Stylin' sounds!
Written: Apr 11 '00 (Updated Apr 13 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Work well, stay on your head, decent sound
Cons: Not adjustable, no wire management
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| three60's Full Review: Sony MDR-G72LP Consumer Headphones |
Hello once again, I'm back with another electronics review, featuring the sleek new Sony behind-the-neck style headphones.
I've always been a bit of a Walkman junkie, having gone through at least 1/2 dozen Walkmans and Discmans in the past 10 or so years. I've also tried at least as many headphones, ranging from high-end earbuds to studio monitors. Each person has their own preference and for the past few years, I've used both earbud-style MDR-E747's and 515's and MDR-V6 studio monitors. With each set of earbuds, I had one side completely die on me! When I was shopping around for replacements, I almost sprang for yet another pair of 'buds, but decided to check these guys out. These new ones aim to fill a different niche; they're designed for active people who want decent sound in a compact and stay-in-place fit. OK, 'nuff said! On to the review! Oh yeah, I opted for the high-end version, the 72LP which, as far as I know, is the only one in the series that actually folds up for more compactness and storage.
As with my most recent reviews, I'll rate each separate criteria on a 1-5 scale (1 sucks, 5 kicks ass) and then give an overall score. So, without further ado, let's get started!
The Look: 4.5
I first spotted these things on my daily commute on the train -- at first I thought that they were just some cool new way of wearing regular, over-the-head headphones, but quickly realized that these Sony's represented a whole new paradigm in personal audio! Wow! I like the way they look: kind of sleek and futuristic but at the same time, not too gaudy. Call it geek chic.
The Fit: 4
Normally, I like to try things out before I make a purchase, but there wasn't a pair kickin' around and I was in a rush to fly out, so I just hoped they'd work out. Also, Everyone's head/hairstyle is different, so you'll need to take everything with a grain of salt.
You may be wondering, "how do they stay on your head?" Simple! There are a pair of rubber "arms" that are very similar to a pair of eyeglasses that keep the 'phones in place. However, instead of sliding them on and off from front to back like glasses, you slide up and down. Make sense? The band that goes around your head may or may not touch your neck, depending on how your head is shaped. On my head, they stick out a bit and if you wanna lean back on a headrest, you'll need to angle them slightly downwards. Not a problem.
That's great, but how do they work in the real world? Pretty good! I've gone running with them and yes, for the most part, they stay in place. Tunes on the run, no problem. I did find however, that the band did end up sliding down a bit after 20 mins on the treadmill, but it's not a big deal.
If you're like me and like to use them at work, they are reasonably light-weight and comfy enough to wear a couple hours at a time. However, as they are more snug than regular headphones, it's not like you'd ever forget they were on your head. Taking them on and off isn't as easy as regular headphones and you can't effectively wear them "DJ style" -- one ear on, one off as I do with other headphones. So much for listening and talking on the phone simultaneously.
Oh yeah, before I forget one side-effect or "benefit" of this style is they act sort of like ear muffs, which is nice in cold weather. I wouldn't worry about them getting too hot though.
Sound Quality: 3
This is the most subjective part of the review, so let me try to give some comparisons and benchmarks. These headphones sound decent to me, considering how much they cost and what they're designed for. They're better than your standard issue headphones you get with most portable devices, but they're not going to knock your socks off. They have a bit of an "airy" sound, not totally robust and decent max volume.
Design and Quality: 4.5
It's obvious that the Sony engineers (or whatever industrial design firm) that designed these guys did a pretty good job. They certainly work as advertised. This model is a folding style that turns them into a nice small packagee that fits in your hand. I only wish there was a carrying case and a better way to wrap up the cable. The 1/8th" gold-plated audio jack mounts at 90 degrees, which is a nice, though standard touch. The cable is around 4.5' which just about right.
The folding hinges appear to made of a fairly durable nylon/plastic and snap in and out of position with mild authority. I don't expect it to break anytime soon.
Overall: 3.5
These Sony's are a winner! They are a great alternative to earbuds that may not fit your ear and to heavy old-school headphones that don't work in active environments. In the future, I'd like Sony to come out with a pair that is a bit more adjustable and also to include a case for them. Alright, that's all for now, signing off from 35,000'.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
three60
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Location: New York, NY
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 72 members
About Me:
I try to give real-world, user-experience reviews of electronics and SF restaurants. Since 1999. ha-ha.
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