Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
I recently bought the EX71's and I have mixed feelings about it. I think it sounds great, as good as I need it to. And I love the earbud design, they fit very comfortably and stay in without problems while working out.
The thing I don't like is the cord. I thought I might like the behind the head, but really, it just seems kind of awkward. I don't understand the asymmetrical design of the earbuds. It's especially annoying because I wear my armband on my right arm, so the left earbud doesn't really even reach. I know it's designed to be used with a remote, so when I use the extension for it, it's just too long.
So to get to the point.... I'm looking for some earbuds that have the following:
-The same soft in-ear design as the EX71's,
-Comparable sound quality to the EX71's
-The symmetical design of the packaged iPod earbuds, and ideally would be the same length as the packaged earbuds
Any suggestions?
The only 2 i could find that might fit this were the Sony EX71's (which I couldn't even find being sold anywhere) and the Panasonic RP-HJE50, which I couldn't find specs on.
Thank you very much for your help with this!
[1269 byte] By [
Mateo] at [2007-11-10 14:14:01]
# 1 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
I'd go for the Apple In-Ears. You can use your EX-71 plastic ear tips on them, and they have a symmetrical cord design. Personally, I also think they sound better than the Sonys.
# 2 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
Originally posted by Buzzbait
I'd go for the Apple In-Ears. You can use your EX-71 plastic ear tips on them, and they have a symmetrical cord design. Personally, I also think they sound better than the Sonys.
Well, I had planned on returning the EX-71s and buying a new pair. But i wonder if they'd notice the missing tips? :)
I'd still like to find more on the EX-51s or those panasonic earbuds. Anyone know if those would have what i'm looking for?
Mateo at 2007-11-15 15:23:58 >
# 3 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
ex-51s do have the same cord design as the ex-71s
# 4 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
Yes, the neck-chain design is handy for walking around without the 'phones in your ears, but it irritates after a while and becomes an annoyance. Look at either the new EX51's (single long cord) or a pair of Shure e2c's. The former is the same as the EX71's performance-wise, and the latter do cost more but use a traditional 'Y-cord'.
# 5 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
Thanks for the info. I was hoping to find a pair of EX51's but I can't seem to find them anywhere online. (Plus, FrozernFire said the 51's are the same cord design as the 71s) Where can I find a pair of the EX51s with the single Y-cord?
I was also thinking about going with the Shure's, but the only thing holding me back is the cost.
Mateo at 2007-11-15 15:27:00 >
# 6 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
The 51's with the single neck chain (eg. not a two-part short cord + extension) can be found at Audiocubes (http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Earphones_Earbuds/product/Sony_MDR-EX51LP_Fontopia_Earphone.html).
The price of the Shure's was a bit of a turn off for me at first, but I've decided to spend that bit extra for the return in build quality and comfort. Should have them by next week :)
# 7 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
Elithar, thanks for the help. I actually found those EX51s at Best Buy for $40 so I got them and am going to return the 71s. Sound great to me, and the cord length is perfect. I also picked up the Nike/Phillips Flight earphones to use for working out, and they were great for at the gym.
Mateo at 2007-11-15 15:29:00 >
# 8 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
Originally posted by Elithrar
The 51's with the single neck chain (eg. not a two-part short cord + extension) can be found at
The price of the Shure's was a bit of a turn off for me at first, but I've decided to spend that bit extra for the return in build quality and comfort. Should have them by next week :)
Do these have a Y shaped cord?
I'm confused, some say this model does others say it doesn't! :confused:
# 9 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
go for some e2c's-much higher quality, much better sound, same comfort (when you use the ultra soft flex sleeves), and They cost me about $50-the same retail as the ex-81's and only $10 more than the ex71's
BTW the e2c's have a symmetrical cord that can be worn in front like normal headphones or behind you. Either way hte cord goes over your ears, which makes them very secure.
hope I helped
# 10 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
Originally posted by Elithrar
The 51's with the single neck chain (eg. not a two-part short cord + extension) can be found at Audiocubes (http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Earphones_Earbuds/product/Sony_MDR-EX51LP_Fontopia_Earphone.html).
The price of the Shure's was a bit of a turn off for me at first, but I've decided to spend that bit extra for the return in build quality and comfort. Should have them by next week :)
sorry for not being too clear about that... the shures are not much more expensive, and i might consider them if they were not grossly overpriced here
# 11 Re: Alternative to Sony MD-EX71 earbuds
Originally posted by dizastix
Do these have a Y shaped cord?
I'm confused, some say this model does others say it doesn't! :confused:
Diz - NO, the EX51's do NOT have the Y-shaped cord. But they did have the standard sized cord instead of the really short cord with the extension. And I've found them to be OK after a couple of uses. I actually kinda like the neck-chain design. I just didn't like the EX71's because with the extension on there it really made the left earbud a lot heavier. But i haven't had that problem with the 51s.
Mateo at 2007-11-15 15:33:01 >
