Headphones for Running

Saw this nice summary of the Top 5 headphones for running and the 3 criteria making up a good running headphone.

Check out the link over here
Earphone for Running

Headphones for Running

Shure SE215-K Live Sound Monitor, Black

 http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31AzualGvjL._SL160_.jpg

Featuring Dynamic MicroDriver, the SE215 delivers detailed sound with enhanced bass. A detachable cable with formable wire enables easy replacement and a secure, comfortable fit on-stage or on-the-go. Sound Isolating sleeves in multiple sizes provide up to 37 dB of isolation and a customized fit. Available in translucent black or clear. Comfortable sound isolating sleeves block up to 37 dB of ambient noise. Sound isolation technology prevents outside noise from interfering with your listening experience, whether on-stage or on-the-go. Shure Sound Isolating Earphones require a proper fit to achieve the best sound.The role of the included sound isolating sleeves is twofold: blocking ambient noise and ensuring a comfortable customized fit. Because every ear is different, the Fit Kit includes three sizes (S, M, L) of the flex and black foam sleeves. Experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for you. A good seal is key to optimizing sound isolation and bass response as well as maximizing comfort during extended wear.

SOUND
I bought these ear-buds along with one of the Dr. Dre Beats headsets to compare the sound. They were both exactly the same price but the Shure earbuds busted a righteous cap in Dr. Dre's pretentious creation.
The rich, creamy sound coming out of these Shure puppies is amazing. It allows for the correct balance between the bass, the mids, and the highs without any distortion at various volume levels. I couldn't believe it! The Beats earbuds had an ounce of more bass to them but the mids and high's had that cheap tin-can sound. People's voices came off flat and isolated in relation to the other sounds and it didn't take long for the off-pitch ringing to hurt my ears. Even when I tested the prescribed bass-heavy Hip-Hop/Rap songs on both earbuds, the Shure's stomped-stomped-stomped the Beats out of the competition. Shure's bass, which is a fraction less than the Beats, was still excellent and provided for the sound that felt truly SURROUND.

After I found that Shure's were the one for me, I submitted the Shure earbuds to other tests.

NOISE-CANCELLATION
Technically, these are "sound isolating" earphones and I don't know how that's different from "noise cancellation" but the one thing is true: these earbuds keep the outside noise out and music in. I drove over to my half-deaf grandmother's house just to test this. She likes to get up close and shout all holy-hell about if you'd like to eat. Cue Shure earbuds and stand in shock as grandmother is transformed into David Bowie singing "Ziggy Stardust" and holding a spatula. Crazy. I could only hear the music.

You can check out Amazon for more reviews!

Harman Kardon CL Headphones at 60% off

I can't wait for this headphone to arrive! I just purchase it at 60% OFF! It competes with the likes of B&W P7 but it is now selling at the price of the 1st version of  Creative Aurvana Live!  
Harman Kardon CL Precision On-Ear Headphones with Extended Bass


Update (Received 15th June) : After trying on the set, I think this is only for people who have either extremely small head or have a IRON Head and Ears. The clamping force is terrible ! Your ears feels like they're being deprived of blood and your skull seems to be collapsing after prolong usage(>1hrs). I wouldn't pay more than what I had paid(under $100) for the design and quality of the headphones though. Also, there is a thing to note, the wire comes with a apple vol control. However, if you use the cable on a laptop, you will hear distant sound. You have to press the SPEAK button on the control for the sound to become the intended sound. So the only way you get to enjoy the headphones is to TAP DOWN the "Speak" Button. Yes.. They should have an alternative set of cable for the laptop users.

Enjoy high-performance sound quality with a sophisticated, modern design

Control your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with the CL’s streamlined remote 

Engineered to Outperform.

Harman Kardon CL headphones feature an exclusive acoustic system that integrates superb mechanical design, materials, and electronics. User-exchangeable bows, self-adjusting housings, soft leather cups, and slow-retention ear-cup foam ensure a comfortable fit and an optimal acoustic seal on the ear. Uniquely baffled 1-5/8" (40 mm) drivers enable the CL to outperform other headphones in extended bass response. Sandblasted steel frames and black matte housings create an iconic, modern aesthetic. A blend of sophistication and simplicity, the lightweight, comfortable CL headphones are part of the first-ever line of Harman Kardon headphones. Now you can take beautiful sound with you wherever you go.

Sophisticated, Modern Design

Harman Kardon CL headphones offer high-tech performance wrapped in an elegant package and interface. With its blend of sandblasted steel and black matte housings, the CLs’ design and function complement Apple products while reinforcing the sophisticated elegance of the Harman Kardon brand.

Optimized Sound Quality

High-performance 1-5/8" (40 mm) drivers produce an excellent frequency response (16Hz – 20kHz) for a natural tone. The wide dynamic range reproduces music with realism. A unique baffle creates air flow that extends low frequencies. The CL headphones also incorporate a bass tube that functions like a tuned bass port. It boosts bass performance and helps the headphones produce exceptional bass response at any volume level. As a result, CL headphones provide better bass response than other headphones in their class.

What I like:-Aesthetics: presentation, packaging, beautiful and unique sophisticated design, nice pleather carrying case-Option of 2 sizes (small vs large) of metallic headbands-Magnetic leather earpads are easily removable and thus replaced-Balanced sound, more than capable (though not booming) bass. Suitable for movie-watching and all sorts of music (instrumental soundtracks, vocals, hip-hop, pop, haven't tried rock yet)-Easily driven by Galaxy Nexus using PowerAmp app with slight boosting of the treble, no amp necessary-On-ear design makes music more vivid than around-the-ear design of other headphones. It also does a fair job of passively isolating noise (good enough to drown out 70% of engine noise during air travel)-Minimal sound leakage-More premium sound and design than direct competitor B&W P3. $100 cheaper than B&W P5, and after a quick test I could not tell the difference, probably only a very discerning audiophile could
What I don't like:-Unlocking mechanism for earpieces may disengage them from the headband if you rotate them 360 degrees inadvertently-Comfortable for half an hour but then clamping pressure on ears causes them to start throbbing-Cable is proprietary. It also has a straight end rather than an L-shape to connect to device-A little bit of noise when you move around, whether from squeaky leather or rubbing the metal headband
Sound and comfort when compared to Klipsch Image One, Harman Kardon CL, B&W P5, Bose QC15, Sennheiser Momentum:-Klipsch Image One is too bass-heavy. Comfort is merely OK because the cushions are so small they straddle the line between circum-aural and on-ear-UE6000 will have more prominent bass with active noise cancellation function turned on with better clarity in the mids and highs with noise cancellation turned off. It is very comfortable, superior to CL due to plush memory foam. However the UE6000's earpads cannot be replaced at all, and it is somewhat heavy/bulky especially with 2 AAA batteries installed. Plus you may noticed a "hiss" due to the noise cancellation-B&W P5: Although this was by far the best-looking out of all the headphones, I found it to have a somewhat hollow sound especially when compared to the Harman Kardon CL. A very tight (and unadjustable) clamping force made listening very uncomfortable even for brief periods. That, plus the questionable durability (just go into any apple store and see how beat up the leather pads get over time), made me feel this was overpriced at $300-Bose QC15 have best active noise-cancelling effect (and does not generate any hiss/white noise). In terms of sound quality, however, it is the worst of the bunch as bass is one-tone and highs sound shrill and hurt my ears. Its plush ear cushions make it the most comfortable around-ear headphones I have ever used-Sennheiser Momentum has crisper highs and has less bass. Comfort is superior as long as your ears fit into the plush cushions, and overall weight is a barely-there 190g
For sound quality I would rank Sennheiser Momentum>Logitech UE6000=Harman Kardon CL>B&W P5>Klipsch One=Bose QC15For comfort Bose QC15>Sennheiser Momentum>Logitech UE6000>Harman Kardon CL=Klipsch One=B&W P5For noise isolation Bose QC15>Logitech UE6000 (active mode)>Harman Kardon CL>Sennheiser Momentum>B&W P5=Klipsch One

Racing Steering Wheelstand for Logitech G27 / G25 Wheels, V2 -Deluxe, Original Wheel Stand Pro Stand

A Perfeeeect Father's Day Gift!

Wow! This stand is the kind of thing I would have built in engineering school if we had the G27 in the early 90's. It's incredible. I'll go over all the great things first and then the very few minor irritations that don't detract from the product at all.  Pros: Build quality - It's 18lbs of tubular steel and while that doesn't sound like much, I doubt anyone could make this shift on the floor while using it. Since the frame connects the steering and the pedals, you actually make it more solid with your feet on the pedal floor and your hands on the steering wheel. It is like a rock even playing more spirited games like the Need for Speed series. Mounts - I was worried about limiting each component to two mounting screws, but that has proven to be plenty. The components don't shift on the plates even with heavy use.  Foldability - I've attached pictures, but you can fold the unit down easily because of the quick clamps. If you don't want to press your brake pedal down, you can clamp it shut just before it hits. If you don't mind holding the pedal down, you can use a piece of foam to protect the pedal. Ease of use - the quick clamps were a great touch. It really makes getting the whole thing "closet ready" a snap. I can set it up in less than a minute and take it down in the same time.  Cons: The power brick solution - The "solution" to hold the power brick isn't great since it's just a friction hold on the underside of the pedal unit. Can't really fault WSP for that, though. Height - I'm not tall but my desk is, so while this is the perfect height if you're sitting on the couch, it's a little low for high desks like mine (32"). An extra four inches on the center tube would have been great, but it's still perfectly usable.  One missing quick clamp - the top plate that holds the steering wheel and shifter needs two wrenches to set the angle. While this isn't something you would adjust as much as the height or folding axis, it's still a pain. A quick clamp for that plate would have been nice. However, since the tube is so thick and the contact area between the plate mount and tube is so small, this probably wasn't a viable option.  Overall, I would almost consider this a required purchase if you buy a G27 and don't want to build your own stand for it. Sure, it's expensive, but it's worth every single penny. It is put together well enough to survive the next 50 years, and if I ever get another wheel it will be relatively easy to just drill new holes wherever required. This stand is that solid.

Xbox One - Loving iT!

It arrived on Titanfall's launch. It has a $500 console(Which runs you about $530+ if you buy in a store), comes with a $60 game($65 if you buy in a store), and ships it to you for $499, with no tax, in two days. Edit: After having the console for a few days, I'd figure I'd update. First off, Titanfall is the most fun I've had in a FPS since maybe Halo 3. Love that it's an exclusive. Microsoft is packing a punch the old fashioned way, having games that only IT'S hardware has.(Like Nintendo and Sega in the 90's) It took me a longggggggg time to download it, but I have 2 mbps internet, so that's on me. As for the console, except for a few little gripes, it's exceeded my expectations in all ways. It runs quiet, looks very sleek and glossy, and the Kinect is a very nice piece of technology. Not only is the video chat quality pretty good for when you're skyping, but it does stuff I didn't even know it could, like sign you into your gamertag when you walk into the room(Awesome) I didn't really use the Kinect on 360, but it's a lot more of a viable product now. Voice command this time is not only more accurate, but it's more practical since this system was designed with Kinect in mind. Being able to just say "Xbox, go to Titanfall" at any moment(Since it's a digital copy) to go to your game is awesome. It's very much like using a Windows 8 computer, while you're switching between apps/desktop browser/etc. And it's dope how you can do something like watch Netflix or use Internet Explorer, while your game is loading or matchmaking, and you can go back to your game like you never left it after a few minutes. Very happy with the One.

Kindle Fire HDX Review

Kindle Fire HDX vs. iPad Air

Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" is lighter than Air—literally. In fact, the new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" tablet is  a full 20% lighter than iPad Air. The Kindle Fire HDX display also has nearly one million more  pixels than iPad Air, giving it a best-in-class pixel density of 339 ppi (vs. 264 ppi on the new iPad).  "...the HDX 8.9 is light. Absurdly light. Dumb light. It makes the already featherweight  one-pound iPad Air feel like it's made out of lead by comparison." — Gizmodo  The reviews are in: higher resolution, lighter weight, on-device tech support with the new "Mayday" button,  Dolby Audio, and more—all for $120 less than iPad Air.

Startlingly light large-screen tablet, with stunning HDX display, ultra-fast performance, and front and rear cameras

Exclusive 8.9" HDX display (2560x1600) with unsurpassed pixel density (339 PPI) and perfect color accuracy (100% sRGB) for vivid, lifelike images that go beyond standard HD Breakthrough ultra-light design—weighing just 13.2oz, it's 34% lighter than the previous generation Ultra-fast 2.2GHz quad-core processor—3x more powerful than previous generation—with 2GB of RAM and Adreno 330 GPU for fast, fluid gaming and video Introducing the "Mayday" button—revolutionary, on-device tech support, exclusive to Kindle Fire HDX tablets. Connect for free to an Amazon expert 24x7, 365 days a year 8MP rear-facing camera with LED flash for high-resolution photos and 1080p HD video, plus a front-facing 720p HD camera for Skype video calls and more Stay productive on the go with ultra-fast web browsing, built-in OfficeSuite, plus e-mail and calendar support for Gmail, Outlook, and more Over 100,000 apps and games available in the Amazon Appstore, including a new paid app for free every day

Philips Fidelio X1

I'm so excited! I just got the X1 in Singapore for sgd$329.

But the strange thing is ... M1 and L1 are priced at sgd$430-490...

GO FIGURE!!! ..LOL... CATCH Of the Year for me!

Philips Fidelio X1

Build quality : EXCELLENT. Comparable to HE-400.

Sound Quality : Very heavy Bass... More than HE-400.  If I had to choose.. HE-400 is the BEST! This X1 I think it's more for bass heads.. it's really flabby bass instead of the tight controlled bass I hear from HE-400. The clarity loses definitely to HE-400, AKG Q701, Fostex, Creative Aurvana.

My current headphones in order of preference :_

1) HE-400

2) AKG Q701

3) Fostex T50RP

4) Creative Aurvana Live!

5) Fidelio X1 (VERY GOOD FOR MOVIES! If you listen carefully, the bass actually makes you feel like you are sitting in teh middle and listening to a real hi-fi system)

6) Sennheiser hd518 

Come to think of it, Fidelio X1 is like a little less veiled version of Sennheiser HD518 with more flappy bass. It also does not sound open and airy. I reckon it is semi-opened at best which explains why it has more bass than a typical open-backed design. How I judge? Well, my AKG and HE-400, I can hear clearly ambient noise, but the X1 is less clear as it seems enclosed..

P/S : Using an Audinst HD-Mini DAC to a Bravo Audio V2 Tube amp.

Updated 12/10/2012 :- I've finally understood this is a separate category from the rest of the headphones. X1 is indeed very very accurate in representing what you hear in a hi-fi system or cinema. The bass i hear when watching movie is actually very deep and SUB-WOOFER like sound you get from the cinema. The depth and layering of details added to the immersive soundscape.  So if buyng for music, this might not be it. But for Watching Movies.. Oh boy! This is a MUST HAVE!

However, you need to consider this if you are interested in re-creating the ambience sound of a home theater system or that of a cinema. Mainly the deep flabby bass that subwoofer pumps out in volume. The noise from the environment that seeps in partially like in a cinema. You are in the center of the cinema and noise is not totally isolated, it blends in with the cinema soundtrack. Yesterday night I watch Prometheus and my god.. It sounds like I was sitting right in the middle of a cinema. No dolby headphone technology needded but I think it would be even more impressive if that was turned on.  Today, I asked my wife to try it and she had similar remarks. 

But I have to agree if you are listening to music, you will find HE-400 to be heavenly ! Details and seperation are there and still musical but not to the extent of the AKG Q701 which dissects everything.  The Fidelio X1 overpowering bass makes it hard to hear the level of details and seperation like the rest. Someone mentioned turning down the bass will make this $300 phone becomes a worthy $600ish phones. I haven't tried that 'coz I liked it RAW.. I don't add +/- treble/bass eq to my phones. hehe

P/S : After trying out so many phones, I have developed a definite preference for OPEN-Backed airy phones. I am not a basshead though, I find AKG Q701 bass good enough for me when people were complaining of its lack of bass.