atomic
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 24, 2005
- Posts
- 125
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- 10
Okay, so a couple weeks ago y'all helped me decide on some foldable closed headphones for use with an ipod (unamped) mainly for use on airplanes and at work, in a biochemistry lab with noisy equipment. So I ordered the K26P and the FC7 and I've had both for a couple days now, and here are my impressions:
Design/Comfort:
K26P: I'm not so sure about this. I like how they fold up so small but I don't really like the headband, it's two pieces of metal that slide back and forth across each other to make it shorter or longer. The headband "wants" to be small as possible so it slides back unless you hold it in position and put it on your head. There's two little pads that rest on your head and if you adjust the headband while on your head the little pads pull your hair and that is pretty annoying (my hair is pretty long, but my boyfriend has short hair and he found it annoying too). But once adjusted, they are pretty comfortable.
FC7: These are much cooler-looking than the k26p. I like the design better, the headband is just a single piece of plastic so it's easier with my hair, and I really like how it folds up into a ball. These are quite a bit bigger than the k26p, folded and unfolded. They're both supraaural but the fc7's cover more of the ear. Unfortunately, they aren't as comfortable as the k26p, they press on the outer edges of my ears and it kind of hurts after a while, whereas the k26p's press on the more sturdy parts of my ears.
Sound:
K26P: At first I was pretty disappointed, they sounded muddy and muffled compared to my KSC-35 (only other headphones I have), but I expected this, as they're closed. So I let them burn in overnight and took them to work.
I tried them on the bus and at work, and isolation was good, I could hear that people were talking but I couldn't hear what they were saying, and the bus/lab equipment noises were greatly reduced. I was impressed with how "big" they sound when they are such small headphones. These definitely sound better with hip-hop and electronic music, and not so good with classical - they are just kinda muddy sounding with orchestral instruments. There is quite a bit of bass, and it sounded really boomy at first, but it has calmed down a bit and overall, I think these guys sound good.
I listened to Radiohead's 'Kid A', Rolling Stones 'Hot Rocks', Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjuez' for classical guitar and The Books 'Thought for Food' and was impressed at the level of detail I could hear. Radiohead and the Books both use plenty of small electronic noises that I don't always notice on my crappy speakers at home (yep, i'm already deciding on my next purchase...
). Electric guitar was pretty enjoyable, but the Rodrigo just didn't sound quite right. But I'm sure any cheap closed headphones won't be able to handle acoustic instruments that well.
FC7: I think these are similar to but better than the k26p. At least classical music sounds better, it's less muddy sounding. These are, however, definitely less isolating than the k26p, which probably affects the clarity of sound. Listened to the same stuff, enjoyed everything. Detail and clarity were good with everything I listened to, I was really able to enjoy all of the different sounds and instruments used in the music.
Honestly, I think both of these are good for cheap closed portable headphones, but I'm going to keep the k26p just because of the comfort issues and the better isolation. I do think the fc7's sound better but the k26p's are good enough for now!
I'll probably post an ad to sell the FC7's in a couple days if anyone is interested...
Design/Comfort:
K26P: I'm not so sure about this. I like how they fold up so small but I don't really like the headband, it's two pieces of metal that slide back and forth across each other to make it shorter or longer. The headband "wants" to be small as possible so it slides back unless you hold it in position and put it on your head. There's two little pads that rest on your head and if you adjust the headband while on your head the little pads pull your hair and that is pretty annoying (my hair is pretty long, but my boyfriend has short hair and he found it annoying too). But once adjusted, they are pretty comfortable.
FC7: These are much cooler-looking than the k26p. I like the design better, the headband is just a single piece of plastic so it's easier with my hair, and I really like how it folds up into a ball. These are quite a bit bigger than the k26p, folded and unfolded. They're both supraaural but the fc7's cover more of the ear. Unfortunately, they aren't as comfortable as the k26p, they press on the outer edges of my ears and it kind of hurts after a while, whereas the k26p's press on the more sturdy parts of my ears.
Sound:
K26P: At first I was pretty disappointed, they sounded muddy and muffled compared to my KSC-35 (only other headphones I have), but I expected this, as they're closed. So I let them burn in overnight and took them to work.
I tried them on the bus and at work, and isolation was good, I could hear that people were talking but I couldn't hear what they were saying, and the bus/lab equipment noises were greatly reduced. I was impressed with how "big" they sound when they are such small headphones. These definitely sound better with hip-hop and electronic music, and not so good with classical - they are just kinda muddy sounding with orchestral instruments. There is quite a bit of bass, and it sounded really boomy at first, but it has calmed down a bit and overall, I think these guys sound good.
I listened to Radiohead's 'Kid A', Rolling Stones 'Hot Rocks', Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjuez' for classical guitar and The Books 'Thought for Food' and was impressed at the level of detail I could hear. Radiohead and the Books both use plenty of small electronic noises that I don't always notice on my crappy speakers at home (yep, i'm already deciding on my next purchase...
FC7: I think these are similar to but better than the k26p. At least classical music sounds better, it's less muddy sounding. These are, however, definitely less isolating than the k26p, which probably affects the clarity of sound. Listened to the same stuff, enjoyed everything. Detail and clarity were good with everything I listened to, I was really able to enjoy all of the different sounds and instruments used in the music.
Honestly, I think both of these are good for cheap closed portable headphones, but I'm going to keep the k26p just because of the comfort issues and the better isolation. I do think the fc7's sound better but the k26p's are good enough for now!
I'll probably post an ad to sell the FC7's in a couple days if anyone is interested...