Lift Audio Groove Series Noise-Isolating In-Ear Headphones (Black)
by Lift Audio
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Lift Audio Groove Series Noise-Isolating In-Ear Headphones (Black)
Customer Review: Inferior, muddy sound; weight of metal barrel tugs at ear
Summary: 2 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
For years I convinced myself that I could tell the difference between CD audio and compressed .mp3 audio. A blind test proved otherwise, and began my conversion to digital music user and iPod nano carrier.
I did not expect major differences between these and other earbuds. I own a pair of Sony earbuds with interchangeable tips. These are my everyday choice because they fit more comfortably and have proven their ability to stay in my ears during exercise.
When using these earbuds, I hoped for improved sound. Instead, their output is somewhat muddy, especially in the midrange area. In addition, the metal housings add considerable weight to the earbuds, and they tug uncomfortably at your years.
For the currently deeply discounted price (around $10), they don't totally suck, but I'd be deeply disappointed had I paid the normal list price for these (around $50).
For about the same price, consider instead the Sony MDREX38iP/BLK EX Earbud with iPod Remote Control, and you'll enjoy your music, not struggle against the limitations of your earwear.
Customer Review: Great bargain headphones
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I have been using in-ear monitors for many years now, and I own models from several brands (Etymotic Research, Altec Lansing, Klipsch and Shure). I was very curious to hear how the inexpensive Lift Audio Groove would perform compared to them. After several weeks of living with them, I can safely say that they're a real bargain. They don't have the definition or neutrality of the Etymotics, but they're good enough to please an audiophile and inexpensive enough that you don't need to worry about ruining them at the gym.
CONS
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- microphonic effect (you can hear the sound of the cord rubbing against your clothes) but all in-ear monitors exhibit this problem
- short body makes it impossible to properly fit a deep ear canal (the gasket won't seal and they will sound bad)
PROS
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- excellent sound quality, surprising in this price range
- great bass and good presence
- 3 different sizes of ear adapters
- sturdy build
- bundled with very convenient keychain carry case
- Frustration free packaging
CONCLUSION
These Audio Groove in-ear monitors are an excellent low-price alternative to more expensive models from well known brands. Highly recommended, but check your ear morphology first to make sure they fit. Like all in-ear monitors, a proper seal is essential.
Customer Review: Funky ear buds that are OK for the money
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I've got mixed feelings about these ear buds. The sound is OK especially considering the cost. But the buds are a bit heavy and I find that they fall out of my ears frequently when I use them in the gym. Once I get a little sweaty, that's when they start falling out of my ears. They are heavier than plastic buds since they are made of metal. I've tried using the different sized inserts but it makes no difference... the tighter fitting inserts still slip out of my ear once I start really working out.
I've been using them for a few weeks now and they area pretty decent value for the money if you can put up with the other issues. They seem to isolate the sound a little better than other ear buds that I've used such as the stock iPod ear buds. I do find it odd that the ear buds aren't marked left or right which makes it pretty darn near impossible to know if you've got them in the correct ear. How the company that makes these could omit that is hard to comprehend. I also find the cord is a bit short for my liking.
Bottom line is that you can't expect too much from a $10 pair of ear buds and these are better than most at this price point. Recently I've started seeing them on Amazon for $29 from other vendors so I'm not sure what that pricing game is all about. But for $10 they are a good deal. $30...not so much.
Customer Review: OK for the price range
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
These are entry-level earbuds. They're OK for the price, but not great.
Here's what I use mine for: PC speakers on a workplace system bug me. I don't want to hear "bing-bong" every time the guy in the next cubicle gets and email and I don't want him to have to hear my sounds whenever I visit a website with sounds turned on. So I have a cheap set of earbuds plugged into my PC and leave them on my desk. If there's something I want to hear, then I put them on. Otherwise, my system never makes a peep.
These earbuds are perfect for a use like that where sound fidelity is a low priority.
I would also recommend these for handheld games. My son uses earbuds like these when he plays his Nintendo DS. These earbuds even come with a decent carrying pouch with a keyfob ring, so you could actually attach the pouch to the DS and always have the earbuds at hand.
If sound is critical, keep shopping. If you just want to hear basic audio and don't want to spend much, then these are the ones for you.
UPDATE: (8/12/10)
The price of these earbuds keeps bouncing up and down. Today's $24.99 price is a pretty poor value. They were priced lower when I wrote this review. I wouldn't have been so kind if they were priced as high as they are today.
Customer Review: Mediocure Quality Earbuds - Recommended
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
These Lift Audio "Groove Noise-Isolating In-Ear Headphones" are fairly inexpensive and have some good features (see below), but most audiophiles will be disappointed.
These come in Amazon frustration free packaging, which means little shipping waste in an easy to open box, and includes the earbuds, three sizes of foam ear pieces, and a keyring carrying pouch. The different sized foam earpieces are handy since one of my ear canals is larger than the other and this allows me to get a good fit, but the carrying pouch is really nothing special.
First the good, the earbuds (when sized correctly) do fit comfortably and also block outside noise (the "Noise-Isolating" part) fairly well. The Noise-Isolating is a physical blocking of outside sound, not the electronic noise canceling found on much more expensive earphones.
The disappointing bits include no "Left\Right" markings on the individual buds, thin wires that makes me concerned about the long term durability, and most importantly, the sound is somewhat flat even to my untrained ears.
These do sound good enough for audio-books and that is what I'll likely use them for since the Noise-Isolation is better than my other stock iPod earbuds.
Recommended, with the above caveats.
CFH