By Odeisel
If there was ever something that annoys me about portable music, it’s cheap ass headphones. I know sometimes you get caught out there and you have to buy some on the run occasionally, but cheap headphones can totally ruin music for a two big reasons.
You’re probably playing some “music” nobody else likes but thanks to your poorly made headphones, everyone can hear every single word of your crappy music , even on the loud subway, even though you’re at least 10 feet away from others. Second, you’re already listening to an mp3 and the quality of your music needs all the help it can get to stretch itself into the realm of CD quality sound. (Tough luck trying to get that big echo record sound. We’re out n that). A good pair of headphones can bring out the lows and treble highs without sounding like noise.
You may prefer ear buds with noise reduction or ear muff style over the head phones that block out sound. If you’re at the gym, those may not be the most conducive to getting your workout on (and not breaking your headphones). This column will be about introducing you to the latest in headphones of all varieties and brands. First up: Atrio M5 Professional headphones by FutureSonics.
First thing you notice is how environmentally friendly the brand is. The packaging is all paper and reconstituted cardboard, none of
that plastic that you have to fight with normally. Less hassle to open; less trauma for Mother Earth. That’s a win before you even open the package.
The buds come with an assortment of different sized silicon sleeves designed to create a universal fit. When properly fitting they block out tons of ambient sound, so much so that you can hear your pulse if there is no sound running though the phones. If you cover concerts and spend a lot of time near booming speakers, these ear buds will help keep your ears safe.
Sound wise, I tested them on one of the greatest compositions of modern music, Stevie Wonder’s “Contusion” from his masterpiece Songs in The Key of Life. The song has no lyrics but is a maelstrom of Pop, Funk, Rock and Soul of varying rhythm and speeds. There are hard drums, high hats, keys and an inordinate amount of ambient sound effects, all of which were clearly audible on the Atrios ear buds. The sound was just as crisp on a laptop as it was on a Blackberry and the song was mp3 format, not even uncompressed or lossless.
Stevie Wonder – “Contusion”
Features & Specifications:
• NEW MG7™ Proprietary Dynamic Drivers
• 18Hz – 20,000Hz TrueTimbre™ Response
• 32ohm Impedance
• Sensitivity 112db @ 30Hz/1mW
• Up to 30db Ambient Noise Rejection (A.N.R™)
• 51″ (1.3m) QuietCables™ II
• Standard 1/8″ (3.5mm) Gold Stereo Mini-Plug Connector
• 1 Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty
• Ultra-Lightweight Design
• 100% Armature & Crossover Free Technology
• Multiple Fit Options
Each Package Includes:
• 1 Pr. atrio® Professional Earphones
• 2 Pr. Comfort Fit Foam Sleevs – Large
• 2 Pr. Comfort Fit Foam Sleevs – Small
• 1 Pr. Earfills Silicone Sleeves – Large
• 1 Pr. Earfills Silicone Sleeves – Medium
• 1 Pr. Earfills Silicone Sleeves – Small
• 1 atrio® Carrying Case
• Loop Cleaning Tool
• atrio® User Manual
The pair I tested were the special edition m5’s that retail for $229 USD. The regular Atrios edition retails for $199. For clear crisp sound and legitimate noise protection without having to pay thousands for custom made headphones, these are a strong buy. They also come with a hard protective leather case to protect the buds when they aren’t in use.
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