Dirt Cheap Headphones: Skullcandy JIB Earbuds Review

While wandering through my local Target store, I ran across some clearance priced Skullcandy JIB earbuds.  Since earbuds are an increasingly popular way to listen to music and since white Skullcandy JIB earbuds were clearance priced for only $6.98 a pair. I thought I'd give them a try and see what the earbud fuss was all about.

White Skullcandy JIB Earbuds on Clearance at Target

My previous exposure to "earbuds" was limited to the earphones supplied with inexpensive transistor radios and airline handouts.  Those old school earphones were often uncomfortable and didn't sound that great.  In contrast, the Skullcandy JIB earbuds were a very pleasant surprise.  They came with nice foam pads that fit directly, neatly, and very comfortably into my ears.  With the earbuds in place, I found that I was well-insulated from noise of the outside world.  While listening to music at a moderate volume on my laptop and watching a football game on TV, I found that when I un-muted Monday Night Football and could barely hear a murmur from my nearby television.



To me, the music from my laptop sounded great.  The Skullcandy Earbuds thundered through AC/DC's Highway to Hell.  At moderate volumes, they had presence but didn't cause pain.  According to Amazon, Skullcandy JIB headphones are capable of a frequency range of 20Hz to 20Khz.  That more than covers my 47-year old range of hearing.  To me, these earbuds simply sound great!

Searching around the internet for other reviews, I find that I'm not the only one to post a rave about these Skullcandy Jib headphones.  Rob Boyle of the GeeksHaveLanded.com also found that these earbuds provided great sound for the money.

My only concern with earbuds in general is that they really seem to put sound directly on your ear.  To me, that is a very good reason to keep listening to a moderate volume.  Nevertheless, the Skullcandy JIB Earbuds deliver very nice sound.  I can really see why people like earbuds for sound quality and convenience.  Skullcandy is aimed at more youthful listeners and come in a variety of bright colors.  Each earbud sports a skull logo.  Fortunately, I don't mind if my co-workers think I am a bad ass.

Overall, I'd highly recommend Skullcandy JIB Earbuds.  Even at regular prices, they cost less than $20 and they are a really great buy.

Soundesign Stereo Find

When it comes to dirt cheap, the audio market place has always had room for the creators of cheap stereo systems.  For example, this Soundesign unit has dual tape decks, a turntable, an 8-track tape player, and an AM/FM radio.  What more could you need?

SoundDesign Stereo

Unfortunately, this example didn't work properly when I tried to play a tape through some speakers I hooked up.  In fact, it made a deafening screeching sound that could be heard throughout the electronics section of the Goodwill where I found it.  I let it be so that future archaeologists might find it.

According to Wikipedia, the Soundesign brand was marketed by a company called SDI Technologies.  Today, the consumer electronics manufacturing company makes small stereos and electronics equipment that are marketed under a variety of brands including iHome, Sylvania, New Balance, and Timex.

Dirt Cheap Headphones: Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones

Audiophiles tend to scoff at headphones like Beats.  They suggest that there are better names in the business of headphones.  One of the names they always suggest is Sennheiser.  Now, Sennheiser offers headphones for every budget.  Dirt cheap audio enthusiasts will want to start with Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones.


These Sennheiser headphones have a generous 10-foot cable and a 3.5 mm plug that is compatible with modern devices like tablets, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops.  If you are interested in learning what all the fuss about Sennheiser headphones is about, these might be a great place to start.

Onkyo TX-8020 Report: A Stereo in a Backyard Gazebo

Have you ever dreamed of having music become part of your backyard experience?  A friend of mine purchased an entry-level Onkyo TX-8020 receiver this past spring as part of an effort to bring music out to his backyard gazebo.

After a few months of use, he is happy to report very good luck with it. He constructed an enclosure to store the receiver itself safely up in the rafters of his gazebo. He ran an auxiliary input (Y-cable) down so that he can hook up a music source like an iPod.

 

My friend operates his receiver via remote control and the music comes from a couple of wonderful Definitive Technologies Outdoor Speakers. He's very happy with his system. The only problem so far has been frogs from his backyard water feature chiming in with his symphonies in the evenings.

Toad Photo By Paul Henjum (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Onkyo TX-8020 is usually a pretty good buy on Amazon.  It often qualifies as dirt cheap!  If you are looking for outdoor speakers, there are some less expensive outdoor speaker options from quality name brands.  For example, you can get a pair of these Polk Audio outdoor speakers at a good price:

 

Dirt Cheap Headphones: Great Headphones For Under $25

When it comes to headphones, many people are caught up in the frenzy over brand name headphones such as Beats.  However, before dropping a couple of hundred dollars on headphones, you should know that there are plenty of perfectly good headphones for under $25.  Here are a couple of recommendations.

According to a CNET article on the best headphones under $25, JVC "Flats" are one of the best headphone deals around.  On Amazon, reviewers rate them highly for sound quality.  These headphones are reputed to sound much better than their low price tag might indicate.  The only caution is that you have to take care not to damage these headphones.



Another CNET recommendation would be the MEElectronics, HT-21, Portable Headphone. These travel headphones are well-regarded and come with a soft carrying pouch.


That's the thing about audio.  When it comes to home audio on a tight budget, if there is a will, there is a way.

Thrift Store Stereo: Sony STR-D790 Receiver

My stereo trials and tribulations may be at an end.  I found a Sony STR-D790 AM/FM Stereo Receiver with Audio/Video Control Center on one of my recent Goodwill runs and it has officially become the centerpiece of my bedroom system.  It provides stereo sound all the time, not some of the time.  I've been able to run the Sony STR-D790 for long period of time without any issues so far.  Since the receiver seems solid, I know longer have to search for a better receiver.  It's nice to be able to simply relax and listen to a niggle free system!

Sony STR-D790 Stereo Receiver

So far, I've been able to program in some stations and get my turntable plugged in.  Since my Radio Shack phonograph has a built in amplifier of some sort, I use the Digital Audio Tape plugs on the back of the receiver.  To connect more, I should really read the manual.  Fortunately, the operating instructions are still available in the product support section at the official Sony website.  Here is the link:

Sony STR-D790 Manual

This system should let me hook up old school VCRs or DVD players and run a couple of small speakers for center channel speakers.  Right now, I'm just running it as a straight 2-channel stereo.  I think it is technically a 2.1 channel system.

The Sony STR-D790 isn't really a "vintage" receiver.  But, as a dedicated thrift store shopper, I can officially say that "working" beats "vintage" for me.

Music Cassettes from the Thrift Store

If you think buying vinyl records at a thrift store is a risky proposition, you should try buying music cassettes at the thrift store.  They are only 69 cents at my local Goodwill stores.  However,  I'd say about thirty percent of them have garbled sound on at least some portion of the tape.  For some reason the music is always garbled on the best songs, too.

A Music Cassette Album - photo by Malcolm Tyrrell {{cc-by-sa-2.5}}

Personal Electronics Review: Sony MDR-ZX100 Headphones

I've recently been listening to music through Sony MDR-ZX100 headphones. These headphones generally cost between $15 and $25. With the trusted Sony brand name, I look at them as an acceptable baseline pair of on-the-ear headphones. They are certainly good starting point before making any "premium" headphone purchase.

Sony MDR-ZX100 Headphones

While these Sony headphones don't allow the brand snobbery that comes from owning branded headphones like Beats, they work well for most people.  If you want fashionable, they do come in black, blue, red, and white.  The kit shown below comes with the headphones and a 3.5mm to 1/4-inch adapter plug so that you can use the headphones on a conventional stereo.

Construction. Sony MDR-ZX100 headphones are strongly constructed out of a heavy duty plastic. They don't seem flimsy and the don't have any exposed metal framework. They have rotating earcups so that they can pack flat. I've fallen asleep several times while wearing these headphones in bed and I have never damaged them. The ear pads themselves are covered with the exact same imitation leather used on my $5 iConcepts headphones.

Cord Length. The cord to connect with a device or stereo is just over 47-inches long. It is thin, but not overly frail. The length is sufficient for a device clipped to your belt or a laptop directly in front of you. However, you can't connect to a device at the back of your desk and recline in an office chair. When I connect to a small bombox on my desk at work, I often get stopped short when I move in my headphones doing routine office work in my cube. To connect to a conventional stereo you will definitely need an extension cable.

Sound Quality. Sound quality is subjective. It would be easy to say that the Sony MDR-ZX100 headphones sound robust and well balanced with sweet highs and hearty lows. However, this would also describe a typical cup of coffee from Starbucks. Instead, I'll say that vocals seemed clear, there was enough bass for my taste, and I think these earphones sound pretty good for the price.  According to the Sony website, the MDR-ZX100 headphones have a frequency response range of 12-22,000 hertz.  The 30mm drivers powering these headphones provide a stronger sound and more volume than my $5 iConcepts headphones.

Overall, if you are in the market for headphones, I recommend the Sony MDR-ZX100 headphones as a good starting point. At typically less than $20, these headphones are a good value and perform well. Once you own a pair, let other headphones prove that they are better. Sony MDR ZX100 Series Headphones will always be a great spare or travel set.

Thrift Store Stereo Buying Tip: Black vs. Silver

When it comes to buying thriftstore stereo components, I've noticed something:  black stereo components seem to work better than silver metallic ones.  At least, that is the way it has worked out for my purchases.

Why?  I think most of the black components that I find are from the 1990 - 2005 era.  Silver components are typically from the 1960s and 1970s.  There seems to be more life left in newer gear.

Personal Electronics Review: Sony MDR-XD100 Stereo Headphones

[If you are looking for headphones for a conventional stereo, you might try to drum up some Sony MDR-XD100 headphones.  These headphones have a 3.51 meter long cord.  With around 10 feet of cord, these headphones work very well for conventional stereo equipment.  Here is my original review reprinted from Yahoo Contributors Network.]

Are you an audiophile? A lover of fine music and a connoiseur of audio equipment? Do you care about dynamic range, frequency response, and sensitivity? Then move along you Bose-listening Bang & Olafson snoot, these are $20 stereo headphones for the rest of us and they sound pretty good.

On a Rite Aid run for a few household odds and ends, my wife and I came across a pair of Sony MDR-XD100 stereo headphones. Since they fit our limited budget and since our corner drugstore is the place to buy consumer electronics, we threw them in our cart. We weren't disappointed. For a mere $20 investment, Sony MDR-XD100 stereo headphones sound great. 

Comfort. First, these full-sized stereo headphones are a vast improvement over uncomfortable earbud-style "in the ear", and Walkman-style "on the ear" ear phones that we had been using. I found that the padding was comfortable and completely enveloped my ears. The headphones were also adjustable to fit over my big brain comfortably. In an extended music session, they do make your ears a little warm. These headphones do not completely block out external sounds.

Build Quality. These Sony MDR-XD100 stereo headphones are inexpensive and they sometimes feel a bit delicate. If you throw these headphones around, they may not be able to take the damage. The urethane leather that covers the ear pads could also be thicker and more durable. The adjustable headband is made completely of plastic. For intermittent casual use, they should suffice.

Compatibility. My wife and I used the Sony MDR-XD100 headphones to play music on a wide variety of personal electronic devices. While they come with a large plug for a conventional stereo, a mini plug is plugged into the large plug. The mini plug allows the headphones to be used with laptops, portable CD players, and MP3 players. We tried them on two laptops, a Sony personal CD player, and a very small Craig MP3 player. The headphones worked on all of our devices.

Sound Quality. These headphones sounded good on all of our devices. However, I did have to turn my volume up to a much higher setting with my dimunitive MP3 player. In a couple of evening sessions listening to a wide variety of free music via my Amazon Cloudplayer, I found that the Sony MDR-XD100 stereo headphones reproduced sound quite well. These headphones are particularly effective on mid-range and high range sounds. While some Amazon reviewers didn't feel there was enough presence in the bass, I feel that these Sony headphones produce enough bass for casual listening without pounding on the eardrums.

Overall, Sony MDR-XD100 stereo headphones are a delightful product for around $20. While they might not be totally satisfying to audiophiles, they work very well for casual users and completely met our expectations.

[These headphones are still available to some degree on Amazon or on ebay.  Newer headphones from Sony sound good, too.]