[Gr0mit]

I got these yesterday, and tested them on my iPhone SE (I know the SE isn't considered the best source but still, I've listened through other headphones and had a much better time..). I listened to some rock/metal (Tool, Animals as Leaders, Pearl Jam, etc.) and to my disappointment, sound was way too harsh. I figured since What HI-FI gave these a five-star review, they must just need some time to show off their true colours.

So do the Sony MDR-EX650AP's need a long burn-in period, or is my source just crap?

EDIT: Moreover, they make pretty much every song I listen to sound quite compressed.
I'm using Apple Music btw

 

[blazer78]

Best to just leave them in storage like I did, and move on .

I too found them far too harsh to listen to with overcooked bass.

 

[Gr0mit]

Hmm, that’s a shame. Do you recommend any other in-ears around the same price point?

 

[yong_shun]

Try burn it for 100 hrs then try again. Hopefully the performance will improve by then.

 

[technobear]

I've been using EX650 for a few years now, mostly out of a Plenue D. They do lean towards the bass somewhat and are a little reticent in the high treble but I wouldn't describe them as harsh. Of course the PD has great EQ settings that can achieve whatever sound signature you like but before that I was using a Clip+ with no EQ and they sounded fine if a little bass heavy but that was generally a bonus with rock and metal.

At the Bristol Show, I plugged them into a Pro iCAN on the iFi stand just to see what would emerge. They sounded very good indeed and I emerged with a new found appreciation of the humble EX650.

Give them some time. I always reckon on 200 hours.

 

[Gr0mit]

I’ve now actually returned these in exchange for a second pair of SoundMAGIC E10C’s, since my first pair broke and I really loved them.

Thanks for your help though, but I just feel the E10C’s will be a much more worthy investment.