The Brando Retractable Headphone is the best bang-for-the-buck. PERIOD
Brando was kind enough to provide me with a set for review on my Road Trip...but, to be honest, I wasn't really excited. I own similar headphones from JavoEdge, Proporta and Boxwave...none of which has ever made me smile.
The Proporta had excellent sound, but the powerful spring would snap closed at the slightest pressure, often whipping me in the face with the plug that had just been pulled out of my Treo.
The JavoEdge looked and acted exactly the same as the Proporta, but with very muddy sound.
The Boxwave had a very gentle spring, and the muddiest sound quality(?) of all.
Bottom Line: I got no pleasure from any of them. So, what's the deal with the Brando kit?
Simple: great sound, comfortable earplugs, easy to use spring action and quality build. All for a measly $10!!!
Are they perfect? Nope...there are a few wrinkles I'd like to do without:
1) They are short. Unless I have the Treo in a shirt or jacket pocket, they won't reach anywhere near my head (I'm 6' 3", but, even so...)
2) They need an adapter to fit the Treo jack
3) They only come in white. It looks like I'm just another iPOD lemming, instead of a mad Treonaut
Gripes aside, these earphones have tremendous high/mid range sound, and very acceptable base. The quality of separation (vocal and instrument) came across in music by Springsteen, Dire Straits, various movie soundtracks, choral music and classical recordings. In a live performance of Springsteen singing "Jersey Girl" (what else?) I could clearly hear audience comments I had never heard before, and hear each instrument and singer.
I would recommend buying this kit for 3 or 4x the price. At this price, it is the earphone deal of the year.
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