheiser takes the best from aptX.
Klipsch Image X10i
Believe it or not, we've known this model for three years now. Initially it was called simply Image X10, the letter “i” added last year marked the emergence of a three-button remote control and microphone. In addition, the design has not undergone any changes - why fix something that already works great?
Image really works great. Competitors come and go, but all of them only prove that these crumbs are really good. Don't judge by their unassuming appearance: they are more comfortable and more reliable than many other earbuds - and besides, they are so light that you can simply forget about them.
We recently got to know the experimental rock band Three Trapped Tigers and discovered that the mood of the album's strange opening song, Cramm, Klipsch is the best. Whatever the group has in mind, the X10i happily follows through. Every beat of the drum hits the right place, despite the crazy tempo-rhythmic structure; each instrumental part is precisely positioned on a spacious soundstage. Could you get the crowd of drunk football fans to portray anything from Cirque du Soleil's repertoire? However, Klipsch succeeds in something like that.
Small size, powerful bass
The small dimensions of the cases suggest that their low frequencies may be rather weak - however, they are very weighty, textured and precisely contoured. The detail and depth of elaboration are characteristic of all other frequency ranges; voices are filled with strong feelings, and the fast-paced highs, along with clarity, demonstrate amazing density. Can Klipsch be considered invincible? Of course no.Sooner or later, someone will succeed in dethroning them; however, now, three years after their release, they are still ahead of the pack.
Advantages: Small and lightweight; comfortable to wear; great sound for any music; attack and detail are excellent.
Disadvantages: The remote does not support non-Apple devices.
Verdict: The near-flawless Klipsch is the first recommendation for any portable player.
Grado GR10
The demand for high end earbuds is constantly growing; we didn't expect traditional hi-fi maker Grado to be one of the first to respond, but we're happy about it.
The wonderful song Bon Iver Perth performed by GR10, when connected through a good headphone amplifier, demonstrates enviable detail. They are able to reveal and convey all the emotions and meanings of Justin Vernon's voice, and each strike on the guitar strings or drum sounds accurate and natural.
When connected directly to an iPod or other portable player, the Grado sound quality is slightly lower, but they are rather lenient with not very good recordings. If you need headphones for thoughtful home listening and “music on the run” at the same time, the Grado will do a great job.
Beyerdynamic DTX 101 iE
There are many great models in our test, but in terms of value for money, perhaps the 101 iE is not equal. For just $ 100, you get a pair of cute and not-so-extravagant earbuds with incredibly balanced sound: sparkling and controllable highs, reliable and dense lows that add fullness to the voices of the performers.
Differences in dynamics in the soundtrack of Nick Cave for the movie "The Road" they succeed without the slightest difficulty; and the energetic, groovy and frivolous album PalaFriendly Fires proves that they love entertainment just as much. They are equally happy and capable of music of any genre.
Their only drawback is cable noise; You can get rid of it by wrapping the wire around your ears before inserting the headphones, and it also keeps them tighter.
Bose MIE2i
Bose approached in-ear headphones from a completely different angle than everyone else; she created a model that sits outside the ear canal without penetrating it.
Their noise isolation is somewhat worse than that of most competitors, but it is even more convenient for those who prefer to be aware of external events during a trip. But they are very comfortable, and the soft gel surface is pleasant to the touch and firmly adheres to the ear.
MIE2i clearly set out to compensate for the increased distance between the speaker and eardrum: they create an exceptionally strong, dense and full-blooded sound - energetic and detailed, with a wide and detailed soundstage and excellent instrument separation. In absolute detail, perhaps they are inferior to Etymotic and similar models, but in general they sound no worse.
Sennheiser MM 70i
According to press releases, the CX 280 was released to replace the award-winning CX 300 II; however, in our opinion, the MM 70i pair is much more similar to them. They are noticeably more expensive than the CX 300, but it is worth noting that part of the "extra" money was spent on a three-button remote control with a microphone located on the cable in the chin area.
They sound great too: the balance and detail are excellent, the heavy bass does not overwhelm the listener. The only problem is that the sound is less powerful and dynamic than we would like, and it reduces the impression of the primal drumming rhythms of Dark Storm.The Jezabels.
However, their sound always remains clean and does not suffer from harshness; if you want to swap out the CX 300 II for a pair of headphones more suitable for a smartphone, you won't be disappointed.
Etymotic hf3
The Etymotic company has managed to gain a reputation as a manufacturer of very high quality and very stylish things; no easy task! The hf3 headphones further strengthen it.
In their asset - three options for spectacular and luxurious finishes and a three-button remote with microphone built into the left earphone cable at the chin level and allowing you to control playback and make calls.
Find the best attachments
In working order, the hf3 stick out quite noticeably from the auricles - this is surprising if you remember how deep they penetrate into the ear canal so that the mount is strong. We were unable to achieve reliable fastening with flange and foam nozzles; had to do with simple mushroom.
Everyone's ears are different, so it's worth experimenting - and those who can't find the right size will have to look for custom-molded ear tips manufacturers. The fact that the correct option has been found, you will be notified by the complete disappearance of external noise and exceptional sound quality.
The sound from these headphones is stunningly clear and detailed. All ranges sound surprisingly tight and controllable, and such an analytical approach is usually inherent in models in much higher price categories. However, they are not too lenient with bad recordings. Music in uncompressed or lossless format sounds great, but the clarity of hf3 is easily replaced by brightness when playing low bitrate recordings - for example, a copy of the latest Strokes album. However, on a "high-calorie" diet, they play luxuriously.
Advantages: Detailed, direct, crisp sound; excellent dynamics; stylish; individual production of nozzles.
Disadvantages: Deep fit; increasing brightness in low quality recordings.
Verdict: Truly high quality sound in a stylish package.
Grado PS1000
Internal perfection is not always reflected in appearance. For example, if you compare the flagship headphones Grado, PS1000, with models in the same price category - Monster, Audio-Technica or AKG - you can hardly understand why they cost three to four times more. No matter how high the quality of the Grado's workmanship - and they began to look even more chic in the new chrome finish of the cups - at first glance, it does not in itself justify such an incredible price.
Who would even agree to pay $ 2,200 for a pair of headphones? The answer is obvious: a customer who wants the very best of the very best. And this assumes the highest quality sound - no matter how much it leaks out when listening to it or from their appearance. And the PS1000 is just that: headphones with the highest quality sound we've ever heard.
Sound disappears ... but what a sound! The open design of the Grado lets in so much sound that your family members may not even realize you are listening to headphones and ask you to turn down the sound of your audio system. Perhaps they can be called not headphones, but "ear speakers".
But all this becomes insignificant, as soon as you put them on and turn on the music. With the greatest pleasure in listening to high quality music at the closest possible distance, we are ready to testify that the quality of the PS1000 is incomparable. An open, powerful and effortless speaker conquers: String QuartetNo. 16 in F majorBeethoven's performance by Grado exactly repeats the ups, downs and full gamut of emotions conceived by the composer.
The PS1000 is powerful, but not overly powerful, and its midrange is so open, spacious and detailed that few competitors of any type can dream of it. Their price is obscene, but we recommend them without the slightest hesitation.
AKG Q701
Celebrity attachment is risky. But in this case, the AKG Q701 model (where "Q" is the first letter of the name of the legendary producer Quincy Jones) was created on the basis of the K701.
Traditional design aficionados will be delighted to know that in addition to the defiant green finishes, they also come in silver and black; the workmanship is excellent in all cases. They are very strong, but they sit on the head quite easily; The genuine leather headband and shatterproof temples create a premium feel, and the earcups fit snugly and comfortably.
The patented "varimotion" double-layer diaphragms, flat wire voice coil and detachable cable all speak for the thoughtfulness of the designers.
And the sound of the Q701 more than deserves the most heartfelt recommendations: exceptionally open, airy, free and detailed, impeccably musical and completely devoid of the narrow-mindedness and isolation inherent in so many headphones.
HF - light and impeccably accurate; any music performed by AKG delights with volume and equanimity. The bass does not try to crush the vocal range, but fully retains depth and energy. Overall, these are amazing headphones - albeit bright bright green.
Monster Beats Pro by Dr Dre
As Harvey Keitel's character in Crimereading "," the fact that you show character does not mean that you have this very character. " And that fits very well in describing the mystery these headphones present.
Because they definitely have character. And they show it: their design is stylish and unlike anyone else; workmanship can put many competitors to shame; and they are so firmly attached to your head that you can run in them - unlike other hi-fi models.
There is no denying that Monster Beats Pro are screaming “Look at us! Listen to us ”much louder than the rest.
Does this "but" follow? Does their sound deserve a negative assessment? Not at all. But don't forget about character. Can we talk about transparency and balance? Not. About neutral tonal balance? Also no. Instead, they create a bouncy, dynamic and endlessly immersive sound, and they pay maximum attention to creating the deepest, loudest and most crushing bass we've heard from a headphone.
We will not argue: these basses are too much for those who prefer to hear exactly what is in the recording. But - and this is a real "but" - Beats Pro somehow manages to make sure that these basses do not destroy the overall harmony of the sound.
In the end, there is a character for that, so that someone will like it, and someone will not. Perhaps they are showing him too aggressively; but try them - if you like them right away, you will like them for a long time.
Sony MDR-Z1000 P5
These well-executed closed-back headphones are aimed at the Hi-Fi sector of the market. However, their rigid construction, discreet design and compact dimensions make them suitable for use in place of the "portable designer headphones" so often found on the subway.
In a sense, they can be called a slightly less elegant version of the B&W P5. Sony considers the Z1000 to be a professional studio headphone, but it works just as well for the living room.
A liquid crystal polymer diaphragm (combining rigidity with a high level of internal loss so vibrations are kept to a minimum), carefully designed noise-isolating ear cushions, and a lightweight magnesium alloy casing all contribute to sound quality.
It's just wonderful: springy, energetic and exciting - its tangible density is combined with soft and incredibly sweet treble. We noticed a slight coloration on the border of midrange and bass, and some competitors of equal value can boast of greater transparency - but few make the same strong and pleasant impression.
Grado SR80i
This model received the Best Buy award in the 2010 Award; a lot has happened in the world of headphones since then, but the SR80iare still very good. Please note that like other Grado models, they are leaky and have an inimitable design.
But just put them on and warn those around you that you are going to listen to music with them - and you will be amazed at the quality of their sound, especially considering the price.
Grado headphones sometimes cost astronomical amounts of money (we're talking now about the PS1000 for $ 2200); so it's great that the company pleases us with its signature sound for much more modest sums.
Surrounding, controlled, balanced and yet full-bodied, their sound perfectly conveys any music to the last detail, and full-blown dynamics shifts are given to them with an ease bordering on arrogance.Hip-hop, classics, movie soundtracks and the coolest hard rock - they are all equally capable.
If you are looking for Hi-Fi headphones for around $ 150, check first to see if they are leaking out a lot of sound. If not too many, in your opinion - buy them without fear.
Audio-Technica ATH-W1000
Open headphones receive our warmest compliments; devoid of a sealed enclosure that creates internal reflections of sound that are transmitted to the ears, they achieve the highest levels of transparency in sound. On the other hand, such headphones let the sound out like a sieve of water.
But in this case, you see the solution to this problem. The sound quality of the Audio-Technica ATH-W1000 is amazing; Perhaps these are the best closed-back headphones we know, able to compete with any model at a similar price point.
They are comfortable and good-looking, but their fit is less firm than some of the competition. Wooden cups give them a somewhat old-fashioned look.
Either way, the W1000 sounds luxurious: eminently balanced and detailed, but not stingy with the scale and rumbling when it is necessary for the music.
Any music performed by them - even "Apollo Musaget"Stravinsky, Though Suck it And SeeArctic Monkeys - pleases with lightness, rhythm and dynamics. If you need closed-back headphones but value high-quality sound, you won't find anything better for home listening.
Grado SR325is
Musically, Grado is concerned with the most important things and doesn't compromise; the result is great sound that few people can do in this and beyond.
A slight change was made to the 325is: the aluminum shells of the cups were powder coated in "glitter gray". Otherwise, everything is the same as that of the 2010 Best Buy model.
Perhaps these are not the most stylish headphones in the world, and the small "antennas" in the attachment points of the cups and bows are somewhat extravagant for this price category. Their approach to sound relies heavily on an open design - so open that a roommate can easily make out the lyrics to the songs on the Van Morrison album you're listening to. Anyone who has heard his unintelligible muttering at least once will appreciate the level of sound leakage.
Thus, they are not very suitable for the road. But for home listening, these Grados are amazingly good, with incredibly detailed, open and full-bodied sound with exceptionally flexible dynamics. What more could you want?
