Oh I did that... I tried 16 Khz at -30 dB, 8kHz at -20 dB and 4 kHz at -10 dB. That's pretty darn drastic and the maximum I can do with an EQ on the PC. It is still annoyingly hissy with that. Besides, a full adjustable equalizer is not always available -- you don't hve that on the iPod nano...

OK, I plucked down $290 for a pair of XBA-4SL (Japanese version with 0.4m short chord w/ straight mini-plug + 0.9 m extension). I got the Japanese version because of the short cord length which works better for me. Unfortunately, I found it unlistenable.   First, let me be fair to the XBA-4...

DBB = Dynamic Bass Boost First introduced into portables on Sony's WM-501 Walkman (circa 1987). At that time Sony's also introduced a series of earbuds with the so-called "twin-turbo acoustic circuitry" with model numbers 414, 424, 444, 454 (which came with the WM-501) and 464 (with amorphous...

I think for headphones and earphones, obsolescence is not the biggest worry. The biggest worry is that sometimes the manufacturer will discountinue a great product and substitute an inferior one. This is sometimes also true with speakers. For example, my favourite bud is the discontinued Sony...

Just wondering what you guys think are the best portable players new or old. For me its as follows:- Sony Walkman WM-501 : Hey its small, well built and its my first decent portable cassette player. Used it with MDR-E464 buds. (1987) Sony Walkman WM-701C : My second Walkman, its...

I just came across the fact that Apple has a new In-Ear Headphone available while reading up on the new iPod Mini. It is apparently a canal phone and like everything from Apple it looks nice. http://www.apple.com/ipod/accessories.html Now I must say that Apple's Earbud sounded really...

Has anyone had the opportunity to try a pair of Sony's new EX71SL intra canal bud phones?

Quote: Can you imagine Etymotic "Street Style" headphones?!?! Keep the company doing what it's doing... maybe throwing a bit more money at their efforts to improve the sound of the ER4 series AND do something about the cable microphonics would be nice. But MAN are they good sounding...

Thank you all for bringing to attention Etymotics. By all user accounts they appear to be the earphones to get. I'll be looking to find a way to try out a pair; no local dealers so I'll have to find some means to try a pair before buying. On a side note I think Etymotics will be doing...

I am trying to decide between the Sony MDR-E888 and the MDR-EX70LP earphones. Price doesn't concern me; I willing willing pay US$300 for a set of earbuds if they make them and they sound great. The problem is that I cannot seem to find a store in the US where I can actually try them! I can buy...