Form and function...for the most part!
Written: Mar 14 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Style, never going to fall off, decent sound quality
Cons: Uncomfortable at times, harder to transport
The Bottom Line: High style and great functionality for everyday walking around and working out - but no lying down!
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| chambemd's Full Review: Aiwa HPJ30 Headphones |
I've always used Aiwa's small bud headsets for listening to my music, whether its through a computer, portable CD player, or MP3 player. I've always expected decent sound quality, and don't consider that a major factor in my decision - for the most part, all low range headsets are going to sound pretty much the same. I find myself listening to music usually on the train, in an office, or working out and I'm not looking for a huge, high quality set of earphones.
That said, these Aiwa earphones get the job done pretty well. By now we've all seen the Sony wrap-around headsets, but I've never liked the whole speaker outside of my ear. Besides not looking as good, I've found that you can usually listen to your music louder with the small earbud headsets and the people next to you won't hear. I prefer not to bother people if I don't have to! And these HP-J30's are attractive - a small amount of metallic blue paint near the earpiece really sets them off.
Once you put these on, they're not likely to come off or get loose. Running with other headsets I have owned has necessitated constantly adjusting their position while I've been working out. With these, once they're on, they usually stay. There have been a few times where I've felt they shifted a little and were slightly uncomfortable, but if you take them off and put them back on, they settle into your ear well. For just walking around, this headset works fine too. Very unobtrusive, and only a single wire coming out of one side to get in your way.
The biggest downside is that the piece that wraps around the back of your neck can make things uncomfortable very fast. There's a little gap between the band and your neck, so if you put your head back on a seat, the earpieces push up against your inner ear - so you either have to sit up or lean with the top of your head against the cushion. On a recently plane trip I really tried to fall asleep listening to my portable MP3 player and these headphones, but I finally had to give up because there was no position I could really get my head into for an extended period of time without causing a lot of pain! On a subtle note, even something like a high jacket collar can occasionally push up against the band and cause pressure.
They seem to be made of a good quality plastic, but I can't help but worry when I put them in my bag sometimes. They don't fold or anything. so I usually just wrap the wire around them and stick them in - but they aren't as 'sturdy' as more conventional cheap headsets and I'm always afraid something is going to bend one side out of allignment. However, I've been using them for several months now, and that still hasn't happened...
I do like these and would get another pair. They are comfortable when just walking around or working out, and they take away the hassle of having to adjust them all the time. Plus, they definitely still have a 'cool' factor associated with them - I still get looks wondering what I've got in my ears!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
chambemd
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Member: Matt Chambers
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 22
Trusted by: 1 member
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