HEADPHONE WEEK: Sennheiser MM 60s

Sennheiser’s new MM 60 may look suspiciously like it’s PX 100s, but they’re not, well they are, but they’ve been re-tweaked, honed, prodded and poked until they sound amazing – with the iPhone 3G that is. Because these on-ear marvels have been specifically designed for optimum performance with the iPhone.

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Short Version

Name – MM 60s

Type – on-ear semi-closed headphones

How much – £75.99

How much should they cost – No more than £50

Should you buy them – They’re good – better if you have an iPhone

The Long Version

Sound Quality

The MM 60s, much like they’re identical cousin the PX 100s, bring the bass. They’re the bassiest on-ears I’ve ever had the pleasure to put on my head. That being said, you can lose some of the higher notes and all that bass can on-occaision muddy the vocal. But generally this isn’t an issue and the MM 60s sound pretty sweet, and oddly do sound a teency weency bit better on my iPhone 3G than my iPod classic.

Build Quality

Sennheiser have in the past been accused of making some pretty shoddy mid-price products, espcially some of their in-ear range. The MM 60s certainly aren’t flimsy, but they’re by no means as sturdy as other similarly priced headphones. They’re a bit like watching Peter Crouch play football, you know his legs aren’t just going to break, but you can’t help thinking its a mircale they don’t.

The headband is easy to adjust and feels pretty comfortable as do the phones. Sennheriser have also included an iPhone compatiable mic which is a bit low down on the line so unless your head is the size of a small asteroid you’re going to have to hold it up to your mouth, which pretty much makes it pointless. Because you’re holding your hands free mic with your hands, so…nevermind.

The MM 60s phones do fold though, rather brilliantly, into an ultra portable package.

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Packaging

The MM 60s come in a box which leaves you in no doubt who they’re aimed at: “Giving the iPhone the sound it deserves.”

The MM 60s also come with a nifty little case which the folded Sennheisers slip nicely into.

Conclusion

The MM 60s do sound great in quiet environments, in the office or in bed or on the loo, they’re as good as a really high-end set of cans. But out and about even a moderate background noise can ruin the experience.

And they’re pretty expensive for what are essentially an only vaguely tweaked pair of £35 headphones. Personally I find the sound quality of Tuesday’s V-Jays superior and they’re £15 cheaper.

If you really like Sennheiser’s products these might suit you, but if you prefer substance then go for the V-Jays.

Swedish audio-buffs JAYS announce v-JAYS on-ear headphones

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Swedish audiophiles JAYS have been knocking out affordable high-performance headphones for a while now. Their amazing j-JAYS In-Ear Noise Cancelling headphones were a constant companion of mine for well over a year, until that fateful day. No, don’t. I don’t want to talk about it. I’ve moved on.

So I was excited to see that JAYS are to release an open, on-ear headphone next month. JAYS promise that the new v-JAYS, will “deliver finer bass without overwhelming the finer audio nuances that some other headphones often miss”. Which is nice.

JAYS new foldable 59g badboys will be available from the start of June for £59.99 – look out for a full review in the coming days.