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"Annoying sound from the cord hitting your shirt" on by sean617
Pros: Good sound
Cons: When you walk or run with these headphones, there is a distracting and annoying sound that emits from them. I got so distracted I took them back to Apple
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"I recommend them, the sound is glorious for every genre" on by n8dogg2121
Pros: The sound is glorious.
I got used to the cumbersome fit eventually.Cons: The wire in the pictures looked more durable and less plastic-y/annoying. It is in fact plastic-y and annoying. It gets tangled easy and just isn't what I wanted or expected from a $200 pair of earbuds. I think they are at Be$t Buy now for $175
Also..Summary: I recommend them. They won't let you try on a pair but if you make sure and get it from a place that is easy to return items, buy them, try them, return them if you don't think they're comfortable.
After a while I either stopped caring about the discomfort or got used to it, they still sound flawless.
I bought these as well as some beats with a nicer cord, the beats were grossly bass heavy and when I heard these things the awesomeness was easily recognizable immediately compared to the beats.
This is irrelevant really to the headphones but I thought I would mention it, the zipper on the case is awful. it gets stick, the metal zipper handle gets strangely jammed with the box-esque attachment. -
"Effortless, realistic sound." on by jstacy82
Pros: --precise sound
--very comfortable (acutally...read my summary)
--high quality constructionCons: --price
--bass could be fuller (but I understand these you actually do have to break in...which based on other reviews does occur with time)Summary: I was VERY hesitant to buy these headphones at $179 from the Apple store given all of the reviews talking about the uncomfortable nature of the Secure Loop (not just on here but especially on Amazon.com); however, since they offered a complete refund within 2 weeks if I didn't like them, I decided to try them--AND I'M GLAD I DID! I have migraines and have very sensitive ears and nasal bridge--I say this to mean that other bluetooth earpieces do hurt my ears quite a bit. I put these headphones on 45 minutes ago in the car at the Apple store and haven't taken them off yet...and no I don't even have sore ears yet.
My recommendation, try them and return them if you don't like them. I figure that people who buy them and DON'T have a problem with them DON'T actually leave reviews since they're satisfied, so as usual, only the people who are mainly dissatisfied leave very detailed reviews. Also, some reviews about the metal housing sticking into the ear canals and hurting, this is likely a factor of undersizing the silicone ear pieces. It also may stem from pushing them in so far in an ATTEMPT TO MAKE THEM NOISE CANCELING. They're not noise canceling, and don't claim to be. I do find that I can't hear my computer sound or my house alarm keypad (for example) when wearing them, so they are pretty darn good at it. Just don't FORCE them into your ear canal.
Also, when I first put them in, I fitted the ear loops correctly and didn't push them into my ear canal TOO TIGHTLY, which I suspect may be the problem for some people, and I would expect that to hurt after a while by the creation of a mini pressure sore.
I'm a neurosurgery resident, and so I pay great attention to detail. I truly think that the sound (as has been said by most) is brilliant. I also happen to think that they are extremely comfortable (seeing as I'm now almost into an hour wearing them for my first time). The sound is so good, I truly don't want to take them off. Hope this helps. -
"True Hi-Fi sound from one of the best in Hi-Fi" on by Arvin_C
Pros: - Highly accurate sound reproduction, without sounding too "clinical"
- Bass response is fast and clean
- Crisp and detailed highs
- Open, airy soundstage compared to other in-ear phones
- Solid build-quality
- In-ear loop design worksCons: - Warm signature may not appeal to the critical listener
- Mid-range is a touch forward
- Noise isolation is average at best
- Straight-design jack isn't as portable as a L-type
- Needs some break-in time to sound and fit its bestSummary: Hi-Fi & stereophile enthusiasts know that B&W's full-size speakers have a well deserved reputation for providing lush, smooth, room-filling sound with presence and power. Well, the C5s attempt to provide the same for your personallistening enviroment, mostly succeeding on that front. B&W went for a sound signature that is clean, accurate and detailed. However, as with their speakers, B&W throws in a bit of warmth. The C5s do not have the starkly accurate, clinical sound of say the Etymotic hf5 or ER-4, nor do they have the bass-heavy signature that many other manufacturers favor. Instead, the C5s strike a pleasing balance, providing sound that is deep and powerful, while losing none of the detail and speed that can make for a muddled mess.
Having owned the C5s since they were introduced, I can say that they benefit greatly from some break-in time. On the sound side, the sound has become deeper and fuller, with all the frequency signatures having a richness that makes listening a real pleasure. The soundstage they provide is wide and open, with none of the "inside my head" sensation many earphones can give. They are capable of playing as loudly as you dare while not breaking down into the area of distortion. Another factor during the break-in period is fit: at first, the novel loop-in-ear design was very un-comfortable, causing some soreness. But, as the cables have loosened and my ears have adjusted to them, I find wearing the C5s to be easy, with the loops keeping them securely in place even during a dead-run through an airport terminal. The build quality, as with all B&W products, is very high.
I own several hi-fi grade headphones and earphones from Shure, AKG and Grado. While the C5 cannot match a true, audiophile can like the Shure SE535, for the $200 and Under pricepoint, they are hard to beat. They have that complete, fulfilling sound that B&W is famous for. They would be hard to beat at twice the price. -
"The perfect headphone for your portable device" on by Craigster75
Pros: Signature transparent B&W sound quality with surprisingly deep, accurate and punchy bass. Amazing ear loop innovation that hold headphones in place and helps maintain the earbud seal for amazing sound, even during strenuous physical activity.
Cons: Only the most minor of issues- ear tips can rip easily during changing if not careful and three button I phone connector on the cord could be easier to use with raised buttons.
Summary: Simply the cleanest, most accurate, most transparent sound you will hear on a headphone in this price range. I have listened to many headphones and these are far above all others. The entire sonic range is amazing. Vocals will give you goosebumps. I thought my Klipsh S4's were excellent. The B&W C5 blows them away. The bass extension rivals powered rapper headphones, but in an incredibly compact design and no batteries needed! Also, the ear loop is the most secure and comfortable (with some adjustment) way to keep your earbuds in place. If you have $180 to invest in the sound quality of your portable device, this is a no brainer....enjoy!
Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-ear Noise-Isolating Headphones user reviews
