Munitio SV Mobile Performance Earphones

With every Munitio product I review, I'm more and more pleased with the results.  I started off with the BILLETS which I thought provided great value. Then, I reviewed the NINES which had great sound quality and a stylish look. Now, I'm pleased to report that the trend has continued with the SV Earbuds.

Design-wise, the SV's have a more traditional style versus the bullet design of the NINES and Billets. Personally, I like all three designs equally but conservative people will prefer these. The SV's have a flat cord which helps limit tangles. I only wish the cord's diameter was a little thinner because it felt a little large.

Munitio has always done a great job with sound quality, and these are no exception. I would put the SV’s more on par with the more expensive Nines than the Billets. Although the company doesn't describe them as noise-cancelling, I couldn't hear anything when using them, so these earbuds are probably best for the subway, gym or airplanes, and not so much for walking around a busy city. 

The big question now becomes: Which are the best Munitio earbuds: the Nines, Billets or the new SV's? Although you can't go wrong with any Munitio product, the SV's are my personal favorite, the reason being the SV's comfort. The earbuds felt great in my ears, more so than the Billets and Nines.  The SV earbuds are lighter than the other two, and this helps immensely with comfort. One of my biggest pet peeves with earbuds is getting ear fatigue from heavy buds, and while each of the Munitio's give minimal ear fatigue, the SV's felt the most comfortable after a prolonged period.

The SV Mobile Performance Earphones are another great product by Munitio, which is slowly becoming one of my favorite audio companies due to its consistent stylish look, good sound quality and best of all, affordability.

Price: $129

Available: Coming Soon

Pros

• Lightweight
• Sound Quality
• Noise Isolating

Cons

• Thick Flat Cord
• Carrying Case
• Not Available in Stores

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

 

QAK Thump Wireless Headphones

As made evident by the number of new products unveiled at this year's CES convention, the growing trend is bluetooth headphones and speakers. Another development has been the growing number of headphones made for athletes and runners.  With this in mind, today, I will be reviewing the QAK Thump Bluetooth Headphones, the Colorado-based company’s only product. 

I'm always a little apprehensive to use Bluetooth headphones for a number of reasons. First, wireless headphones mean that they need to be charged.  While this may not seem like the biggest deal, at the very least it's annoying to have to remember to charge your headphones, and, in addition, it will require purchasing and bringing along a second charger to travel.  That being said, I have to admit the Thump's charger is pretty small and the headphone battery life is pretty darn good. Their are a number of in-line controls next to the earbuds which I found worked well.

My favorite part of the Thumps is its durability and construction.  I've tested other around-the-head headphones before, and the Thumps have a much thicker plastic construction than the norm, making them more able to stand up to daily wear and tear.  Also, while the Thumps are not really adjustable, every person I had tried them on found that they sit comfortably and sturdily. My biggest issue rests with the ear tips.  After only about 15 minutes of wearing them, they started to cause discomfort and I had to take them out. As such, I wouldn't recommend these for runners, but they could still be a great fit for biking enthusiasts.  I hope QAK can alter the ear tips with the next generation Thumps.

As for sound quality, the Thumps are about what you would expect from affordable wireless headphones - not bad, not great. Personally, I prefer the tight seal you get from a good pair of traditional earbuds, but that's just me. However, if you're looking for a pair of around-the-head wireless headphones for biking or working out, the Thumps are a pretty good option.

Price: $79
Available Now

Pros

• Durability
• Affordable
• Battery Life

Cons

• Ear-tips
• Not Available in Stores
• Average Sound Quality

 

 

DuneTunes Headphones by HandCandy

While other headphone companies say they blend fashion and technology, they aren't doing anything close to what HandCandy has done. HandCandy is a headphone company that has created a necklace headphone. Yes, you read correctly, a necklace headphone! They have two lines of products, DuneTones for guys and LadyBuds for chicks. The four styles in the DuneTones line have a casual surf look to them, while the six LadyBuds styles range from yoga comfort to cocktail dress cool. 

How do the DuneTones work?  At first, it definitely takes some getting used to because it's hard to tell what goes where and in what direction each piece is supposed to be. The DuneTones are made up of two equally long beaded cords that have earbuds at one end, are attached at the other and connect to a detachable cable for the MP3 player. Half way down the each cord, there is a magnetic clasp that holds the necklace together. Once the necklace is on, the earbuds can either rest on your back or chest. Whenever you want to use the headphones, you just pop each earbud in and your all set. My biggest problem with the design is that, when the earbuds are in use, it looks strange because the cord hangs because of the slack. 

The overall construction of the DuneTones is good, but the sound quality is very average. Because the headphones are on the heavy side, these wouldn't be good for running or the gym. Since these are more of a fashion accessory than anything else, don't expect these to replace your current earbuds.

Much like with most fashion accessories, the HandyCandy DuneTones' design isn't functional on a day-to-day level, which make it hard to endorse.

Price: $40
Available Now

Pros

• Quality Construction
• A Number of Designs
• Unique Look

Cons

• Heavy
• Sound Quality
• Design Not For Everyone

Overall Rating: 6/10

 

MotorHeadphones Trigger Earbuds

In the past, we've seen rappers, country music stars, even reality tv stars with their own headphones. Now, we can finally add a rock band to the list. MotorHead is an English rock band that was wildly popular in the UK during the 1980's. The band has released its own headphones with their slogan being, "For rockers, by rockers," and today, I will be reviewing their Trigger In-Ear Headphones.

The earbuds are made of Swedish metal, and have a design very similar to the Munitio 9mm SITi Earbuds. The shape of the earbuds resembles a bullet, and on the outer portion, the MotorHeadphones logo is imprinted. The only recognizable between these and the Munitio's is the medal piece, which hold the headphone wires togeather and can be adjusted to make the cord sit tighter or looser to the earbuds. The Trigger Earbuds also do come in 3 color options: Silver, Brass and Black.

In terms of sound quality, the MotorHeadphones are, surprisingly, pretty good. While these earbuds aren't fully noise canceling, when in use, you basically cannot hear anything but whatever your listening to. The earbuds themselves are loud, really loud, meaning there's really no reason your ever going to need to have your MP3 player volume setting on anything louder than medium. The problem with the volume is that, over time, it could damage your hearing, but hey, rockers don't care about hearing problems, right? That being said, the sound quality is pretty darn good for the price.

Overall, the MotorHeadphones Trigger Earbuds are a decent option for any classic rock fans in the market for a new pair of earbuds.

Price: $50
Available Now

Pros

• Affordable
• Comfortable
• Color Options
  

Cons

• Extremely Loud
• Heavy
• Cord Tangles Easily

Overall Rating: 7/10

Quarkie "Audio Art" Headphones

Their slogan is, "You've never seen headphones like this before," and it couldn't be any more true. Quarkie Headphones are the result of a team of widely imaginative and creative British and Asian-Pacific artists, music lovers and electronic engineers who wanted to combine each of their passions into one project.

Their first line of headphones, the "Audio Art" line, have got to be one of the most eye-catching pieces of technology ever. With designs like yellow viper snakeheads, cat eyes, purple gemstones, and rusty bolts, there's nothing "normal" about them. Since they are in fact art, each headphone comes individually numbered and detailed by hand. I received the Snake Eyes model, and they look so real that you might just be able to convince some to think they were real.

Although the unique design is the primary focus, these headphones are not just all show. The folks behind Quarkie also wanted them to sound great as well. Although not at the same audio quality of some similar priced earbuds, the Quarkie Headphones aren't far behind. As with most premium earbuds, the Quarkie's have sound isolation technology which makes them good for plane or subway rides, but not so good for walking around crowded cities. They do, however, come stocked with an inline mic, which I found worked well. My only gripe is with their heftiness. I know they are art, but I wish Quarkie could have found a way to lighten them up a bit.

If your into fusing technology and art, and are looking to shock your friends, the Quarkie Headphones are for you.

Price: $109
Available Now

Pros

• Extremely Well-Crafted
• Unlike Anything Anyone Has Ever Seen
• Inline Mic

Cons

• Design is Not For Everyone
• Heavy
• Average Sound Quality

Overall Rating: 7/10

AudioFly AF33 In-Ear Headphones

AudioFly is an Australian Headphone company that currently sells 4 in-ear models. Today, I will be taking a look at their entry level headphones, the AF33's.

The overall style of the AF33's reminded me a lot of the House of Marley earbuds which I really like. However when compared to the design of the House of Marley earbuds, I prefer these due to their sleek  look and great options in color combinations. After taking a look at all the varieties available, I didn't find any I disliked (which is usually tough to do).

As with most earbuds these days, you have the option to either buy the AF33 without the inline mic or spend the extra $10 to include it.   The earbuds are much lighter than I expected and they fit comfortably in my ears. The plastic cord isn't a tangle free cord so you'll still have to spend time getting those knots out from time to time. Now onto sound quality.

The AF33's aren't going to win any sound competitions, but at only around $30, you shouldn't expect them to. I found the overall sound quality to be decent. If you compare them to the Apple earbuds, they are much better, but if you compare them to a higher priced model like the Sol Republic Amps or Velodyne vPulse Earbuds, there's no comparison.

If you're more interested in style over sound quality, and don't want to break the bank, the AudioFly AF33's are a good option.

Price: $30-$40
Available Now

Pros

• Color Options
• Lightweight
• Comfortable

Cons

• Mediocre Sound Quality
• Hard to Find
• Mic Costs Extra

Overall Rating: 7/10

Munitio NINES 9mm Headphones

Munitio products have always been known for their sleek and stylish headphones, and the NINES 9mm Earphones are no exception. Encased in a bullet-like casing, the headphones are quite durable. The NINES are the premium version of the Billets model that I reviewed earlier, with a flashier, more eye-catching design. For our full review of the Munitio Billets model, Click Here.The sound quality of these headphones is outstanding. While the average listener would be satisfied with the sound quality of the cheaper Billets, music buffs will want to spend the extra money for the flagship model. Muntio describes the bass as "low and thundering without distortion" and that's exactly right. The bass, while not aggressive, as with most expensive earbuds, also caters to those bass enthusiasts out there. The cord is reinforced with Kevlar, which augments the durability of the earbuds that much more. The biggest problem I found was with the weight. Since the earbuds are on the heavy side, they tended to fall out of my ears when running. At $159, the Munitio NINES are not the cheapest, but you do get a durable great sounding headphone that will surely last.

Price: $159
Available Now

Pros

• Style
• Durability
• Accurate Sound Quality

Cons

• Heavy
• Fall Out Easily
• Price

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

 

 

Logitech Ultimate Ears 100 Headphones

Logitech has entered the headphone market with their line of earbuds, called the Ultimate Ears line. The series ranges from the most budget friendly price of $20 to the wallet braking price of $500. Today, I will be taking a look the the 100's, which are at the bottom of the totem pole.

The Ultimate Ears 100 Headphones are made entirely of plastic and have a cheap look and feel to them. The variety of colors and designs that Logitech has with these headphones are fun, but seemed more intended for children or young teens than adults. One aspect I did like was that they seemed extremely durable and resistant to everyday travel. Comfort with these earbuds wasn't bad, but they did fall out easily when performing any kind of physical activity like running, biking, etc.

With such a low price tag, I wasn't expecting much from the sound quality. Surprisingly, I was impressed by the amount of bass as they pack a punch that most young children and teens will enjoy. Sound quality is another story. While they surely sound better than the stock headphones you get with any MP3 player, it's not $30 better. If your gonna spend the extra money to get some in-ear headphones, you may as well spend the extra $20 and get yourself a better one.

Price: $20
Available Now

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Designed for Teens & Children
• Good Amount of Bass

Cons

• Sound Quality
• Fall Out Easily
• Cheap Look & Feel

Overall Rating: 6/10

AfterShokz Bone Conduction Sport Headphones

Unlike any other audio company, AfterShokz offers a completely different audio experience because of their patented Bone Conduction technology. AfterShokz has invested time and research into creating a new type of in-ear headphone, one that doesn't sit inside the ear canal.

AfterShokz headphones have a unique design because the earbuds rest on the bone that is located right next to your ear--not inside your ear like most headphone styles. Since the earbuds are never in contact with your ear canal, it decreases the likelihood of potential damage from listening to loud music and eliminates the risk of ear infections.  This headphone style is made for someone who runs and bikes in a city and wants to not only listen to music, but also be fully aware of his or her environment.

The first time you put on the AfterShokz headphones is definitely a strange experience--you feel as though you are putting them on wrong. The fit of the headphones feels awkward because it seems unnatural to have the earbuds on the outside of the ear; however, many people report that the headphones get more comfortable after using them a couple of times. It definitely will take awhile to get used to listening to music and having a conversation at the same time. One minor gripe I have with the AfterShokz Headphones is that they need to be charged with a USB cable to function. After charging the headphones for 3 hours, they will last an average of 15 hours. Sound quality isn't nearly at the same level as other headphones, but since its design is focused on comfort during physical activity, this should be the least of your concerns. 

Overall, the AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones are a good option for the active person who wants to listen to music while still be alert of his or her surroundings.

Price: $60

Available Now

Pros

• New Technology
• Great for Bikers & Runners
• Sanitary

Cons

• Need To Be Charged
• Not Extremely Comfortable
• Sound Quality

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Velodyne vPulse In-Ear Headphones

Velodyne Acoustics made its mark in the audio industry through the creation of its superb subwoofers. After the success of the company's subwoofers, Velodyne Acoustics preceded to enter the headphone market. At the 2012 CES showcase, Velodyne introduced a new in-ear headphone: the vPulse.

Velodyne's vPulse headphones separate itself from others on the market because of its incredibly stylish design. The headphones are available in two color options: Black and Electric Blue. While the black is subtler, the electric blue is bold and sleek. Velodyne has given the vPulse an aluminum driver housing, along with a flat tangle-free rubber cord. One of the best characteristics of the vPulse is that the earbuds themselves are curved, which prevents you from having to jam the earbuds down your ear canal to get that snug fit. Velodyne provides a wide array of ear-tips in order to make sure you can customize the fit to your liking. While it did take a while to find the best fit, once I did, the headphones were very comfortable. At the end of the day, the only minor problem that I have with the design of the headphones is that they are heavier than I would like them to be.

With Velodyne's reputation as one of the best subwoofer manufacturers, I had high expectations for vPulse's bass. Velodyne definitely lived up to its name because I was extremely impressed. I would say they they have one of the best bass qualities of any in-ear headphone that I have reviewed. So if your someone who likes strong bass, these are a great option, especially for the low price. The sound quality doesn't disappoint either--every song I listened to sounded crisp and accurate, with little to no distortion.

As I was reviewing Velodyne's first headphones, they reminded me a ton of the Beats by Dre In-Ear Tour Headphones. Although the vPulse Headphones don't have the same name recognition as the Beats, they are better in every category--including build quality, price, and comfort. Overall, the Velodyne vPulse In-Ear Headphones are one of the best in-ear headphones that I have reviewed.

Price: $89.99
Available Now
Pros

• Bass Quality
• Affordable
• Better than Beats by Dre Tour's

Cons

• Heavy
• Hard to Find Right Ear-Tip

Overall Rating: 9/10

RF3 LIVE Headphones by Joseph Vincent

Joseph Vincent is an up-and-coming artist known for his laid-back musical style, similar to Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz, and his RF3 LIVE In-Ear Headphones emulate that style with their minimalist and elegant style.  Overall, the LIVE's try to revolutionize earbuds with new technologies while still keeping a minimalist and elegant style.

Being designed and inspired by Joseph Vincent, they had to have that simple, yet elegant look to them. RF3 has done a nice job incorporating a real wood look and feel with the earbuds. This design gives it that elegant touch that I enjoy. Besides the wood, the headphones look completely different from any you will have ever seen because of the incorporation of RF3's "Aircom Technology."

RF3 Headset's patented Aircom Technology is designed to reproduce your music in the most naturally balanced way possible. RF3 promises it will not only soothe your ears, but your whole body. I'm not ready to say that, but they did sound pretty darn good. Although they don't provide much bass, every song I listened to sounded crisp and accurate.

Besides the patented Aircom Technology, the unique feature that separates these headphones is the science behind them. Keeping in line with the organic, healthy lifestyle, RF3 claims that all of its products block dangerous RF energy and EMF's-electromagnetic fields that may transmit to your brain. Since I'm not scientist, I can't attest to the the technology behind this, but it can't hurt, right? As of today, there is no sufficient proof that headphones can cause any type of cancer, so therefore I'm not sure how successful or useful RF3's "technology" will be, but kudos to them for trying.

If you are not the type of person fearful of the radio waves transmitted by cel phones and headsets, there are some drawbacks to the technology that may not be worth the trouble to you. Since the air tubes are thicker and heavier than your average cord, it makes them less mobile and harder to walk with. In addition, it can have the strange appearance of earrings hanging from your ears when worn. In regard to comfort, they took a while to find the right ear tip, but once I did, I felt no discomfort.

Although there are certainly some pros to the RF3 LIVE's like the natural look and natural sound, the design flaws associated with the new technologies can't be overlooked.

Price: $70
Available Now

Pros

• Wood Earbuds
• Good Sound Quality
• Sustainable Packaging

Cons

• Air Tubes Look Strange
• No Backup to Claims About Blocking Dangerous Rays
• Price

Overall Rating: 6/10

YurBuds IronMan Inspire Headphones

The YurBud company's mission is to make a product for athletes which don't hurt and will never fall out. Many athletes have a tough time finding an in-ear headphone that can keep up with them with every sprint, jump, or bike ride. All of the YurBud earbuds feature their signature Twist-Lock Technology, which I will elaborate on later in this review. Today, I will review the YurBuds IronMan Inspire model.

From the shape to the red silicone, the design is totally unique. These headphones don't look like any other, and they shouldn't since they are designed for a different purpose. The red silicone is sweat proof and flexible enough to be comfortable, yet stable. The earbuds are waterproof as well. This means there is no reason to worry about that thunderstorm when your halfway through that 14 mile run.

The signature Twist-Lock Technology is the biggest selling point for the product.   What you have to do is put the earbuds in your ears at a 45 degree angle and then twist up to lock them into place. For a full video demonstration on how to use the headphones, Click Here. I found that, depending on the person, it could take 10 seconds or hours to put the earbuds in the right way. Personally, I had a tough time getting the technique down while friends of mine had no problems from the first try. Once you are successful, the earbuds are going nowhere. There's no way you will have problems with these earbuds falling out, regardless of whatever activity your doing. With this said, these wouldn't replace your regular headphones as they would be inconvenient to use during daily use.

If your a serious athlete and are looking for a headphone that you can be sure will never fall out, the YurBuds IronMan Inspire Headphones are a great option.

Price: $50
Available Now

Pros

• Waterproof
• Never Falls Out
• Unique

Cons

• Ear Tips Are Flimsy
• Some Might have difficulty with Twist-Lock
• EarBuds Aren't Light

Overall Rating: 8/10

Sol Republic Amps Headphones

Today I will be looking at the Sol Republic in-ear headphones, the Amps. Having been extremely satisfied with the on-ear Sol Republic model, the Tracks, I couldn't wait to test these new ones out. Since Sol Republic tries to replicate the Beats by Dre models (since the owner of Sol Republic is the son of the owner of Monster Audio), it comes as no surprise that these headphones are large, stylish and flashy.

The outer portion of the earbuds is extremely glossy and features the SOL logo. This same glossy finish is used on the inline remote. While at first, I really loved the glossy finish. After a few minutes of testing, you could definitely see fingerprint smudges, which I could see become annoying. The earbuds have a curved design with a flat back which help them fit deep into your ears. The Amps were designed to conform to your ear so the earbuds are made for either your left or right ear and are not interchangeable.

The Amps come with four silicone ear tips which gives each person the ability to achieve that perfect fit. Even though the buds are larger than most, they are much lighter than they look. I found the weight to be perfect: not too light so they don't fall out, and not too heavy that they weigh your ears down. Even though most earbuds fit differently for each person, most people who tried them out found them comfortable and had no discomfort whatsoever. The inline mic is by far the best one I have seen. The mic looks flat to the eye, but the buttons are easily clicked. When you want to pause a song, you can actually feel the button click, which can't be said for many headphones.  Like with all headphones, there were a few minor complaints with the Sol Republic Amps. There is no included carrying case and the cord is prone to tangling.

Before I talk about the sound quality of these headphones, I have to tell you that these headphones are loud, really really loud. When I had my iPod on medium volume, I had to lower the volume.  Don't even think about using Sol Republic Amps and listening to songs with high volume as you will probably go deaf for at least a good 5 minutes. So I would definitely say that the sound quality is excellent. High and low volume sounded crisp with every type of music I tested.

Overall, the Sol Republic Amps In-Ear Headphones are one of the best earbuds I have come across due to their affordable price, great sound quality, and stylish design. They are available in 2 Colors: Black & Red.

Price: $60
Available Now

Pros

• Sound Quality
• Extremely Loud
• In-Line Mic

Cons

• Prone to Fingerprints
• No Carrying Case Included

Overall Rating: 8.5/10