Phiaton PS 200 Primal Series Earphones review

Descending from the PS 200 earbuds is a black Y cable that meets at a brushed metal accent where you'll find a slider for tangle prevention. The cord is impressively thick and measures just over four feet on the whole. At the end is a standard 3.5mm straight plug. The earphones lack any other features of note. Again, at this price point we would have liked to see some more extras, such as an optional mic for use with music phones or an inline volume attenuator.

Still, sound quality is arguably more important than extras when it comes to earphones, and the Phiaton PS 200 Primal Series Earphones don't disappoint on that front. Our one complaint is that bass is subtle, especially when compared head-to-head with the Monster Turbine earphones. That's not to say it isn't there; it's just more underlying as opposed to thumping. We'd like a more present low-end, but some listeners may prefer the subtlety--especially those who listen to mellow electronica, classical, and low-key rock. (If you're big on pop and hip hop, these may not be the set for you.)

Beyond that, we were impressed with the range, clarity, and warmth offered by the headphones. The female vocals in Motorcycle's "As The Rush Comes" were smooth and buttery without even slightly overshadowing the sharp detail of the background shaker, and the poignancy of Portishead's "Glory Box" was palpable, every string standing out. In David Bowie's "Fame," each individual backing instrument popped. In final analysis, the audio quality produced by the Phiaton PS 200 Primal Series Earphones justifies the price, but we still wish there were more eartips and extras, as well as a more recognizable brand to go with it.