Two brands have recently made their way onto the center-stange in the low-price category at Head-Fi, singing a duet to the oft-overlooked frugality of (some of) our members. One, an established price-point competitor with a knack for good sound, The other, a cabler now repackaging already-cheap cans for less. Who we're talking about here is JVC and Monoprice.
The former brand's offering in this face-off, the HA-RX500, is commonly sold in general-purpose stores across the US and internationally, oft overlooked simply because it's relegated to the earbud aisle. In the past few years though, it and its older cousin (the HA-RX700) have garnered major attention on Head-Fi for headphone guys and gals on a budget. Its match of tonal quality and no-fear portable use are great, almost outstanding at their price.
The latter brand, Monoprice, used to always be thrown in the same light as other low-end brands like Dealextreme. They were a quasi-brand, repackaging sub-par products and hoping for bulk sales. Not anymore. Ever since on Head-Fi'er got their cheap hands all over their top output-only product and made the vital connection to Kicker, Monoprice has been all the rage around here.
So here I ask you, members of Head-Fi, which will we crown the newly-discovered king of low-budget picks? Will it be the surprising continuation of a consumer brand, or the relative unknown hiding its true origins?
These two have auditioned for the lead part, and it's up to you to choose who gets it.
