- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 12 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
3.5 stars
"Worth a Chance!"
Pros: Comfy Fit (see notes); "look" mimics iPod 'phones; Good sound for $20-30 earbuds.
Cons: "Wrap-around cord" config. can be awkward, limiting.
Summary: I picked up a pair of these @ Best Buy about 6 months ago. They're now my default earbuds.
My previous 'phones were the vaguely smuttily-named "THE PLUG" phones by Koss. I liked those a LOT and wanted something like them...but without the problem of the cushions getting gross from ear gunk and/or losing the internal sound tubes. Also, the cord wore out where it connected to the earbuds themselves and to the jack.
As for the Philips earbuds, I liked the look. They're spiffy like iPod phones (but actually, I think they look a bit nicer, with a tiny screen on them that presumably emits the sound over the chrome exterior of the earbud and back into your ear). The color is more of a grey-white. They'd be nicer in pure white, but that's okay.
Many users have complained that the silicone cushions don't fit into their ear canals. As of Winter 2005, Philips started packaging TWO sets of cushions in with the headphones--but the 2nd pair isn't a "spare:-- it's larger than the other. Now most people should be able to use the one that fits them better. If you're read a review that states that the cushions don't fit, give them a try anyway. Especially if you get them somewhere like Best Buy where you can return them if they aren't for you.
What irks me about the design is the 1-cord style they use: The cord is split asymmetrically: the left earbud has a cord that is approximately 4 inches long, and the right one is a little over 19.5 inches long. You're supposed to plug the left one into your left ear and then wrap the right one around the back of your head and plug it into your right ear. But the right cord is WAAAAY too long. I ended up with lots of slack cord hanging behind my head. Not very cool-looking. (For the record, I usually wear normal symmetric earbuds behind my head, withthe cord running down my back and under my arm to the front.) I suppse there's less tugging this way, but I still don't really like it. Another drawback is that the design more or less makes you wear your audio player on your left, unless you decide to have the cord cross over your chest OR wear the earbuds in the wrong ear. It doesn't seem like Philips thought this out, just like they don't seem to have tested the original set of silicone cushions with many users.
I think the sound from these phones is more than fair for a pair of earbuds that cost around 20$. You can definately tell that the surround effect is working when you put a finger over the outside of the phone--the music sounds distant and tinny until you remove your finger. You can actually hear the music if you put your ear really close to the outside of the earbud--but nobody would be able to hear it in normal use without spcifically listening for it--and being REALLY close to you)
The cord can get a little kinky sometimes-- you know, after lot of use, it looks kind of "crumpled" if you don't wrap it up each time you use it. Also not a big deal.
The jack is gold-plated and L-shaped. Rather nice-looking as earbud jacks go. It is the standard size for earbuds (not the big 1/4" for studio equipment, nor the tiny 1/32" that cell phones use).
The earbud themselves have a reinforced area where the cord connects to them. It LOOKS like a seamless part of the earbud case itrself, but it's actually flexible, not made of hard plastic. Philips claims this prevents cord damage from tugs in various directions.
The Philips people included a neat case for it. It looks cool..but it's also a little creepy when you consider that it looks like a breast implant. The transluscent side is also silicone--and it WILL collect dust and debris and hair and crumbs and whatever else from your purse, backpack, wherever. You'll have to wipe it off with a damp cloth to restore it. The back is black rubber. I find myself not using it as often b/c it's tought to wrap the earbuds into it (due again to their asymmetrica cord lengths) But I appreciate them including it. I also like how both the silicone AND the rubber side can fold out to let you wrap the cord unhindered. Nice.
I've found in the past that Philips consumer electronics are very prettily designed, but usually lacking in internal quality and/or thought. (remember my comments about the asymmetrical cords? A nice idea, but should have been refined.) These headphones are good, but they lack the nice bass fullness that I got from my PLUG earbuds. They're worth a look, though. Especially considering the design flaws of the PLUG earbuds. You won't be nearly as likely to lose the silicone cushions on these--they attach quite firmly. They're also easier to clean if they get gunky. :o)
The Philips Virtual Surround Sound Earbuds are certainly a serious contender if you are in the market for relatively cheap but stylish earbuds.
- 1 reply to this review
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I agree with this review. One note. It is impossible to find these silicone earbud tips when you lose them. I have searched the web and can't find them. I love my headphones, hate the cord, but need the silicone tips to be happy.
Where to buy
Philips Ear Bud Headphones with Virtual Surround Sound, White:
$29.90
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$29.90 | Yes |
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