Comments on: Radius Atomic Bass Aluminum Earphones with In-Line Microphone for iPhone Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/07/radius-atomic-bass-aluminum-earphones-with-in-line-microphone-for-iphone-review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:50:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Kevin http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/07/radius-atomic-bass-aluminum-earphones-with-in-line-microphone-for-iphone-review/comment-page-1/#comment-35178 Kevin Tue, 12 May 2009 18:31:51 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15018#comment-35178 You mention "For sound quality and isolation, I give these earphones four and a half stars" but when compared to what? I find most "so called" sound isolating headphones just don't do what I would hope. I love my Etymotic ER-6i and my Shure SE210 and SE310 headphones and with the flanged tip I get excellent sound isolation, but yes, at a price. Yes, these Radius are only $50 but how do they compare with "real" sound isolating headphones? Personally, I would rather spend $75 or $100 and get really good isolation and "flat" (not artificially bass-y) sound over $50 with poor isolation and imbalanced sound (many headphones boost the bass response, etc). Please note: I am not saying the Radius have poor sound or isolation, I just think any review of headphones that claims sound isolation should be compared to Shure / Etymotic (and be done in the NYC Subway where I use mine every day). Many pretend sound isolation buds like the Zagg ZBuds (which are decent headphones), Sony, etc. others work reasonably well walking down the street but in real high noise environments (subway, jackhammer, airplane engine) just don't isolate enough noise. Etymotics ER-6i are about $77 (Amazon) and Shure SE110 are $93 (Amazon) but I would encourage you to try these to determine how the Radius (and others) actually perform. I think you might find that the extra $25 or $50 to be money well spent if you spend as much time in headphones in high noise environments as I do. One caveat when wearing any sound isolating headphone is you really have to seat it properly in your ear - getting a good seal. If you aren't getting good, crisp sound the problem is probably how you have the bud inserted. You mention “For sound quality and isolation, I give these earphones four and a half stars” but when compared to what? I find most “so called” sound isolating headphones just don’t do what I would hope. I love my Etymotic ER-6i and my Shure SE210 and SE310 headphones and with the flanged tip I get excellent sound isolation, but yes, at a price. Yes, these Radius are only $50 but how do they compare with “real” sound isolating headphones? Personally, I would rather spend $75 or $100 and get really good isolation and “flat” (not artificially bass-y) sound over $50 with poor isolation and imbalanced sound (many headphones boost the bass response, etc). Please note: I am not saying the Radius have poor sound or isolation, I just think any review of headphones that claims sound isolation should be compared to Shure / Etymotic (and be done in the NYC Subway where I use mine every day).

Many pretend sound isolation buds like the Zagg ZBuds (which are decent headphones), Sony, etc. others work reasonably well walking down the street but in real high noise environments (subway, jackhammer, airplane engine) just don’t isolate enough noise.

Etymotics ER-6i are about $77 (Amazon) and Shure SE110 are $93 (Amazon) but I would encourage you to try these to determine how the Radius (and others) actually perform. I think you might find that the extra $25 or $50 to be money well spent if you spend as much time in headphones in high noise environments as I do.

One caveat when wearing any sound isolating headphone is you really have to seat it properly in your ear – getting a good seal. If you aren’t getting good, crisp sound the problem is probably how you have the bud inserted.

]]> By: fred http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/07/radius-atomic-bass-aluminum-earphones-with-in-line-microphone-for-iphone-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34835 fred Fri, 08 May 2009 01:45:45 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15018#comment-34835 I picked up a Radius headphone here in Japan yesterday before reading your excellent review, model number RK-BL511K. It's shaped slightly different in the back but has the same spec as the one you've reviewed. I don't know if I am the only one but it sounds slightly muffled...treble not being so great, but this could be my ears getting old with age :( The fit seems to be great, but I do feel very isolated when wearing these. The only thing that I would like to see is the volume control. Again, thanks for a great review. I picked up a Radius headphone here in Japan yesterday before reading your excellent review, model number RK-BL511K. It’s shaped slightly different in the back but has the same spec as the one you’ve reviewed. I don’t know if I am the only one but it sounds slightly muffled…treble not being so great, but this could be my ears getting old with age :( The fit seems to be great, but I do feel very isolated when wearing these. The only thing that I would like to see is the volume control. Again, thanks for a great review.

]]> By: Smythe Richbourg http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/07/radius-atomic-bass-aluminum-earphones-with-in-line-microphone-for-iphone-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34795 Smythe Richbourg Thu, 07 May 2009 15:21:21 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15018#comment-34795 Thanks for the feedback. Glad you both liked the review. @Wayne, there's a link to a recent Wired article in the part that covers molded earphones. They cover four models that range in price from $300-$1150, and looking at the Earsound Customs website, they charge about $130 to add that to your iPhone earbuds. The stock silicone cups aren't bad enough for me to invest that much cash. Good to know there are options out there, though. Thanks for the feedback. Glad you both liked the review. @Wayne, there’s a link to a recent Wired article in the part that covers molded earphones. They cover four models that range in price from $300-$1150, and looking at the Earsound Customs website, they charge about $130 to add that to your iPhone earbuds. The stock silicone cups aren’t bad enough for me to invest that much cash. Good to know there are options out there, though.

]]> By: wayne http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/07/radius-atomic-bass-aluminum-earphones-with-in-line-microphone-for-iphone-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34789 wayne Thu, 07 May 2009 14:33:21 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15018#comment-34789 I agree with Jay when he says that you did an excellent review of these head phones. I travel a lot on planes and I no longer bring my bulky Bose QC3 head phones. The only part of this review that I disagree with is that mass-produced silicone ear buds feel as good as a custom fit. I found a company (Earsound Customs) that can retro-fit any model of head phones using impressions of a person's ears to create a custom fit. This would give you the best of both worlds with this product as you state the frequency response is great and with a custom fit the comfort level would be unsurpassed. Hope this helps. I agree with Jay when he says that you did an excellent review of these head phones. I travel a lot on planes and I no longer bring my bulky Bose QC3 head phones. The only part of this review that I disagree with is that mass-produced silicone ear buds feel as good as a custom fit. I found a company (Earsound Customs) that can retro-fit any model of head phones using impressions of a person’s ears to create a custom fit. This would give you the best of both worlds with this product as you state the frequency response is great and with a custom fit the comfort level would be unsurpassed. Hope this helps.

]]> By: Jay http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/07/radius-atomic-bass-aluminum-earphones-with-in-line-microphone-for-iphone-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34776 Jay Thu, 07 May 2009 12:35:10 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15018#comment-34776 Excellent review! As I'm not an iPhone owner, I can't really add a great deal of input, but I must say, these do look awesome! A very nice design indeed! Excellent review! As I’m not an iPhone owner, I can’t really add a great deal of input, but I must say, these do look awesome! A very nice design indeed!

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