WORDS
ALEX PELL
T E C H
T A L K
Loud and clear
Listen to your music and block out the hum of jet engines in one fell swoop
plenty of folks
will have unwrapped a shiny new phone or
tablet this festive season, only to realise that the bundled phones
are little short of junk – especially when it comes to using them
in a potentially noisy environment such as an aircraft. That’s
where these swish new buds by Musical Fidelity, the renowned
British audiophile firm, come in. They are what is known as in-ear
monitors (IEM), or a noise-isolating design, which means they sit
slightly inside the ear canal to reduce background hubbub.
The result is that you won’t have to crank up the
volume to cut out engine roar or a child wailing.
Good times, people.
The buds are immaculately constructed
from aluminium, and their red or blue
anodised screws at the rear of each casing
add to a feeling of understated elegance.
Unlike many rivals, which attempt to impress
with overtly thumping audio, these deliver a
genuinely classy sound that reveals your music
as it was intended to be heard. They are surprisingly
sensitive too, providing another reason not to pump up
that volume too loud. You can, however, adjust tunes or take a
telephone call via the controller and mic built in to the cable.
The success of any IEM relies on establishing a snug and
comfy fit in your ear. Here Musical Fidelity treats you well as
it bundles together seven different-sized tips, plus a pair of
attachments to secure the cables around your ears for
strenuous activities, such as running. The whole caboodle
also comes in a smart carry case. Our only criticism (and
it’s a backhanded one, at that) is that a pair of EB-50s will
ruthlessly expose the shortcomings of shoddy audio recordings.
So, if your music library is riddled with low-grade MP3 files from
yesteryear, it’s best to look elsewhere. Otherwise, despite the
premium price, these are something of a bargain.
Musical Fidelity EB-50 Headphones, £149;
musicalfidelity.com
They are
what is known as
in-ear monitors, which means
they sit slightly inside the
ear canal to reduce
background hubbub.
Good times, people!
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