interior_decor
10-24-2005, 11:43 PM
... you're certain it was manufactured before 'Day X.'
Day X refers to this review on Amazon that tells all:
Reviewer: Tavi
You're probably confused about the reviews you've read regarding this product. People either give these earbuds five stars, saying that they're the greatest thing since sliced bread, or one star, complaining about a cord made of jelly. And then there are the people who complain about the lack of bass, but that shouldn't be confusing at all: These people are not inserting the earbuds properly into their ear anal. You can ignore these reviews.
The confusion regarding the first two types of reviews lies in when the reviews were written. It seems (from my own experience, and that of others) that around February 2005, which I will from here on refer to as "Day X," the material of the cord was changed. I have no words to describe the digust I feel towards the new material: After a few weeks, it literally turns to mush and starts peeling off. I don't know what Sony is trying to pull, but it's unfair that so many people keep buying these earbuds after reading the good reviews, which happen to be written either before Day X, or before the disintegration starts. It's also quite annoying that those who bought the earbuds prior to Day X keep telling others to ignore the bad reviews on Amazon, as their earbuds have lasted them years. Of course they have! You bought 'em before Day X, people! Oy.
Like the others who are perfectly content, I was totally satisfied with the pair I bought prior to Day X. In fact, I almost went on Amazon to give them a five star review! After a month or two, I had an unfortunate accident involving the earbuds snapping off the cord. That had nothing to do with their quality: It was a fluke. I purchased a new pair around February, and after about a month, the wire resembled silly putty. Attributing this to my carelessness, I got a new pair. A month later, the same thing happened. I didn't have time to deal with the warranty, so I kept this up until I had wasted over $100 on earbuds. That's where I am right now, and I just don't see myself buying these things every month for the rest of my life.
I have to admit that, aside from this enormous issue, I really do love everything about these earbuds, and hence the two stars. The sound is phenominal, with enough bass to surround you in your music. They're so comfortable that once you get used to them being in your ear canal, you barely notice them at all. One cord is longer than the other, so that it can be wrapped around the back of your neck; thus, when you're not actually listening, the buds will dangle from your neck. Finally, they isolate sound amazingly well: If you're not facing someone, you probably won't know that they're talking to you. If only I didn't break my first pair of earbuds! They were made properly, and I would've been content with them for a long, long time.
I have to say that if Sony keeps this up, the horrible ratings of late will finally overpower the great reviews of the past, and once that happens, they'll no longer be able to sell this horrible material on the back of properly made earbuds. Again, I don't know what kind of scam they're trying to pull, but I'm fed up with it. I'm not going to waste $100 every six months for a $25 pair of earbuds. Not anymore, Sony.
Hopefully I've cleared up the issues for you. Do yourself a favor and, at least for now, avoid these horribly made earbuds. Let's hope that Sony clears up the problem so that we can all once again enjoy the great sound these earbuds produce, just as those who bought them a while ago are still doing.
Good luck!
LINK (http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2V4TMEETYLNXR/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-1210033-7306519?%5Fencoding=UTF8)
The review above was posted by Tavi for both the EX51s and the EX71s on August 10th, and August 14th, respectively, earlier this year.
Personally, I actually lucked out and bought my pair of EX51s around the February/March time period in which the change in material took place and have been nothing but absolutely pleased with the durability and sound quality of them. Unless there is any way (model #'s? copyright years on the packaging?) to ensure that the product you're buying was manufactured before Day X, I will not be purchasing any more pairs of 51s or 71s until Sony fixes this.
It is a shame that a company with such a reputation of quality would stoop to such levels of cost-cutting, effectively creating a product that is doomed to be unusable within months of purchasing it. I know how popular these two models are in this forum, so I just thought I'd give whomever is still not aware of this unfortunate change a heads up.
I guess if my pair of 51s ever dies (knock on wood), I might consider importing a pair direct from Japan -- where I would assume Sony has continued using the high-grade cord they pulled in the States -- or, you know, save up for a pair of more expensive Shures.
So yeah. Sticky maybe?
ETA: Regarding the EX-81s, I'm not certain as to whether or not Sony uses the same silly putty type cord that's been crapping out on all the post-Day X 51/71 models, but because the 81s are an extension of the Fontopia/In-Ear models, I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that the 81s should be avoided as well.
>> Those that want to order the Japanese version of the 51s/71s may want to try here:
http://www.warehouse123.com/ProductList.php?cat=HP;HP-IE
Look for the JE Version label next to the names.
Day X refers to this review on Amazon that tells all:
Reviewer: Tavi
You're probably confused about the reviews you've read regarding this product. People either give these earbuds five stars, saying that they're the greatest thing since sliced bread, or one star, complaining about a cord made of jelly. And then there are the people who complain about the lack of bass, but that shouldn't be confusing at all: These people are not inserting the earbuds properly into their ear anal. You can ignore these reviews.
The confusion regarding the first two types of reviews lies in when the reviews were written. It seems (from my own experience, and that of others) that around February 2005, which I will from here on refer to as "Day X," the material of the cord was changed. I have no words to describe the digust I feel towards the new material: After a few weeks, it literally turns to mush and starts peeling off. I don't know what Sony is trying to pull, but it's unfair that so many people keep buying these earbuds after reading the good reviews, which happen to be written either before Day X, or before the disintegration starts. It's also quite annoying that those who bought the earbuds prior to Day X keep telling others to ignore the bad reviews on Amazon, as their earbuds have lasted them years. Of course they have! You bought 'em before Day X, people! Oy.
Like the others who are perfectly content, I was totally satisfied with the pair I bought prior to Day X. In fact, I almost went on Amazon to give them a five star review! After a month or two, I had an unfortunate accident involving the earbuds snapping off the cord. That had nothing to do with their quality: It was a fluke. I purchased a new pair around February, and after about a month, the wire resembled silly putty. Attributing this to my carelessness, I got a new pair. A month later, the same thing happened. I didn't have time to deal with the warranty, so I kept this up until I had wasted over $100 on earbuds. That's where I am right now, and I just don't see myself buying these things every month for the rest of my life.
I have to admit that, aside from this enormous issue, I really do love everything about these earbuds, and hence the two stars. The sound is phenominal, with enough bass to surround you in your music. They're so comfortable that once you get used to them being in your ear canal, you barely notice them at all. One cord is longer than the other, so that it can be wrapped around the back of your neck; thus, when you're not actually listening, the buds will dangle from your neck. Finally, they isolate sound amazingly well: If you're not facing someone, you probably won't know that they're talking to you. If only I didn't break my first pair of earbuds! They were made properly, and I would've been content with them for a long, long time.
I have to say that if Sony keeps this up, the horrible ratings of late will finally overpower the great reviews of the past, and once that happens, they'll no longer be able to sell this horrible material on the back of properly made earbuds. Again, I don't know what kind of scam they're trying to pull, but I'm fed up with it. I'm not going to waste $100 every six months for a $25 pair of earbuds. Not anymore, Sony.
Hopefully I've cleared up the issues for you. Do yourself a favor and, at least for now, avoid these horribly made earbuds. Let's hope that Sony clears up the problem so that we can all once again enjoy the great sound these earbuds produce, just as those who bought them a while ago are still doing.
Good luck!
LINK (http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2V4TMEETYLNXR/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-1210033-7306519?%5Fencoding=UTF8)
The review above was posted by Tavi for both the EX51s and the EX71s on August 10th, and August 14th, respectively, earlier this year.
Personally, I actually lucked out and bought my pair of EX51s around the February/March time period in which the change in material took place and have been nothing but absolutely pleased with the durability and sound quality of them. Unless there is any way (model #'s? copyright years on the packaging?) to ensure that the product you're buying was manufactured before Day X, I will not be purchasing any more pairs of 51s or 71s until Sony fixes this.
It is a shame that a company with such a reputation of quality would stoop to such levels of cost-cutting, effectively creating a product that is doomed to be unusable within months of purchasing it. I know how popular these two models are in this forum, so I just thought I'd give whomever is still not aware of this unfortunate change a heads up.
I guess if my pair of 51s ever dies (knock on wood), I might consider importing a pair direct from Japan -- where I would assume Sony has continued using the high-grade cord they pulled in the States -- or, you know, save up for a pair of more expensive Shures.
So yeah. Sticky maybe?
ETA: Regarding the EX-81s, I'm not certain as to whether or not Sony uses the same silly putty type cord that's been crapping out on all the post-Day X 51/71 models, but because the 81s are an extension of the Fontopia/In-Ear models, I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that the 81s should be avoided as well.
>> Those that want to order the Japanese version of the 51s/71s may want to try here:
http://www.warehouse123.com/ProductList.php?cat=HP;HP-IE
Look for the JE Version label next to the names.