[acidtripwow]

I was reading my latest issue(23) of Hi-fi+ magazine and on page 115 ran across an article on the Sony MDR EX70 earbuds. Hi-fi+ is probably my favorite audio magazine, well until I read this article. I have a pair of EX70s and always thought they were the worst earbuds I have ever heard. I have probably tried a dozen or more earbuds from the cheap Senn MX500s to the expensive Etymotics. At the bottom of the heap have always been the $50 Sony MDR EX70s. They have a boomy bass and ear bleeding highs with nothing in between. I have no idea why Sony charges $50 for these terrible earbuds. Right now my favorite earbuds are the Senn MX500s. They are cheap at $20 retail and sound smooth from top to bottom. They are grain free and have a real transparency to them. I always recommend them to friends who are looking for something cheap and good. Anyway here are some things that reviewer Martin Colloms had to say about the Sony MDR EX70s:

I could hardly believe the sheer quality which these tiny Sony cans were producing, nor the incredible bass. It is so deep and clean that you almost imagine full range loudspeaker sound. The mid is subtle and spacious, if a bit laid back, and the treble delicate and open sounding...

I almost threw the magazine across the room when I read that. This is why people need to come to sites like this to really learn about headphones. I don't know if I will renew my subscription after that article.

 

[dokebi]

Perhaps Sony had other intentions for the ex70's other than pleasing people with better (more expensive) taste. I find the whole Sennheiser lineup up to the HD600 to sound terrible especially their earbuds which to me, has bloated mids, muddy sounding and terrible ergonomics. On the other hand I truly love Grado's. I don't think the ex70's are that bad for mass produced earphones. Its relatively cheap, isolates better than other earbuds short of etys without the annoying fuss of putting it in and dare I say, the exaggerated bass is interesting for occasional portable usage.

 

[Duncan]

What was the source?

...I find, and I don't care who flames me... that the EX70s sound really good out of my SRF-M95 radio... that is underpowered when MegaBass isn't switched on... maybe that could be a reason... neutralises them a bit?!

[edit]

No, i'm not saying that they're the be all and end all of earphones, but what I am saying is, that when partnered with this weak source, that they aren't the worst sounding pair of earbuds i've heard

 

[bangraman]

Maybe he has really odd ears. I've always thought of the EX70 as phones to be endured, not enjoyed.

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by acidtripwow I almost threw the magazine across the room when I read that. This is why people need to come to sites like this to really learn about headphones. I don't know if I will renew my subscription after that article.

I think most *big* audiophiles rarely take headphone listening seriously. Therefore, lower expectation.

I very much doubt MC tried various other earbuds for this little commentary.

 

[dd3mon]

I'd suggest writing a letter to the author. List a number of other (comparable) earbuds that you believe sounds much better. Then perhaps list some really great headphone choices, maybe direct him towards Head-Fi, etc.. Be polite and informative, but make sure to get across that these Sonys do indeed rank horribly in the real world of headphones.

-dd3mon

 

[fappar]

yar. i'll have to write an angry letter. the ex 7*s are the worst, earbuds in teh universe... for the [outrageous] price, anyway.


THATS why i dont read that person magazine!

 

[strohmie]

Ah, the EX70s...I remember them fondly. They taught me the true meaning of the word "mud."

They're really not terrible, but certainly not worth the price.

 

[redshifter]

these were the review sample sony sent to hifi+

 

[ProFingerSk8er]

Quote:

Originally posted by redshifter these were the review sample sony sent to hifi+

gahhahahahaha

 

[Peddler]

Chances are the reviewer is a cloth-eared **** who spends all day in the pub and thinks that the finest hi-fi system to be had is anything with a soft eject on the cassette door.

In all fairness - that applies to most of the listening public anyway - If I let my mum try out the ex-70's she'd probably think they were outstanding 'cos of the bass'.

The EX-70 DOES SOUND GOOD IN MY OPINION (shock, horror) when played at night at real low volumes with classical music - sounds excellent then but the moment you turn the wick up, they tend to go to ****.

I agree with Duncan though - there are certain electronics which compliment certain headphones - even though they may both be considered crap on their own, together they can form magic.

My original headphones which came supplied with the Sony MDR-35 MD recorder sounds absolutely fantastic with mega bass set to 1 - honestly - this is from someone who owns Ety 4P's.

 

[MusicLover]

Quote:

Originally posted by redshifter these were the review sample sony sent to hifi+

Hmm, those look oddly similar to another pair of earphones I seem to know of.

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by Peddler My original headphones which came supplied with the Sony MDR-35 MD recorder sounds absolutely fantastic with mega bass set to 1 - honestly - this is from someone who owns Ety 4P's.

er.. I am not an earbuds snob or anything, but, those fones supplied by Sony MZ-E35, Panasonic or JVC portable minidisc players were aweful!

-this is from someone who owns Ety 4S.

 

[Peddler]

Normally I would be first to agree - I'm not saying that particular model sounded good - I'm saying those particular phones with that player sounded excellent.

I had another identical pair which came supplied with another player and they did not sound the same at all.

 

[aBc.CaN]

hmm... what this reviewer has stated only resonates what other reviewers for other sources say (at least those I have come across). I remember one reviewer saying that it was fun and preferred it over the e888. Most of them say this is the best earbud barring higher end stuff beyond the e888.

It seems to me that ppl on this board despise it, whilst "outsiders" enjoy it. Once there was a thread here where ppl stated they liked it, but now only the odd brave soul dares say they like it. I can't remember which sites I went to except for www.audiocube.com, where the majority of its buyers like it.

I have it and like it for what it is. And what it is a earphone which despite having recessed mids, tries to make up for it with bass. And its bass while nice and deep, doesn't quite seem coherent with the music. I'm no audiophile, but I guess this is some rolloff thingy or its upper lows are a lil pronounced. Sure I would rather have the mids (after all this is where all the action is), without it these earphones sound lifeless, hollow and "closed". The isolation is great, I find I am nearly oblivious to the background conversations of others. The MX500 sounds brighter in comparison. I don't understand the wow factor that reviewers talked about, which I felt with the MX500 (geez I'm happy with 'em). Though I'm not complaining, too much, cause I only paid SNG$72 for it, where it retails here for AUD$100.

anyway, saving up for an amp for my Ultrasones HFI-650 DVDs...
taking way too long...