Our only two gripes about the EX70 and EX71 series are these: they are very aggressive in the bass department (especially, in our opinion, the EX71s), and for obvious reasons, their audio isnt quite as clear as what weve heard in more expensive earphones. While we were under the impression that the EX81s would be virtually identical to the EX71s in audio performance, they turned out to remedy the first concern entirely, and took steps towards the second as well.
We found the sound from the EX81s to be very close to optimally balanced. Most likely because most listeners prefer a richer, deeper sound to a crisp and accurate one, they lean a little more towards bass response than the neutral and expensive studio monitor earphones weve tested. But from our perspective, thats a very good move given the products target audience. The EX71s especially went way too far in our opinion towards exaggerating the bass, and while thats acceptable in an inexpensive pair of headphones geared towards certain types of listeners, the slightly warm EX81s are more likely to satisfy even discriminating listeners, at least in terms of their balance, while giving typical users enough bass to be satisfactory. The EX81s also have noticeably better treble response and less distortion at the low end.
This isnt to say that theyre perfect earphones. Though cleaner than the EX70s and EX71s, the EX81s wont let you hear as many hidden details in your music as more expensive headphones will. Compared against Etymotics ER-6i Isolators ($149.00), for example, the EX81s sound flatter across the board, with less treble response, a more compressed midrange, and less differentiation in bass notes. These results arent surprising given the price difference, and considering the EX81s under-$60 pricetag, they do an excellent job - one that typical users would have to go out of their way to take issue with.
Our only two gripes about the EX70 and EX71 series are these: they are very aggressive in the bass department (especially, in our opinion, the EX71s), and for obvious reasons, their audio isnt quite as clear as what weve heard in more expensive earphones. While we were under the impression that the EX81s would be virtually identical to the EX71s in audio performance, they turned out to remedy the first concern entirely, and took steps towards the second as well.
We found the sound from the EX81s to be very close to optimally balanced. Most likely because most listeners prefer a richer, deeper sound to a crisp and accurate one, they lean a little more towards bass response than the neutral and expensive studio monitor earphones weve tested. But from our perspective, thats a very good move given the products target audience. The EX71s especially went way too far in our opinion towards exaggerating the bass, and while thats acceptable in an inexpensive pair of headphones geared towards certain types of listeners, the slightly warm EX81s are more likely to satisfy even discriminating listeners, at least in terms of their balance, while giving typical users enough bass to be satisfactory. The EX81s also have noticeably better treble response and less distortion at the low end.
This isnt to say that theyre perfect earphones. Though cleaner than the EX70s and EX71s, the EX81s wont let you hear as many hidden details in your music as more expensive headphones will. Compared against Etymotics ER-6i Isolators ($149.00), for example, the EX81s sound flatter across the board, with less treble response, a more compressed midrange, and less differentiation in bass notes. These results arent surprising given the price difference, and considering the EX81s under-$60 pricetag, they do an excellent job - one that typical users would have to go out of their way to take issue with.