JBL Reference 220 IEMs - initial impression with pics

[sexywexy]

Does it fit will in your ear?

 

[swt61]

Just thought I'd share something. I was out in my woodshop yesterday, and took my iPod and 220's with me. Normaly I just use a cheap radio out there because of the dust. So to keep the JBL's clean I put my "Pro Ears 33" ear protection earmuffs over the JBL's. Wow! Talk about isolation, I could just barely hear my table saw running right next to it. This could be a dangerous situation, so it won't be a habit, but I was in musical bliss! No negative effects SQ wise either.

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swt61 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just thought I'd share something. I was out in my woodshop yesterday, and took my iPod and 220's with me. Normaly I just use a cheap radio out there because of the dust. So to keep the JBL's clean I put my "Pro Ears 33" ear protection earmuffs over the JBL's. Wow! Talk about isolation, I could just barely hear my table saw running right next to it. This could be a dangerous situation, so it won't be a habit, but I was in musical bliss! No negative effects SQ wise either.

I would think that the most dangerous part of this is not the isolation, but the cord from the JBL's. How do you keep the dangling cord from getting caught in moving parts of power tools? I'm always nervous about using headphones around fast moving tools. I've been meaning to ask you about this ever since I saw the beautiful headphone stand you built for Fitz.

 

[Cooter]

If I'm doing anything active while wearing mine I wrap the cords up over and behind my ears and then run it under my shirt. It keeps it out of the way and eliminates microphonics. It works great.

 

[swt61]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would think that the most dangerous part of this is not the isolation, but the cord from the JBL's. How do you keep the dangling cord from getting caught in moving parts of power tools? I'm always nervous about using headphones around fast moving tools. I've been meaning to ask you about this ever since I saw the beautiful headphone stand you built for Fitz.

First thanks for the compliment.

I run the JBL wires over my ears and behind my neck, then I run them into the back of my shirt. Keeps the cord completely out of the way. But as I said normally I just use a cheap radio. The problem with that is that I'm very cautious with my hearing, so I have my earmuffs on most of the time I'm in the shop.

 

[steviebee]

Goddammit....doesn't anyone distribute/sell 220s in the UK?!

I'd buy online from the States, but I don't have credit/debit cards. Any Brits managed to get their hands on em by local means?

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swt61 /img/forum/go_quote.gif First thanks for the compliment. I run the JBL wires over my ears and behind my neck, then I run them into the back of my shirt. Keeps the cord completely out of the way. But as I said normally I just use a cheap radio. The problem with that is that I'm very cautious with my hearing, so I have my earmuffs on most of the time I'm in the shop.

I always use ear muffs when I'm using power tools too. I've just always been nervous about IEM cords so I've never listened to music. Down the back of the shirt sounds like a good idea that I will try tomorrow. I'm only going to be doing sanding tomorrow, but I'd like to try it out.

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steviebee /img/forum/go_quote.gif Goddammit....doesn't anyone distribute/sell 220s in the UK?! I'd buy online from the States, but I don't have credit/debit cards. Any Brits managed to get their hands on em by local means?

Do you have Apple Stores? I bought mine in the US at an Apple Store.

 

[warrior05]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swt61 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just thought I'd share something. I was out in my woodshop yesterday, and took my iPod and 220's with me. Normaly I just use a cheap radio out there because of the dust. So to keep the JBL's clean I put my "Pro Ears 33" ear protection earmuffs over the JBL's. Wow! Talk about isolation, I could just barely hear my table saw running right next to it. This could be a dangerous situation, so it won't be a habit, but I was in musical bliss! No negative effects SQ wise either.

So I have to ask: Did you build a stand for your Pro Ears?

 

[swt61]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrior05 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I have to ask: Did you build a stand for your Pro Ears?

You know I never even thought of that. Well Monday is blocked out now.

So give the dish warrior. Are you $500.00 - $600.00 lighter than this morning?

 

[steviebee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you have Apple Stores? I bought mine in the US at an Apple Store.

We do....I'll go check. Don't remember seeing JBLs in the last (hell, the only) Apple store I've been in...thanks, scompton!

 

[Marximus]

Anybody want white ones for $35?
http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-Reference-22...QQcmdZViewItem

 

[facelvega]

A little bump to this old thread to note something I've been experiencing lately with the JBLs. First the background: I won an auction at minimum bid when these first started showing up in Germany (at least when I first noticed them), and then chose to keep them over my OVC T25 (early production Vibe, another ebay impulse buy) for three reasons: they were a bit better extended at both ends than the vibes, though maybe not as pleasingly forward; they fit my ears better and had a less bulky cord; and my girlfriend wanted the OVC. And hey, number four, they match my mp3 player.

Anyway I've been enjoying them for awhile, really liking the just-a-little-isolation, but gradually getting annoyed that they sounded a bit... gutless. EQ boosting the mids helped, but only so much. But then on a whim I plugged them into the Go-Vibe V5 I use with a 24V external power supply in my office system. Holy moly, they sounded much better, but were picking up crazy noise from the wallwart. (it's only a switcher, not linear, but with high-impedance phones you can't tell) It finally made me grab a 9V battery and use my portable amp as portable again.

I was not a believer in amping in-ears until now, and even now A/B testing I feel like it's only a minor improvement. But listening for half an hour or so, I can tell that I'm enjoying the music more than I do when it's not amped, and actually don't need to turn them up as loud because the sound is fuller at a lower overall volume. It's annoying, though: just when I was getting ready to lay down some cash for a proper pair of IEMs, now I feel like maybe I need a better portable amp as well. So much for cheap solutions!

 

[swt61]

Yeah I feel that they sound much better through my Pint. They're not the last word in refinement, but in a noisy environment like my work, that would be wasted anyway. They're pretty nice for the money and have a fun sound sig.

 

[oicdn]

So...UM2 bass vs 220...well how about UM2 in general vs 220s???