(3B31) Koss KEB70
Reviewed Jan 2012
Details: Aluminum-shelled in-ear from Koss
Current Price:
$25 from amazon.com (MSRP: $44.99)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
16Ω | Sens:
100 dB | Freq:
15-20k Hz | Cable:
4' I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5mm | Preferred tips:
generic single-flanges
Wear Style:
Straight down or over-the-ear
Accessories
(2.5/5) - Single-flange silicone tips (3 sizes) and soft carrying pouch
Build Quality
(3.5/5) – The machined shells of the KEB70 look and feel very sturdy but are attached to a thin, tangle-prone cloth cable that has a tendency to fray. Strain reliefs are a bit hard and there is no cable cinch. L/R markings can be tough to see
Isolation
(3.5/5) – Quite good
Microphonics
(4/5) – Surprisingly low in the cloth cable
Comfort
(3/5) – The shells are smooth and rounded at the front but slightly heavy in the ear. Long strain reliefs and lack of a cable cinch can make over-the-ear wear tricky. The stock tips are strange – short and thick
Sound
(5.4) – The KEB70 is a budget-minded earphone with a consumer-friendly sound signature. The low end offers sizeable mid-bass lift with moderate sub-bass extension left over. The deep bass is not emphasized as it is with the MEElectronics M9 and tends to be subdued slightly by the mid-bass hump of the Koss but the low end is decently clean and controlled on the whole. The bass tends to be a little slow but not smeared – just a bit ‘fat’. The midrange is warm and surprisingly detailed for an entry-level product. It is placed just behind the mid-bass in emphasis but not quite as recessed as that of the M9. The M9 is clearer and more neutral in tone but not as smooth as the KEB70.
At the top, the KEB70 is laid-back and slightly rolled-off. There are no significant spikes to cause harshness or sibilance. The M9 has similarly mediocre top-end extension but tends to be harsher and grainier. The KEB70 sounds slightly darker, however, and lacks a bit of detail and resolution in comparison. In terms of presentation, the Koss offers surprisingly decent layering and space, sounding reasonably open but not very airy due to the laid-back treble. The soundstage has good width but not much depth – par for the course as far as budget-minded in-ears go.
Value
(8/10) – At the current sub-$30 prices, Koss offers a good-sounding budget earphone with surprisingly solid shells in the KEB70. There are a number of minor quirks that might cause one to think twice before picking one up in place of a MEElec M9 or other established entry-level earphone but the smooth, impactful sound is well worth the price of admission.
Pros: low microphonics; smooth and pleasant sound
Cons: poor stock eartips; heavy; tangle-prone cable
Thanks to
kidcharlemagne for the KEB70 loan
(3B32) Sunrise Aodia i100
Reviewed Jan 2012
Details: Entry-level headset in the common Sennheiser CX300 form factor
Current Price:
$23 from lendmeurears.com (MSRP: est. $23)
Specs: Driver:
Dynamic | Imp:
N/A | Sens:
N/A | Freq:
N/A | Cable:
4' I-plug
Nozzle Size:
5.5mm | Preferred tips:
stock single-flanges
Wear Style:
Straight down or over-the-ear
Accessories
(1.5/5) - Single-flange silicone tips (3 sizes) and shirt clip
Build Quality
(3/5) – Plastic housings are fairly well put together. Standard Sunrise cabling with metal hardware feels nice and sturdy but probably isn’t. A bit of driver flex is present
Isolation
(3.5/5) – Moderate with the conventional straight-barrel housings
Microphonics
(3/5) – Bothersome when worn over-the-ear; decent otherwise
Comfort
(4.5/5) – Tiny, lightweight housings seemingly identical to those used by the Sennheiser CX300 disappear when worn. Easy IEMs to sleep in
Sound
(6/10) – Sunrise’s entry-level headset model, the i100 utilizes a conventional sound signature – boosted bass with relatively balanced mids and highs. The bass is full and impactful, with good depth and power. There is a bit of mid-bass emphasis but nothing overblown – the Soundmagic E10 is easily bassier, for example. Bass control is good – not as impressive as with the higher-end Sunrise sets but only a touch on the boomy side considering overall the bass quantity of the i100.
The midrange is warm and pleasant. It tends to be a bit dry but clarity and detail are quite good - a bit better than with the ECCI PG100, for example, but not quite on-par with the Soundmagic E30. In terms of emphasis, the midrange is a half-step back compared to the bass but not particularly out of balance compared to the mid-recessed MEElec M9 or mid-forward Fischer Audio Jazz. The treble transition is smooth – the top end is not perfectly even but sparkle is minimal and it is balanced well with the midrange. Top-end extension is average and with its copious bass the i100 is slightly dark on the whole next to more balanced sets such as the E30 and MEElec CX21. The presentation is agreeable – soundstage size is average but has depth in addition to width and the separation is good – better, for example, than with the MEElec M9s and ECCI PG100s.
Value
(8.5/10) – The Sunrise Aodia i100 is a well-rounded entry-level headset, scoring points not only for sound quality but also good long-term comfort and above-average isolation. The consumer-oriented sound signature is rather well-executed, with punchy, robust bass, warm mids, well-controlled treble, and a decent presentation. The generic build and moderate cable noise would be problematic in a higher-end set, but can be excused considering he price of the i100. Those looking for a cheap and cheerful way to listen to music and take calls on the go will get their money’s worth.
Pros: Lightweight and comfortable; easy-going sound
Cons: Generic housings; cable can be noisy
