Skullcandy Ink'd Review (yes, I'm serious) - Page 3

I just found a pair of these and thought they'd be just garbage.  However, I decided to give them a fair chance and plugged them into my Cowon D2 and I was fairly surprised: These are WAY better than other SkullCandy products I've happened to listen to in the past.  The best sub $20 IEMs I've listened to.  The build, shape & sound reminds me somewhat of the V-Moda Vibes (toned-down version).  If the Vibes are a 10, these deliver about 7.5/10 of the Vibe performance. 

Not bad, not bad at all for under $20. 

Side note:  The pair I have do have L & R markers  (very small L/R stamped in black indented in the housing just below the skull icons that are visible facing the outside of your ear when you're wearing them

joker, you need to try the Hesh next. I tried a pair of that the other day(prefer that over the alternative, which was a pair of low end Sony's that I know I had) that was held together with gorilla glue and honestly can't say they are that bad for $30 that they are. High's a bit harsh, there is no bass and not very musical, but you listen to some early iron and wine and it'll do fine for that price.

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Originally Posted by cyberidd 

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Originally Posted by Bullseye Nice one joker I really liked the part of not having L or R indicators. That shows that teens nowadays don't give a crap about their music. That also explains why I could see some guys at the underground with some ibuds wearing the right on left ear and the other way around.

I actually saw a "review" on youtube where the "reviewer" was singing SC's praises since "they don't have the little L and R, they don't have to be put in one ear or the other!" - one of the dumbest comments I have ever heard.

Didn't you know you are not supposed to believe anything they say on youtube?

What's worse, is that many of them are very pretentious and act like they are teaching us something useful or saying something intelligent. I only watch documentary clips on youtube.

I own a pair of these and I'm certain they do have L and R markings.  I'll check when I get home, but for now look at where the cable goes into the IEM, just above the flex grooves.  They are mega-tiny, but they should be there.

I agreed with your assessment of them, and even if I didn't I'm still glad you reviewed these.  I found them just fine for their price, especially since I got them for $10 new on clearance at a local FYE last year.  I don't use them anymore since my JVC Air Cushions FX-66's are my 'budget' standbys.

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Originally Posted by slowpickr 

Dude... you just lost a lot of credibility.

Actually, he just gained a lot of street cred

Ah, gotcha, joker.  Yeah, it seems like even the cabling for this series varies.  Seems like a terrible oversight on SkullCandy's part; I hate putting IEMs in the wrong ears! :)

I needed something to tide me over 'til my Thinksound Rains arrive.

Picked up the Ink'd from the rat shack down the block.

They seem adequately made.  And, for me, with the small earpieces, plenty comfortable.

Not too microphonic.   No L/R markings on my set.  (Until I got out my Sharpie.)

But nasty, tinny sounding things.  Absitively, posolutely no bass.

And this with the Ipod Classic set to the 'Small Speakers' eq setting.

Please Mr. Postman, bring me my Rains soon.

 - Richard

P.S. - Listening to Dave Bromberg's Statesboro Blues now ... no paragon of fidelity, but tolerable.

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Originally Posted by ljokerl 

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Originally Posted by expatCanuck 

P.S. - Listening to Dave Bromberg's Statesboro Blues now ... no paragon of fidelity, but tolerable.

... I am a bit perplexed by your commend on them lacking bass. They don't have a well-defined punch like the Rains or other higher-priced IEMs but they do produce copious amounts of lower frequencies. ... but the lack of bass is not something I'd attribute to them personally. Do you experience the bassless-ness with all tips or just the small ones?

Small tips = no bass.  With the mediums, the bass improves significantly, as does the isolation & (understandably & unfortunately) microphonics.  So my lesson for the day is that playing with the tips is like playing with room acoustics & speaker position.  Thanks for the question.

Other thoughts -

i) the quality control is likely 'iffy' on these, so it wouldn't surprise me to see varying sonic qualities.

ii) they may change with play-in
 

Aftermarket tips may be in my future (tho' the Rains come with four sizes, so hopefully one will strike a good balance).

Cheers,

 - Richard

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Originally Posted by slowpickr 

Dude... you just lost a lot of credibility. Got to admit though, you have intestinal fortitude to post a review such as this.

What? Whats wrong with reviewing a cheap IEM?

I don't know if you remember me, I was the guys of the wicked IEMs.. I fixed those by pushing skullcandy's tips onto them with brutal force and they work flawlessly..  ..I'll take some pics and let you see if I ever get the chance.

However, this was not my point. I actually read your review since I was curious about your thoughs onto these cheepy candies.. Well, your words do match my feelings about them but I just wanted to let you know that the L/R signs are existent and you can find them on the back of both cable seams. Good job with the review though, it totally matches these earphone's performance.

Ps: I agree with you on the GI's too.. They are possibly the biggest failure in human history every (except for the bottle opener) and I hated them so much I torn them apart and made myself some schoolbag speakers. Oh and.. I DID NOT PAY FOR THEM!!