By the way, I hope this week finds everyone well. No, nothing bad has happened to me over the last month. And no, I didn't finish the Knight Rider Season 2 DVDs. Reason being: Magnum P.I., Season 2.
Nice.
My new Kangol Cap rocks. Double for the Burberry shades. But that pic is also for:
Sony MDR-EX81LP earphones
I remember the trouble I went through to get the MDR-EX71SL earphones a couple of years back. Back then, the iPods were exclusively for Mac users (people like me), and if we wanted to listen to our music in style, we had to fly to Japan to get the aforementioned earphones in white. Either that, or go to Chinatown to get our imported supply, because those earphones were only available in the US in black. And when I finally plunked $50 to get the perfect complement to the iPod, five months passed, and the right earphone got knocekd out; no sound at all. That would make me weary about buying Sony earphones for years to come. Some earphones came and went; the Apple in-ear headphones, the Opus earphones (which I still have, but the sound quality is just not the same), and my original Apple buds. But only the in-ear headphones could compare to the quality I got from the Sony's, and I was tempted to throw $50 for a new one. I even considered tossing $200 for the Shure E3 earphones, being that so much praise has been given about them.
Then these 81LP's came out.
What I learned is that there are two ways to get these Fontopias: LP(long cord) or SL(two short cords, for remotes I guess). The Japanese counterparts come in SL, with a nice pouch, and are more geared for the iPods. US brought out the LPs, with some clammy-looking case, which by the way, does protect the phones very good. Upon first sight (April 4th), I plunked the same $50 to get these Fontopias. So far, the sound quality that I got with the 71SL's has returned to me with the 81LPs. The only problems that exist is that first, it's only been a month since I had 'em. It's too early to tell whether these are really good. I'd figure if by October, I still had these earphones, than they get a rating. Secondly, the overall volume of these earphones has been lowered, so I can't get these to play loudly. While that shouldn't be a setback, some jazz pieces will be affected by the change.
In essence, I won't rate these 'til October. By then, we'll know for sure whether they're good or not.
My Sony MDRV700-DJ Headphones; two years later
From Tuesday, March 18, 2003
...I decided to go to the store I usually get my headphones from, a small rinky-dinky joint ran by cheap Jews on 6th Avenue & 13th Street. They didn't have it when I first went in, and told me to check back later, promising me a discount when I came back. I came back a couple of days later (the 11th), and to my dismay, they still didn't have it. I came back a couple of more days later (the 13th), and there was another problem. Oh they had it, but that wasn't the problem. They wanted $120. When I ask about the discount, they told me that was the discount. Remembering that was the original price they asked for when I went the first time, I quickly dismissed them, and prepared to fork $115 to eBay.
But something told me to shop around, and try my luck. Dragging my friend Brian (in his thug outfit), we went to several stores near the area, until we landed on another rinky-dink-joint on 14th Street. He quickly tells me of his bad experience in such a place; and I remind him that if anything happens, all I need is a receipt, and Sony handles the rest. We go inside and inquire; the salesman nonchalantly tells me $90 for the headphones. I immediately jump on the offer, but his shipment of new goods doesn't come til later. We waited, and when he saw the headphones, he realized he made one serious mistake; a mistake he tried to rectify. I hounded him on the fact we agreed to $90; in which he countered that after tax, it still almost $100, which was what he was asking me at that time. Brian, in a brilliant performance as the bad consumer, stuck to his $90 guns; I in another stunning good consumer performance, agreed to a flat $100. When we got to the register to pay however, there was a brand new obstacle to overcome! The cashier says he wants $109 for the item (with tax).
Okay. I know what you're thinking, $110. Versus $115 for something that won't arrive for days; versus almost $145 for getting the item now, I could afford to plunk out the extra $9. But not me; Brian & I, after stunning performances, were not about to lose the Oscar to Oscar. We stuck our guns in for as long as God permitted; until the original salesman came and said that he promised me $100 flat. In Russian (yes, I have friends in the Russian Connection...), the cashier asks him if he's crazy; the headphones are $150 in big-time stores! Between the salesman's accepted offer, and the cash that was right in front of him, I walked out of the store with a receipt that says I paid $100 for a $150 pair of headphones. So, what did I end up doing with the extra $10 I saved?? I bought pizza for me and Brian, that's what!
In telling that long story, I am enjoying my new headphones. The bass is booming, the trebles are correct, and the highs are hit. That's all I care about. The fact that the headphones are comfortable, single side corded, gold plugged, well cushioned, and used by Funkmaster Flex & Mademoiselle Sonachansingh are mere icings on the cake for me. My mother looks in utter astonishment; how a guy spends top dollar on headphones is beyond her. But to me, it's more than the headphones, it's an accomplishment; a milestone for consumers everywhere. A milestone that says we will not succumb to some rinky-dinky salesmen...
Well katz, it has been over two years since that time, and I am proud to say that after two other iPods, I am still enjoying my sony DJ headphones. I dunno about computers, mp3 players, and PSPs, but Sony can make some good TVs and headphones. And when they're good & ready, they'll put out a few good VCRs and DVD players.
But back to the topic @ hand, I lucked out with these headphones. I can't praise them enough. They have certainly fared better than the EX71SL's I bought months after the fact. In fact, for $100, and after two years of experience, are there any gripes?
Only one: after two hours of use, my ears sweat.
Aside from that, I'd buy these again, if after another couple of years they decide to break down!
More later...