Nice design, bad sound quality (Pioneer SE CS12)

Member Name: hazumi-san (audiophile)

Product:	Pioneer SE CS12
Date:	21/03/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: the design

Disadvantages: Read the my review to know

My main purpose of this review is to prevent other people from
making the same mistake like me.

Well, I was looking for a new pair of earphones for my collection.
I never had a pair of Pioneer earphones before, not even try it..
So, I was interested to buy it, attracted to its packaging and
considering that Pioneer is one of well-known, professional audio stuff (such as home theater and speaker) manufacturer.
Besides, the earphones itself is good-looking, well designed.

BUT.....
When I got home and try it, I was dissapointed...
no, very dissapointed......

well, it is basic that if an earphone doesn't fit nicely in one's ear,
the sound quality would be bad.
This earphones won't fit nicely in my ears despite the two different sizes of earchips supplied. ( i think it won't fit nicely in most other people's ear too)
And the rubber earchips are just an irritant to my ears. A bad news if you want
to enjoy your music for long hours with this earphones.

I tested this earphones with my Sony walkman NWZ-A726
There was almost no bass (although I have set the equalizer to maximum bass output)
and the sound clarity was not impressive. And unlike other earphones that I have,
I had to tune to higher volume when i'm using this earphones.
For example, I usually set the volume level at 13 or 14 when i'm using my Shure or Sony
earphones. But when using the se-cs12, I had to tune the volume until 19 or 20 to get
the same level of loudness. (that's a waste of battery power)

The sound was only impressive when i hold and pressed those earphones into my ears. (nice bass and clear stereo)
But, who would want to hold earphones a long time.... Earphones are not made for people to hold it when using it....
It just won't fit in my ears if i don't hold it.
I've asked a few people to try this earphones and they also said that it didn't fit nicely in their ears....

I've wasted my money (9 pounds is quite a lot in malaysia.... haha..)
my main reason for my disappointment is that there is cheaper earphones
that sounds many times better than this pair of Pioneer.
One of them is the Sony MDR-E818lp or MDR-e737lp(i have one).
Imagine, the se-cs12 more expensive than the mdr-e818lp and the MDR-e737lp ,
but the mdr-e818lp and MDR-e737lp sounds almost 10 times better than the se-cs12, with
better shape to fit most people's ear with comfort.
The bass was much more powerful and the sound clarity was impressive.
They are also capable of handling a wider range of frequencies compared to the se-cs12.
I know its too much but I need to say this: buying snacks is more worthy than buying the se-cs12 earphones.
If you're looking for earphones, I recommend that you buy the sony mdr-e818lp or the mdr-e737lp
(mdr-e737lp is the same earphones with the mdr-e818lp earphones but with neckchain and thicker cord).
They're cheaper, but delivers almost high-end sound quality. (depends on the mp3 player you're using)

Conclusion: If you're looking for earphones, don't waste your money to buy this pioneer se-cs12 (unless you're rich).
they are other cheaper but better earphones (such as I've mentioned above).

I'm sorry Pioneer but its just the fact.

Summary: buying this earphones is not a clever way to spent 9 pounds

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