SENNHEISER MM 70 IP

SENNHEISER is one of the biggest names in headphones and deservedly so--headphone geeks have frequently called full-size models of the company (e.g. 650 HD and HD 800) headphones the best available, and there are lots of other gems in the wide product line of Sennheiser. A few years ago, the company entered the market canalbud with $ 79 CX 300 (Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice, currently available updated CX 300-II); New $ 130 MM 70 Sennheiser's iP shares design elements with the CX 300 and now-aborted CX 400-II, but adds a form of remote control and microphone three buttons. (As with most headphones Sennheiser, pi 70 MM can be found for significantly less than the official price).

As mentioned, the iP of 70 MM is a canalbud style headset. Canalbuds divided essentially the difference in price between design and traditional earbuds and models--the ear canal ("canalphone"). (See our primer in-ear canal headphones-for more details). As part of, fit into the ear canal, canalbuds block some external noise and form an acoustic seal that enhances bass performance. However, they do not block both sound like real models in-ear canal and, as with templates in-ear canal, getting a good fit can be difficult, the cable can produce unwanted noise in ear microphone of a listener and using the headset may seem strange to the occlusion effect of having linked ears while talking.

The iP of 70 MM using hemispherical, black-and-chrome earphones with silicone eartips. The headphones are connected to a cable break unevenly shaped J, an agreement that makes it easier to wear the headphone wire behind the neck. The speaker is typical of canalbuds--each speaker sits just inside the ear canal, blocking only a moderate amount of external noise. However, the iP 70 MM headsets are easy to insert and, in my testing, more comfortable than those of most models of canalbud.

The form of three-button remote mic/inline sits on the left side, shortest cable Division of iP 70 MM, with the microphone located on the top of the form--most inline mic modules, we have tested the microphone on the side. The volume buttons two small protuberances on them to distinguish them from the Play/Pause/Call center, but the three buttons are very close together; I found it difficult to be sure that I was pushing the button correctly and avoid accidentally pressing buttons anymore. The microphone is more or less on par with the iPhone-internal microphone 4-70 MM mic of iP is a bit easier, but less detailed that the iPhone 4--and sounds very good in General.

Packaging of iP 70 MM includes a simil, a clip of shirt, six pairs of eartips (single and dual-flange styles in small, medium and large sizes, respectively), and a unique cable wrap that, unfortunately, would work better with a divided equally cable.

Initially I found the sound of Nice iP 70 MM and harmless, if unimpressive. Various tools in the bass, midrange and treble ranges were easy to hear and moderately detailed. But as I listened, I noticed some low-mid and top-bass boom that obscured detail below, as well as weak low frequency performance that made bass tones lack authority and visceral impact. I also noticed a pervasive iP vacuity to the sound of 70 MM, and I found that acute playback of iP 70 MM has a tendency to sound tough with recordings that have exhibited these qualities when played through other headphones and fragile.

Switching to the iP-595 Maximo iMetal $ 80 earphones (Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice) solidified my doubts about 70 MM low iP's and high-frequency performance. Low iP-595 is tougher, but with a handful more at lower frequencies, and frequencies are more relaxed and natural, but also more detailed. In general, the audio quality of iP 70 MM is more comparable to that of the Vortex Moshi $ 80 (Macworld rated 3.5 mice out of 5), although the two have some differences of sonic. The Moshi sounds more natural, but pi 70 MM has more "space" between tools, making it easier to distinguish between these instruments.

MacWorld buying advice

I found it easy to get along with the iP of 70 MM, but hard to love, even considering the retail price of $ 100--there are a number of canalbuds in the range from $ 50 to $ 100 that offer a better overall sound. However, although the sound quality of iP 70 MM falls short of some of the best models, a few of these competing models offer the performance of microphone and comfortable fit, superficial del PI 70 MM.

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