🎶 Tune into Excellence!
The Yamaha EPH-100SL Inner-Ear Headphones combine a two-stage flange design for powerful sound with an aluminium body that ensures clear audio reproduction. With a tangle-resistant elastomeric cable and five ear pads for maximum comfort, these headphones are perfect for professionals seeking both style and substance.
T**N
Giant ear cannons!
To set the scope of my review, I was looking for a new pair of In-ear Monitors (IEMs) to wear under my motorcycle helmet. I've previously used Etymotic and Klipsch IEMs with great success. I though I would try something new and try a brand I had never used for headphones/earphones. With the scope in mind, there were a couple of things that interested me with these IEMs: the long, seemingly narrow barrel and the promised noise isolation. Both of which are necessary to wear comfortably under a helmet. The construction material - aluminum - was also a plus as it is sturdy and light.Pulling the earphones out of the packaging, I was a little nervous because they were much bigger than the pictures indicate. While many IEMs have a much bigger driver size (10-12 mm versus the Yamaha's 6 mm), the Yamaha exit ports are the same size as the driver - 6 mm! For IEMs that is HUGE! Turns out my fear was realized when even with the smallest tips I was unable to fully shove them in as far as I needed them to go. Turns out I have some smaller ear canals. That is the one and only reason I dropped from five to four stars.So, while I couldn't push them in as far as I want for helmet use, they are more than adequate for everything else! These have quickly become my new everyday-use IEMs. The primary claim for this set is the real-world full range sound. I whole heartedly agree. I've not worn a more natural sounding set of IEMs in this price range and style (single, dynamic driver). The balance is there: solid bass, mids that are right on target and warm, highs that add the needed presence for headphones of any type without presenting harshness. I could listen to these all day long.Let me add that the kind of music you listen too may not be appropriate for these headphones. I tend to listen to moderate-high volume (80-90 db) and music that tends to be well engineered and balanced. If you listen to anything that is to hot in the high end of the spectrum, these IEMs may not be for you - the support at the high end of the spectrum is that well represented with these headphones and you may considered certain styles of music to be "screechy". On my phone, I need to actually knock down the 8K band 3-4 decibels to smooth out the highs. Everything else is as flat as a pancake.The standard disclaimer... If you are new to In-ear monitors or don't have a lot of experience with them, how well they sound comes down to how good of a job you do fitting them to your ear. IEMs are NOT a one-size-fits-all item. You NEED to take 30 minutes to try the various tip sizes and manipulate the IEM in your ear until you find the spot where it seals completely (bass will come alive; external noise will greatly diminish) and you can comfortably where them for extended periods (hours). You'll know it when you find the spot. There are several YouTube videos on properly fitting IEMS - go find them and watch them. If you don't, you're likely going to blame any poor quality on the IEMs when they just may not be properly fitted. On a similar note, when they aren't sealed completely (lack of bass) the mids and highs will sound unnaturally high and may even sound harsh. This is because the output of the driver is balanced for a closed eardrum. When the earphone is not sealed properly, the bass is unable to develop because any pressure from the driver is exhausted around the seal of the IEM. Mids and highs don't require that much air pressure to develop so you will hear them much stronger in an unsealed ear. This makes the balance unnatural to your ear which presents as a much harsher sound.
A**R
Extremely balanced - amazing noise blocking - great soundstage for IEM
Ordered these bad boys because they were tiny, relatively new and well received in multiple audiophile message boards. Headphone sounds are subjective to taste and I am not an audiophile. But I've learned a couple ideas since researching cans and this is what I came up with: (in as common listenspeak as I could)Pros:Excellent soundstage - picture being at a venue and these paint a wide stage and you're sitting front and centerGreat noise blocking - can't hear my wife at all with these bad boys inGlittering highs (think shooting stars instead of just twinkles) and punchy tight bass (contrasted with bloated bass of Beats)Separation - can really hear all the individual layers of instruments which leads to a clean sound and a bright sound (when I say bright think like after it rains and the sun hits everything - except for your ears)Speed - these keep up with music so rock sounds great and electronic music is amazing - I never listened to that genre before these guys since using the EPH 100's I can at least appreciate the genreI love vocals and these sound great because of the soundstage and separation - Whitney shined and Cobain's anguish flourished.Cons:The metal exteriors look amazing and the branding is nice but they do get nicked on the edged if you're not careful* If you're a basshead you may desire more - but the rest balances it out nicely and the mid bass still is great* because its 'bright' classical which has more subtle flow to it does not go as well, jazz too sounds a bit too 'clean'*some people do not enjoy how deep these headphones rest - (you may think twice before sharing with a wet earwax friend)*the treble is the only weak link in the range and by weak link I think it just has its own personality as far as how it outputs - its not bad but it may not hit your expectations of what you normally expectUmmm I guess that's all I can think of. I love these headphones and would give them 5 stars but I know they are not perfect and so tried to be fair for anyone evaluating. These rotate in pricing so you may see retailers knock off 20 - 30% or so from time to time. When they do its a freaking steal. Easily keeps up with my friends $250 Shures....Highly recommend it.Happy Listening!
D**S
I am very happy with these ear buds
I am very happy with these ear buds. The sound quality is excellent and they fit nicely. I've been using them about two months now, and they get good use (I bike 60km to and from work). I did have a slight issue with sound dropping in the left bud, but after some trouble shooting I discovered it was a bug in my player, not the headphones, and have not experienced any issues since.I would recommend these for anyone that want good sounding, well built buds. On a slightly different tangent, I've always done well by Yamaha products
J**N
I love them and use them daily
I love them and use them daily. Minor issue I have while using them with my iPhone is that they are super sensitive to static. If I put them in a pocket of fabric that can produce static you can hear crackling with your music on but besides that zero issues whatsoever.
M**T
Very good sound; keeps outside noise away, but transmit cable's scratchings
The sound is very good and rich, and well protected from outside's mumblings. However, I must be zen when using them, because everytime the cable rubs on a surface, a scratching noise is heard. It's the first inner-Ear Headphone I own, but I suppose it's a common problem with inner-Ears.
F**Y
The best earphones
I forget how much money i spend in earphones. I try with Vsonic, Sennheiser, Shure, Beats and others, but the Yamaha are the better ones for much.The bass is strong but incredible balanced, all the sound have a great texture and precision. The best reproduction of all the sound spectrum I found. Is really good!Is highly recommended for me if you are really exigent in sound!
J**E
Reviews were good and now I m adding mine
Spent a long time comparing ear buds and find that one. Reviews were good and now I m adding mine. They're good ear buds and I don't regret buying them! (Wow what a review!)
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