[JAnonymous5150]

There's been a few people posting to this thread about how they have small ears, that they have a hard time fitting IEMs, can't stand over ear headphones and they want to go with earbuds but also have problems with fitting buds as well.

Maybe this is a solution? I was browsing the Walkman blog and this was posted: Sony Off-Ear headphones, WI-OE600. True wireless Off-Ear headphones. According to the Walkman blog, the crowdfunding at indiegogo was a big success and maybe Sony will release them for sale as well?

Here's a couple pictures.

I used to own a pair of MySphere 3 ear speakers that are a similar idea with a full size headphone kinda design and never could get used to it.

Edit: I would give it another shot in something like this I suppose.

 

[mt877]

I used to own a pair of MySphere 3 ear speakers that are a similar idea with a full size headphone kinda design and never could get used to it.

Edit: I would give it another shot in something like this I suppose.

Yeah, was just a thought to help those folks that are struggling to fit IEMs, fit buds and hate over-ears. They want the intimacy of music in their ears, but are struggling to find a way to do it. These may never even be released for sale, so it's all speculation at this point. From the blog, it was mentioned that Sony is shipping to people that did the crowdfunding though.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Yeah, was just a thought to help those folks that are struggling to fit IEMs, fit buds and hate over-ears. They want the intimacy of music in their ears, but are struggling to find a way to do it. These may never even be released for sale, so it's all speculation at this point. From the blog, it was mentioned that Sony is shipping to people that did the crowdfunding though.

I commend Sony for putting out something different and I'd actually like to hear what they came up with. It's not a bad idea at all. I mean the AKG K1000s are where the ear speaker design for MySphere started and I still think the K1000s are probably the single best classical music specialist headphone I have ever heard. Point being, the design/idea, if implemented properly, can be quite good. Seeing as how it's Sony behind these, I'm not gonna write them off until I try them or they get released in big enough numbers that some kind of consensus can be reached if I don't.

Good find! I like seeing interesting/different stuff like this.

 

[tendou]

The Monk Lite is a terrible sounding earbud for music IME. No low end, shouty mids, and grainy uneven treble. It sounds exactly like what audiophiles describe the sound of terrible gas station earbuds as when they're explaining to people why earbuds should be ignored completely. If everybody that was curious what earbuds sounded like was given a pair of Monk Lite to try, there would be very few new earbuds users.

That said, for speach based listening like podcasts, Netflixz, and such they'd probably be fine. And, believe it or not, I have read a few reviews of people who enjoy them for music which is one of the things I remind myself of when I need an example of just how didferently individuals can hear.

Thanks! Yeah. There are people that really loves them better than other earbuds though they mostly preferrred IEM. Mostly in earbuds community like here people don't really like monk lites.

 

[samandhi]

Yeah, was just a thought to help those folks that are struggling to fit IEMs, fit buds and hate over-ears. They want the intimacy of music in their ears, but are struggling to find a way to do it. These may never even be released for sale, so it's all speculation at this point. From the blog, it was mentioned that Sony is shipping to people that did the crowdfunding though.

I sort of like the idea, because the only other alternative would be bone conduction, but they have not matured in their sound enough to be satisfactory IMO.

I commend Sony for putting out something different and I'd actually like to hear what they came up with. It's not a bad idea at all. I mean the AKG K1000s are where the ear speaker design for MySphere started and I still think the K1000s are probably the single best classical music specialist headphone I have ever heard. Point being, the design/idea, if implemented properly, can be quite good. Seeing as how it's Sony behind these, I'm not gonna write them off until I try them or they get released in big enough numbers that some kind of consensus can be reached if I don't.

Good find! I like seeing interesting/different stuff like this.

They have been on a roll for the last couple of years. I have their Sony Linkbuds, which are actual flathead buds (with a hole in the middle) attached to BT TWS modules. They are actually really good, and I am very glad I decided to get them (though I didn't need them at all. I just saw that there were some actual earbuds (not what they all are calling earbuds) that were wireless.

 

[samandhi]

Thanks! Yeah. There are people that really loves them better than other earbuds though they mostly preferrred IEM. Mostly in earbuds community like here people don't really like monk lites.

I have never tried them mostly BECAUSE I have not really heard anyone say too many good things about them. Besides, if I want just an OK to a little above average sound, I still have my old (3rd gen) Apple earbuds (from days gone by). They came with my old iPod Photo.

 

[fooltoque]

I sort of like the idea, because the only other alternative would be bone conduction, but they have not matured in their sound enough to be satisfactory IMO.

They have been on a roll for the last couple of years. I have their Sony Linkbuds, which are actual flathead buds (with a hole in the middle) attached to BT TWS modules. They are actually really good, and I am very glad I decided to get them (though I didn't need them at all. I just saw that there were some actual earbuds (not what they all are calling earbuds) that were wireless.

I also really appreciate how Sony has been innovating. I think there must be someone influential in the company with nonstandard ears. I worked for Sony for a year, and they seem to like to hire people with a manic drive to build things to suit their own taste. My seat mate was a genius and idol maniac who's only interest in joining Sony was to find solutions to mange his idol DVD collection (this was over 20 years ago). Sony just let him do whatever he wanted.

I also have the linkbuds, and I could never get them to fit in a way where the edge of the donut doesn't block my ear canal. If I hold them so that the donut hole points towards the ear canal, they sound pretty good for TWS. As it is, for me they are on the same level as airpod3s.
Sony also has this sort of design.

Spoiler

I've owned the neckband version of this, and I had troubles with connectivity and sound, but I like the idea.

If they keep going like they are, chances are good they will come up with something amazing. Maybe this new thing is it

 

[tendou]

I have never tried them mostly BECAUSE I have not really heard anyone say too many good things about them. Besides, if I want just an OK to a little above average sound, I still have my old (3rd gen) Apple earbuds (from days gone by). They came with my old iPod Photo.

The shell shape is so good for sleeping though

 

[samandhi]

I also really appreciate how Sony has been innovating. I think there must be someone influential in the company with nonstandard ears. I worked for Sony for a year, and they seem to like to hire people with a manic drive to build things to suit their own taste. My seat mate was a genius and idol maniac who's only interest in joining Sony was to find solutions to mange his idol DVD collection (this was over 20 years ago). Sony just let him do whatever he wanted.

I also have the linkbuds, and I could never get them to fit in a way where the edge of the donut doesn't block my ear canal. If I hold them so that the donut hole points towards the ear canal, they sound pretty good for TWS. As it is, for me they are on the same level as airpod3s.
Sony also has this sort of design.

Spoiler

I've owned the neckband version of this, and I had troubles with connectivity and sound, but I like the idea.

If they keep going like they are, chances are good they will come up with something amazing. Maybe this new thing is it

WOW! Those look totally different. I can see where the design for the Linkbuds came from. If they can manage to get the design right, I think they will be a hit. I am just glad that the Linkbuds don't have the signature Sony "house" sound (dark, boomy, etc...).

The shell shape is so good for sleeping though

I am a side sleeper, so normal buds don't really work for me. Though the Smabat ST10S B&B work well for that because they are over-ear.

 

[Ronion]

This Sony buds are genius really—as long as the don’t have a wonky tonal balance.

 

[samandhi]

This Sony buds are genius really—as long as the don’t have a wonky tonal balance.

For me they fit perfectly, so there is no wonky sounds going on to my ears. And I agree, they are pretty brilliant IMO also.

 

[fooltoque]

There's been a few people posting to this thread about how they have small ears, that they have a hard time fitting IEMs, can't stand over ear headphones and they want to go with earbuds but also have problems with fitting buds as well.

Maybe this is a solution? I was browsing the Walkman blog and this was posted: Sony Off-Ear headphones, WI-OE600. True wireless Off-Ear headphones. According to the Walkman blog, the crowdfunding at indiegogo was a big success and maybe Sony will release them for sale as well?

Here's a couple pictures.

They actually remind me a lot of the Bose Sport Open TWS, although these look like they do a better job of positioning the speakers. https://www.soundguys.com/bose-sport-open-earbuds-review-49702/

 

[mt877]

Thanks! Yeah. There are people that really loves them better than other earbuds though they mostly preferrred IEM. Mostly in earbuds community like here people don't really like monk lites.

Once you get a taste of what outstanding earbuds can sound like, you can't unhear that experience. I think that's what drives people here. Like most of head-fi, this is definitely an enthusiast's thread where people are looking out for buds with exceptional sound foremost. If there are bargain priced buds that perform very well, than that is all the better, but it's not unheard of for people to spend a few hundred dollars or more (or equivalent in other currencies) for some exceptional sounding buds as well. The other end of the spectrum is making your own (DIY) or buying buds from our established DIY maker / sellers that can exceed or get very close to performance of some of the top commercial buds. I don't have or have even listened to music with the VE Monk Lites, but I will say that VE created a "gateway" earbud that are probably acceptable to many people. I'm sure VE would love for every owner of Monk Lites to step up to their better tuned higher tier buds.

 

[prakasitp]

Thanks mate! Formula to make one here. It sounds quite decent and seems to jive with casual listeners.

The cable is Xinhs 8 core with interchangeable plug. It is having 85% discount, which is insane. Highly recommended. I'm going to get another one before the discount ends.

Very interesting cable! does it help to improved the sound in any area?

 

[o0genesis0o]

Very interesting cable! does it help to improved the sound in any area?

It helps you use balanced output from your portable gear, so perhaps the extra power can give hard-to-drive stuffs a bit extra kick. Other than that, I don’t think there is noticeable change. Handling of the cable is quite nice though.