Skullcandy Smoking Buds Ink'd Earbuds - Black (SC-INK'D/BLK) | List Price: $14.99
Discount Price: $13.00
|
Brand: Skull Candy
Binding: Electronics
Features: - These earbuds deliver the frequency range and response found in full size headphones in a direct to ear package, all the while isolating you fromexternal noise.
great isolation [Posted on 2008-05-27]
I have tried shure and sony headphones for noise-isolation during workouts and flights. However, these skull candy earbuds with Etymotic ER4 eartips (can be purchased on ebay or at etymotic website) provide better isolation than the other more expensive options, and the price for the hybridized earbuds (about $20) can't be beat.
With an ipod, it is possible to get a good listening experience for talk or music at about half the maximum volume even in a relatively loud gym or airplane.
$29.99?! [Posted on 2008-05-28]
I have no idea why these are listed so high on here, I even got mine for $9.99 at a local FYE where they're perpetually on sale. Even at staples they're only $12-$15, if you look I'm sure you can find these for less; but that's not what I want to talk about. What I do want to talk about is why these are hands down the BEST headphones I have ever owned. Sure I've had bigger, louder, more expensive headphones that sound a bit better, but they were never something I wanted to lug around with me on long trips. Or comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time. But these surpassed all of my expectations and more.
I've never been a big fan of earbuds, they're small and fall out, they have no bass, they're uncomfortable, and on top of all that they're expensive. So when I got my iPod I was not at all surprised that I hated the buds that came with it. I immediately went to the store and started looking for something new to replace them all the while trying not to go back to headphones, wanting something compact. During this search I tried Sony, I tried Phillips, I got bought pairs claiming to have "mega bass", I sampled brands I've never heard of, I looked at the price on the Bose buds and laughed; I must have returned ten different pairs to Best Buy in bitter disappointment (kudos to Best Buy by the way, for taking back stuff you just don't like). Then finally while I was browsing FYE one day I saw these... Back then no one had heard of Skullcandy, which might have something to do with why I got them for such a low price, and I admit I was very skeptical. But I figured "what do I have to lose?" and gave them a shot. Thank God I did!
At first I found them a bit uncomfortable, but then I swapped out the preset rubber sleeves on them with the larger ones they come with (3 sizes total) and I was in heaven! I have NEVER felt something as comfortable as these are in my ears, they weigh close to nothing! The only thing that reminds me they're there is when I feel the cord dangling over my neck. The sleeves themselves form a neat little seal inside your ear to trap the sound, and helps ensure you aren't hearing the neighbors instead of your music. But if you do need to hear what's going on around you, just pause the music; no need to even take them out!
Nothing escapes the frequency range on these bad boys either. From the deep bass to the highest treble you'll hear it all. Granted, you aren't going to "feel" the bass effect the same way you would with a larger, over the ear unit, but these are impressive none the less. In fact the sound on these is so sharp that I've actually heard things on some tracks that I've never noticed before. The key is the 11mm driver located outside your ear (the black/gray/black part in the pic) that pumps music IN to your ear; instead of you just trying to shove a speaker inside your ear ala other earbuds.
As hard as I'm trying right now I really can't think of ANYTHING bad to say about them... They really don't have any problems, cable length is good, not too long, not too short. Even the buzzing I've noticed on some "high end" models is nonexistent here... The only thing I can say is that they aren't labeled as L or R but you'll figure it out quick and as long as the logo on the cable is facing you when you put them in you've got it right.
There really isn't an excuse not to at least try a pair of these, but if you're going to do it keep an eye out the next time you're in Best Buy, chances are they have a pair. Even the Smokin' Buds perform well if you can't find these, but just make sure that you get a pair with the 11mm driver (listed on the back)! You can't go wrong here.
Finally I found headphones that don't fall out while running [Posted on 2008-05-30]
I'm not an audiophile, but I am a discerning listener. No complaints about the sound quality of these ink'd headphones; the bass is good, the treble is clear.
The real reason I love these little guys is that they haven't once fallen out of my ears when I exercise; shooting hoops, jogging, running stairs, these headphones stay in my ears and the music keeps me moving.
I payed $22 for these at bestbuy and I'd do it again.
OK but could be a lot better [Posted on 2008-06-03]
I got these to replace the standard-issue headphones that came with my iPod. The in-ear design worked very well for me. There are a couple sets of silicone covers so you can find the one which works best.
The sound was OK, sometimes so-so, depending on what I was listening to. Acoustic jazz sounded fine generally; louder music strayed into the tinny territory, and I needed to rush for the volume control pretty quickly to avoid blasting my eardrums.
The major drawback for me was the plug on the cord. I wish it would have been a more sturdy L-shaped design. In the little over three months I've had them, the junction where the cord meets the plug was the first thing to go. Consequently, the left side shorted out on me; sometimes I'd get clear, consistent sound out of that side, but more often than not, it would sputter and gasp until I just stopped wearing them altogether and went back to the ones that came with my iPod for now (and those have entirely different problems).
The cord was always a hassle to manage anyway. I usually strung it behind my back so it wouldn't get in my way at work or when I was working around the house. It would have been nice if these had some way of taking up the slack on them.
So I'm in the market for another set of headphones. I don't think I'll be buying these again, though.
Good for the price [Posted on 2008-06-19]
If you are going to just sit on a metro train or in a nice setting, this these head phones are great! They come with different sized pieces of elastic that will fit, depending how big your ears are.
My biggest problem with them is that they are not good sound conductors; as in, the material that the cord is made of transfers noises into your ears. This effect is much like when you use two cans and a string to try and talk to someone. I don't see how people are running or walking with this pair in their ears. Every noise of it rubbing against my clothing or bumping against my arm are all transferred to my ears. Watch out for those pieces of elastic, because if you use one of the bigger sizes, it sticks to itself, making a very loud sticking noise in your ears.
But for the price and the quality your getting, it kind of evens out. It does well in blocking out outside noises (like people talking or overwhelming city noise) and in some cases sounds better than the head phones that come with the iPods.
Click here for more details and discount information...
|
){kind=link}