Etymotic HF3 headset and earphones review
I love these earphones! OK, so they’re not the most beautiful bits of tech you have ever seen, but you get a quality piece of kit for the price!
The Etymotic HF3’s are understated, comfortable and perfect for the most demanding audio connoisseurs. Using noise isolation these earphones offer a high-end experience at a rather reasonable price of £134.95.
Comfort
One of the overriding perceptions that people have of in-earphones, is that they are uncomfortable – this is certainly NOT the case for the HF3’s, as their soft and flexible ear buds provide a superbly comfortable listening experience. Due to their malleable form, they sit snugly in the ear canal and lodge firmly in place, so you don’t have to worry about them falling out.
As I have larger and more cavernous ears, the large buds suited my needs just fine. However, if you’re not jug eared like me, then there are diddy ones for you to wrap your lug holes around. The provided ear bud shapes also vary just to make sure they suit your needs. Furthermore, Etyomotic offer a service that provides users with customisable earplugs – just to make sure you are comfortable! - http://www.etymotic.com/customfit/index.html
Sound
In terms of sound quality – the HF3’s score good marks, yet again! The speakers deliver crisp, sharp notes, which are a joy to listen to. The bass is relatively good for an in-ear headset, but sometimes suffers at higher volumes. But it has to be said, the audio quality is comparable to far more expensive headsets, if not better!
Superior Noise Isolation
Here is where the Etymotic HF3’s really come into their own!
Using the earphones in a busy and noisy environment, for example, on the train or in the city, is a tranquil and relaxing experience. This is thanks to the 35 dB - 42 dB noise isolation, which is a result of the in-ear canal seal, created by the ear plugs. They really do work and I was extremely impressed by how much noise they eradicate – bravo Etymotic.
Other Features
A crucial bonus with these earphones is their incorporation of a headset – this allows you to take calls at ease and on the go. The headset and microphone are deliciously accurate; they pick up every groan and grumble with disconcerting accuracy.
AWARENESS! App for all Etymotic Headphones
Etymotic also offer another intriguing feature on their headphones – the AWARENESS application for iPhones. The software analyses the noise in your environment and resultantly picks out the louder noises, then dims the volume accordingly. Therefore, any alarmingly loud sounds can be heard in your earphones. This is a great feature which allows you to hear things that may cause you danger when you have your headphones in, such as a double decker bus or a Juggernaut. Etymotic have really covered all the bases here.
One question that I have over the earphones is that of their longevity. By this I am referring to the fragile connection between the speaker and the cable - it does not look particularly robust! However, maybe this is just me thinking as a cack handed buffoon. If looked after the headphones are an absolute treat – but you should be careful not to be heavy handed, or they may not last as long as you’d hoped.
On the whole, I would suggest that if you are looking for a pair of high performance headphones, at a reasonable price, then the Etymotic HF3’s may be for you.
Available from http://www.etymotic.com/
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In order to write this post or review the author may have tested complimentary services or goods to ascertain an accurate picture of quality and standards. It is important for us to declare this so that our readership fully understand that we are where possible speaking from experience when reviewing a product or service. In spite of this, we aim to maintain high journalistic standards and provide useful objective analysis.