Entered CNET Catalog: 08/27/2005
SKU: MDR-EX51LPW
Manufacturer: Sony Electronics, Inc.
Manufacturer description
Sony's first closed-type Fontopia design reduces outside noise for high-intensity listening, helping to generate powerful, resonant bass response. So exercise, dance, or skate with the MDR-EX51LP Fontopia Headphones. Featuring a Super-light in-the-ear Design for a snug, comfortable fit inside the ear - eliminating the headband, Super-small 9 mm Drivers, and Soft, Silicon Earbuds, these headphones were created to enhance your on-the-go listening. Two sizes of earbuds are also included. So move to your music with the MDR-EX51LP.User opinions
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User Rating: 
4/10
Tinny: How the Tin Man would hear music
Pros: Crisp, clear high end; Light & Portable; Good for working out
Cons: Very disappointing bass
Review:
Bought the MDR-WX51LP at Best Buy a few days ago ($38).
Overall, I'm not impressed with the sound of the headphones.
There is no bass. I repeat, the is NO bass. Don't be fooled by the tag on the packaging that says "Superior Bass." Superior compared to what? A tin can at the end of a string?
I have listened to about a hundred songs now on an iPod Nano. On the Nano, I have played with the EQ to get more bass from the unit. Nothing improves the bass--hey, if the phones don't have it, you're just not gonna get anything, no matter how much you play with the settings on your player.
On the plus side, the MDR-EX51LP has a nice crisp high end.
Also, the phones fit snugly in ones ears and are ideal for working out. There're no foam bud covers, which means that you can work up a sweat and not have that squishy wet feeling in your ear.
I wouldn't buy these as an improvement over the iPod headphones. Go with something different.
Overall, I'm not impressed with the sound of the headphones.
There is no bass. I repeat, the is NO bass. Don't be fooled by the tag on the packaging that says "Superior Bass." Superior compared to what? A tin can at the end of a string?
I have listened to about a hundred songs now on an iPod Nano. On the Nano, I have played with the EQ to get more bass from the unit. Nothing improves the bass--hey, if the phones don't have it, you're just not gonna get anything, no matter how much you play with the settings on your player.
On the plus side, the MDR-EX51LP has a nice crisp high end.
Also, the phones fit snugly in ones ears and are ideal for working out. There're no foam bud covers, which means that you can work up a sweat and not have that squishy wet feeling in your ear.
I wouldn't buy these as an improvement over the iPod headphones. Go with something different.
User Rating: 
9/10
Excellent Sound Quality for Minimum Price
Pros: Sound quality is great, very comfortable to wear even for long periods
Cons: Cord seems a little thin, Holder/cord winder hard to use
Review:
I forgot to throw my regular headphones in my bag while heading out of town and stopped at a Wal-Mart for a new set where I bought these for $27 and change.
The sound quality is excellent after a wear-in period of a few hours. I warn you to refrain from judging them immediately upon use, because the right side of my set had a pronounced rasp in it right out of the box which went away completely after the transducer wore in some. After breaking them in, the bass is deep with just a hint of murkiness, and the mid's and highs are tight and clear with very little distortion. The volume level isn't enough to make you cry for mercy, but it's plenty loud enough to cover up all but the loudest noises of routine traveling, whether by train, car, or airplane. The rubber surrounds on this type of headphone help reduce noise somewhat, and you get three different size inserts so you can get a really tight seal in your ear canal. This is a very comfortable pair of headphones that you will forget your wearing even if you use them for hours at a time. Just keep in mind that because they sit somewhat inside your ear, you will need to wipe the wax off of them every week or two just to keep them in good shape.
My only complaints are that the storage holder/cord winder and the cord itself seem a little cheap, but I have put four months of wear on mine, and have had no issues with the cord failing. Still, I take extra care not to pull on it at all because of its thinness. Definitely not enough protection for the cord if you travel with a toddler who will pull on it to get your attention. The storage holder is supposed to keep your cord from tangling during storage and help adjust the length of the cord during use, but mine always popped open and it eventually fell off and is now lost to the world. Still, if you take some minimum care in coiling the cord when you store it, they won't tangle anyway.
I highly recommend these headphones, especially in light of the price. You won't find a better-sounding, more comfortable pair for under $90-100.
The sound quality is excellent after a wear-in period of a few hours. I warn you to refrain from judging them immediately upon use, because the right side of my set had a pronounced rasp in it right out of the box which went away completely after the transducer wore in some. After breaking them in, the bass is deep with just a hint of murkiness, and the mid's and highs are tight and clear with very little distortion. The volume level isn't enough to make you cry for mercy, but it's plenty loud enough to cover up all but the loudest noises of routine traveling, whether by train, car, or airplane. The rubber surrounds on this type of headphone help reduce noise somewhat, and you get three different size inserts so you can get a really tight seal in your ear canal. This is a very comfortable pair of headphones that you will forget your wearing even if you use them for hours at a time. Just keep in mind that because they sit somewhat inside your ear, you will need to wipe the wax off of them every week or two just to keep them in good shape.
My only complaints are that the storage holder/cord winder and the cord itself seem a little cheap, but I have put four months of wear on mine, and have had no issues with the cord failing. Still, I take extra care not to pull on it at all because of its thinness. Definitely not enough protection for the cord if you travel with a toddler who will pull on it to get your attention. The storage holder is supposed to keep your cord from tangling during storage and help adjust the length of the cord during use, but mine always popped open and it eventually fell off and is now lost to the world. Still, if you take some minimum care in coiling the cord when you store it, they won't tangle anyway.
I highly recommend these headphones, especially in light of the price. You won't find a better-sounding, more comfortable pair for under $90-100.
