My Sony NWZ-S639FR 16 GB Digital Media Player came with Sony MDR-EX082 headphones. I usually don't expect much from the headphones included with portable gear, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. It just so happened that I recently reviewed the Creative EP-630 headphones, Zune Premium JDA00001 headphones as well as the new Pineapple Rumble K Bone Conduction Headphones and the water-proof Pineapple Rumble KW Headphones.

I have a lot of headphones at home, some of which I use. Some of the examples in my "collection" includes headphones such as Sennheiser HD201, Sennheiser HD202, Koss KSC75, Koss SparkPlug, Philips HS500, Creative EP-640, and others. The headphones I use most frequently are the Koss KSC75 (along with Microsoft Zune Premium, most favorite overall, used when no noise insulation is needed), Zune Premium and Creative EP-640 (when compactness and noise insulation is needed).

More About Sony MDR-EX082 Headphone

The Sony MDR-EX082 headphones are somewhat similar to the Creative models and the Zune Premium. They provide semi-compact, noise-insulating design. Unlike the canalphones like the above models, it does not fully sit in the ear - the driver and its housing are outside and the ear bud is inside the ear canal, which results in somewhat less noise insulation but an ability to use larger drivers, therefore providing for better bass.

The silicone rubber ear buds provide a moderately secure fit and good sound insulation (in addition to the ear buds installed on the headphone, extra sets of different sizes are included). The noise insulation are almost as good as that of the canalphones, which is good when you actually need to be able to hear some ambient noise.

The headphones' driver housings are part plastic and part metal. As most Sony products, the EX082 look stylish. Unlike some Sony products, these headphones appear solidly built.

The specifications are impressive: 5-24,000 Hz frequency response, impedance of 16 Ohms, 1.2 m cord with a 3.5-mm compact plug for use with portable gear.
 
Performance

Out of the box, even before the burn-in, the EX082 sounded very good, with impressive bass and midrange. I plugged the headphones into my iPod connected to the AC jack with a power adaptor, and played random rock music for 50 hours nonstop. The jack is compact, which lets me connect it to my iPod while it is charging, something that is difficult to do with the Koss KSC75's large plastic molding around the plug.

Usually I use other headphones with the medium size ear buds. These had pre-attached ear buds that seemed a bit too large. Fortunately, other sizes are included. The silicone ear buds fit well, insulate sound rather good and the lack of ports in headphones further contributes to sound insulation and better-defined bass.

The high sensitivity and decent insulation allows you use lower volume on your portable gear and still get loud enough sound. I have played a variety of music through these, including classical, Euro-dance, pop, rock, electronic music and rap. I also listened to movie soundtracks. I used my iPod, the aforementioned Sony MP3 player, a portable CD player and a laptop as well as my Panasonic SA-XR57 receiver's headphone out (fed from CD as well as DVD-Audio). For comparison purposes, I also alternated between the over-the-ear Koss KSC75, Zune Premium headphones and the in-ear Creative EP-640 headphones.

After a quick check with some rock music, I listened to Aram Khachaturian's Violin Concerto in D Minor.

The EX082 headphones have plenty of bass, more than the Creative EP-640 and Creative EP-630 and even more than Zune Premium. The abundance of bass (and lower midrange) creates a pleasant, warm sound. I have enjoyed it for a while and then noticed that the Sony NWZ-S639FR 16 GB Digital Media Player they came with seems to also emphasize the same sound region by default (albeit slightly), which results in a little too much upper bass/lower midrange. This sound coloration effect is not too bad and using either the player or the EX082 by themselves would result in it being unnoticeable, but combined they are too much for my taste.

In this respect, I find that the Zune Premium headphones have just the perfect amount of bass, these EX082 have a bit too much and the Creative EP-640 and EP-630 are slightly lacking.

The sound was transparent and detailed with clear instrument separation and definition. Even classical music sounded very good.

The sound is a bit dark though. There is a de-emphasis of upper midrange and treble.

Bottom Line

The Sony MDR-EX082 are very good headphones with plenty of bass and warm, detailed and pleasant sound. With moderate level of sound insulation, stylish appearance and an "around the neck" cord, it is an excellent buy for anything under $30.

Recommended: Yes