PK2 First Impressions: Underwhelming
Just bought the PK2s, based largely on reviews that I read here, but before getting into my first impressions, some background on what I've been using 'til now: my search for the best iPod earphones began years ago with the purchase of the Ety ER4P, which was my standard until early last year when it was replaced by the Shure 530 w/custom ear molds. For those times when I wanted a "less isolating" listening experience, I turned to my trusty PX-100 headphones (which just might be the biggest bargain in all of audio when it comes to a price/performance ratio).Recently, I also wanted to add a pair of 'buds for walking the streets of NYC, where I'd prefer to still hear the horn of the taxi that's about to hit me. To be honest, I had my doubts about whether any 'bud could deliver sound that would be significantly better than the stock iPod 'buds. The positioning of any 'bud in the ear is far less than anatomically ideal from an audio perspective, and the "seal" which is key to the bass response of the better in-ear 'phones is non-existent, apart from the minimal seal and isolation you get from the 'bud foams.
So, given those handicaps, maybe I was expecting too much from the PK2s. Are they better than the stock 'buds? Sure. I can hear better mids, and a more detailed, extended treble response. What I don't hear, however, is significantly better bass response, which--at least to my ears--leaves the PK2 sounding A BIT thin and etchy, compared to the stock 'bud sound of midrange mush. (YMMV, of course.) Overall, I prefer the PK2s, but are they $80 worth of improvement? After three days of use, that would be a disappointing, "No."
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