Headphones, a Disappointment - Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Headphones seem cheaply made.
Why no volume buttons?
Why not use standard 3.5mm?
Did Sony assigned only one part time intern to design the headphones?

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Are they not standard 3.5mm phones? Anyway, they seem at least as good to me as the phone Apple bundles with their products.
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using xda app-developers app

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They are standard 3.5mm unless you don't have a Z Ultra.
Sony produce some of the best ear buds out there and these are no exception. Crystal clear and pumps out the bass.
If the standard length of cord supplied with the headphones is too long for you to reach your phone volume control, cut it.

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knite75 said:
Headphones seem cheaply made.
Why no volume buttons?
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Why no volume buttons? Those aren't standard. The only thing that truly is standard in a stereo headphone jack is the top/ring/sleeve design with 3 contacts and the 3.5mm size. The headphones that have volume buttons and/or action buttons use a non-standard additional contact, and devices which aren't designed with the non-standard headphones in mind can't even make use of the extra buttons, even if they may support other functionality with extra contacts. For example, my Galaxy Nexus can understand the action button on Apple earbuds, because it was made to expect that sort of functionality on the jack's extra contact, but it cannot understand the other volume buttons on the headphones as they are non-standard.

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Afrobean said:
Why no volume buttons? Those aren't standard. The only thing that truly is standard in a stereo headphone jack is the top/ring/sleeve design with 3 contacts and the 3.5mm size. The headphones that have volume buttons and/or action buttons use a non-standard additional contact, and devices which aren't designed with the non-standard headphones in mind can't even make use of the extra buttons, even if they may support other functionality with extra contacts. For example, my Galaxy Nexus can understand the action button on Apple earbuds, because it was made to expect that sort of functionality on the jack's extra contact, but it cannot understand the other volume buttons on the headphones as they are non-standard.
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Actually using urbeats earpieces designed for HTC phone and it recognize the forward/backward buttons for volume up/down as well as the play and stop button that with a double push go to next track. Sony only put basic earpieces as all manufacturer, having volume on it or not does nothing to the quality. Never found basic earpieces giving a good quality, so nothing to cry about it.
Envoyé depuis mon C6802 avec xda premium 4

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knite75 said:
Headphones seem cheaply made.
Why no volume buttons?
Why not use standard 3.5mm?
Did Sony assigned only one part time intern to design the headphones?
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Click to collapse
I have just purchased the Samsung galaxy Note 3. I mention that to illustrate I am not biased to one brand.
In terms of sound reproduction, Sony are class leaders, they invented the 'Portable sound' technology. No standard headphones due justice to any of the branded phones they are sold with.
Sony head phones are the best available as an 'in the box' headphone BUT can be vastly improved on. Apple are amazingly among the worst?
I have a preference for Sennheiser and you can make a choice that suits your own ears.
If you don't like Sony sound reproduction I have no idea what to advise you? Oh and no in the box phones come with volume controls uless its a special offer.
Tell you what. I will exchange your Sony headphones for an unused pair of Samsung galaxy note headphones.:good:
What have you been using 'till this point? What brand of phone and have you tried other brands of headphone such as Sennheiser?
Regards.

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I'm no audiophile (at all!), but i wouldn't say they're bad. I've noticed that thay aren't exactly pumping the bass like other more expensive ear plugs, but i personally think that the audio alone is fairly good. It's clean and it hits most tones, but again.. the bass is just not there. An EQ will quickly fix this though (yeah, i've tested it). If you're listening a lot to dance, trance, techno, dubstep, hip hop etc. then these won't cut it. If you listen to music with a lot of different instruments, then they'll be more suitable.
Again, i'm not an audiophile so these are just my personal thoughts.

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The sony ones sound better than anything that I have that were "free". for free head phones they are good.

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Ryland Johnson said:
I have just purchased the Samsung galaxy Note 3. I mention that to illustrate I am not biased to one brand.
In terms of sound reproduction, Sony are class leaders, they invented the 'Portable sound' technology. No standard headphones due justice to any of the branded phones they are sold with.
Sony head phones are the best available as an 'in the box' headphone BUT can be vastly improved on. Apple are amazingly among the worst?
I have a preference for Sennheiser and you can make a choice that suits your own ears.
If you don't like Sony sound reproduction I have no idea what to advise you? Oh and no in the box phones come with volume controls uless its a special offer.
Tell you what. I will exchange your Sony headphones for an unused pair of Samsung galaxy note headphones.:good:
What have you been using 'till this point? What brand of phone and have you tried other brands of headphone such as Sennheiser?
Regards.
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+1
OP seems to complain the things that comes with the bundle without comparing what other phones have to offer.
velvetmxo said:
The sony ones sound better than anything that I have that were "free". for free head phones they are good.
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+1
"sounding better" is personal preference anyway. no point to clarify with OP on the matter but yes, as for the headphone that don't look like a cheap earbuds, it's one of the good one in quality for it's range

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LordManhattan said:
I'm no audiophile (at all!), but i wouldn't say they're bad. I've noticed that thay aren't exactly pumping the bass like other more expensive ear plugs, but i personally think that the audio alone is fairly good. It's clean and it hits most tones, but again.. the bass is just not there. An EQ will quickly fix this though (yeah, i've tested it). If you're listening a lot to dance, trance, techno, dubstep, hip hop etc. then these won't cut it. If you listen to music with a lot of different instruments, then they'll be more suitable.
Again, i'm not an audiophile so these are just my personal thoughts.
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Really? I remember thinking they were too bass-heavy. Granted, I only used them while I was watching a movie, not actually listening to music, so maybe I need to give them another shot. However, I remember thinking they definitely sounded heavier in the bass than my XBA BT75 earbuds I normally use for music listening, which sound flatter and clearer to my ears.
EDIT: Yes, these stock Sony earbuds are definitely more bottom-heavy than my other ones. If anything, these need a bass cut, because they're bordering on being muddy. On the whole, they have a pretty obvious "smiley face" response, unsurprisingly. Lots of bass, and the high frequencies have been boosted as well--cymbals, for instance, are a little too "sizzly" for me.

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AntiLazarus said:
Really? I remember thinking they were too bass-heavy. Granted, I only used them while I was watching a movie, not actually listening to music, so maybe I need to give them another shot. However, I remember thinking they definitely sounded heavier in the bass than my XBA BT75 earbuds I normally use for music listening, which sound flatter and clearer to my ears.
EDIT: Yes, these stock Sony earbuds are definitely more bottom-heavy than my other ones. If anything, these need a bass cut, because they're bordering on being muddy. On the whole, they have a pretty obvious "smiley face" response, unsurprisingly. Lots of bass, and the high frequencies have been boosted as well--cymbals, for instance, are a little too "sizzly" for me.
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Mine are the opposite. There are barely any bass. I'll do some research.
Sent from my Z Ultra, using XDA Premium 4

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seems like more incentive to invest in some good headphones or buy the SBH52

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Head phones-ear buds. A quick explanation.
I will try and make this brief and simple. Head phones-ear buds can only produce or reproduce the sound that they are connected to, the source. Headphones come in various types, in ear, (the type that come with the mobile), open head phones (the sound they reproduce can be heard by others in the room) and closed back (in theory only the wearer can hear the sound.
Next, The source, in terms of Sony devices, is class leading especially at this price point. Standard in the box ear buds are there as part of the package, they do not faithfully reproduce what the source produces. Non of them.
Frequency response. This is the level of bass to the level of treble each head phone is rated. Examples Sennheiser CX300-11 in ear. Frequency response;19-2100Hz. Sennheiser CX400-11, 17-22,000Hz. Translated this means the CX400 will be able to reproduce deeper bass tones and higher treble tones thus the midrange should be as clear as a bell.
Please remember what in ear buds use as a bass chamber is part our outer and part inner in, as far as the timpani goes, the 'eardrum', If we use a very high volume ,especially with in ear buds, damage can and is done to our ear drum and hearing. With this in mind such an ear bud MUST be used with caution. As soon as we connect an ear phone to a Sony device the volume is automatically reduced to ensure we don't damage the ear.
Now, we have the source, in our case the mobile phone, and the reproduction, the ear bud. What will also count to the overall quality of reproduction are the connections. The plug the cable also the quality of the components used in the manufacture of the ear bud or head phone.
It is false economy and rather unwise to use the in box freebies. Spend between 40.00€ and 50.00€ and one can purchase an ear bud or on ear open or closed head phone that will knock your socks of. Is it worth it? This is a question of how you use your device. I use it first as a mobile phone, secondly as a way to send and receive SMS and thirdly to listen to music, with this in mind I purchase branded head phones and branded ear buds.
A brilliant starter for in ear buds is the Sennheiser CX300-11. For a portable open ear head phone I use the Sennheiser PX100-11. Both are industry leaders.
let me quickly add there is no such thing as 'the best', its choice, its what type of sound each of us prefers. I use Sennheiser as I enjoy the type of sound they produce and for the price involved I find them exceptional, there are numerous other brands to chose from.
DO NOT go and purchase any sort of ear bud or head phone costing hundreds of euros as the source will not provide the FR for the head phones to reproduce. One has to evaluate with care how to match ones device between source and speaker.
I hope this small missive may help some members who enjoy music.
Kind regards.

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Thank you for a quality post, Johnson (yes, I'll keep calling you that). Say, what would you recommend to a person who listens a lot to bass filled music?
Sent from my Z Ultra, using XDA Premium 4

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LordManhattan said:
Thank you for a quality post, Johnson (yes, I'll keep calling you that). Say, what would you recommend to a person who listens a lot to bass filled music?
Sent from my Z Ultra, using XDA Premium 4
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Sennheiser CX400-11. FR: 17-22000Hz for ear buds, and the Sennheiser PX100-11. FR: 15-27000Hz for open back on head ear phones (they are portable as they fold up).
I am not to fond of in ear buds even though I always carry a pair, I use the CX300-11.
For general use and a simply stunning sound with bass to rattle your teeth, I use the PX100-11. They come in white or black.
Remember its the source that will count and with the Sony Walkman being utilised NOT the Google play, the sound is clear, well balanced, deep and very well controlled. Mid range is simply spectacular. I enjoy a very wide cross section of music from classical to pop to what ever.
Again I must add that there is nothing 'wrong' with using a graphic equaliser. I don't as I enjoy the music as it was recorded BUT if you enjoy that extra bass then go for it. Do remember when you deepen the bass using a graphic equaliser you alter the stage sound as a whole. No problem if you enjoy a bass heavy sound.
The good point is you have a very high quality source with the Sony. As such I sincerely believe the device deserves a fitting head phone or ear bud.
let us know what you purchase.
Oh and don't forget top allow the ear bud or head phone to 'run in' for 48 hours before you make an assessment. That is very important.
Regards.

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AntiLazarus said:
Are they not standard 3.5mm phones? Anyway, they seem at least as good to me as the phone Apple bundles with their products.
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using xda app-developers app
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Same here
Sent from my C6802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app