I was looking forward to getting the MDR-EX71s but...

[swfan28]

now after reading a bunch of the review on Amazon, I'm afraid. They say the EX71s don't last and the wiring disintegrates. Do you reccmmend me getting them or not?

[HomelessIpOD]

do what you want...not 100% of the wires are crap...treat them fine and they'll be ok...i've had my 51's for about 7 months...no worries...

[apetaster]

Well, I've gone through three pairs in a year (one set of wire insulation just eroded, and the other two started cutting out randomly.)

I would not hesitate to get them, but would strongly recommend purchasing from a retailer who offered a product replacement plan (cheap insurance that has saved me a couple of times.)

[c.you]

They're good when coming up from the stocks but I highly recommend the e2c's coming up. If you do plan on getting the ex71's, get the Japanese version. The US version's wires are made up of cheaper material which is kind of sticky. The Japanese version's wire is much better.

[truckson]

Originally posted by c.you
They're good when coming up from the stocks but I highly recommend the e2c's coming up. If you do plan on getting the ex71's, get the Japanese version. The US version's wires are made up of cheaper material which is kind of sticky. The Japanese version's wire is much better.

Although the Japanese version is a little bit expensive, I found that the J version are better. Warehouse123.com is selling the MDR-EX71SL for 39 bucks. It's not a bad price!

[DevilMayCry]

like many things
take good care of it and it'll still work like a charm
been using mine ex71 for 3+ years now
though i got the japanese version which was made in korea...i believe
the japanese ones last longer than the usa ones

[swfan28]

Amazon has them for $32

How are the EX-81's wires, or for that matter the Apple In-ears?

[truckson]

Originally posted by swfan28
Amazon has them for $32

How are the EX-81's wires, or for that matter the Apple In-ears?

The one selling in Amazon is US version. The packing of Japanese version is light year better than the US version!!!!!

[swfan28]

Oh ok, I couldn't really tell.

How are the EX-81's wires(and the EX-81s themselves), or for that matter the Apple In-ears?

[truckson]

Originally posted by swfan28
Oh ok, I couldn't really tell.

How are the EX-81's wires(and the EX-81s themselves), or for that matter the Apple In-ears?

It's really depend on how you keep the phones. I have been using my ex81sl for year, and they are still in "brand new" condition.

[jstylex0r]

had mine for more than a year and its still working fine,...

[swfan28]

So which ones should I get... EX71 or 81s? (and is it only the white wires that disintegrate?)

And how are the Apple In-ears(and its wires)?

[dnd]

I had a pait of EX-71 for 2 years before switching to e3c's

I had no problems with the wire...

[truckson]

Sony MDR-EX51LP Headphones (http://www.warehouse123.com/ProductInfo.php?pid=SONMDREX51LP-BLU) also have white color available.

[FeelTheFire]

my 71s have gone forever and are totally fine, and I don't take excellent care of them.

Just bought the 81s from amazon and like them so far, they seem pretty sturdy, and they were basically the same price as the 71s and had free shipping.

[abacus]

what site can I find the japanese pair from?

[bdb]

If you destroy the US version, you'll probably destroy the Japanese version. My earbuds last for years; my rather destructive teenage daugter ripped through the wires on a pair of Apple buds in 6 months.

[brittreid]

I've seen this covered in different aspects elsewhere, but could somebody please put it all together for me: what are the differences between the ex71s, 81s, and 51s? Has anyone noticed any difference in the actual sound quality, or are the differences mainly cosmetic (e.g. cord length, etc)?

I'm choosing between a pair of 71s with the short cords and the 51s. I have a 40G that I mainly stick next to me on a desk or table when I'm listening...

Thanks.

[swfan28]

So back to my other question, for those w/ both 71s and 81s, which pair should I get(sound quality, comfortable?)?

[anythingww2]

I bought the EX 71's fro Radio Shack. I also bought the extended warranty. It was well worth it! I am on my 3rd replacement set and am ready to go for my forth! I take excellent care of the headphones and still only get 1 or 2 months out of them. Same problem as the wire disintegrates!! For this reason I will never buy them again.

[swfan28]

I think I'm going to get the Apple In-ears. Is there any place where I could buy caps of EX71 cheaply?

And any last minute arguments against my decision on the Apples? (I've heard too many times about wire damage and earphones not working, and I'm afraid if I get a pair of 71s or 81s, they'll suffer the same fate..)



And another very important question for those who say their wires dissolved, please answer: Compared with your iPod stock earphones wire, are the EX81's wires that soft/detachable?

[Yoshidude89]

The wire ripped out of the earbud on my first pair, but that was just because they always got kinked a lot when I wasn't using them. I'm careful and keep them in the case now, and they've lasted a long time.

[truckson]

Originally posted by abacus
what site can I find the japanese pair from?

You can get them from warehouse123.com

[truckson]

Originally posted by brittreid
I've seen this covered in different aspects elsewhere, but could somebody please put it all together for me: what are the differences between the ex71s, 81s, and 51s? Has anyone noticed any difference in the actual sound quality, or are the differences mainly cosmetic (e.g. cord length, etc)?

I'm choosing between a pair of 71s with the short cords and the 51s. I have a 40G that I mainly stick next to me on a desk or table when I'm listening...

Thanks.

For sound quality, there is no difference between EX71 and EX51. The EX71 is much better than stock earbuds that come with my iPod and stayed in my ear. Meatier bass and the mids were prominent. The earclip on the EX81 needs getting used to. It is very comfortable, but other users may have different experiences. Comparing to the EX71, I think the EX81 are better for music enjoyment!

In my mind, I prefer the simple plug style of the EX71 without the earclip as it makes it that much smaller for storage!

P.S The japanese version comes with a MD style cloth bag! This bag looks decent!

[mekmek86]

i dunno what people are talking about the cable disintegrating and stuff....what are u doing to them? pouring acid on them? I've been using mine for a year and the only thing I hate is how easy it is to lose the caps.

[Dougboy]

I just got mine today. I got black 71s. I like black cus it keeps me low profile and ppl wont know i have an ipod when i walk around.

When i first stuck em in my ears, i was not too impressed by the sound. But the more i listen to them, the bette they seem to sound. The wires dont seem too flimsy though.

PS. I got the jap version

[mekmek86]

Actually i think harder wires are worse, they're easier to break, but i think softer ones easily stretch and deal with bending/tangling more easily. i too thought i'd been jipped when i first put the ex51's i bought in my ear then i realized i had to plug my ears with them.....now i like them a lot.

[brittreid]

I got a pair of the 51s over the weekend and just love them. It takes a while to get used to after using the stock buds that emphasized the midrange so much.

I'll cross my fingers that this pair lasts...

[synch22]

The 71's do die fast my pair dies, one ear went out after 6 months, they were ok but i would never buy them again.

[team bau]

I've had mine for about six months now. I just noticed the wiring on mine beginning to wear out slightly. The audio still works, for now. However, this is probably my fault since I usually store them in my backpack. I bought mine at Radio Shack and now I wish I got the replacement plan.

[tavilach]

Argh! This thread is making me angry.

I'm sorry, but if you've had the EX71's for a while, then stop talking! Your advice isn't valid. My first pair of EX71's had a normal wire, but when they broke (accidentally ripped) and I got a new pair (about six months ago), boom: Horrible wire.

The wires on the ones made in the last six months or so are practically made out of silly putty. Even if you take perfect care of them, they totally disintegrate in a matter of weeks, peeling off like there's no tomorrow.

For those of you mentioning the Japanese version, are you sure that's what warehouse123.com is selling, and are you sure that the Japanese version solves this recent problem? I hadn't heard of the Japanese version prior to reading this thread, but if it solves the recent silly putty problem, it'd be a miracle. In the last 6 months, I've gone through four pairs of EX71's! Ahh!

[csrx]

The japanese ones ive bought have been off ebay. The cord has been great. I've had a pair for about 2 years, and no problems whatsoever.

The US ones, the cord was trash, lasted a few months. My girlfriend would tell me about these, but i didnt believe it til i saw them. She replaced them with the Japanese version (again, off ebay), and problem solved.

[shippensburg]

I bought some ex71s about 3 months ago.

The cord has now disintegrated very badly on the part that goes behind my heck and I've had to patch it up with insulating tape. They still work for now but I can't see them lasting much longer.


Not impressed :mad:

[Kupo]

I think around Febuary 2005, Sony changed the cord of the EX71s. So people who bought it before then, you don't matter. I'm probably not going to buy a EX71 because I'm afraid the cord might disintegrate.

[truckson]

Just notice that Panasonic launched couple white color in-ear phones. The bass of these Panasonic are more powerful! If you are looking good in-ear phones, whould be a good place to check out!

[truckson]

Originally posted by csrx
The japanese ones ive bought have been off ebay. The cord has been great. I've had a pair for about 2 years, and no problems whatsoever.

The US ones, the cord was trash, lasted a few months. My girlfriend would tell me about these, but i didnt believe it til i saw them. She replaced them with the Japanese version (again, off ebay), and problem solved.


Most of US & JPN version are made in China now. Each factory will produce at least 100,000 of headphones per month. During the spring & summer, the factory may have a hard time to keep the quality of the plastic due to the high humidity. Some unlucky guys may get this product, and opps..........

In fact, the ex71/81 really face competition in Japan, and so they will get better on quality control and packing. This is why the JPN version is better.

[fanglangzhe]

Purchased a japan version of the MDR-EX81 5 months ago and the cord (left ear - right below the ear hook) has also frayed leaving the wire exposed in 3 different places. Will not buy 51/71/81s again.

[rx7_fan]

had the white 71sl, never had any problems w/ the wires or anything. People just abuse their headphones or something, as long as you take care of it, nothing should happen to them.

[fanglangzhe]

Quality control must be incosistent, and its your luck of the draw. As for my Sony 81s that frayed, the only time i wore them was when sitting indoors. Would not call this abuse. And the cord material indeed does feel abnormally soft/puddy-like.

[truckson]

Originally posted by fanglangzhe
Quality control must be incosistent, and its your luck of the draw. As for my Sony 81s that frayed, the only time i wore them was when sitting indoors. Would not call this abuse. And the cord material indeed does feel abnormally soft/puddy-like.

Yeah! You are right! It's really your luck of the draw!.

[mark754]

I'm having the same problem with the cord disintegrating on my white ex71's. I bought mine about 5 months ago. Apparently I have the inferior US version. At first, I thought it was due to me using alcohol-based cleaning solutions like formula 44 to clean the cord. Only the smaller diameter wires that connect thto the earbuds are disintergrating. The thicker, single wire that plugs into the iPod is okay.

Sony's warranty is only 90 days on these. I wonder if they'll admit to a manufacturing defect in this case and accept returns beyond 90 days.

Coincidentally, I also own a pair of black ex71's purchased a year ago. The cord on that one is still fine.

[mark754]

I just wrote Sony about this. Anyone else that wants to write, use this link: http://esupport.sony.com/EN/feedback/feedback.html

--------------------------------------

Hello,

I purchased a pair of ex-51sl's about 6 months ago and the cord are apparently made of a very soft, non-durable material which is disintegrating. This is a common problem experienced by many users and is apparently the result of inferior quality materials used in the US version of the ex-51 and ex-71. The earphones often become unusable after only a few months, despite being cared for properly, as the insulation continues to deteriorate and the internal wires become exposed. The Japanese version apparently does not have this problem.

You can read some feedback from dissatisfied iPod/ex-51/ex-71 owners on the iPod Lounge Forums here:

http://forums.ipodlounge.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=738243#post738243

By the way, I also own a black pair of ex-71's purchased a year ago and they do not have this problem.

We are wondering if Sony will replace these defective earphones with new ones that feature non-defective cords, even if they are beyond the 90 day warranty period. As you can see, the public awareness of this problem is creating bad publicity for Sony's products and is resulting in decreased sales of these earphones.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.