Sony MDR-Q55SL SLD
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: MDR-Q55SL/SILVER
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The three Q55SL earclip 'phones emphasize style without sacrificing performance.
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CNET editors' review
Sony MDR-Q55SL SLD price range: $39.95
- Reviewed by: Nathaniel Wilkins
- Reviewed on: 01/29/2004
- Released on: 02/20/2003
The good: Exceptional bass presence; clear midrange and treble; bandless earclip design; braided cord with an extension.
The bad: No carrying case; no replacement earpiece pads.
The bottom line: The three Q55SL earclip 'phones emphasize style without sacrificing performance.
Sony has expanded the concept of headphones as fashion accessories with its Elements Of Style MDR-Q55SL models, part of the company's Wear line. The SLD version is targeted at the "house and trance lifestyle," but aside from its silver color, its external design accents, and its marketing hype, it's identical to its gold LQD and blue AIR siblings. All three are earclip headphones that deliver solid performance and especially impressive bass response. They retail for $30.
At about 20 inches, the braided cable is fairly short, so there's no slack when you hook up the headphones to a portable audio player's in-line remote. If you don't have that accessory, a provided extension cord increases the length enough for direct connection. The package doesn't include extra foam earpiece pads, so if the existing set suffers wear and tear, you're stuck with it. You don't get a carrying case, either.
To enhance bass response, Sony gave each driver casing a port--a trait borrowed from stereo loudspeakers. The design decision was a good one; these headphones deliver considerably more bass than typical portables. The robust kick drum in Alice DeeJay's techno track "Better Off Alone" was tight and didn't easily distort, even at loud volumes. And the kick drum, the vocals, and the melodic elements all had adequate breathing room in the mix, thanks largely to the Q55SL's relatively airy sound.
Though a bit snugger than the clips of some similar models, the Q55SL's aren't too tight, and we found the fit comfortable. Plus, the driver casings' lightweight design kept the 'phones from tugging our ears too much during physical activity. Anyone with earbuds that pop out of place at inopportune moments will appreciate these traits. All in all, these modestly priced Sony headphones are an especially good choice for bass aficionados on the go.
User reviews
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not for life on the go
by iwannarock on May 12, 2005
Pros: Look sexy, affordable, good sound all around
Cons: Cords are way too much of a hassle, don't stay put on your ear.
Summary: These things are some of the coolest lookin headphones ever. That's what made me wanna buy them. When they stay in you ears, the sound is great, bass is ...
Summary: These things are some of the coolest lookin headphones ever. That's what made me wanna buy them. When they stay in you ears, the sound is great, bass is good and doesn't overpower the acoustics and treble.
However, these things are too much of a hassle. I bought these to lose the sometimes annoying headband, and I got rid of them for the same reason. They will not stay on your ear when your walking around! Even standing up could cause them to slid a little. I live a life where I am constantly moving, so I should have realized that they wouldn't stay put while moving.
Also, tangle-prone cords=super annoying.
I just got the Sony MDR-G74SL headphones. I guess if your looking for a sugguestion, that would be mine.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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These are very good headphones ... But, are not the ones for me!
by SkySgt on November 12, 2005
Pros: Sharp looking design. Sound quality better than most I've tried ... very good bass response.
Cons: Rattling noise in LEFT earpiece (see cause & fix below). The "behind the ear" clips definitely not designed for a HUMAN ear. What, no carry case !!!!
Summary: I am currently looking to purchase a second pair of headphones to supplement my current Sony MDR-828LP earbuds ... Which are still going strong for over a few years now!
The ...Summary: I am currently looking to purchase a second pair of headphones to supplement my current Sony MDR-828LP earbuds ... Which are still going strong for over a few years now!
The Sony MDR-Q55SL is the third pair that I have tested in the past week (I've also tried a pair of Philips in-ear noise-canceling headphones, and a pair of Sennheiser MX-550 earbuds). The Q55SLs beat the other two hands-down for sound quality!
I also like the cool styling of the Q55SLs, as they look much like a tiny pair of expensive studio quality headphones ... image is everything!
However, as with everything else in life, there are a few drawbacks and trade-offs to these headphones:
1. I like the braided cord, because it gives added strength to the wires. However, they also make them very stiff and rough ... ever heard of "rope burns" ... well, if you tried, you could probably give yourself one with these! Maybe over time, the cords will relax and not be as stiff. The fact that there is no carry case, also adds to the cord dilemma. If you were to simply toss them in a backpack or purse, you would ultimately spend quite a few minutes untangling them when you wanted to use them. The stiffness of the cord makes that task similar to unravelling a 100' extension cord ... we all know how tedious that can get!
2. The behind-the-ear clips are just too oddly shaped for my own ears. They became very uncomfortable to ME after only a few minutes of use. Perhaps they would eventually "break-in" after repeated use, but I really don't have the patience to give it a try.
3. The rough braided cord also introduces an unpleasant noise into the left headset (The one where the two wires enter). When I first put them on, I immediately noticed that there was a "grinding/rattling" noise in the left headset, whenever I would turn my head from side-to-side. I initially thought that there was something loose and rattling around inside. Upon further troubleshooting, I found that turning my head would cause the two braided wires to rub together, and the noise was being amplified by the plastic casing of the left headphone. However, I came up with a fix ... First, make sure you wear the wire (From the left to right headphone) behind your neck ... Not in front, like I was doing at the time. Then, take the supplied rubber tie that holds both wires together, and slide it down the wires, to a position about two inches below where they enter the left headphone. This virtually eliminated the rubbing of the two wires, and thus eliminated the noise.
4. I plan to use the new headphones at work. However, I will need a pair that I can get on and off very quickly and easily. The behind-the-ear clip design of the Q55SLs does not accomplish this for me. Like I said, the design is not good for MY ears, therefore it takes some tugging and pulling on my ear to get them to fit semi-comfortably. This takes too much time, and is the MAIN reason why I will be taking these headphones back to the store and get my money back.
Otherwise, I can definitely recommend these headphones to anyone who is looking for excellent sound quality, and knows that this earpiece design will definitely work for them.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Do not stay on while exercising
by cklarson on April 19, 2005
Pros: Good sound
Cons: Clips can annoy user after about 30 minutes
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Great sound, poor design
by arie_fr on April 18, 2005
Pros: Bass is well above average although not perfect, treble and midtones above average. These produce a much better and clearer sound than most mini-component systems with emphasis on the right parts.
Cons: Sony's design here is pretty useless. Despite looking good, they are uncomfortable to wear and after taking 2 minutes to get these on, they slip off very easily even while sitting.
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Good sound. Bad design.
by HunterKiller on April 17, 2005
Pros: Clean sound, good bass.
Cons: Very bad design, headphones fall off easily. Not the most comfortable ones either.
Summary: I was excited about getting this pair of heaphones after seeing some pictures and reading the specs.
However, i couldn't have been more disappointed when i had worn them ...Summary: I was excited about getting this pair of heaphones after seeing some pictures and reading the specs.
However, i couldn't have been more disappointed when i had worn them for a day.
I don't see how Sony could have released these headphones when they obviously don't stay on your ears.
They take some practice to put on properly, and when done correctly they fit very loosely, maintainting minimal contact with the ears and almost falling off if the head is tilted in any direction other than forwards.
The sound and bass quality on the other hand is good, but again, the bass can not even be heard unless the volume is turned up quite high because the headphones fit so loosely.
Overall a big thumbs down. -
A decent pair of headphones.
by ahast on April 3, 2005
Pros: Okay sound...decent bass...
Cons: The cord is terrible, the clips are uncomfortable...
Summary: I bought these headphones after I lost my Etymotic E4P's and E6i's (they were in the same pouch) - I was on a TIGHT budget, and I was ...
Summary: I bought these headphones after I lost my Etymotic E4P's and E6i's (they were in the same pouch) - I was on a TIGHT budget, and I was tight on time trying to catch a train, so I ran past the Sony store and grabbed the first mid-priced phones I could find.
First thing first: The cord is terrible. It is twisty as heck, and just a general pain to use. I find wearing these phones to be uncomfortable because of the way they clip to your ears, but it's livable.
The sound isn't too bad, for the price especially. The bass is there, but you'll notice the tighter the seal you have to your ears (push these things into your ears and hold), the more bass you seem to hear. So bass will vary from user to user, depending on how fat your ears are.
However, the highs are WAY too high, and the mids are too low. It sounds like you're missng half the vocals on some songs. With the muddy mid's, if you're listening to a song with a high-hat, or a clap effect, it really kicks your ear drums, and makes it uncomfortable to listen to. -
Great Sound for good price
Pros: Bass is pretty good. It's certainly not professional quality, but it sure beats the heck out of run-of-the-mill ones. The clip-ons were strange at first, but I've grown to love them. I don't do any vigorous activity with them, so they are fine for just si
Cons: Bass could be a bit better. Not good for use with exercising or vigorous activity. Cord does tend to tangle a lot.
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good headphones
Pros: These headphones are great. The bass is good to if you have a bass boost on your cd player.
Cons: Cords tangle, but who cares. The cord is very well made. If your in a loud area, you won't hear a thing. You have to be in a kinda quiet area.
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Cheapest `phones at Dell.com
Pros: The sound quality is fantastic - even on Rammstein songs!
Cons: None, ear clips are so comfortable and stay on through just aboutn any activity!
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Design just does not work
Pros: Good sound for the price. The cable is short, the perfect length for a shirt or jacket pocket, but has an extra extension if you need it.
Cons: It takes a while to get used to the exact way to tuck the clip behind your ear. Once it is there, it is pretty stable if you are walking or sitting. It is not stable enough for running or biking and terrible if you are lying down or bending over (e.g. gar
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: MDR-Q55SL/SILVER
- Description: Sony's new MDR-Q55SL/Blue A.I.R. Headphones combine quality technology and a trendy look. If you have an active lifestyle, and the heart pounding bass of Hip Hop and Rock are what you crave, "AIR" will breathe new life into your songs. Their open-air, clip-on design is headband-free, so they slip directly onto the ear and won't interfere with your hairstyle. Featuring a spring action earpiece designed to comfortably cradle various-sized ears, these headphones enable a snug fit, which minimizes sound leakage, offering consistent audio quality. With a 30-mm driver and neodymium magnet, they also deliver a clean sound with lower distortion. In addition, a large turbo duct offers a more powerful, deep bass. Each unit in the Elements of Style line also features a gold-plated mini-plug, adjustable cord and tangle-free cord slider. The lightweight and comfortable A.I.R. Headphones... make them an essential part of your audio on-the-go ensemble. It's a fashion accessory must have!
General
- Product Type Headphones
- Series w.ear
- Weight 1.2 oz
- Color Silver
- Recommended Use Portable audio system
- Additional Features L-shaped plug ,
Gold-plated plug Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Clip-on
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Response Bandwidth 16 - 24000 Hz
- Sensitivity 104 dB
- Impedance 24 Ohm
- Diaphragm PET - 1.2 in
- Magnet Material Neodymium
Remote Control
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Headphones cable - 3.3 ft
Power
- Power Device None
- Battery None
Product series
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Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Headphones - Binaural,
Headphones,
Clip-on,
Silver,
1.2 oz,
Stereo,
Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
L-shaped plug,
Gold-plated plug -
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Headphones - Binaural,
Headphones,
Clip-on,
1.2 oz,
Stereo,
Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
L-shaped plug,
Gold-plated plug,
Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 90 days -
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Headphones - Binaural,
Headphones,
Clip-on,
Blue,
1.2 oz,
Stereo,
Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
L-shaped plug,
Gold-plated plug,
Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 90 days
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Sony
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
