Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: headphones, ihome, griffin, chicbuds | Themes: Audio/Video Players
2. MyPhones, DJ Sport, and iHMP5
We reviewed three pairs of headphones that are aimed at three distinct markets – kids, women and people who want the all-in-one experience. Each of these headphones represent a diversification for the companies who made them, and all are in the $30-$60 range – well below the audiophile limit on spending.
| Price | Earcups | Volume Limiting | includes Speakers | Folds Up | Compatible With Any Device | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChicBuds DJ Sport | $29.99 | X | X | X | ||
| Griffith Myphones | $30 | X | X | X | ||
| iHome HMP | $59.99 | X | X | | X |
Griffin MyPhones: Specs and Style
Like gorging on candy and driving too fast, listening to ear-shattering music is one of the most human of flaws. We love our ears, but we don’t always treat them well – especially when there’s an opportunity to go to a live show and stand near a shuttering speaker. When it comes to kids, though, there may be some help in the safety department in the form of voume-limiting headphones. Griffin is a company known for creating iPod-friendly consumer products and have entered the headphone market with MyPhones. MyPhones have a built-in function that governs the level of sound that comes out to a healthy 85 dB. Most headphones go up to 105 dB. In comparison, an ambulance siren clocks in at 120 dB and a firecracker screeches at 150 dB. MyPhones will likely resolve some of those annoying “turn it down!” conversations between parents and kids. In addition, MyPhones are color-customizable with three interchangeable decorative inserts that can change the look of the headphones. Kids can also log on to a special website, www.myphoneskids.com, where they are free to download and create even more ear cap designs.
ChicBuds DJ Sport: Specs and Style
ChicBuds already makes Swarovski crystal-encrusted earbuds, so why not throw some DJ-style headphones into the mix? Their DJ Sport line comes in hot pink or multi-colored madness, and is targeted toward women who want to rock out with color and style. The headphones can fold up for ease of travel, and work with any music playing device. The sound frequency response is pretty standard, with a range from 15 to 20,000 Hertz, and the phones have a 108dB output. They also come with a 3.5mm plug, so they could feasibly be used in professional situations.
iHome iHMP5:Specs and Style
iHome, maker of many enhancers for the iPod and friends, wants to help you go from private to party with one small click. Their new iMHP5 is a headphone set that can flip around, click together, and become an inline pre-amp speaker to fill any space with sound. Lots of people already use their headphones as accessories to blast sound to others (ahem) in public spaces, but this product does it explicitly, and with sound quality to match. The iHMP5 comes in three colors and is outfitted with an adjustable headband and full ear padding for noise isolation. On the other hand, for those impromptu parties on the subway, just pop in the included batteries and rev up the sound for everyone.
- Previous page A Short History With Long Cords
- Next page Test: Sound Quality
Reputable headphone manufacturers provide a frequency response graph, as well as specify impedance, sensitivity and power handling capacity.
Very poor review, given the lack of specs provided.
VERY VERY poor review.
Complete lack of specs (not that they often mean much), no real discussion of sound quality and you believe leaking headphones are bad?
I'm sorry, I don't expect a "golden-eared" review in the style of head-fi for 30 buck headphones, but please Kate Gammon, get a clue by doing some reading (start at "open" vs "closed" style headphones) and experiencing a few more headphones.
An iPod, 3 sets of headphones and a decibel meter, a headphone reviewer they make not.
what? no sennheiser px100 or even the cheapo-but-great hd201? koss porta pro?
for under $60, these are the bang for buck.
what? no sennheiser px100 or even the cheapo-but-great hd201? koss porta pro? for under $60, these are the bang for buck.
actually the px100 fit within the price range of the review even though they dont necessarily match the style.
Reputable headphone manufacturers provide a frequency response graph, as well as specify impedance, sensitivity and power handling capacity.Very poor review, given the lack of specs provided.
Please provide a link to a frequency response graph for a
I love that Tom's Guide has a few audiophile readers. But honestly--what info would you really want to know if you were in the market for a set of headphones designed to replace earbuds, be comfortable, and cheap? If those were your top priorities, would you really want to know about impedence and power handling? Maybe you would. I, personally, wouldn't. I would want to know about: comfort, durability, and sound quality of the kind one might experience at the gym, on the bus, etc. However, I am glad to know that there are some of you out there who are hungry for true audiophile level headphone reviews. I will consider whether that type of article belongs on Tom's Guide.
Thanks,
Rachel Rosmarin
Editor, Tom's Guide
Please provide a link to a frequency response graph for a
"please provide a link to a frequency response graph for a cheaper than $60 pair of headphones"
VERY VERY poor review.Complete lack of specs (not that they often mean much), no real discussion of sound quality and you believe leaking headphones are bad? I'm sorry, I don't expect a "golden-eared" review in the style of head-fi for 30 buck headphones, but please Kate Gammon, get a clue by doing some reading (start at "open" vs "closed" style headphones) and experiencing a few more headphones.An iPod, 3 sets of headphones and a decibel meter, a headphone reviewer they make not.
Leaking headphones are bad if you're using them in public. No question about it. If your sole purpose of listening to music on headphones is for accurate monitoring, then you DO NOT WANT THESE HEADPHONES. That much should be obvious.
actually the px100 fit within the price range of the review even though they dont necessarily match the style.
For those of you who listed other headphones you'd have liked to see reviewed--great! But, you should know that when we do review roundups we try to limit the products included to those that are brand new to the market, as the 3 headsets in this roundup are. The others you mentioned have been on the market a while. However, you make a good point that it is often useful to include a comparison to an established successful product--that's a viable reviewing style as well. Point taken,
"please provide a link to a frequency response graph for a cheaper than $60 pair of headphones"
As I said in my earlier post, it's the manufacturer, not the price, that makes the difference - the frequency response graphs will usually be shown on the spec sheets or printed on the packaging. Also, shopping for headphones doesn't always mean that you get to actually listen to them before you buy, therefore you DO need to look at the specs to know what it is you're getting, and be able to make a performance comparison.
kid-sized phones ot fit.
SPELL CHECK FAGGOT
My beef with computer headsets is most of them use plastic tops instead of spring steel which means they are bulky in a notebook case and break easily. I use a headset with a notebook for listening and for speech recognition so I'm looking for a stereo headset with a spring steel top, a mic adequate for speech recognition and all of that small enough to put in the front pocket of a notebook case. That's not so easy to find.
sound isolating ear buds are best for commuting and physical activity. they also offer the best bang for the buck a this price point. why is it you tested none? do people research such poor quality audio equipment?
DEAR TOM... AND ALL...
EARBUDS ARE SAFER FOR TRAVELING ON THE BUS... ETC... DO NOT BLOCK OUT ALL THE OUTSIDE SOUND OF CARS ETC...
BEST WISHES...
GERSHON...
sound isolating ear buds are best for commuting and physical activity. they also offer the best bang for the buck a this price point. why is it you tested none? do people research such poor quality audio equipment?
A lot of people don't like earbuds--they say they are uncomfortable and hurt the ear canal--especially cheap ones. SO, we looked at an alternative: cheap over-the-ears. That's why we tested none (earbuds) for this little roundup.
DEAR TOM... AND ALL... EARBUDS ARE SAFER FOR TRAVELING ON THE BUS... ETC... DO NOT BLOCK OUT ALL THE OUTSIDE SOUND OF CARS ETC... BEST WISHES... GERSHON...
Earbuds are safer than what? These Over-the-ears don't block out noise from the outside world. Noise canceling earphones of any kind should not be used while walking or riding a bike--bad idea! Luckily, we didn't review any actual noise canceling headphones in this review. If we had, we would make sure to caution against doing dangerous activities like that while wearing them.
Pffft!*sound i made* yeah they have poor audio quality and are uncomfortable.... if their ipod(fuck apple). Pure comfort and best headphone sound quality will always be from around ear cans(duhhh).But what class is more portable, what about stylish, what do you think will stay in your ears while your on the treadmill? $60 buds or $60 cans.... If so many people dislike ear buds so, why is it thats all i see people wear in public... i much prefer cans to in ear anything but if im on the go, good in ear buds are much more practical
Pffft!*sound i made* yeah they have poor audio quality and are uncomfortable.... if their ipod(fuck apple). Pure comfort and best headphone sound quality will always be from around ear cans(duhhh).But what class is more portable, what about stylish, what do you think will stay in your ears while your on the treadmill? $60 buds or $60 cans.... If so many people dislike ear buds so, why is it thats all i see people wear in public... i much prefer cans to in ear anything but if im on the go, good in ear buds are much more practical
Of course, earbuds are much more popular than cheap over-the-ears. You'll find no argument from me. If what you're saying is that you'd like to see a review of mid-range earbuds, we can consider that. However, please don't dismiss the people out there that don't like ear buds. They have every right to buy slightly-less-practical cheap over-the-ears, and the manufacturers in this review are trying to pursue that niche.
great one