Product Description

Sony's MDR-EX55 Ear-Bud Headphones use a silicon Ear-Bud that allows the driver to fit comfortably in the ear canal and prevents it from slipping out too easily. It also helps to block surrounding noise by helping to seal the ear canal from that noise. The EX55 also comes with 3 different sizes of Ear-Buds allowing them to fit comfortably in a large range of ear sizes.

Product Details

• Color: BLACK
• Brand: Sony
• Model: MDR-EX55/BLK
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 4.00" w x 7.00" l, .14 pounds

Features

• 9mm EX provides comfort fit and deep bass sound
• Silicon housing for better comfort and soft fitting
• Cord Length of 3.9ft (1.2m)

Customer Reviews

Needs EQ and break-in time
The first thing I'll mention is if you don't have an EQ on your MP3 player then you should probably pass on these. Running these flat results in a bass heavy sound with little midrange and treble response.

I bought these as a backup set of IEMs while my Shure SE210s were being repaired under warranty. The first thing I did was adjust the EQ on my Creative Zen Vision:M to flat settings and could tell right away these were going to need some tweaking to get a decent sound. Here are the settings I'm using for these IEMs:

80Hz +2
250Hz -3
1kHz +1
4kHz +6
13kHz +10

Smart Volume: ON
Bass Boost: OFF

These settings took awhile to come to as it was hard keeping the bass from sounding too thin while keeping the midrange and highs balanced. Once I hit the sweet spot these earphones came to life! The bass sounds more balanced, the midrange doesn't sound squashed and muddy, and the highs sound more defined and detailed. Someone else mentioned the highs sound harsh but I don't find that to be the case with proper EQ.

I used these for about 3-4 days and noticed that they started sounding better, so give them some time for break-in. Stereo separation is very wide and there is this kind of downward expansion sound to them, though this may be my use of Smart Volume on the Zen. I like gain riding for a more even sound, and these phones seem to take advantage of it.

One thing about these over the Shure's is that they deliver a more colored sound. The Shure's seem more full-bodied and much more accurate, but the Sony's have deeper bass extension (with proper EQ settings) and a slightly wider soundstage with a bit more airiness. Overall they are very good if you can EQ them properly and probably worth the money.

As for build quality they are not too bad. They do fit nicely and you won't notice the feeling of them in your ears using the right size ear piece. Sound isolation is good with the proper fit (the ones pre-installed fit my ears perfectly). The cord is long enough if you wear your MP3 player on your belt. The carrying pouch is a nice bonus to keep them from getting trashed.

Edit 09/19/08: Having revisted these ear buds recently I made some changes to the EQ settings. The previous settings were slightly off. The new settings add a bit more body to the sound but may be more fatiguing because of the added bass.

died after 3-4 months of pampered use
Like most here, I have to move various EQ settings a lot on my MP3 player to have good sounding music with these; however, that I don't mind.

They sounded really nice once all EQ was adjusted for them, and they shut out a lot of sound when fit right.

They are also the most beautifully comfortable headphones or earphones I've ever used.

BUT.

I cannot, and do not, forgive earphone cut-out/death after just 3-4 months of use, when I mollycoddled them.
Today, the right earphone died.

This was the first Sony product of ANY kind I've touched in 17 years, FOR THIS EXACT SAME REASON.
[getting burned]

Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me.

Great for what they're made for
As the price indicates, these ear buds are certainly not meant for audiophiles. The bass is exaggerated, and the highs sound somewhat tacky and cheap. They're not completely bad, however. They're quite comfortable for skiing and recreational use, and the sound characteristics of these headphones make them good for rap music and some kinds of rock. For all you audio snobs who criticize these headphones, just look at the price tag and shut up. Good sounding headphones cost at least double.