The Head-Fi website is a place for many good things related to headphones, amplifiers, Digital Audio Players (DAPS), and many more items. Manufacturers will often promote their new items on the site, and many of the experienced reviewers will get pre-production or first-run items. This is a good thing. A “trickle-down” effect of this is that other items from those same manufacturers will be opened up to “min contests,” lottery-type giveaways or a semi-interview process. This is also a good thing. While providing many more subscribers the opportunity to review their products, companies are smartly calling on people with a shared passion for quality music products.
Introduction:
It is through this route, that I was lucky enough to be chosen to review one of Edifier’s products, the P275 IEM. When I entered into the “contest,” I specified that I would review whatever product might be lacking in review numbers. I was then pleasantly surprised when Thomas, the Edifier contact told me I would be reviewing the P275. He quickly sent a coupon “voucher” for the purchase through Amazon Prime. Less than two days later, I had the product in hand and took the initial shots. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and consider it a true benefit from companies such as Edifier that they are willing to put their products out there for honest approval/disapproval through our reviews. Wonderful of them to do this, it is. While I waited, I did as much research as I could on the P275, trying to find out the history of not only the company, but the new line of headphones, as I was pretty much unfamiliar with the company and new line.
Edifier is promoting new models within existing lines, such as the H & P185, angled earphones to the P180’s promoted for “active people.” In the ever-increasing affordable earbud market, Edifier is taking an aggressive approach, by providing multiple options at various price points. A laudable enterprise.
As luck would have it, I was able to experience the P275’s exclusively for a weekend as another pair for review were delayed in shipping (through no fault of the company, it was my error). Learning from the wonderful reviews of @B9Scrambler, @ Brooko, and others, I am trying to focus more on differences in the individual areas, such as the bass/mids/highs while also developing my own “flavor” for understanding how the headphones in question sound alone. It is very important to develop that opinion first I believe. How a headphone stands alone should be the first enterprise undertaken. Valid comparisons, then naturally flow from that permutation of experience. This is the first headphone where I am trying this technique. I hope it is successful.
I am no sound expert. I am in the process of purchasing dedicated sound testing equipment to use in my reviews, but at this time, only have an SPL meter with-which to use. I like good music, and appreciate excellent products as well as excellent valued products, such as the Fiio’s EM-3’s or VE’s Monks. I would place the P275’s slightly above that entry-level category, since they are price at $35.99 ($27.50/Amazon). Still reasonable, but a definite step up in cost from the aforementioned buds. The P275’s are also IEM’s, so a valid comparison would include similarly priced IEM’s. As such, the included Apple and Samsung IEM’s along with my personal pair of MEElectronic (now MEE Audio) M6 Pro’s will be included.
Disclaimer:
I have no affiliation with Edifier, other than the contact I have had with Thomas, the Edifier Rep who quickly and professionally passed along the necessary information with which to “purchase” this pair. In return, a fair, honest review will be provided. They expect nothing less, and neither do I.
Biography:
I lost my Klipsch s4ii's....I was despondent. I had no good headphones as a result. Through a search of the Internet, I was led to Head-Fi, and my "reentry" into the personal-portable music world began. Through much reading and research, I was led first to the MEElectronic (now MEE Audio) m6 Pro's. I followed those with the excellent Dunu Titan 1's (excellent fresh sound). I then jumped on the VE Monk train (excellent little wonders they are!), followed by the intriguing RHA ma750's (which up until my review of the MEE Audio Pinnacle P1’s were my favorites, and are still quite good). The next step in my re-education has been to try and receive review pairs. A logical next step, and one which I will continue to pursue, even if it means I purchase for myself, then review. It should not be all gifts, but purchases to me. After conversations with Thomas, the purchase and delivery was painless and very fast.
My listening style varies from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Los Lonely Boys, to Lyle Lovett, to Dave Matthews, to Bob Marley to Magic Slim & the Teardrops, to Coldplay, to Adele, and everything in between. As a result of too much loud rock and roll as a kid with $ and a car stereo of envy I now have hearing loss, mostly in the upper end. Anything sibilant or overly bright can and does bother me. That said, I am also a Wildlife Biologist/Earth Science teacher who studied songbirds in a different life...This allows me the ability to pick out a sound which should not be in that environment or is new to that environment...such as hearing a songbird on our surveys which had not been heard yet on our routes. I prided myself in that ability to pick out the sounds of what was not there upon our initial arrival. I like to think that this will help with my reviews, but I cannot guarantee it. I am post 50, but love good music and good sound quality. All opinions are mine and mine alone. I may reference others fine reviews, but only to draw a point of comparison. I do not own any sound testing equipment, nor am I a Sound Engineer. I am simply going off of my own interpretations and listening’s. I do love going over the analytics of graphs and tone diagrams, but my own seat-of-the-pants interpretations are what I have. Future reviews will have that information, as I purchase more sound equipment. YMMV.
Review:
Packaging:
Simple clear packaging allows you to see the P’s in full view. Highlighted are the buds along with the inline microphone/remote. The green color enhances visual appeal while not overshadowing the enclosed product. A nice touch.
Opening the package the purchaser is presented with more plastic, a protective “tub” if you will which hold not only the IEM’s, but all of the included accessories (shirt clip, three sets of silicon ear tips S/M/L, and an accessory cable). Touted for active use with Smartphone devices, the additional cable allows one to use that inline so other brands of Smartphone may be used such as Samsung, Nokia, or LG. Without the additional cable, iPhones work just fine. The one touch button controls start/pause with a single touch. Double touch will forward to the next track, while triple-tap will restart the song, or go to the previous song. Answering a call is as simple as one touch.
Straight forward packaging...Green looks good
10mm driver highlights to P275
Side view shows accessories
Additional adaptor allows non-iPhones to use inline Mic
Enclosed plastic packaging cradles all included
Technical Specs:
Nothing earth-shattering here, but solid price-point specifications with-which to work. Low impedence and a fairly low SPL mean they are easy to drive. Not as easy as some, but any Smartphone can easily drive them. A 9mm driver is used, keeping the whole unit on the small size, which would aid in fitting smaller ears.
Commentary:
Design:
I like the shape and feel of the 275’s. A nice near-right-angle design allows the bud to be grasped quickly and without fear of breaking, or accidently grabbing the cord. This would be a good IEM for your kids, who usually drag their buds/IEM’s out of their ears by the cord. Full plastic lends an economy look and feel to the IEM, but this is not bad. Plastic forming allows the cost to be held down, which can lead to focusing on other more important items such as the drivers. The in-ear fit of the IEM’s does stick out more than others I have experienced, but not enough to be a bother. A thoroughly pleasing shape, no qualms from me.
Slightly less than 90 degree ear bud aids in fit
Build:
As stated, the Edifier’s are full molded plastic. No cable reliefs are present at the end of the IEM, but none are needed with the flat cable. A small relief is present where the cable comes out of the small straight jack. Sufficient, and not overly built. A nicety is that the jack can fit through my iPhone 6+ XDoria Defense case. This is the standard with which I judge jacks…can the jack fit through the provided hole of my case without the addition of and adapter. The P275’s can. Even though the jack is straight, it does not pose a problem when handling your devices. A cable cinch is included, and I find myself relying more on these than some would think. A well thought out cinch can help keep the IEM-in-question in your ear, and placed well. The Edifier cinch is top notch, and stays where it needs to be. The cable holder at the Y-splitter is a definite plus. Made of thick plastic it protects the cable, as it should. This seems to be a high traffic area from my experience, and the thick nature of this is appreciated. And to alleviate potential fears, the thick nature follows the flat cable…thick in the right direction, so it still keeps a low profile to prevent snagging. A nice touch, it is. The flat cable is near tangle free, and open up nicely upon removal from whatever you keep them in, as no case/pouch is included.
Slightly less than 90 degrees allows for a good fi bend
From my limited experience, flat cables work well to keep the cable out of trouble, but suffer more from Microphonics. The Edifier, is no different, and does suffer from some. Not bad, and many higher priced IEM’s suffer much worse. An “issue” I had initially was that using the included silicon tips, the P275 felt as though it were falling out of my ear when I moved. Several times, I would reach my hand up to check and insure the fit was still good, and the IEM was not falling out. It wasn’t, but I did change to the larger tip, and have not experienced this since. Kind of weird, actually but it did feel like the unit was falling out.
I have recently noticed that the “Edifier” logo and R/L markings on the IEM’s themselves are wearing off after about one months use. They were darker to start with than the ones pictured on the website to begin with, too. No big deal, as the “left” IEM also has the inline mic and a plastic raised “line” on it for reference. I have never really liked it when companies shout their logos at you, to be honest, so this really isn’t big to me.
Logo is subtle, but there
Features:
I have come to expect a range of included accessories, due to the range of buds/IEM’s I am lucky enough to own. I would put the Edifier’s on the “light” side of included accessories. Three sets of tips, the shirt clip, and the accessory cable are all that is included. Upon closer thinking, this really is sufficient. On many of my more expensive headphones, there is a plethora of included tips. Nice don’t get me wrong; but once I settle on a tip, I don’t change, period. So in essence, the other tips sit and argue with themselves in the case, slowly drying out. In this regard, Edifier is spot on. You get three choices deal with it. I am happy to say that this is the first pair of IEM’s I use with silicon tips exclusively. On all of my others use Comply’s. It is kind of refreshing to just insert the P’s and go. No tip rolling, or finagling needed. True plug and play, which is what most want in this range (big assumption I know); the ability to plug in the phone and listen. I know my kids like that, even though they appreciate good music.
Accessories with nice gold-plated jack
Use:
Meant for the active wearer, the plastic and flat cable lend themselves to activities such as aerobics, walking, and other general heavy movement “sports.” That said, the P275’2 are just as happy being worn at home while doing chores or other such activities. I did notice when I used the P275’s on my riding lawnmower, I had to turn the volume up to almost full to hear them. I’m not sure if my music source was awry that day, as I have no problem driving them in other situations, but an amp might not be a bad idea for a loud activity. It was certainly acceptable, but not overly loud. Isolation is good with the silicon tips. Outside noise can still be heard, but outgoing sound is heard less than the incoming sound. They are well isolated, and can be used on commutes without worry, but just know that with what has been stated, incoming noise may leak in and a higher volume may be needed. I would still recommend these for commuting, but just be aware.
The Sound:
Sources/Music:
Songs used for testing, but not all-inclusive were the following:
Every Street-Dire Straits
Adventure of a Lifetime-Coldplay
Set Fire to the Rain-Adele
When We Were Young-Adele
Hello-Adele
Lazarus-David Bowie
Heaven-Los Lonely Boys
Diamonds-Los Lonely Boys
Oya Machita-6+:Los Lonely Boys-P275-open, fairly narrow soundstage, very frontal. Like a small intimate party, with close friends. Drums frontal, bass as support. Vocals-Right in front of stage. Monks-deeper sound. Like playing in an acoustic garage...great party atmosphere, vocal & guitar VERY frontal, bass supporting. Not as nice of a separation, mixed jumble, bass guitar plays a more prominent role while drums move to support, not as pleasant,
Don't drink the Water-Dave Matthews-
Cold Shot-SRV
The Scientist-Coldplay
Clocks-Coldplay
Dragonfly-Ziggy
Redemption Song-Bob
Penguins-Lyle Lovett
Bears-Lyle Lovett-6+:Monks: deeper, veiled instruments esp drums , Lyle has his arm around us as he sings in a box...a nice one, but still a box; mids slightly hidden, more bass esp when inserted, fuller sound vs p275. P275: more open, thin, Lyle's vocals are very intimate-but flowing-open, mid-lows not as powerful. Light/airy sound. Highs slightly piercing.
African Bamba-Santana
Magic Slim
10,000 Maniacs
Eurythmics.
Sources used were an iPhone 6+ mainly, sometimes in conjunction with a Fiio E6 amp, along with the Fiio X3ii + A3 amp. After my initial listen, I hooked up several pair to a splitter for equal burn in time (I will not debate burn in, but subscribe to it just because it evens out the process) of music and pink noise (24 hours of each).
Initial:
Upon opening the box, my initial impression of the P275’s that they were a good solid sound with “tinny” mids. I could hear all high/mid/bass distinctly, but the tin sound from the mids was disconcerting. A decent soundstage was my initial impression, too. Not overly wide, not overtly narrow, just about right for the price range. On tracks such as Lazarus, by David Bowie the haunting sound of the sax was right where it needed to be, sneaking up from behind, and filling in the sound completely. Mids were slightly veiled, like thru a sheet. Still forward, in presence, but not bothersome. Vocals were intimate and good instrument separation is there. The cymbals did sound tinny, along with the snare, but man that sax…I am happy to report that the P275 opened up nicely after about 10 hours. Re-listening to Lazarus I can confirm that the tin sound is gone. Cymbal clash and snare are still prevalent, but that is what the song sings…a solid support from the percussion, led by the voice and sax. David Bowie’s voice coming through in full throat. Full listening did not occur again until after the 48 hours of burn in. After 15 hours, the sound was open and free. No more tin sound in the mids. I did change to the large silicon for a better seal, so I cannot guarantee that this was not the “cause” of the change. Much better bass as a result, fuller, slightly deeper bass was had with the large tips. This is also the first set of earphones with which I have been happy using silicons exclusively. As stated, once I settle on tips, I don’t change.
Flat cable prevents tangling
Overall:
This is an impressive sound for less than $30. Full, inviting sound. Nothing overpowering, all sounds sharing the “spotlight” almost equally. This is a pretty neutral IEM, with only the upper mids pushed out front. And that is only on certain tracks such as Adele’s wonderful Set Fire to the Rain. Her vocals are worth the price of admission, in my mind. Lower than other female voices, sultry when needed, rough and bar-ready when called upon. The P275’s represent her voice admirably. It is not hard to imagine that this IEM could cost more, maybe in the $50 range without knowing the price. I would not place it higher than that though. But with that said, this is not supposed to be an IEM that knocks off $200+ IEM’s. It is meant for using in rough situations…active situations. Situations where you are not afraid to possibly expose them to the elements (not waterproof but a small amount won’t ruin them…of this I know!). I liken these to a well-used pick up truck. It may not look the best, but functionally, it fits your purpose more often than not. A nice overall presentation you should not be ashamed of being seen in.
Bass:
Bass is there, as evidenced in Adele’s He Won’t Go but it is not all that deep. Solid, purposeful is what I would call this. It’s there when you need it, just not as deep as I would like. Lower piano notes come through nicely…they are present, just not deep and forceful. Listening to Big Head Todd & the Monster’s Julianna those discrepancies in bass come through. As the bass tries to shine through, they get muddied with the mids, almost hiding the support percussion, and bass guitar. Luckily, this does not happen often. Deep bass such as bass guitar are present, but sometimes you want that bass to take the forefront more often. Songs such as Where The Streets Have No Name by U2, allow the bass to come through nicely. Too often, this song through more bass heavy phones can middle (not muddy) the sound making it almost not listenable. Luckily with the P275, this is not the case. Bass is there as support to allow Edge’s excellent guitar work to compliment Bono’s voice. It works.
Mids:
On that same U2 song, the upper-mids are pushed to far to the front though for me. This takes the benefits of what the bass provide and hide it behind those mids. A shame really. Please don’t take this criticism as constant badgering of the Edifier’s. That is not my intent. I am trying to point out the limitations as much as the positives so that you can decide based upon what type of music you listen to…That same forward mid which hinders the U2 song, simply blossoms on the above mentioned Adele songs. Her voice should be at the front, and it is. That said this is not a mid-forward headphone. While they are slightly forward, it is to the benefit of vocal songs such as those mentioned above by Bowie & Adele. Coldplay’s playful Adventure of a Lifetime (one of my favorite test tracks because of the excellent variety within the song) is an excellent example of what is RIGHT about the Edifier’s…the lead & bass guitar set the tone and Chris Martin’s absolutely dominant voice shines through. Bass is solid, mids excellent, voice is right, and highs support purposefully. Just fantastic.
Treble:
Highs are not piercing. They are also not very dominant. I am not sure why, either. My limited experience is that when silicon tips are used, treble usually benefits or are highlighted more…This is my first pair where this does not happen. I don’t mind at all, what with my sensitivity to the treble notes. I would classify the treble as the support trailer you tow behind your pick up truck. You need it to carry the mower from job to job, but it can easily be left at home, when you don’t need it. Neither intrusive nor extrusive, the treble is the most laid back of the three. I do wish there was a bit more, and think that the “veiled” sound I mentioned above covers what could be pretty decent highs. Covering of those highs can lead to a congested sound of instrumentation. In the Coldplay song mentioned, the highs definitely take a back seat to Martin’s vocals. Support is where they stand. An example of where the treble shines is on the same Coldplay album, the Beyonce dueted Hymn for the Weekend. An excellent overall song, with solid deep bass, her small vocal parts shine through in good separation of treble notes. The vocals of that song highlight the good parts of the Edifier treble. Quite pleasant. The deep bass drum and bass guitar play behind nicely in support. I would classify the trebles as not tiring as a good descriptor.
Soundstage/Separation:
Neither too big, nor too small, the P’s are about right. I would like a broader stage to listen to, but I think that the pair was designed to be fairly intimate to the user. If that is the case, then they hit the spot nicely. This would classify as being in a small bar listening to a live show. Certainly a wonderful place to be, but with the added noise of the crowd. You know you are in a bar, but that is the appeal, sharing the show with 200 of your closest friends, as opposed to 20,000. This intimacy hinders instrument separation. Congested is how I would describe the sound with some tracks. While trying to please everyone, some of those sounds get lost in the mix. It does not happen often, but it is there, usually in the mid-range sounds. It is hard to pick out exactly where the sounds should be coming from by this standard. That said, I have a hard time at a live Symphonic concert. It is just too much for my high-sensitive ears to take in…I still enjoy it, just have a hard time processing the sound. The P275 tries really hard here, but does fall short.
Isolation:
As mentioned above, incoming noise is more prevalent than outgoing. I really don’t consider this a bad thing, and it is not overly intrusive. A good mix of knowledge of your surroundings is how I would classify this. It is good to know what sounds are around you in some situations, and if you want a more isolated pair of phones, then you might consider full cans, or different tips. Outgoing noise is minimal. Unless you have the IEM’s running at near full throttle, your guests will be hard pressed to hear them. Not a bad thing by any means.
Presentation:
The P275 provides a good decent full sound. Mixed results from complex music can be had. Usually though this is a result of the complexity and not the fault of the headphone. A good example of how the Edifier handles complex music is the very fast moving Comin to Me by Cody Canada and the Departed. A fast quick upbeat song with heavy guitar licks can hide the good vocals, making them complicated and lost. The P’s make good sense of this song. Not lost are the vocals. Another example where the P’s do well is Dave Matthews overpowering Don’t Drink the Water. The live version is very complicated and just LOUD. It takes a pretty good headphone to keep track of all of the variant instruments/sounds/vocals going on and the P275 does a pretty good job. Again, a good reliable pick up truck.
Prominent plastic permeates, but well made
Comparisons:
P275 v VE Monks v Apple v Samsung v MEE M6 Pro
*Caveat: I did copy/paste some of my same observations from another review regarding the comparison headphones listed above. That said, the opinions of the Edifiers are new, and in comparison to those listed using the same songs for both. This is not a rehash.
The natural competitors to the Edifier’s are the supplied earbuds of Smartphones, along with the $5 VE Monk. I fell for the Monk train, and am quite smitten with them, even though I cannot get a good fit due to their size. I included the MEE M6 Pro as comparison for the next level up, pricewise.
Edifier P275 vs Samsung supplied:
The P275 is the clear winner here…but not by as much as I had hoped. While the supplied Samsung’s are a decent headphone (my daughter really likes hers which is ok with me, they are not nearly as complete a sound as the Edifier. Overly-bright is how I would describe the Samsung’s. That bright sound overshadows all other sound, to the point where almost all you hear is the highs. Soundstage is narrow, mids are non-existent, and bass is on the light side. Just a cheap throw-in for those that want immediate sound. The Samsung’s do not fit my ear well, either. The P’s on the otherhand provide a much fuller sound, better bass response, far better mids, and decent support treble as noted above. They fit, too. Kind of a big deal when purchasing IEM’s. Very comfortable for the long haul.
Edifier P275 vs Apple supplied:
Again, a pretty clear winner here. The only part where the Apple’s trump the Edifier is the deep bass, but at the cost of sound. As ovely bright as the Samsung treble was, that is how overbearing the bass is with the Apple’s. Where the Edifier manages to make the bass part of the overall sound, the Apple’s shout BASS, BASS, BASS to you, at the expense of everything else. An excellent example of this is the wonderful MTV Unplugged song Candy Everybody Wants by 10,000 Maniacs. What a great song. With the P275, you hear exactly what Natalie sings, and it is beautiful. Her voice rings true, complimented perfectly by the acoustic guitar. Using the Apple, her voice sounds like it is behind a line of tympanic bass…just a disservice to her and the group. To me, if they toned down the bass, this would not be that bad of a sound. But it is just too much to bear. Fit is short of the P’s as well, but much better than the Samsung’s.
Edifier P275 vs VE Monk
At 1/6 the price, the Monks really are a bargain, which should be experienced by all who would listen. My daughter really likes her pair, while my son and his girlfriend enjoy them, too. I really think that “gift-giving” should be on the business card, which is included with the Monks. You can read for yourself the excellent, LENGHTY thread dedicated to them on the Head-Fi website (http://www.head-fi.org/t/783669/venture-electronics-ve-monk-a-5-earbud-that-seriously-deserves-a-place-here).
Listening to Adele’s wonderfully sensuous He Won’t Go, I like both. The Edifier is more laid back, letting you take her voice in as it warms over you. The Monks do provide more detail, with Adele’s voice enveloping you more deeply. Listening to 10,000 Maniacs again, the Edifier provides a clearer sound, but at the expense of depth. The Monk is just a damn good warm sounding bargain. It is hard to explain the aural qualities they provide, but as I mentioned in another review; to debate the merits of a $5 bud against much more expensive competition is just a fantastic benefit to those of us who love music! Good Gawd, they are good! That said, the Edifier’s do not shy away from this fantastic alternative. They hold their own, like that fine dog of yours who has been your faithful companion through much. It tolerates the newcomer, but knows what you have been through and will be ok knowing its own benefits. Both are really good, and deserve a place in your cabinet.
Edifer P275 v MEElectronic M6 Pro
Not really a fair comparison, but a valid one to show at what level the Edifier might peak. Retailing for $50, the M6 Pro’s can be had for less in a scratch-n-dent sale. The MEE’s were my first foray back into the Head-fi world. I really, really liked them. The full-bodied sound, deep reaching bass, memory cables and excellent fit drew me in. I loved them. And I still do. These are truly a wonderful piece of equipment. The bass reach is fairly deep, and pretty thick. Mids are not too far forward but always present, soundstage is impressive along with excellent instrument separation. The one caveat that holds me back from saying they are a true masterpiece (to me) is their sibilance. Even with Comply’s, they can be quite sibilant on some songs. Turn the volume up too high, and this becomes a problem. Running them sans EQ helps, and I am still quite happy. On my go-to song by Coldplay they are full, fun, wide, and deep. The Edifier’s cannot reach that level. They sound thin, veiled and not as deep by comparison. That I am comparing them to something, which can cost twice their amount is not really a fair comparison. But I think a valid one because in today’s market any headphone manufacturer tries to aim higher than their price point with their products. MEE has done that with the M6 Pro’s. They can hold their own with IEM’s costing twice their price. The P275’s fall short of that, but do give a valiant effort. Quite laudable in my book.
Sound ratings:
Samsung supplied: 6/10-too much treble brings this down significantly, poor fitting
Apple supplied: 6.5/10—BASS, BASS, BASS brings this down, with better fit
VE Monk: 8/10-$5…FIVE FRIGGIN’ DOLLARS!!! And sound of IEM’s costing 10x their price, hard fit for small ears
Edifier P275: 8/10- Good value, full sound, excellent fit, fairly wide soundstage
MEE Audio M6 Pro’s: 8.75/10-plays well above their weight, deep rich bass, VERY wide soundstage, two cables
Conclusion:
To finish, I would like to propose a question or two (3): What audience is Edifier looking for with this particular IEM? Does their product overlap hinder this quest? Lastly, Would I replace my stock phones with these?
This is my own opinion, and only my own. Coming into this review, I had no prediction about how these would sound, nor any history with the product line. My only experience was reading through the Head-Fi threads AFTER I was chosen. I think this allowed me to explore the line without prejudice. Honestly, some on Head-Fi have prior convictions and predictions regarding a line. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as it does not temper your judgment. I am also happy to report, the vast majority of the time it does not. This relates to my first question, the audience…Edifier is trying to promote their product as a valid option when looking for that first upgrade from the stock Smartphone headphones. Of course so are a hundred other companies. Where I think Edifier is trying to succeed is with the sheer number of options.
Reading through their website while I awaited arrival (again, two SHORT days!), I was almost stupefied to see the number presented. From the highly acclaimed H/P185 to close-cans such as the H850 they cover the market pretty well from what some would say is a cheap price to mid-entry into the phone market. Overall they are so varied, that almost everyone should be able to find something. So the audience Edifier will look for with the P275 would be an active-based crowd. Someone looking for a decently priced alternative to the mainstream product with which they may be overwhelmed. Someone who may not treat their product very nicely, and shove the P’s into their pocket. The ability to quickly plug and play cannot be underestimated with today’s kids, and adults who just want to listen. They fit my “hard to fit” phone case, which is very good.
Does their product overlap hinder any of their buds? I do not think so. Because of the variety, which Edifier sells, I think this would actually draw more people to them. Word of mouth is a good thing for any company, but having a good variety might be an even bigger sell. Knowing that you can provide for pretty much any taste is something, which is a good thing. The P275 is different enough from the H185/P185 to draw different crowds. One is an IEM (P275) and the other an earbud (H/P185) which should peak more interest.
Finally would I replace my stock buds with the P275? Absolutely. There are definitely more positives than negatives to the P275’s. They are an economical IEM, which can boast decent soundstage, good musical separation, good bass, very good mids and highs, which do not overwhelm the taste buds. A good fitting IEM it is, right from the start to boot. The P275 is a thoroughly enjoyable product, which is also quite sturdy of build. What is not to like about a product that can be treated like an old well used pick up truck and not complain?
I want to thank Thomas and Edifier for this tremendous opportunity to review their product. It was an honor to spend the last month listening to their fine product in the P275, and I look forward to the possibility of working with them again in the future. Thank you!
Introduction:
It is through this route, that I was lucky enough to be chosen to review one of Edifier’s products, the P275 IEM. When I entered into the “contest,” I specified that I would review whatever product might be lacking in review numbers. I was then pleasantly surprised when Thomas, the Edifier contact told me I would be reviewing the P275. He quickly sent a coupon “voucher” for the purchase through Amazon Prime. Less than two days later, I had the product in hand and took the initial shots. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and consider it a true benefit from companies such as Edifier that they are willing to put their products out there for honest approval/disapproval through our reviews. Wonderful of them to do this, it is. While I waited, I did as much research as I could on the P275, trying to find out the history of not only the company, but the new line of headphones, as I was pretty much unfamiliar with the company and new line.
Edifier is promoting new models within existing lines, such as the H & P185, angled earphones to the P180’s promoted for “active people.” In the ever-increasing affordable earbud market, Edifier is taking an aggressive approach, by providing multiple options at various price points. A laudable enterprise.
As luck would have it, I was able to experience the P275’s exclusively for a weekend as another pair for review were delayed in shipping (through no fault of the company, it was my error). Learning from the wonderful reviews of @B9Scrambler, @ Brooko, and others, I am trying to focus more on differences in the individual areas, such as the bass/mids/highs while also developing my own “flavor” for understanding how the headphones in question sound alone. It is very important to develop that opinion first I believe. How a headphone stands alone should be the first enterprise undertaken. Valid comparisons, then naturally flow from that permutation of experience. This is the first headphone where I am trying this technique. I hope it is successful.
I am no sound expert. I am in the process of purchasing dedicated sound testing equipment to use in my reviews, but at this time, only have an SPL meter with-which to use. I like good music, and appreciate excellent products as well as excellent valued products, such as the Fiio’s EM-3’s or VE’s Monks. I would place the P275’s slightly above that entry-level category, since they are price at $35.99 ($27.50/Amazon). Still reasonable, but a definite step up in cost from the aforementioned buds. The P275’s are also IEM’s, so a valid comparison would include similarly priced IEM’s. As such, the included Apple and Samsung IEM’s along with my personal pair of MEElectronic (now MEE Audio) M6 Pro’s will be included.
Disclaimer:
I have no affiliation with Edifier, other than the contact I have had with Thomas, the Edifier Rep who quickly and professionally passed along the necessary information with which to “purchase” this pair. In return, a fair, honest review will be provided. They expect nothing less, and neither do I.
Biography:
I lost my Klipsch s4ii's....I was despondent. I had no good headphones as a result. Through a search of the Internet, I was led to Head-Fi, and my "reentry" into the personal-portable music world began. Through much reading and research, I was led first to the MEElectronic (now MEE Audio) m6 Pro's. I followed those with the excellent Dunu Titan 1's (excellent fresh sound). I then jumped on the VE Monk train (excellent little wonders they are!), followed by the intriguing RHA ma750's (which up until my review of the MEE Audio Pinnacle P1’s were my favorites, and are still quite good). The next step in my re-education has been to try and receive review pairs. A logical next step, and one which I will continue to pursue, even if it means I purchase for myself, then review. It should not be all gifts, but purchases to me. After conversations with Thomas, the purchase and delivery was painless and very fast.
My listening style varies from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Los Lonely Boys, to Lyle Lovett, to Dave Matthews, to Bob Marley to Magic Slim & the Teardrops, to Coldplay, to Adele, and everything in between. As a result of too much loud rock and roll as a kid with $ and a car stereo of envy I now have hearing loss, mostly in the upper end. Anything sibilant or overly bright can and does bother me. That said, I am also a Wildlife Biologist/Earth Science teacher who studied songbirds in a different life...This allows me the ability to pick out a sound which should not be in that environment or is new to that environment...such as hearing a songbird on our surveys which had not been heard yet on our routes. I prided myself in that ability to pick out the sounds of what was not there upon our initial arrival. I like to think that this will help with my reviews, but I cannot guarantee it. I am post 50, but love good music and good sound quality. All opinions are mine and mine alone. I may reference others fine reviews, but only to draw a point of comparison. I do not own any sound testing equipment, nor am I a Sound Engineer. I am simply going off of my own interpretations and listening’s. I do love going over the analytics of graphs and tone diagrams, but my own seat-of-the-pants interpretations are what I have. Future reviews will have that information, as I purchase more sound equipment. YMMV.
Review:
Packaging:
Simple clear packaging allows you to see the P’s in full view. Highlighted are the buds along with the inline microphone/remote. The green color enhances visual appeal while not overshadowing the enclosed product. A nice touch.
Opening the package the purchaser is presented with more plastic, a protective “tub” if you will which hold not only the IEM’s, but all of the included accessories (shirt clip, three sets of silicon ear tips S/M/L, and an accessory cable). Touted for active use with Smartphone devices, the additional cable allows one to use that inline so other brands of Smartphone may be used such as Samsung, Nokia, or LG. Without the additional cable, iPhones work just fine. The one touch button controls start/pause with a single touch. Double touch will forward to the next track, while triple-tap will restart the song, or go to the previous song. Answering a call is as simple as one touch.
Straight forward packaging...Green looks good
10mm driver highlights to P275
Side view shows accessories
Additional adaptor allows non-iPhones to use inline Mic
Enclosed plastic packaging cradles all included
Technical Specs:
Nothing earth-shattering here, but solid price-point specifications with-which to work. Low impedence and a fairly low SPL mean they are easy to drive. Not as easy as some, but any Smartphone can easily drive them. A 9mm driver is used, keeping the whole unit on the small size, which would aid in fitting smaller ears.
- P275
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz～20kHz
- IMPEDANCE: 24Ω
- SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL: 98dB
- CABLE LENGTH: 1.3m
- WEIGHT: 0.02KG
- CONNECTOR: 3.5mm
- DRIVER UNIT DIAMETER: 9mm
Commentary:
Design:
I like the shape and feel of the 275’s. A nice near-right-angle design allows the bud to be grasped quickly and without fear of breaking, or accidently grabbing the cord. This would be a good IEM for your kids, who usually drag their buds/IEM’s out of their ears by the cord. Full plastic lends an economy look and feel to the IEM, but this is not bad. Plastic forming allows the cost to be held down, which can lead to focusing on other more important items such as the drivers. The in-ear fit of the IEM’s does stick out more than others I have experienced, but not enough to be a bother. A thoroughly pleasing shape, no qualms from me.
Slightly less than 90 degree ear bud aids in fit
Build:
As stated, the Edifier’s are full molded plastic. No cable reliefs are present at the end of the IEM, but none are needed with the flat cable. A small relief is present where the cable comes out of the small straight jack. Sufficient, and not overly built. A nicety is that the jack can fit through my iPhone 6+ XDoria Defense case. This is the standard with which I judge jacks…can the jack fit through the provided hole of my case without the addition of and adapter. The P275’s can. Even though the jack is straight, it does not pose a problem when handling your devices. A cable cinch is included, and I find myself relying more on these than some would think. A well thought out cinch can help keep the IEM-in-question in your ear, and placed well. The Edifier cinch is top notch, and stays where it needs to be. The cable holder at the Y-splitter is a definite plus. Made of thick plastic it protects the cable, as it should. This seems to be a high traffic area from my experience, and the thick nature of this is appreciated. And to alleviate potential fears, the thick nature follows the flat cable…thick in the right direction, so it still keeps a low profile to prevent snagging. A nice touch, it is. The flat cable is near tangle free, and open up nicely upon removal from whatever you keep them in, as no case/pouch is included.
Slightly less than 90 degrees allows for a good fi bend
From my limited experience, flat cables work well to keep the cable out of trouble, but suffer more from Microphonics. The Edifier, is no different, and does suffer from some. Not bad, and many higher priced IEM’s suffer much worse. An “issue” I had initially was that using the included silicon tips, the P275 felt as though it were falling out of my ear when I moved. Several times, I would reach my hand up to check and insure the fit was still good, and the IEM was not falling out. It wasn’t, but I did change to the larger tip, and have not experienced this since. Kind of weird, actually but it did feel like the unit was falling out.
I have recently noticed that the “Edifier” logo and R/L markings on the IEM’s themselves are wearing off after about one months use. They were darker to start with than the ones pictured on the website to begin with, too. No big deal, as the “left” IEM also has the inline mic and a plastic raised “line” on it for reference. I have never really liked it when companies shout their logos at you, to be honest, so this really isn’t big to me.
Logo is subtle, but there
Features:
I have come to expect a range of included accessories, due to the range of buds/IEM’s I am lucky enough to own. I would put the Edifier’s on the “light” side of included accessories. Three sets of tips, the shirt clip, and the accessory cable are all that is included. Upon closer thinking, this really is sufficient. On many of my more expensive headphones, there is a plethora of included tips. Nice don’t get me wrong; but once I settle on a tip, I don’t change, period. So in essence, the other tips sit and argue with themselves in the case, slowly drying out. In this regard, Edifier is spot on. You get three choices deal with it. I am happy to say that this is the first pair of IEM’s I use with silicon tips exclusively. On all of my others use Comply’s. It is kind of refreshing to just insert the P’s and go. No tip rolling, or finagling needed. True plug and play, which is what most want in this range (big assumption I know); the ability to plug in the phone and listen. I know my kids like that, even though they appreciate good music.
Accessories with nice gold-plated jack
Use:
Meant for the active wearer, the plastic and flat cable lend themselves to activities such as aerobics, walking, and other general heavy movement “sports.” That said, the P275’2 are just as happy being worn at home while doing chores or other such activities. I did notice when I used the P275’s on my riding lawnmower, I had to turn the volume up to almost full to hear them. I’m not sure if my music source was awry that day, as I have no problem driving them in other situations, but an amp might not be a bad idea for a loud activity. It was certainly acceptable, but not overly loud. Isolation is good with the silicon tips. Outside noise can still be heard, but outgoing sound is heard less than the incoming sound. They are well isolated, and can be used on commutes without worry, but just know that with what has been stated, incoming noise may leak in and a higher volume may be needed. I would still recommend these for commuting, but just be aware.
The Sound:
Sources/Music:
Songs used for testing, but not all-inclusive were the following:
Every Street-Dire Straits
Adventure of a Lifetime-Coldplay
Set Fire to the Rain-Adele
When We Were Young-Adele
Hello-Adele
Lazarus-David Bowie
Heaven-Los Lonely Boys
Diamonds-Los Lonely Boys
Oya Machita-6+:Los Lonely Boys-P275-open, fairly narrow soundstage, very frontal. Like a small intimate party, with close friends. Drums frontal, bass as support. Vocals-Right in front of stage. Monks-deeper sound. Like playing in an acoustic garage...great party atmosphere, vocal & guitar VERY frontal, bass supporting. Not as nice of a separation, mixed jumble, bass guitar plays a more prominent role while drums move to support, not as pleasant,
Don't drink the Water-Dave Matthews-
Cold Shot-SRV
The Scientist-Coldplay
Clocks-Coldplay
Dragonfly-Ziggy
Redemption Song-Bob
Penguins-Lyle Lovett
Bears-Lyle Lovett-6+:Monks: deeper, veiled instruments esp drums , Lyle has his arm around us as he sings in a box...a nice one, but still a box; mids slightly hidden, more bass esp when inserted, fuller sound vs p275. P275: more open, thin, Lyle's vocals are very intimate-but flowing-open, mid-lows not as powerful. Light/airy sound. Highs slightly piercing.
African Bamba-Santana
Magic Slim
10,000 Maniacs
Eurythmics.
Sources used were an iPhone 6+ mainly, sometimes in conjunction with a Fiio E6 amp, along with the Fiio X3ii + A3 amp. After my initial listen, I hooked up several pair to a splitter for equal burn in time (I will not debate burn in, but subscribe to it just because it evens out the process) of music and pink noise (24 hours of each).
Initial:
Upon opening the box, my initial impression of the P275’s that they were a good solid sound with “tinny” mids. I could hear all high/mid/bass distinctly, but the tin sound from the mids was disconcerting. A decent soundstage was my initial impression, too. Not overly wide, not overtly narrow, just about right for the price range. On tracks such as Lazarus, by David Bowie the haunting sound of the sax was right where it needed to be, sneaking up from behind, and filling in the sound completely. Mids were slightly veiled, like thru a sheet. Still forward, in presence, but not bothersome. Vocals were intimate and good instrument separation is there. The cymbals did sound tinny, along with the snare, but man that sax…I am happy to report that the P275 opened up nicely after about 10 hours. Re-listening to Lazarus I can confirm that the tin sound is gone. Cymbal clash and snare are still prevalent, but that is what the song sings…a solid support from the percussion, led by the voice and sax. David Bowie’s voice coming through in full throat. Full listening did not occur again until after the 48 hours of burn in. After 15 hours, the sound was open and free. No more tin sound in the mids. I did change to the large silicon for a better seal, so I cannot guarantee that this was not the “cause” of the change. Much better bass as a result, fuller, slightly deeper bass was had with the large tips. This is also the first set of earphones with which I have been happy using silicons exclusively. As stated, once I settle on tips, I don’t change.
Flat cable prevents tangling
Overall:
This is an impressive sound for less than $30. Full, inviting sound. Nothing overpowering, all sounds sharing the “spotlight” almost equally. This is a pretty neutral IEM, with only the upper mids pushed out front. And that is only on certain tracks such as Adele’s wonderful Set Fire to the Rain. Her vocals are worth the price of admission, in my mind. Lower than other female voices, sultry when needed, rough and bar-ready when called upon. The P275’s represent her voice admirably. It is not hard to imagine that this IEM could cost more, maybe in the $50 range without knowing the price. I would not place it higher than that though. But with that said, this is not supposed to be an IEM that knocks off $200+ IEM’s. It is meant for using in rough situations…active situations. Situations where you are not afraid to possibly expose them to the elements (not waterproof but a small amount won’t ruin them…of this I know!). I liken these to a well-used pick up truck. It may not look the best, but functionally, it fits your purpose more often than not. A nice overall presentation you should not be ashamed of being seen in.
Bass:
Bass is there, as evidenced in Adele’s He Won’t Go but it is not all that deep. Solid, purposeful is what I would call this. It’s there when you need it, just not as deep as I would like. Lower piano notes come through nicely…they are present, just not deep and forceful. Listening to Big Head Todd & the Monster’s Julianna those discrepancies in bass come through. As the bass tries to shine through, they get muddied with the mids, almost hiding the support percussion, and bass guitar. Luckily, this does not happen often. Deep bass such as bass guitar are present, but sometimes you want that bass to take the forefront more often. Songs such as Where The Streets Have No Name by U2, allow the bass to come through nicely. Too often, this song through more bass heavy phones can middle (not muddy) the sound making it almost not listenable. Luckily with the P275, this is not the case. Bass is there as support to allow Edge’s excellent guitar work to compliment Bono’s voice. It works.
Mids:
On that same U2 song, the upper-mids are pushed to far to the front though for me. This takes the benefits of what the bass provide and hide it behind those mids. A shame really. Please don’t take this criticism as constant badgering of the Edifier’s. That is not my intent. I am trying to point out the limitations as much as the positives so that you can decide based upon what type of music you listen to…That same forward mid which hinders the U2 song, simply blossoms on the above mentioned Adele songs. Her voice should be at the front, and it is. That said this is not a mid-forward headphone. While they are slightly forward, it is to the benefit of vocal songs such as those mentioned above by Bowie & Adele. Coldplay’s playful Adventure of a Lifetime (one of my favorite test tracks because of the excellent variety within the song) is an excellent example of what is RIGHT about the Edifier’s…the lead & bass guitar set the tone and Chris Martin’s absolutely dominant voice shines through. Bass is solid, mids excellent, voice is right, and highs support purposefully. Just fantastic.
Treble:
Highs are not piercing. They are also not very dominant. I am not sure why, either. My limited experience is that when silicon tips are used, treble usually benefits or are highlighted more…This is my first pair where this does not happen. I don’t mind at all, what with my sensitivity to the treble notes. I would classify the treble as the support trailer you tow behind your pick up truck. You need it to carry the mower from job to job, but it can easily be left at home, when you don’t need it. Neither intrusive nor extrusive, the treble is the most laid back of the three. I do wish there was a bit more, and think that the “veiled” sound I mentioned above covers what could be pretty decent highs. Covering of those highs can lead to a congested sound of instrumentation. In the Coldplay song mentioned, the highs definitely take a back seat to Martin’s vocals. Support is where they stand. An example of where the treble shines is on the same Coldplay album, the Beyonce dueted Hymn for the Weekend. An excellent overall song, with solid deep bass, her small vocal parts shine through in good separation of treble notes. The vocals of that song highlight the good parts of the Edifier treble. Quite pleasant. The deep bass drum and bass guitar play behind nicely in support. I would classify the trebles as not tiring as a good descriptor.
Soundstage/Separation:
Neither too big, nor too small, the P’s are about right. I would like a broader stage to listen to, but I think that the pair was designed to be fairly intimate to the user. If that is the case, then they hit the spot nicely. This would classify as being in a small bar listening to a live show. Certainly a wonderful place to be, but with the added noise of the crowd. You know you are in a bar, but that is the appeal, sharing the show with 200 of your closest friends, as opposed to 20,000. This intimacy hinders instrument separation. Congested is how I would describe the sound with some tracks. While trying to please everyone, some of those sounds get lost in the mix. It does not happen often, but it is there, usually in the mid-range sounds. It is hard to pick out exactly where the sounds should be coming from by this standard. That said, I have a hard time at a live Symphonic concert. It is just too much for my high-sensitive ears to take in…I still enjoy it, just have a hard time processing the sound. The P275 tries really hard here, but does fall short.
Isolation:
As mentioned above, incoming noise is more prevalent than outgoing. I really don’t consider this a bad thing, and it is not overly intrusive. A good mix of knowledge of your surroundings is how I would classify this. It is good to know what sounds are around you in some situations, and if you want a more isolated pair of phones, then you might consider full cans, or different tips. Outgoing noise is minimal. Unless you have the IEM’s running at near full throttle, your guests will be hard pressed to hear them. Not a bad thing by any means.
Presentation:
The P275 provides a good decent full sound. Mixed results from complex music can be had. Usually though this is a result of the complexity and not the fault of the headphone. A good example of how the Edifier handles complex music is the very fast moving Comin to Me by Cody Canada and the Departed. A fast quick upbeat song with heavy guitar licks can hide the good vocals, making them complicated and lost. The P’s make good sense of this song. Not lost are the vocals. Another example where the P’s do well is Dave Matthews overpowering Don’t Drink the Water. The live version is very complicated and just LOUD. It takes a pretty good headphone to keep track of all of the variant instruments/sounds/vocals going on and the P275 does a pretty good job. Again, a good reliable pick up truck.
Prominent plastic permeates, but well made
Comparisons:
P275 v VE Monks v Apple v Samsung v MEE M6 Pro
*Caveat: I did copy/paste some of my same observations from another review regarding the comparison headphones listed above. That said, the opinions of the Edifiers are new, and in comparison to those listed using the same songs for both. This is not a rehash.
The natural competitors to the Edifier’s are the supplied earbuds of Smartphones, along with the $5 VE Monk. I fell for the Monk train, and am quite smitten with them, even though I cannot get a good fit due to their size. I included the MEE M6 Pro as comparison for the next level up, pricewise.
Edifier P275 vs Samsung supplied:
The P275 is the clear winner here…but not by as much as I had hoped. While the supplied Samsung’s are a decent headphone (my daughter really likes hers which is ok with me, they are not nearly as complete a sound as the Edifier. Overly-bright is how I would describe the Samsung’s. That bright sound overshadows all other sound, to the point where almost all you hear is the highs. Soundstage is narrow, mids are non-existent, and bass is on the light side. Just a cheap throw-in for those that want immediate sound. The Samsung’s do not fit my ear well, either. The P’s on the otherhand provide a much fuller sound, better bass response, far better mids, and decent support treble as noted above. They fit, too. Kind of a big deal when purchasing IEM’s. Very comfortable for the long haul.
Edifier P275 vs Apple supplied:
Again, a pretty clear winner here. The only part where the Apple’s trump the Edifier is the deep bass, but at the cost of sound. As ovely bright as the Samsung treble was, that is how overbearing the bass is with the Apple’s. Where the Edifier manages to make the bass part of the overall sound, the Apple’s shout BASS, BASS, BASS to you, at the expense of everything else. An excellent example of this is the wonderful MTV Unplugged song Candy Everybody Wants by 10,000 Maniacs. What a great song. With the P275, you hear exactly what Natalie sings, and it is beautiful. Her voice rings true, complimented perfectly by the acoustic guitar. Using the Apple, her voice sounds like it is behind a line of tympanic bass…just a disservice to her and the group. To me, if they toned down the bass, this would not be that bad of a sound. But it is just too much to bear. Fit is short of the P’s as well, but much better than the Samsung’s.
Edifier P275 vs VE Monk
At 1/6 the price, the Monks really are a bargain, which should be experienced by all who would listen. My daughter really likes her pair, while my son and his girlfriend enjoy them, too. I really think that “gift-giving” should be on the business card, which is included with the Monks. You can read for yourself the excellent, LENGHTY thread dedicated to them on the Head-Fi website (http://www.head-fi.org/t/783669/venture-electronics-ve-monk-a-5-earbud-that-seriously-deserves-a-place-here).
Listening to Adele’s wonderfully sensuous He Won’t Go, I like both. The Edifier is more laid back, letting you take her voice in as it warms over you. The Monks do provide more detail, with Adele’s voice enveloping you more deeply. Listening to 10,000 Maniacs again, the Edifier provides a clearer sound, but at the expense of depth. The Monk is just a damn good warm sounding bargain. It is hard to explain the aural qualities they provide, but as I mentioned in another review; to debate the merits of a $5 bud against much more expensive competition is just a fantastic benefit to those of us who love music! Good Gawd, they are good! That said, the Edifier’s do not shy away from this fantastic alternative. They hold their own, like that fine dog of yours who has been your faithful companion through much. It tolerates the newcomer, but knows what you have been through and will be ok knowing its own benefits. Both are really good, and deserve a place in your cabinet.
Edifer P275 v MEElectronic M6 Pro
Not really a fair comparison, but a valid one to show at what level the Edifier might peak. Retailing for $50, the M6 Pro’s can be had for less in a scratch-n-dent sale. The MEE’s were my first foray back into the Head-fi world. I really, really liked them. The full-bodied sound, deep reaching bass, memory cables and excellent fit drew me in. I loved them. And I still do. These are truly a wonderful piece of equipment. The bass reach is fairly deep, and pretty thick. Mids are not too far forward but always present, soundstage is impressive along with excellent instrument separation. The one caveat that holds me back from saying they are a true masterpiece (to me) is their sibilance. Even with Comply’s, they can be quite sibilant on some songs. Turn the volume up too high, and this becomes a problem. Running them sans EQ helps, and I am still quite happy. On my go-to song by Coldplay they are full, fun, wide, and deep. The Edifier’s cannot reach that level. They sound thin, veiled and not as deep by comparison. That I am comparing them to something, which can cost twice their amount is not really a fair comparison. But I think a valid one because in today’s market any headphone manufacturer tries to aim higher than their price point with their products. MEE has done that with the M6 Pro’s. They can hold their own with IEM’s costing twice their price. The P275’s fall short of that, but do give a valiant effort. Quite laudable in my book.
Sound ratings:
Samsung supplied: 6/10-too much treble brings this down significantly, poor fitting
Apple supplied: 6.5/10—BASS, BASS, BASS brings this down, with better fit
VE Monk: 8/10-$5…FIVE FRIGGIN’ DOLLARS!!! And sound of IEM’s costing 10x their price, hard fit for small ears
Edifier P275: 8/10- Good value, full sound, excellent fit, fairly wide soundstage
MEE Audio M6 Pro’s: 8.75/10-plays well above their weight, deep rich bass, VERY wide soundstage, two cables
Conclusion:
To finish, I would like to propose a question or two (3): What audience is Edifier looking for with this particular IEM? Does their product overlap hinder this quest? Lastly, Would I replace my stock phones with these?
This is my own opinion, and only my own. Coming into this review, I had no prediction about how these would sound, nor any history with the product line. My only experience was reading through the Head-Fi threads AFTER I was chosen. I think this allowed me to explore the line without prejudice. Honestly, some on Head-Fi have prior convictions and predictions regarding a line. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as it does not temper your judgment. I am also happy to report, the vast majority of the time it does not. This relates to my first question, the audience…Edifier is trying to promote their product as a valid option when looking for that first upgrade from the stock Smartphone headphones. Of course so are a hundred other companies. Where I think Edifier is trying to succeed is with the sheer number of options.
Reading through their website while I awaited arrival (again, two SHORT days!), I was almost stupefied to see the number presented. From the highly acclaimed H/P185 to close-cans such as the H850 they cover the market pretty well from what some would say is a cheap price to mid-entry into the phone market. Overall they are so varied, that almost everyone should be able to find something. So the audience Edifier will look for with the P275 would be an active-based crowd. Someone looking for a decently priced alternative to the mainstream product with which they may be overwhelmed. Someone who may not treat their product very nicely, and shove the P’s into their pocket. The ability to quickly plug and play cannot be underestimated with today’s kids, and adults who just want to listen. They fit my “hard to fit” phone case, which is very good.
Does their product overlap hinder any of their buds? I do not think so. Because of the variety, which Edifier sells, I think this would actually draw more people to them. Word of mouth is a good thing for any company, but having a good variety might be an even bigger sell. Knowing that you can provide for pretty much any taste is something, which is a good thing. The P275 is different enough from the H185/P185 to draw different crowds. One is an IEM (P275) and the other an earbud (H/P185) which should peak more interest.
Finally would I replace my stock buds with the P275? Absolutely. There are definitely more positives than negatives to the P275’s. They are an economical IEM, which can boast decent soundstage, good musical separation, good bass, very good mids and highs, which do not overwhelm the taste buds. A good fitting IEM it is, right from the start to boot. The P275 is a thoroughly enjoyable product, which is also quite sturdy of build. What is not to like about a product that can be treated like an old well used pick up truck and not complain?
I want to thank Thomas and Edifier for this tremendous opportunity to review their product. It was an honor to spend the last month listening to their fine product in the P275, and I look forward to the possibility of working with them again in the future. Thank you!
