Essi
on - last edited on by
ElizabethS
TDK has always been a name that reminded me of the old cassette tape days; however, I was pleased to try out their new offering in the headphone space.
Future Shop hooked me up with the new in-ear model and I've been listening to them all day long. Here are my thoughts on the noise-canceling EB900s...
I've listened to a few different "in-ear" headphones due to my oddly-shaped ears which can't hold an earbud in place. One thing that's important to note is that in-ear headphones offer much more bass response than a typical earbud--the TDKs do not disappoint.
Bass levels are well balanced with clear highs. I found that with the EB900s, there is greater balance of highs, mids, and lows compared to some competitors who focus on bigger drivers and bass levels. Highs were exceptional. I was able to pick up subtleties I had never heard (in songs I've heard multiple times).
Noise canceling is very effective. The foam tips (described below) are very good at blocking most external noise.
Overall, I have been very pleased with the sound quality. Very well-rounded sound which is suitable for all listening.
Design/Comfort
In-ear headphones are small. Let's face it, there's not much to judge but I'll do it anyway. Earpieces are plastic but that means they're lighter and won't get cold like metal ones do.
The cord is nylon-wrapped which prevents the headphones from getting tangled. Guess what?! It actually works pretty well. Much better than a plastic-coated cord. Something I usually overlook but now appreciate.
The best part of these headphones are the ear tips. TDK includes three different sizes of the tips (as most manufacturers do), but I like that they used a foam material which mimics the expanding foam used in ear plugs. You simply squeeze and roll the tips, insert them in your ear and the tips expand to custom-fit your ear. This not only helps them stay in your ear, but this also helps with blocking out external noise.
Quality
I haven't used the headphones enough to base anything on the build quality; however, no complaints so far.
Conclusion
I'm a big fan of in-ear headphones and TDK's EB900s do not disappoint. The sound quality is wonderful, the ear pieces fit in easily and stay put. TDK even threw in a small pouch for storage.
It is important to note that almost all in-ear headphones pick up noise when the cord is rubbed against something like your zipper; the TDKs are no exception. It's unavoidable... kind of like if you stick your fingers in your ears and talk... the sound just stays in your head. There has to be a scientific name for this, but you get the idea.
Another thing: the EB900s do not feature an "on-cord" volume or iPod/iPhone control.
Should they enter the market at a sub-$80 price point, I would highly consider these as a replacement for my existing set of headphones. TDK has done a great job at creating an "enthusiast" level in-ear headphone; however, I would like if there was a control on the cord... oh well, I seem to forget about all those things once I turn the music ON.
Solid sound, solid fit, solid value.
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