IDSkot
05-21-2009, 11:37 AM
Packaging/Shipping: These were sent in about 5 days. They made me sign for it, which is both really, I suppose 'safe,' but also a hassle for someone who doesn't stay at home all day. But, other than that, no complaints. Went smoothly. Seems DD clicked all the options when shipping. I had UPS calling me, telling me they were on their way, DD sent me the tracking number instantly, and their employees were e-mailing me, assuring me I'd get it before my trip. They're pretty cool folks.
Now, the actual packaging was pretty good, too... and prettyfulll:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/TwistedShot/DSCF0403.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/TwistedShot/DSCF0409-1.jpg
Wait... MORE PACKAGING?!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/TwistedShot/DSCF0410.jpg
Yes. And, if that's not enough packaging for you... the case itself is just that: a case. I don't know what they were trying to protect... but they did it well. A+ for DD, for effort and effectiveness.
Sound: The first song I listened to, Bonobo's D Song, at first didn't impress me with the sound reproduction... until the bass line came in. Then the headphones really shined. They have a nice mid-bass reproduction. With this in mind, I listened to other songs of various genres. Including Blackstar's Defition:RE, Infected Mushrooms' Becoming Insane, Rancid's Maxwell Murder, Dub Pistol's Cyclone, and anything on my iPod that had a wicked bass line. These head phones do amazing low-end sound. Mid-ranged it does okay, but high ranged is a bit harsh. Not incredibly harsh, just at louder volumes, it kind of gets harsh. Not enough for me to turn it down, just enough for me to notice.
Noise Cancellation: I know, this isn't what DD was intending... but these cancel out noise incredibly well. Even at low volumes. I'm listening to them at half volume on my iPhone, and I can't hear myself type, I banged on the desk and couldn't hear it either.
Comfort: I find these ear buds aren't that uncomfortable. For someone with smaller ear canals (people who can't stand the average ear bud head phones, don't think these are different. You'll hate them even more.) The all metal casing makes it kind of heavy. It was very easy for me to forget my iPod head phones were even in my ear. These put a weight on your ears, so you won't ever be able to do that. Although that doesn't pose much of a problem for me. I'll try to find a gram scale and weigh these verse some other head phones I have laying around. I'm sure these will be more. But, other than the weight, they're rather comfortable once you get them in.
Other concerns: A marketing plot by DD advertises "modular bass" by changing the soft pieces of the head phones. It comes with 3 different ones, big, medium, and small. The only difference I really saw was comfort level. The bass didn't really alter that much. I couldn't get the big ones to stay in my ear. They sounded great when I pushed them in and held them, but they wouldn't stay... and I tried the smalls ones, and they kept falling out as well. I stayed with the medium-sized ones, and once pushed in, they fit snug and I don't think they'll come out soon.
However, they didn't have any form of paper work that shows you how to change the soft parts. While it's self-explanatory, it was actually rather hard to get them on as they kept falling off. I struggled for a good 10 minutes to get them on. I'm not even sure if I did it right. I just kind of pushed until they stayed. It's the American way. Just keep hitting it until it stops moving.
Overall Thoughts: I think this was a great buy. For the price, I think they perform wonderfully. They seem to be built to last, and really durable. I think they're definitely worth the $70 bucks I spent on 'em. I am thoroughly enjoying them.
Now, the actual packaging was pretty good, too... and prettyfulll:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/TwistedShot/DSCF0403.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/TwistedShot/DSCF0409-1.jpg
Wait... MORE PACKAGING?!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/TwistedShot/DSCF0410.jpg
Yes. And, if that's not enough packaging for you... the case itself is just that: a case. I don't know what they were trying to protect... but they did it well. A+ for DD, for effort and effectiveness.
Sound: The first song I listened to, Bonobo's D Song, at first didn't impress me with the sound reproduction... until the bass line came in. Then the headphones really shined. They have a nice mid-bass reproduction. With this in mind, I listened to other songs of various genres. Including Blackstar's Defition:RE, Infected Mushrooms' Becoming Insane, Rancid's Maxwell Murder, Dub Pistol's Cyclone, and anything on my iPod that had a wicked bass line. These head phones do amazing low-end sound. Mid-ranged it does okay, but high ranged is a bit harsh. Not incredibly harsh, just at louder volumes, it kind of gets harsh. Not enough for me to turn it down, just enough for me to notice.
Noise Cancellation: I know, this isn't what DD was intending... but these cancel out noise incredibly well. Even at low volumes. I'm listening to them at half volume on my iPhone, and I can't hear myself type, I banged on the desk and couldn't hear it either.
Comfort: I find these ear buds aren't that uncomfortable. For someone with smaller ear canals (people who can't stand the average ear bud head phones, don't think these are different. You'll hate them even more.) The all metal casing makes it kind of heavy. It was very easy for me to forget my iPod head phones were even in my ear. These put a weight on your ears, so you won't ever be able to do that. Although that doesn't pose much of a problem for me. I'll try to find a gram scale and weigh these verse some other head phones I have laying around. I'm sure these will be more. But, other than the weight, they're rather comfortable once you get them in.
Other concerns: A marketing plot by DD advertises "modular bass" by changing the soft pieces of the head phones. It comes with 3 different ones, big, medium, and small. The only difference I really saw was comfort level. The bass didn't really alter that much. I couldn't get the big ones to stay in my ear. They sounded great when I pushed them in and held them, but they wouldn't stay... and I tried the smalls ones, and they kept falling out as well. I stayed with the medium-sized ones, and once pushed in, they fit snug and I don't think they'll come out soon.
However, they didn't have any form of paper work that shows you how to change the soft parts. While it's self-explanatory, it was actually rather hard to get them on as they kept falling off. I struggled for a good 10 minutes to get them on. I'm not even sure if I did it right. I just kind of pushed until they stayed. It's the American way. Just keep hitting it until it stops moving.
Overall Thoughts: I think this was a great buy. For the price, I think they perform wonderfully. They seem to be built to last, and really durable. I think they're definitely worth the $70 bucks I spent on 'em. I am thoroughly enjoying them.