Replacement Earbuds
Replacement earbuds
This review is from: Sony EPEX10A/BLK Hybrid Replacement Earbuds (Black)
A package of these represents close to what Sony provides with its ultra-expensive, top-of-the-line, audiophile earphones, the MDR-EX700s, which come with 7 different-sized tips. The EX-300 and EX500 earphones come with three. They're called "hybrid" by Sony because of a double-layered hard and soft-shell construction to ensure a bubble-like seal around the ear canal. And to take some of the guess work out of the selection process, Sony tips--providing they're official, Sony-made tips--are color-coded on the inside (you can match them up with a color-graded chart on the back of the package).
The other primary route taken by audiophiles using IEM phones (in ear monitors) is Comply Foam Tips. Sony, however, explicitly recommends using their silicone hybrid tips, at least with Sony phones, rather than foam. Although I have found foam preferable in a few instances (Altec Titanium earphones, for instances), I'm convinced Sony tips work best with Sony phones, which moreover deliver the most pleasing, natural, open and full-spectrum sound over the long haul.
As for price, Comply Foam tips come to approximately 5 bucks per pair; Sony tips, just a little over 2. Moreover, Comply foam can wear out, get kind of ratty, torn and dirty, and in as little as 2 weeks. I have yet to wear out a pair of Sony tips.
The question of size is not as easily answered as some users, and even manufacturers, suggest. I've found that it's not simply a matter of "getting fitted" and then forgetting about it. There are times that the larger size seems more effective (remember that the Sony tips are soft on the outside and hard on the inside, allowing for a large surface area to cover the ear canal and providing full sound without completely sealing out environmental sound). And there are times when the smaller size, permitting insertion further into the canal, seems preferable. Moreover, unlike the foam tips, the Sony tips never produce that slight irritation, and even "itchiness," that I've experienced with foam. Foam tips make me conscious of their presence; these Sony tips, especially when worn with Sony earphones, do not.
In short, give the foam tips a try, especially if you're a skate-boarder, or highly active listener. But don't discount these Sony packs, whether you prefer them in black or white....
This review is from: Sony EPEX10A/BLK Hybrid Replacement Earbuds (Black)
Excellent, excellent earbuds. I recently purchased a pair of Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10s, and was having issues with the earbuds - no matter which tips I tried, my ears hurt (the 'rim' of the ear canal) after 30 minutes to an hour of listening.
On recommendation from a friend (he recently bought these to go on his Sennheiser IE8s), and after verifying they fit the Triple.Fis, I ordered a pack. My initial impressions were very good - the inner core of the buds are considerably stronger than the Ultimate Ears, and the outside (the 'flange'?) are considerably thinner and more pliable, without seeming cheap. They fit like a dream - I went from being conscious of having canalphones in with the old tips (fiddling with them every couple of minutes) to not noticing them *at all* with the Sony tips.
Sound quality is very similar, although (for some reason) there is noticeably more bass with these tips. Not an unpleasant amount - it just seems to bring it up in the mix slightly, for whatever reason. The isolation seems very similar to the Ultimate Ears tips - not best in class, but good enough for me.
Fit-wise, I previously found the Ultimate Ears medium earbuds to be the best fit in my ears, but with these I get a much better fit with the XLs....
This review is from: Sony EPEX10A/BLK Hybrid Replacement Earbuds (Black)
These are great replacement earbuds, but why does Sony sell a package with all sizes? This really doesn't make sense. Why not sell a package with three or four pairs of the same size? One SKU with large, one with medium and one small? Then you'd have some value for the money. Why should I buy two other sizes I will never use. I'm effectively paying $9 for just one pair. This is just completely stupid packaging. This is the only reason I gave it 1 star....
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