Upgrading from Sharp MD33s

[sigma]

http://www.bluetin.com/ has them too.

 

[guppi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigma http://www.bluetin.com/ has them too.

Geez. Those guys need a web designer.

To not be totally off-topic. A useful link for all new and future MD33 owners: The easy and effective mod by DigiDub:
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=64271

 

[doni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeriyn This is to facilitate the use of a MiniDisc player wired remote; since the remotes are generally clipped to the left side of ones' shirt.

well, it's become an increasingly common thing... not only specific to MD phones, it's in order to have just one cord going down your front instead of both a right & left ear cord. regardless, i'm not sure why manufacturers think everyone wants their player or remote on the left side. many people i know wear their players and remotes on the right, both right-handed folks and lefties. I wish there were a slide, where you could shift the cord length to the right or left, depending on your preference. seems obvious... too obvious...

 

[doni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by godchuanz Somehow, my MD33s tip came off on the right side, and it's the size that fits my ears best(the mid size). I can't listen to anything without these phones, so please help point me in the direction of any stores selling these tips!

another idea, stolen from a Shure E2c mod, is to cut down a pair of EarPlanes. these are 4-flange as opposed to the typical 3-flange and the cost 1/3 the price of Shures -- a 3-pk is only $10. can't wait to try them with my MD33s! I'm hoping I can squeeze them on, since the MD33 is wider than the E2c...

 

[aeriyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by godchuanz Somehow, my MD33s tip came off on the right side, and it's the size that fits my ears best(the mid size). I can't listen to anything without these phones, so please help point me in the direction of any stores selling these tips!

I believe Audiocubes sells the silicone tips for the MD33s. If not, I know that the Sony EX71's driver size is 9mm just like the MD33 and the silicones look identical.

I'd actually like to mod some type of Foamy to fit this if it doesn't alter the sound too terribly...

 

[boodi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by guppi Geez. Those guys need a web designer

lol

 

[doni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeriyn I believe Audiocubes sells the silicone tips for the MD33s. If not, I know that the Sony EX71's driver size is 9mm just like the MD33 and the silicones look identical. I'd actually like to mod some type of Foamy to fit this if it doesn't alter the sound too terribly...

the Sony tips aren't exactly the same size, as guppi rightly points out, but probably close enough.

anyhow, great idea re. modding a foamy tip! would Shure E2c foamies squeeze on? does anyone have foamies on their MD33s?

 

[tim_the_gamer]

First and foremost - following is just my opinion, so be gentle md33 fans

...

These phones are way too hyped up. The MD33's are the last, I repeat, last set of phones from my collection that I would choose to use except under specific circumstances. They serve me well for what they do, but only under the following conditions: I need an ultra portable solution for travel or I need isolation and I don't plan to be moving around too much - basically airplanes & the subway. Let me clarify a bit.

If you intend to move much, say walking for instance, you learn to time your steps with the beat of the music because of the massively loud thumps each of your steps causes. Whether this is a condition of all in-ear phones, I do not know (I auditioned e2s and e3s but was not walking around). Nevertheless, it is so bothersome that I pop the phones out of my ears when I know I'll be walking a lot (kind of ruins the point, doesn't it?). Forget timing your steps to music like for example rush or dream theater (or anything else with lots of time changes)

The cable (as mentioned before) is majorly microphonic. Even the slightest head turn can cause an undesirable scratchy sound. So for me, these phones are used when I know I'll be sitting in the same place for a good amount of time.

As to the sound: substantial bloat on the mid/upper bass, recessed highs, a feeling of the music coming from within your head, and a general lack of clarity. Everything sounds kind of like its mushed together - zero instrument separation. Thankfully my portable (rio karma) has a real nice eq and I can take care of a fair amount of the shortcomings and make the experience a lot more pleasant (custom karma eq setting: +4db@15kHz w2.2, +3db@5kHz w0.6, -1db@400Hz w0.4, -3db@120Hz w1.6). If I need a portable headphone but don't mind carrying a little extra bulk, then I prefer to use my px200s well before the md33's.

Like I said, my 2 cents... I just think there's too much hype for a phone that requires either a lot of tolerance or a lot of "if's"

cheers,
Tim

 

[DigDub]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim_the_gamer First and foremost - following is just my opinion, so be gentle md33 fans ... These phones are way too hyped up. The MD33's are the last, I repeat, last set of phones from my collection that I would choose to use except under specific circumstances. They serve me well for what they do, but only under the following conditions: I need an ultra portable solution for travel or I need isolation and I don't plan to be moving around too much - basically airplanes & the subway. Let me clarify a bit. If you intend to move much, say walking for instance, you learn to time your steps with the beat of the music because of the massively loud thumps each of your steps causes. Whether this is a condition of all in-ear phones, I do not know (I auditioned e2s and e3s but was not walking around). Nevertheless, it is so bothersome that I pop the phones out of my ears when I know I'll be walking a lot (kind of ruins the point, doesn't it?). Forget timing your steps to music like for example rush or dream theater (or anything else with lots of time changes) The cable (as mentioned before) is majorly microphonic. Even the slightest head turn can cause an undesirable scratchy sound. So for me, these phones are used when I know I'll be sitting in the same place for a good amount of time. As to the sound: substantial bloat on the mid/upper bass, recessed highs, a feeling of the music coming from within your head, and a general lack of clarity. Everything sounds kind of like its mushed together - zero instrument separation. Thankfully my portable (rio karma) has a real nice eq and I can take care of a fair amount of the shortcomings and make the experience a lot more pleasant (custom karma eq setting: +4db@15kHz w2.2, +3db@5kHz w0.6, -1db@400Hz w0.4, -3db@120Hz w1.6). If I need a portable headphone but don't mind carrying a little extra bulk, then I prefer to use my px200s well before the md33's. Like I said, my 2 cents... I just think there's too much hype for a phone that requires either a lot of tolerance or a lot of "if's" cheers, Tim

the microphonics can be easily resolved by using a shirt clip. anyway, these have lesser microphonics than the etys. shures have the least microphonics because of its over the ear wearing style.

and no, its no overhyped when you are considering canalphones prices. the shure e2c costs almost double that of the md33 and i thought the md33 does a much better at producing sound than the e2c. its nice in-between the e2c and er 6 for me.

 

[doni]

well said DigDug. for portable, unamped canalphones, the MD33s are most certainly not overhyped. how can you complain about microphonics and occulation when you just admitted you've never tested other canalphones on-the-go? and the price blows away the [serious] competition.

frankly, if you had done a true comparison of other canalphones to the MD33s and found the MD33s poor, that I would understand.

 

[nakedtoes]

Why no one try the panasonic in-ear bud.. i believe they can fight or even better then Sharp MD33.... As i listen to all kinds of music and would be getting a set of MD33 soon, i would do a comparision with the panasonic ear bud.. My EX71 has been left collecting dust since i got the panasonic.. now waiting exciting for the sharp..

All the comparision is fair as i use the same old large size silicon sleeves of my EX71 which provide me the best seal and comfort..

 

[phyrefly]

Thanks for the bump!

I have a question for Sharp MD33 owners. How long is the total cable length, including the 4 pole to 3 pole converter?

The only reason I'm leaning towards the EX71s is that they're remote friendly. I'm afraid the total wire length will become ridiculously long if I add the earbud, 4p-to-3p converter, and remote together. I will be doing a lot of walking, so the shorter the wire, the better.

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phyrefly Thanks for the bump! I have a question for Sharp MD33 owners. How long is the total cable length, including the 4 pole to 3 pole converter? The only reason I'm leaning towards the EX71s is that they're remote friendly. I'm afraid the total wire length will become ridiculously long if I add the earbud, 4p-to-3p converter, and remote together. I will be doing a lot of walking, so the shorter the wire, the better.

Well i say about 6 feet. I havent measured but when i have them on they hit the floor and my height is 5 foot 9.

 

[renesis_au]

It was interesting to read about how the md-33 is such a good pair of canalphones. was considering getting it myself at one stage, but considered the 4-pole plug a bit problemsome. now i am considering getting a pair of panasonic rp-hje50's due to similar reviews but suits my panasonic minidisc player much better. i was wondering since there is such positive talk about the sharp, in reality how close are they? this is in relation to basic commuting on a train/plane. thanks.

 

[Rodent]

I actually have both the Panasonic HJE50's and Sharp MD33S.
To me, they sound very much alike and I have a hard time finding differences in their sound, however I am not that good at comparing headphones and I haven't had as much time with the Panasonic's as with the Sharp's but now, no real differences in sound I think.
The Panasonic's don't need the extension cable and I found that I get a better fit with them, or rather, more easily get a good fit with them, compared to the Sharps'.
This is a bit weird since they are designed very much the same. I'm guessing that it is because the HJE50's have a flat 'back' which makes them easier to insert and direct correctly into your ear canal. However, the Sharp's aren't hard to insert though, no problem at all with them really, so don't be afraid.
I also think the Panasonic's look better, but it's no big deal.

The length of each cable is, from right bud to connector, 65cm. The extension cord is 1m. So, left bud to connector is about 1.4m with the extension cord.