Sony MDR-ED21LP Fontopia In-The-Ear Headphones
by Sony
List Price:
Our Price: $13.99
You Save: $6.00 (30%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: CE
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SonyFormat: CD
Model: MDRED21LP
Product features:
- Super-light In-the-ear Headphones
- Bass Booster Earpiece Shape
- 16 mm driver units
- Acoustic Twin Turbo Circuit for enhanced sound
- High-powered Neodymium Magnets
- Belkin RockStar 5-Way 3.5-mm Headphone Splitter (White)
- Belkin F8V234-WHT-APL Headphone Splitter
- Monster MCL MSTFST MINI 1/8 Stereo Female to 1/4 Stereo Male Cable Adapter
- Monster 123872-00 iSplitter Shared Headphone Adapter
- H2O Audio - Sport Series Headphones - Black
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony MDR-ED21LP Fontopia In-The-Ear Headphones
Customer Review: Sennheiser CX300's vs. Sony MDR-ED21LP's
Summary: 5 Stars
It's not surprising to see the Sennheiser CX300's listed as #1 on Amazon's list of best-selling earbud headphones. The most popular consumer magazine recently rated them above a pair costing ten times as much. But it's somewhat surprising that the Sony MDR-ED21 earbuds aren't listed more prominently among Amazon's best-sellers, since they were also rated above the costly "audiophile" earbuds and are currently selling at a sizable discount even to the CX300's.
When my wife borrowed my Sony ED21's and didn't want to give them back, I decided to order the CX300's. While I don't necessarily regret the decision, I do have second thoughts. A few observations:
1. The Sennheisers plug directly into the ear canal; the Sony ED21 design is a "compromise" between the familiar, conventional buds (e.g. Apple's standard issue) that are held in place by the cartilage of the outer ear and plugs that are inserted into the ear canal. The Sony buds enter the canal but only part way, sealing out less sound than the Sennheiser CX300s but compensating for the loss with an ingenious little "sound board" that serves to boost the bass. (Because of this design, it's especially critical with the ED21's not to switch left and right ear-buds.)
2. Bass, or lack of it, is the main issue with any earbuds--the reason that listeners still use full-sized headphones. Both the Sennheiser and Sony buds reproduce the deepest bass frequencies, but both are admittedly quite "anemic" (and I'm someone who's habitually complaining about over-amplified bass). Because they form a tighter seal and are more sensitive (i.e. louder), the Sennheisers have a slight edge in reproducing bass without the use of equalization, etc. (If you expect to have big bass with a pair of ear buds, best wait: Sony has announced the imminent release of a radically new design. Price? Five hundred smackers.)
3. The CX300X buds have outstanding treble, but compared to the MDR-ED21 buds, the balance in the mid-range lacks richness and warmth to my ears, sounding almost "tinny" upon some quick exchanges between the two devices. I'm afraid the resonant vocal tones of Sinatra or Renee Fleming are done the greater disservice by the Sennheiser buds.
4. The 3 pairs of covers, or soft adapters, included with the Sennheiser buds have less to do with the size of the listener's ear canal than with his or her preference. All three are likely to "fit," so the question is how deep the listener wishes the bud to penetrate the auditory canal. The largest one is no doubt the "safest," but the smallest one will provide the tightest seal--along with the best bass and smoothest overall sound. (But best decide which of the three you prefer asap. My guess is that misplacing one of these is more a probability than a possibility.)
5. Some Amazon reviewers have criticized Sennheiser's designers for shortening the length of wire (by two-thirds) to the left earpiece. Sennheiser justifies the asymmetrical length with directions that the long wire (to the right ear) is to be worn behind the neck, thus avoiding superfluous wire hanging from the user's chin. I'm OK by that,, but should it be an issue, the Sony buds employ wires that are of equal length--and, moreover, are adjustable. (Just remember that the Sony mini-cans are essentially ineffective if left and right ear buds get switched around; with the Sennheiser's the only effect would be a reversing of channels.)
6. Possible deal-maker/breaker: the CX300's come with a slightly larger housing for the 3.5mm plug, yet turning the plug in my player or jiggling the cord itself transmits static, "microphonics," and other non-musical sounds, sometimes causing a channel to cut out momentarily. I can't reproduce the effect in the Sony ED21's, which appear to be much better insulated. Runners probably should steer clear of the Sennheisers; either that, or take seriously Sennheiser's directions (on their website) to wear the "long wire" behind the neck to reduce flapping of the wires.
7. The Sennheiser buds come with those 4 extra ear covers--that's it; the Sony pair comes with a little cinch carrying bag--that's it. Take your pick. I'm giving the Sony's an extra star for better durability and insulation, better protection against hearing damage, better price, and at least comparable sound. (Or, purchase both, and use the Sony sack for storing the extra Sennheiser covers.)
Description of Sony MDR-ED21LP Fontopia In-The-Ear Headphones
Ear Bud Headphones - 16MMDigital Cameras and Photo Categories
Similar digital cameras and accessories
Sony MDRE828LP/ SLV Lightweight Earbuds (Silver)Sony; Release date: 2011-11-12; CE
Best price: $2.90
Price in other shops:
Sony MDR-E829V Fontopia Earbuds with In-line Volume ControlSony; CE
Price in other shops:
Sony Bass Booster Stereo Headphones (Model# MDR-ED21LP)Sony; CE
Best price: $14.99
Panasonic RP-HV200 Portable Earbud Headphones with Boosted BassPanasonic; CE
Best price: $8.68
Price in other shops:
Sony MDR-E10Lp/ BLK Headphones - Fashion Earbuds (Black)Sony; CE
Best price: $6.95
Price in other shops:
Sony Mdr-Ed12Lp/ Gld Budstyle Headphones (Gold)Sony; CE
Best price: $14.99
Sony MDR-E818LP Fontopia Ear-Bud Headphones with Acoustic Twin Turbo CircuitSony; Release date: 2011-11-12; CE
Price in other shops:
Sony MDR-ED12LP Budstyle Headphones (Red)Sony; CE
Price in other shops:
Sony MDR-ED12LP Budstyle Headphones (Blue)Sony; Release date: 2011-11-12; CE
Best price: $7.80
Price in other shops:
Sony MDR-ED12LP Earbuds (Silver)Sony; Sony; Sony; Electronics; Speakers
Price in other shops: