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Sony MDR-EX71SL/WK (black)

Manufacturer: Sony Part number: MDREX71SL

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$23.49 - $49.87 at 2 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.5 stars Very good
Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 257 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Product series; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: If you're searching for reasonably priced premium earbuds, stop here and take a hard look at the Sony MDR-EX71SL headphones.
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store	customer rating	inventory	tax & shipping	price
Authorized store	Rate this store See store profile	In stock	Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price	$23.49 Shop now as of 11/25/2008

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*Total price for the Sony MDR-EX71SL/WK (black) are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

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CNET editors' review

Sony MDR-EX71SL/WK (black)

price range: $23.49 - $49.87

Reviewed by: Nathaniel Wilkins
Reviewed on: 02/07/2005

The good: Ultracompact and comfortable; included carrying case and extension cord; sounds better than most earbud-style sets.

The bad: Some less expensive, nonearbud headphones sound better; not ideal for runners; cord length and behind-the-neck styling may be problematic for some users.

The bottom line: If you're searching for reasonably priced premium earbuds, stop here and take a hard look at the Sony MDR-EX71SL headphones.

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Editor's note: We have changed the rating in this review to reflect recent changes in our rating scale. Click here to find out more.

Earbud-style headphones are ultracompact and extremely portable, but most offer substandard sound and don't fit well. Sony's Fontopia MDR-EX71SL, listed at $50 (but widely available for less), is one of the few earbud models that rise above the fray, demolishing the low-cost competition by delivering solid sonics and a supercomfy fit. Long available in black and silver, you can now get the EX71SLs in iPod-friendly white.

To its credit, Sony ships the little EX71SL with a small earbud holder. Putting the headphones in it protects the earpieces from grime but leaves the cord hanging loose. To reduce tangle potential, you can place the holder and the cable inside the larger included carrying case, which has about the same dimensions as a pager. While competing models have headbands that can collapse to fairly small sizes, most don't come with a hard, travel-ready case like the EX71SLs do.

The MDR-EX71SLs have an over-the-shoulders/behind-the-neck cord design (one side longer than the other); we like it, but some find it annoying. A greater concern is the earbuds' too-short 1.5-foot cable. It's augmented by an included 3.3-foot extension cord, but when paired together, the resulting cable is almost five feet in length--way too long even for most NBA stars. If you have an iPod (or any other portable player) with an in-line remote, however, the EX71SL likely will be a perfect fit. Otherwise, check out the MDR-EX51LP models, which feature a single 4-foot cord and are available in a variety of colors.

The comparatively large, rigid drivers of typical earbuds fit in your ears too tightly yet fall out at the slightest tug of the cord. That's not the case with the EX71SL. Its small (9mm) drivers have flexible silicon pads that mold to the shape of your ear canal for a comfortable but snug fit. Sony supplies two sets of the pads in slightly different sizes. But while the EX71SL is one of your best bets for earbud comfort and will certainly be fine for use on a StairMaster or a bike, we can't totally endorse it for jogging. The earpieces tended to slip out whenever we broke into a hard run.

With sealed driver casings that help block out background noise, the EX71SL offers better sound isolation than vented models. However, if you want an even more effective barrier between your ears and the environment, consider Sony's MDR-NC11, which employs active noise cancellation and has similar silicon pads.

We tested the EX71SL with both our MP3 player and our laptop by playing Outkast's CD, The Love Below. Featuring 100dB sensitivity, the headphones provided adequate volume and didn't easily distort when we cranked the music. On the "Love Hater" track's jazzy piano line and vocals, the EX71SL delivered slightly bright but not overemphasized treble. The song's deep electronic-bass line was reasonably present, proving that these earbuds supply considerably more bass than most of their kind, though plenty of portable over-the-ear models trump the EX71SL in this department. Some, such as Sony's MDR-G72, also sound airier and generally a little better, but the EX71SL does create a relatively three-dimensional sound field.

In the final analysis, the EX71SL's slick, comfy design and good sonics make it a solid choice for anybody looking for premium earbuds at a fairly reasonable price. Yes, there are better-sounding models, such as Shure's E3c, but those are considerably more expensive. If you can't afford them, this Sony is the next best thing.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 257 reviews
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Specifications

Manufacturer: Sony
Part number: MDREX71SL
Description: Reducing outside noise for high-intensity listening, the MDR-EX71SL are Sony's first closed type Fontopia Design Bud Style Headphones. Hear the powerful, resonant bass response. Additional features include a Super-light In-the-Ear Design, New, Super-Small 9 mm Drivers which are ultra-compact drivers that produce powerful sound with space left over for the sonic isolation of the newly-designed Soft Silicon Ear buds. Two Sizes of Ear buds that accommodate a full range of ears, a 400 kJ/ma a Ultra-High-Power Neodymium Magnet, a Hard Carrying Case, and Ear bud Holder are also supplied. Sony makes listening on the go even better - the MDR-EX71SL.

General
Recommended Use The noise canceling feature keeps out ambient sounds on buses and airplanes. Plus, they are portable for easy transport.
Product Type Headphones
Series Fontopia
Weight 0.1 oz
Color White
Additional Features L-shaped plug, Gold-plated plug
Headphones
Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
Headphones Form Factor In-ear canalphone
Headphones Technology Dynamic
Connectivity Technology Wired
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Response Bandwidth 6 - 23000 Hz
Sensitivity 100 dB/mW
Impedance 16 Ohm
Diaphragm PET - 0.4 in
Magnet Material Neodymium
Remote Control
Type None

Connections
Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
Cables Included 1 x Headphones cable - Integrated - 1.6 ft, 1 x Headphones cable - External - 3.3 ft
Included Accessories Ear cushion, Headphones pouch
Power
Power Device None
Battery None

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Product series

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