Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Despite the cutely cumbersome look of my Creative Zen NX Mp3 player, its lascivious habits belies its ostensible innocence. In it's relatively short lifespan of 2 years, it has seen at least 5 earphones penetrating it's 3.5mm stereo mini-jack. Yes, it is by no means a surprise that my mp3 player is rather loose.
Presenting the current Sony MDR-EX81L...
The latest mistress that has fallen out of favour.
Although minute parts of the copper wire is exposed, the earphones still work perfectly fine. But $89.00 for a lifespan of 5 months is simply too obscene for the expensive aural whore. This being my 3rd Sony Earphones that have broken down on me, is compelling evidence that I am an absolute pinnacle of folly and obstinateness. *knocks head at lustful player*
So take heed of advice when people say, "A wise man learns by the experience of others. An ordinary man learns by his own experience. A fool learns by nobody’s experience."
Many have also reminded me of the presence of $20.00 earphones. They play music all the same, don't they?
Of course, they do, but many of them lack the sound isolating features that only well-fitted in-ear earphones can provide. Without them, more often than not, one has to turn up the volume to drown out ambient noises. And that, to me doesn't sound like good news to the most sensitive organ in the body.
With good dynamic microdrive powering the earphones, one would be able to hear all the nuances in songs which would otherwise be muffered or overpowered by the unbalanced highs and lows of cheaper earphones. That said, let's not forget to encode your songs at higher bitrates than a dismal 128kbps.
My 3 Basic Criterias for Earphones
1. Non Sony
2. Sound isolation so none in-ear types are out of the question.
3. High powered Neodynium Magnet
It came as a pleasant surprise to discover that Apple Stores in Singapore carry audiophile brands such as Shure, Etymotics and Ultimate Ears. Interestingly, after inspecting the string of integers (aka price), I noticed my blanched skin blended in with the surroundings as well as VJC students would camouflage with their beige architecture. The following are the prices that I observed in the whitewashed shop in Borders:
Shure Sound Isolating Earphones
E2C - $220
E3C - $375
E4C - $525
Etymotic Research ER-4P MicroPro Earphones, ER-4P
$590
Yes, it seems absurd to pay for earphones that rival the cost of the player. But upon further calculation and specious analysis, it might actually make some sense to invest in a pair of low end audiophilic earphones.
My Rationale:
In slightly more than 2 years, my previous 3 Sony and 1 Audio-Technica Earphones have already cost me well over $200. And upon, visiting the official Shure website, I found out that I could get a 2 year world-wide parts and workmanship warranty if I purchased a pair of Shure earphones. Coupled with the possibility of securing a cheaper price through Yahoo auctions, doesn't it make monetary sense?
In a nutshell:
Sony Sony MDR-EX81L: $89.00 -- 5 months
Shure E2C: $220.00 or $150.00 (Yahoo! Auctions) -- 2 Years
Of course, the gravest danger would be if I were to lose the Earphones.
*Gasp*
Featured Websites:
Shure
Etymotic Research Inc
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kelvin Lim out
@ |1:06 AM|
Aural Fetish
Don't mind me ranting on...
Despite the cutely cumbersome look of my Creative Zen NX Mp3 player, its lascivious habits belies its ostensible innocence. In it's relatively short lifespan of 2 years, it has seen at least 5 earphones penetrating it's 3.5mm stereo mini-jack. Yes, it is by no means a surprise that my mp3 player is rather loose.
Presenting the current Sony MDR-EX81L...
The latest mistress that has fallen out of favour.
Although minute parts of the copper wire is exposed, the earphones still work perfectly fine. But $89.00 for a lifespan of 5 months is simply too obscene for the expensive aural whore. This being my 3rd Sony Earphones that have broken down on me, is compelling evidence that I am an absolute pinnacle of folly and obstinateness. *knocks head at lustful player*
So take heed of advice when people say, "A wise man learns by the experience of others. An ordinary man learns by his own experience. A fool learns by nobody’s experience."
Many have also reminded me of the presence of $20.00 earphones. They play music all the same, don't they?
Of course, they do, but many of them lack the sound isolating features that only well-fitted in-ear earphones can provide. Without them, more often than not, one has to turn up the volume to drown out ambient noises. And that, to me doesn't sound like good news to the most sensitive organ in the body.
With good dynamic microdrive powering the earphones, one would be able to hear all the nuances in songs which would otherwise be muffered or overpowered by the unbalanced highs and lows of cheaper earphones. That said, let's not forget to encode your songs at higher bitrates than a dismal 128kbps.
My 3 Basic Criterias for Earphones
1. Non Sony
2. Sound isolation so none in-ear types are out of the question.
3. High powered Neodynium Magnet
It came as a pleasant surprise to discover that Apple Stores in Singapore carry audiophile brands such as Shure, Etymotics and Ultimate Ears. Interestingly, after inspecting the string of integers (aka price), I noticed my blanched skin blended in with the surroundings as well as VJC students would camouflage with their beige architecture. The following are the prices that I observed in the whitewashed shop in Borders:
Shure Sound Isolating Earphones
E2C - $220
E3C - $375
E4C - $525
Etymotic Research ER-4P MicroPro Earphones, ER-4P
$590
Yes, it seems absurd to pay for earphones that rival the cost of the player. But upon further calculation and specious analysis, it might actually make some sense to invest in a pair of low end audiophilic earphones.
My Rationale:
In slightly more than 2 years, my previous 3 Sony and 1 Audio-Technica Earphones have already cost me well over $200. And upon, visiting the official Shure website, I found out that I could get a 2 year world-wide parts and workmanship warranty if I purchased a pair of Shure earphones. Coupled with the possibility of securing a cheaper price through Yahoo auctions, doesn't it make monetary sense?
In a nutshell:
Sony Sony MDR-EX81L: $89.00 -- 5 months
Shure E2C: $220.00 or $150.00 (Yahoo! Auctions) -- 2 Years
Of course, the gravest danger would be if I were to lose the Earphones.
*Gasp*
Featured Websites:
Shure
Etymotic Research Inc
Kelvin Lim out
@ |1:06 AM|