iBall iRocker Earphones

In this age of the iPod, the hot new thing to have is an iPod accessory. This offshoot, which consists of interesting gadgets such as docks and headphones, has been slowly taking over my reviewing schedule, as I find myself being swamped more with earphones and headphones rather than full-fledged speakers.

However, it's the market that dictates what we review, so I went out looking for the cheapest 'good' earphones available, preferably with a brand name and not some Chinese innovation. I didn't have to wander too far; I stumbled on these iBall earphones at a store in Mumbai's Lamington Road. (I’m told they retail commonly everywhere.)

Design and Performance
These classic earphones sit on the entrance of your ear canal; they're not inserted like canal phones. One contemporary feature is the headband, a thin black curvilinear piece of plastic that ends in the two earphones. It fits behind the neck, and not over the head.

This design requires the product to be light, as your ears bear the entire weight of the unit. And it is lightweight, but not flimsy. The driver bears tiny logos, plus a silver rim that looks cool. The wire is long enough, and ends in a 3.5 mm EP jack.

It may hurt the first time you wear this, especially if you're used to canal phones. The ergonomics aren’t the greatest and it takes some getting used to. The sound, on the other hand, is very good! It’s comparable to many of the more expensive counterparts. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives too, but they sound like whistles in water.

The bass wasn't bad, while the overall sound had good clarity. The main issue with cheap headphones – 'brightness' – didn't pose much of a problem. The vocals and string instruments were right in front, but not jarring. Beats and percussive stuff too were tight, though not deep. I wasn’t expecting depth anyway, so I kinda liked the sound.

Verdict
These earphones are cheap at just Rs 499, so morning walkers and solitary readers on a tight budget may find them interesting. Be warned, however, that the lack of comfort could put you off. So try on a pair if you can before you buy.