Philips HE591 Headphones

Not bad...if they last

Strengths: Good overall sound quality, nice bass response, low price

Weaknesses: Might not last long.

Summary: These headphones are quite comfortable due to the little plastic inserts and they do sound good for the price ($20 or so from Best Buy). Unfortunately they might not last very long. After four weeks of use the right ear bud's volume has permanently dropped to a considerably lower volume than the left. Not too bad if one only wants to use the left ear bud at all times but quite annoying if one wants to listen to music in stereo. Three weeks ago I would have recommended these headphones to others. Now they are going in the trash. I guess I'll have try the over-priced Sony ear buds. Maybe they'll work more than four weeks.

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The audiophile sound anyone can experience

Strengths: Wow factor, unbelievably good sound, clarity, surround effect, and best of all economical

Weaknesses: Uncomfortable for some people, comfortable for others

Summary: I listen to a very large variety of music and I've tried various earphones before - all the American Sony variants, from the low-end MDR-E828LP earphones to the medium-end Fontopia MDR-EX51LP and MDR-EX71SP.

I bought it for my friend and tried it on for my first time. It comes with a round carrying case and two sizes of earbuds. It was very uncomfortable for me when I put it on, but I scrolled to a favorite section of a favorite song, and ... my eyes went wide open. At the same time, I had to say out loud WOWWW!!!!. I couldn't believe how a inexpensive pair of headphones could have sound so good. These had much better (subjectively) quality than the Sony Fontopia earphones, which I have been using for three years. The bass is not as booming but it is just the right amount.

I let my friend try it and he was someone whom I thought had no taste in music whatsoever - he was either disagreeable, nonchalant, or mildly interested when I showed him my favorite songs, ranging from rock to pop to dance music. He put it on easily and I pressed 'play' on my mp3 player. His irises in his eyes went wide and he was so surprised. I showed him different songs and each time he had a reaction that strong, ranging from impressed (at a classical portion of a track) to curiously interested (at an unique dance song) to amazed. Afterwards, he said it was comfortable for him. I think I brought out his inherent taste in music, and he was very happy with them.

I haven't tried true classical music yet, but I'm confident that it would sound monumental when listening to a full-fledged symphony orchestra. I'll add in more detailed information about the ranges of the sound when I get the chance.

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Great sound and value

Strengths: + great sound quality + fit (stays put) + inexpensive

Weaknesses: - novel case awkward

Summary: 2007-03-29 10:57:25 previous reviews by oof_ow from CA(here), and over at Amazon by George McAdams were very useful - which convinced me to try a pair - at a very low price - and must say these are very good indeed -

They are well worth 4 1/2 stars.

My own "benchmarks" are the near lengendary Sony MDR-V6 and for my portable gear the somewhat obscure Aiwa HP-V161 - these both tend toward a crisp sound with good bass.

Contrast these with one of the previous reviewer Mr.McAdams' (over at Amazon) benchmarks - the Koss PRO4AA (also pretty legendary) - these tend toward a rather heavier sound and compared to my Sony and Aiwa they sound more mellow and perhaps a little more "clumsy".

On first listening - Mr. McAdams' take is spot on - the HE591 do sound somewhat closer to the Koss PRO4AA - without the claustrophobic heavy and closed design -

but adjusting the equalizer on my MP3 player I can get a crisper version of the sound (without any harshness), and these headphones then really shine, and suit my tastes better.

One of the main benefits I gain by using these Philips HE591 is that they fit in my ears well and will stay put once inserted - unlike the Aiwa HP-V161 - which have a rather touchy fit for me - the Aiwas are fine for sedate use, but I don't like them for more active usage.

The Philips HE591's sound really good and stay inserted - without any feeling of being intrusive.

They also have very high sensitivity - so require much less volume compared to even the very efficient Sony and Aiwa - this probably will help reduce battery usage too.

I like these a lot, and want to thank both oof_ow and Mr.McAdams for their reviews which convinced me to try these Philips HE591.

I liked these enough that I have bought a second pair.

Note: the HE592 is the white version.

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Great But.........

Strengths: Great sound and comfort.

Weaknesses: insert replacements

Summary: The Sound is great for the price, but the inserts can come off and once the size you like are gone you are in trouble. Can

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Very Good but not for long.

Strengths: Excellent sound quality the best for the price

Weaknesses: no plastic insert replacement. you are destined to buy another set.

Summary: I've have use it for a year now and my left plastic insert is damaged and width out it is very uncomfortable to use it. An i can't find a replacement set if there were i would buy it and this product would be perfect.

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