Monster Beats by Dre Solo Headphones Review – Do They Live Up to the Hype?

 

The Monster Beats by Dre Solo headphones are another addition to the increasingly popular headphone range which now carries the hip hop legends stamp of approval. If you have ventured outside your house in the last two years then it is highly likely that you will have seen one or two people donning these distinct cans around their skulls. There is little doubt that the Dre Beats products are being pushed by some very clever marketing indeed.

But with the Doctors name stamped all over the marketing, Monsters experience in producing audio products and the rather high price tag, it would be reasonable to expect these headphones to be amongst some of the best headphones on the market right?

Appearance

The Monster Beats by Dre Solo headphones do look the part. They are stylish, modern and well built. They scream fashion statement and they are one of the best headphones for looks, for many people their appearance alone justifies the premium price. Unlike many over-the-skull headphones on the market nowadays, the Beats Solo is designed to be easily transported too. They can be folded up and tucked into the padded carry case which is provided with them.

They are also set up to work well with Apple products. If you own any of the Apple range such as iPod, iPad or iPhone then you will be pleased with the inclusion of ControlTalk. This is available on one of the two cables provided with the headphones and it allows you to control many functions of your device such as volume and toggling through music via the inline remote. You can also use this as hands-free for your iPhone.

Performance

For a lot of people, the performance is where Beats by Dre Solo lets itself down. The audio expectation from a product that is being endorsed by one of the world’s most influential music producers is understandably high. However, if you like your expensive, celebrity endorsed headphones to offer more than good looks you may be slightly disappointed here.

The sounds given off by these cans have been described as “muddy” and with a weak low end you can expect music which features a lot of base to sound very hollow indeed. The ear cups are also a shade too small for many people’s ears. This means a) that the music will not be directed into your ear accurately, and b) that most of that music will leak out and possibly annoy everyone around you.

What People Say

These are a good looking and sturdy pair of headphones which have a nice premium feel to them. When it comes to listening to music however, these do not really come close to being the best headphones out there. However, the Dr Dre Solo headphones are not really aimed at audiophiles and those that care about the quality of sound above all else. They are a fashion statement, and in that respect they are one of the best headphones on the market for conveying a message.

Music to crank up

The Beats Solo headphones work best with music genres such as alternative dance, punk and some rap, i.e. 50 Cent.

Music to avoid

If you like to listen to dance pop or electronica of a beat heavy nature these headphones may not be ideal for you.

Originally posted 2012-11-12 10:33:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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SYNC by 50 Cent Headphones Review – Are these celebrity headphones anything to celebrate?

With Beats by Dr Dre headphones continuing to fly from the shelves and earn Dre enough to buy another mansion, other celebrities are rushing to join the fashion conscious headphones market. This year 50 Cent released his Street and ‘SYNC’ headphones in a bid to stake his claims to a share of the fashion market.

Unfortunately for Dre, a lot of reviewers haven’t been big fans of the massive bass the pours forth from his cans all over the mids and trebles. So do 50 Cent’s SYNC headphones fare any better? Are they anything to celebrate or to the pale in comparison to the performance of the best headphones from Sennheiser, Grado and AKG in the high end headphone market?

Appearance

When designing these it doesn’t look as though 50 Cent’s team wanted to take any risks. What you’ve got here are a chunky set of cans that could be mistaken for Beats by Dre from a distance. It’s only when you get closer that you notice a few clear differences.

Firstly, the 50 Cent SYNC headphones are wireless. Their use of Kleer 16 bit lossless digital technology is arguably one of the key selling points, when you’re talking about features. Simply plug the accompanying 3.5 mm audio dongle into your mobile or laptop and you can listen to music without wires while walking around the house or down the street. What’s more, up to four 50 Cent SYNC headphones can be ‘synced’ to one source. So if you are all your friends are happy to all wear the same brand of headphones you can now all listen to the same music too!

Other features worth mentioning are the controls on the cans, which get the thumbs up from many reviewers along with the strong build quality. The cans are on the large size but surprisingly light. The memory foam padding provides a comfy fit for many hours of wear. It’s also worth mentioning the packaging.

Performance

Many people’s minds will be made up based on the looks and brand of these headphones alone. But if you’re still reading then you no doubt want to know how these stack up against the best high end headphones on the market.

As with Beats by Dr Dre, the 50 Cent SYNC headphones are heavy on the bass. However, the bass isn’t too muddy, as has been the complaint in some reviews of Beats headphones.  If the normal bass isn’t enough for you then you can crank it up further with the built in Bass Boost function.

What people say

For many people this has been their first step into high end headphones. So undoubtably many have been impressed by the sound quality of the 50 Cent SYNC headphones. But, as with Beats by Dr Dre, many have been less than impressed when compared to the best headphones from thoroughbred brands like Sennheiser, Grado and AKG.

The headphones’ ‘passive’ noise cancellation technology has also come under fire for being little more than a gimmick. Essentially ‘passive’ can be translated to none, unless you count the foam padding as noise cancelling technology. These headphones do leak sound, which is something to consider if you want to take them on the train to work.

However, if sound performance and noise cancellation is below fashion statement in your list of requirements, the 50 Cent SYNC headphones might be for you.

Originally posted 2013-01-25 13:28:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Audio Technica ATH M50 Headphones Review – For Studio Sounds on the Street

I created this website to help more ‘audiophiles’ and casual music lovers to choose the best pair of headphones. Personally, I’ve been getting fed up with the number of people I’ve seen around wearing Dr Dre Beats headphones. I think a lot of them have been sucked into the marketing hype and bought them based on appearances rather than performance. While Beats by Dre are a decent pair of headphones, according to all the reviews I’ve read they’re not ‘all that’. There are plenty of better pairs of headphones for the same price range that provide much better sound performance than the overpowering bass you hear many people complain of from Dr Dre Beats headphones.

In my first review I’m going to take a look at the Audio Technica ATH M50, to decide are they better than Beats by Dr Dre?

Designed for use studio monitor headphones, the Audio Technica ATH-M50s are a beefy pair of headphones. They are designed for long hours spent at the mixing desk, so comfort is high on the list of Audio Technica’s prioorities. The ear pieces swivel 180 degrees for easy one –ear monitoring with heavily padded ear cushions. The padded headband is also reassuringly chunky with the Audio Technica brand easily visible for those that like to show off their audiophile credientials and that they know how to choose the best pair of headphones.

Chunky and comfortable, you can wear these for long hours on the commute to work in comfort.

Performance

As mentioned, the Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones are designed for professional studio mixologists. So the technology built into these is top notch. They have proprietary large 45mm operture drivers with neodynamic magnet systems for ultra spec signal transfer. What this means in laymen terms is that they have a deep accurate bass and outstanding high frequency extension that should blow Beats by Dr Dre away.

What people say

After scouting the online buzz, the Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones get five out of five in the majority of reviews. People have commented on their exceptional comfort, as you would expect for a pair of headphones designed to be worn by professional sound engineers for hours on end. Compared to the overpowering bass experienced by many people when using Beats by Dr Dre, the Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones have a tight bass that’s detailed in range with a smooth relaxed top.

The size and price might put off the casual listener, but if you’re after sound quality that’s good enough for the pros in the mixing studio then you should definitely check them out.

Music they are good for

Trance, Drum and Bass, dubstep and metal thanks to the tight, detailed bass and sparking highs.

Music they are not good for

Classical, jazz or ambient. The soundstage is just too small and can sound unnatural.

Originally posted 2012-10-26 20:57:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Top 5 Best DJ Headphones offering the style, durability and performance maestros of the dancefloor demand

DJs are arguably the most demanding of headphones buyers. Whereas audiophiles demand precision sound and the fashion conscious with a bold logo, DJs require headphones that tick many different boxes.

The best DJ headphones need to provide the following:

• Comfort so they can be worn for six+ hour DJ sets
• Sound isolation for blocking out crowd noise
• Durability to survive heavy use and the chaos of club environments
• Flexibility to enable ear cups to be lifted or flipped sideways for one ear monitoring
• Replaceable parts and socket adapters for different mixing desks

These were all factors I considered when compiling a breakdown (pardon the pun!) of the best DJ headphones in 2013:

1. Sennheiser HD25-1 II

Wearing any headphones with the Sennheiser brand should fill DJs with confidence. Producer of some of the most beloved headphones among audiophiles, Sennheiser has a long reputation of building some of the highest quality headphones money can buy. This reputation is justified with the Sennheiser HD25-1 II headphones which are arguably the best DJ headphones around.

These purpose designed monitor headphones provide superb ambient noise reduction, so that DJs can get lost in the music without being distracted, along with exceptional sound quality and fantastic bass reproduction for syncing music with precise accuracy. What’s more, they are lightweight, and comfortable to wear for long periods, yet highly durable to cope with heavy use in nightclubs and bars.

So the Sennhesier HD25-1 II headphones tick all the boxes, and its no wonder they’re widely rated as the best DJ headphones on the market.

 

2. Beats by Dre Mixr

Beats by Dre headphones come in for a lot of flack online. It could be due to a backlash due to their popularity as fashion accessory or criticism of the heavy bass. Whatever the reason, critics of Beats by Dre headphones might wan to check out the Beats by Dre Mixr DJ headphones before the next time they post comments.

Designed in collaboration with international DJ David Guetta, the Beats by Dre Mixr headphones are reassuringly durable, with metal framed ear cups and a moulded headphone, making them sturdy yet comfortable. As with other Beats by Dre headphones, they can be folded easy transportation and the ear cups can be pivoted 270 degrees for single ear sound monitoring.

The sound quality of the Beats by Mixr headphones has also been hailed as a big improvement over other Beats by Dre cans. Much louder than Beats by Dre Pro yet with the precision of Beats by Dre Studio, these offer powerful bass and make a fashion statement, making them worthy of being in this profile of the best DJ headphones.

3. AKG K267 by Tiesto

Another pair of headphones designed in collaboration with a DJ are the AKG K267 DJ headphones. In this case it was Dutch dancefloor maestro Tiesto who provided input on designing the best headphones for DJs. These are actually part of a range, which also includes the K67 and K167, offering different cup sizes, drivers and price brackets to choose from.

As you’d expect of headphones designed with the help of a trance DJ, the AKG K267 headphones offer a deep controlled bass, precise mids and rolled off highs, making them excellent headphones to consider for DJs and music enthusiasts alike.

4. Technics DH1200E-S

Technics can now be regarded as a heritage brand in the world of DJing and beat matching, as they were the #1 make of turntables back in the 90s when dance music exploded across the world. They’re also a very popular manufacturer of DJ headphones, with the Technics DH1200E-S a familiar sight on the heads of aspiring club DJs. These headphones provide a deep tight bass for beat matching, multiple plug sizes for different mixers and a swing arm system for matching up mixes.

Durable and reasonably priced, the Technics DH1200E-S are among the best DJ headphones to choose for those on a budget.

5. Shure SRH750DJ

The Shure SRH750DJ headphones provide high impedence sound performance designed for smooth DJ mixing. The headband is collapsible for slipping in a DJs carry bag and the ear cups swivel 90 degrees to enable DJs to sync music while in the mix.

Offering a decent bass output and extended highs, these rank alongside the Technics DH1200E-S as the best DJ headphones to choose for people that want to spend less than $100 as an emergency pair of DJ headphones or so they have more money to spend on music.

Originally posted 2013-05-31 08:33:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Review Sennheiser HD 598 Headphones – Rich Luxurious Sounds for Home Use

If you are a fan of the Beats by Dre range of headphones then it is safe to assume that you like your headphones to stand out from the dreary black and grey offerings that so many other manufacturers currently offer on the market. The Dre Beats headphones certainly do stand out from much the pack in terms of looks and sound quality but there are some good alternatives around, and the HD 598 headphones from the legendary headphone maker that is Sennheiser could be one of those. These headphones ooze high-end luxury and screams look at me, but is the beauty also skin-deep?

Appearance

In terms of looks this is certainly a bold offing from Sennheiser. The HD 598 looks very eye-catching with its leather coated headband, high-gloss burl wood finish and dominant beige color coupled with hints of brown. The wide-open soundstage has a luxurious look and feel to it with the thick, tan colored padding for the ear cushions.

The cable for the HD 598 is quite long at 10ft with a ¼ inch plug at the end. Fortunately the cable is detachable which should make storing the headphones a little more convenient. The cable plugs securely into the headphones using a twist and lock feature which ensures that the cable will not be accidentally pulled out of the headphones mid-Britney Spears track.

Performance

Okay so if you are lover of the big bass sounds that are reproduced in the Beats by Dre headphones then these may not be the ideal alternative. The Sennheiser HD 598s strive to reproduce accurate base notes rather than eardrum breaking sounds and this is actually done very well. What you can expect here is deep, smooth and the right amount of guttural bass when needed.

The wide-open soundstage on the Sennheiser HD 598 helps it to reproduce realistic sounds but much of this sound will escape out the back meaning that you will find it difficult to keep your music completely private. In terms of noise cancelation these are not the best headphones around either because they offer no noise cancelation at all; this means that you need to find somewhere very quiet in order to fully appreciate the music coming from the 598s.

What People Say

The Sennheiser HD 598s are a decent pair of headphones. They offer good quality realistic sounds inside a nice luxurious package. However these are not ideal for anything other than using in the home. The lack of noise cancellation and the fact that everyone will be able to hear what you are listening to means that these are more suited to people with a preference for using their headphones indoors. As a pair of indoor headphones though, there are very few others on the market to rival the Sennhesier HD 598s, especially at a price of less than $500.

Music for which you want to turn the volume up

The Sennheiser 598s are great for listening to anything from Michael Buble to Beethoven. It is also ideal for when you are playing video games or watching a movie.

Music for which they are best left unplugged

The HD 598s will not reproduce big bass sounds very well so lovers of things like Hip-Hop, dubstep or dance music are not likely to not find these headphones very satisfying in terms of sound.

Originally posted 2012-11-02 18:04:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Beyerdynamic T1 600 Ohm headphones review – Break the Tesla barrier with these high end headphones that ooze class in build quality and transparent sound

Ever broken the Tesla barrier? No, this isn’t a Star Trek reference or the latest discovery in the hadron collider, but the audio power that Beyerdynamics has packed into its flagship pair of headphones. The Beyerdynamic T1 600 Ohm headphones feature Neodymium magnets positioned into a ring around the coil that provides a double magnetic flux density to 1.2 Tesla. In other words, they have the power to produce an exceptionally clean, crisp and transparent sound with low distortion.

Sounds impressive. So have Beyerdynamic’s qualified craftsmen in Heilbronn, Germany, produced a masterpiece of high end headphones craftsmanship? Or is the techie talk of more interest to physicists than audiophiles?

Appearance

As you’d expect of headphones born from German engineering, the Beyerdynamic T1 600 Ohm headphones are a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Everything about them screams high end, from the velour ear pads and leather headband to the classy mesh grilles on the satin aluminium ear cups. The overall presentation when you receive them is equally impressive, with them delivered in a luxuriant sculpted foam aluminium flight case.

The Beyerdynamic T1 600 Ohm headphones are indeed a handsome pair of cans, with a sleek, modern and minimalist look that belies their raw power.

Performance

The Beyerdynamic T1 600 Ohm headphones are rated among the best dynamic headphones around.

Their detail retrieval is exceptional, with a transparent midrange that makes guitars and vocals sound crisp and clear. The treble is smooth without stridence or harshness, while the rolled off bass sounds natural while still having body and impact to give music a reassuringly sold thump.

Where these headphones (and the effect of the 1.2 Tesla coil technology) stand out is in their reproduction of detail. The soundstage is big and airy, providing great reproductions of spatial nuances and the separation of instruments. The imaging is incredible, with them able to place musicians on stage exceptionally well. If you’re looking for natural tonality, with silky highs and superb detail, then the Beyerdynamic T1 600 Ohm headphones are hard to beat.

It’s worth noting that, as with any high end headphones, to get the best performance you’ll need to burn these in for a while. It’s also recommended to use a powerful desktop headphones amp, such as the Woo Audio WA2 or the Beyerdynamic A1 Sterep Headphone Amplifier, to enjoy their audiophile grade delights.

Music to turn up

Classical, rock, vocal tracks and even electronic music where you want to pick out individual sounds in depth and fine precision like you’ve never heard them before. Footsteps, raindrops and whispering can all be heard where before there was only a background hiss.

Music to switch cans

These are not bass monsters. Nor do they aspire to be. These headphones are for listening to music in fine detail from home. So if you’re looking for headphones for bass heavy hip hop or heavy metal then you might want to look elsewhere.

Originally posted 2013-01-31 22:41:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Top 3 Best Underwater Headphones for Listening to Your Favourite Tunes when Swimming

There are plenty of great earphones for joggers and if you like to go to the gym. But what about if you’re  into watersports or doing 30 lengths before breakfast, and want to listen to your favorite tunes on underwater headphones? As a matter of fact, there are a lot of great underwater headphones that are waterproof and are designed specifically for swimmers.

Here are our top 3 best underwater headphones for swimmers – the Interval 4G, SPORTWRAP2G and SURGECONTACT.

Best Underwater Headphones #1 INTERVAL 4G

Developed specifically for water sports and to provide excellent sound performance underwater, The Interval 4G are powered by H20’s waterproofing technology and are housed in a waterproof case designed for swimmers. Submersible up to 12ft/3.6m and with an integrated bass amplifier, the Surge 2G underwater headphones will surely help you power through those last few laps.

The Interval 4G’s sound is bright and punchy, especially underwater. They are not heavy and fit perfectly for all ear types without moving around. What’s more, you can change songs on the fly and no drag headphones on speed. So if you need some extra motivation or entertainment while swimming check out the Interval 4Gs, which we rate as the best underwater headphones on the market.

Features:

• 100% waterproof up to 12 feet of depth
• Designed for the 4^th generation iPod Shuffle
• Powered by H2O Audio, this case will protect your iPod Shuffle while swimming
• Includes case and bass-amplified Surge 2G headphones
• Convenient controls for playback and volume control
• Package includes 5 sets of Elastomer earplugs (XS-XL) to ensure a waterproof seal and a comfortable fit.
• With integrated goggle loops to make it easy to attach and remove the case from swim goggles.
• Short headphone wires, to contain your personal sound system entirely on your head.
• Powered by waterproof of 8mm neodymium drivers which delivers improved bass quality, while sound-isolating and dynamic bass response.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The only waterproof iPod case designed for swimmers
• Integrated Surge 2G Headphones
• Made for the iPod shuffle
• Convenient Controls
• H2O Audio’s patented 100% waterproof technology
• Convenient Controls
• Improved Bass Amplified Sound
• Excellent for Sports Performance

Best Underwater Headphones #2 SPORTWRAP 2G

Another pair of underwater headphones powered by H20 Audio’s waterproofing technology are the Sportwrap 2G. Built for high impact, vigorous activity in or out of the water, these combine the stable fit of a behind-the neck headphone with the sound quality of an in-ear headphone.

The Sportwrap 2G deliver improved bass quality, while the included 5 sets of sound-isolating, watertight earplugs provide warm sound and dynamic bass response powered by Surge’s waterproof 8mm neodymium drivers.

Whether you go for swim training or prefer lifting weights at the gym, the SportWrap 2Gs won’t slip out no matter how sweaty your ears get. Sound quality is superb, the clarity is great and they are totally waterproof as well as sweat proof.

Features:

• Powered by H2O Audio
• Sweatproof and waterproof
• Ergonomic neckband manages headphone cable and which makes it ideal for any sport.
• 100% waterproof up to 12 feet of depth
• Rich, warm, full-range sound with amplified bass
• Easy to clean – just rinse with water
• Personalized Fit, includes 5 sets of Elastomer earplugs (XS-XL)
• Improved bass amplified sound powered by Surge’s waterproof 8mm neodymium drivers.
• Sportwrap Neckband
• Sports Performance. High quality fit, function, and durability for long-lasting performance.

HIGHLIGHTS

•    New aerodynamic design provide rich sound
•    Comfortable fit in and out of the water
•    A secure neckband keeps headphones in place
•    H2O Audio’s patented 100% waterproof technology
•    Improved Bass Amplified Sound
•    Excellent for Sports Performance

Best Underwater Headphones #3 – SURGE CONTACT

The Surge Contact Waterproof headphones won iLounge’s Headphones of the Year Award Winner in 2010. Offering a combination of waterproof technology, ergonomic design and an innovative waterproof microphone, the Surge Contacts are among the best sports earphones, let alone the best underwater headphones.

These are excellent headphones for both water sports and land athletes. They can withstand sweaty summer runs and underwater laps reliably. They also work perfectly with the X-1 waterproof armband to offer a waterproof solution for your iPhone. The Surge Contact’s microphone also works very well with clear call quality, so long as you don’t take calls when underwater.

Features:

• 100% Waterproof
• Waterproof Microphone
• 5 Sets of Sleeves
• Hydrodynamic Design
• Amplified Bass
• Compatible with SIRI, iPhone, Droid, Blackberry, iPod Touch, iPod Nano

Originally posted 2014-11-29 11:27:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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