Cool Headphones Review: Audio-Technica ATH-EM7 Clip-ons

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-- Cool Headphones Review: Audio-Technica ATH-EM7 Clip-ons

Posted by imokruok on Dec-15-2003 01:24:

Cool Headphones Review: Audio-Technica ATH-EM7 Clip-ons

Audio-Technica ATH-EM7
$75 + shipping
14-24,000 Hz response
28mm neodymium magnets
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These headphones sound great (but not perfect - more on this later), they're comfy, and they actually look good. The EM7's are a Japan-only model, so you have to order them through suppliers that will ship overseas. I got them from www.audiocubes.com, which I believe will ship to the US, Europe, and Australia among others.

As we probably all know, clip-ons lack a little bit in the bass department. This is because they don't have the same pressure or seal against your ears as normal headphones have. These clip-ons are no exception to the rule - the bass is not huge. But it's not terrible either. The headphones are very balanced in their sound, and the mid-range is beautiful. For an example of the kinds of music they accentuate, listen to Rank 1, or a track like Airwave's When Things Go Wrong.

I wouldn't call them a "trance headphone," but if you listen to trance, and other stuff like classical, jazz, or modern pop, they're good all around.

The real appeal of these headphones is their convenience and how they look. First of all, there probably aren't that many pairs of these things outside of Japan, so they're a great conversation starter. (They definitely do not look like those neon pieces of crap you pick up for $25 at Best Buy or Circuit City.)

For convenience, they fit neatly into an included soft carrying case. There is a .5 meter cord between the two clip-ons, and a 1.0 meter cord from one clip-on to your portable device. I can't stand the in-the-ear design, so I needed the best clip-ons I could find for travel. These have been very good, and worth the cost.

As I tell everyone who wants to get their own pair, they have upsides and downsides. First of all, you can get better sound with similarly priced regular headphones. (I love my Sony MDR-V6s). But those don't travel as well, aren't as compact, and don't look as cool. If you've got an iPod, or one of those sleek new minidisc or slim mp3/cd players, these cans definitely complement the package.

Also note that this is now the cheapest model in the "EM" line. This is the 2002 version. The 2003 models are around $150, and there is even a model made out of Hokkaido cherry tree (!?) for $200. (Leave it to the Japanese to make a wood headphone. How cool is that!)

All in all, the purchase was definitely worth the cost for me. But I can't vouch for the value that you might get out of these.