[LFC_SL]

After 6-7 months using my EX71's, the right channel blew out! It crackled a bit then went. Searching online it turns out others have experienced a channel going with this model in particular & other Sony's. Great sound but fragile build. Seems Sony knows there is a problem with the driver blowing out.

Anyway so I need a replacement. I have Sennheiser MX500 but feel like a upgrade but can't afford much. My choices are:

Panasonic RPHJE50
Sony MDR-EX81
Philips SBCHN060
Shure E2C
Etymotic ER20
could stretch 2 Etymotic ER6i
or give Sony EX71 one more chance (fits perfectly although bass heavy)

Considered Senn PX100 / PX200 but don't like headband design.
Any opinions welcomed

 

[DRSpeed85]

I think a Grado SR60 or SR80 would do well if you like the sound characteristics of those earphones.

 

[fureshi]

i personally really like the ex81 for portable use. they aren't overly bassy like the ex71 but like the ex71, they let in enough sound from your environment so that you're aware. i think ecost has the ex81 for $33 but in white.

btw, the ety er20 are ear plugs and not canalphones.

 

[Duncan]

I'm interested in this thread...

...As much as my heavily burnt in/out EX71s appeal to me, they are now starting to fall apart (the rubber that surrounds the silver backplate thing is perishing / split on one of the drive units, and I know it won't be too long before they just give up completely...

...I'm not interested in full sized cans for commuting, and neither do I want open (Senn MXxxx range etc) in-ears as one thing that really bugs me is people with their iPod earphones cranked up at full volume, so I can hear what they're listening to... and I don't want to be a hypocrite...

...So, i'm after something with a similarily weighty bottom end as a well used (and, there is a marked difference!!) pair of Sonys... and with nice mids... so that rules out all but the most expensive IEMs I think...

...Looking forward to coming back to this thread

 

[gshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fureshi i personally really like the ex81 for portable use. they aren't overly bassy like the ex71 but like the ex71, they let in enough sound from your environment so that you're aware. i think ecost has the ex81 for $33 but in white. btw, the ety er20 are ear plugs and not canalphones.

I'll probably get a pair of ex81s myself. LFC_SL, do you still have packing slip / email / receipt of your ex71 purchase to obtain warranty? I had a pair of EX7 that blew out too. If you're super super tight on money, you won't go wrong with the Panasonics. They might be a little brighter than Sony's according to some, but their overall sound and design competes extremely well with the EX's at $20.

 

[Venro]

Does anyone know if these problems exist with the EX81? I just got one.

 

[plato]

Hi LFC_SL

If you are thinking of giving the EX71 "one more chance" you would do better to get the RP-HJE50 which sounds better, is better built and costs less! The other "EX71 class" phones to consider would be the Sharp MD-33 which are deemed to be better.

Unfortunately I haven't heard the others, although (having the ER-4S) I once considered also getting the ER-6i before changing my mind because of its white colour.

Cheers

 

[grawk]

You should always assume that when you spend $30 for something that others spend $1000s on, you're probably buying something of limited reliability

Enjoy em while you can, when they break, replace em.

I like my ex71s for what they are, and can't think of a direct replacement (other than the ex81s). Good, decent, easy to drive, easy to listen to disposable headphones. Replace em, then save up for ER4Ps, or UM2s, or whatever good cans float your boat

 

[fureshi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venro Does anyone know if these problems exist with the EX81? I just got one.

i didn't have any problems with my first pair for the first 6 months of ownership before my cousin decided that she really liked them and took them. then my gf took my brand new second pair after getting her ipod shuffle.

 

[LFC_SL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk You should always assume that when you spend $30 for something that others spend $1000s on, you're probably buying something of limited reliability Enjoy em while you can, when they break, replace em. I like my ex71s for what they are, and can't think of a direct replacement (other than the ex81s). Good, decent, easy to drive, easy to listen to disposable headphones. Replace em, then save up for ER4Ps, or UM2s, or whatever good cans float your boat

If only it were that simple. Being a student is expensive

Good advice though..

 

[LFC_SL]

Sorry 2 double post but I've read some people saying they use modded EX70. Modded how? Didn't think it was possible. Unless they mean covering 3 holes with tape & making small hole in paper mesh bigger with thin needle....

 

[grawk]

I'd say any headphones you're gonna use with a portable will wear faster than phones you leave at home. I don't think the EX71s are more fragile than other cans, I abuse the hell out of mine and they do ok. I wouldn't treat my more expensive cans as roughly

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