BUYERS GUIDE FROGBEATS 'MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH YOU'

In my opinion I am still a novice audio enthusiast. I've always loved music, but I had never actually owned a truly high-end piece of audio equipment. Glasgow introduced me to a new world of big ass sound systems and excessive beats (Mungo's Hi Fi and Electrikal deserve a mention here). Id like to see thase as links, i know when i see stuff the first thing i want to do is google them When we started Frogbeats, I never realised what I would be in for. Naturally we had samples to try out before we stocked them and I started to really look forward to trying out our next model and comparing it to others. I started expanding my music library because I wanted to hear different genres on different earphones. I've caught the bug and I think it's here to stay. The following article is the result of many sleepless nights in my bedroom/living-room reading endless reviews and articles on the subject to come up with a Buyer's Guide to educate the folks that are interested in buying a new pair of earphones. Enjoy. Russell McMahon Marketing Director A little background 'IEM' stands for 'In-Ear Monitor'. The difference between these and normal ear buds is that they have a tip on the end, usually made of silicon, which fits into and 'seals' your ear canal. This design makes them much better at their job than conventional ear buds. Your first pair of earphones were probably ear buds that came free with an MP3 player. Ear buds, like the Apple Ibud, work similar to small loudspeakers like you have on your phone meaning they produce a low-quality 'tinny' sound due to poor quality drivers. High-end IEMs use much better drivers which sound engineers tune to pump out a more enjoyable quality of music. Musicology The study of music and human behaviour has shown that music is capable of stimulating, or relaxing, the human mind. That up-tempo beat on a night out is sometimes the only thing providing energy to a crowd that has been at it for 8 hours straight. On the other side of the spectrum, there is nothing better than sitting listening to a bit of M83 a link please, maybe a spotify link?at night when youre lying in bed. Music has the power to set the mood of the environment it is played in. This is what makes music so special, and so easy to get lost in. Beginning your search Audiophile: a person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction Looking for your perfect pair of earphones can be confusing, that is why we're here to try and make things simple. If you are serious about your choice of earphone, but don't have a scooby (a Glaswegion colocoialism meaning clue, Scooby doo = clue, get it) you and i may know what it means but i suspect most of your audience wont. how to go about it, then read on. Many people don't realise that much better sound quality can be obtained when listening to their music through IEM's. Your choice is preferential, all earphones have their advantages and disadvantages. The easiest way to start is by looking at all the different factors that give earphones their personailty. Factors -Sound -Comfort -Price

-Aesthetics -Durability -Isolation

Sound
The ultimate goal of any loudspeaker is this to sound like reality. Audiophiles spend a great deal of time and money in their search for high fidelity sound, but there is no final say on what type of sound is the best. It all depends on what kind of music it is that you listen to and what aspect of music it is that you enjoy - bass/trebles/mids. When we talk about the sound signature of an earphone, we are referring to the re-tuning of the elements of the track you are playing to accentuate certain aspects of the song. Every earphone has a unique sound signature, like a fingerprint, and the quality of sound produced is down to the manufacturer decision on the most desirable sound. Drivers The best place to start with regards to sound would be explaining how the sound is produced by the drivers. In the most commen type of speaker there is a U-shaped permanent magnet which produces a constant magnetic field between its two poles. Between these two poles is located a coil, which doesnt make contact with the magnet. When an electrical current is passed through the coil it creates a second magnetic field around the coil. Since these two magnetic fields are sharing the same space and the current which causes a temporary field to be established is constantly changing, so too will the temporary magnetic field. This results in a force that will cause anything which isnt held in place to vibrate. Dynamic Drivers: In dynamic drivers the coil itself is not in a fixed position. It is held by a flexible support so the vibrations it carries are transferred directly into the diaphragm (in laymans terms, a thin disc) where the circumference of the coils end makes contact. The diaphragm carries the vibrations over a greater surface area so that the sound which is passed into the air in by the vibrating diaphragm has enough amplification. To get the best out of Dynamic Drivers, its a good idea to burn them in and give the diaphragm a bit of flex (usually 50 hours does the trick). If you want, leave them on over-night while youre sleeping playing music at a moderate volume to give them their burn-in. You could always just use them as normal and theyll get that burn-in time naturally. Balanced Armature Drivers Unlike dynamic drivers (DD), the arrangement in a balanced armature (BA) puts the coil in a fixed position. A long arm, the armature, is placed through the centre of the coil, but doesnt come into contact with it. The arm is only held in place in its centre, so it can still move and become the source of the drivers vibration. One end of the armature is connecting to a small connecting rod (a.k.a a drive rod or drive pin) which carries the vibration to the very centre of the diaphragm. Once again the diaphragm in turn passes the sound ahead with a sufficient sound pressure level. What am I looking for? There is no better type of driver technology. Rather, both have their own advantages and disadvantages. BA drivers are more compact and have a much higher motor force to diaphragm ration making them ideal for monitoring because they provide clarity and precision. DD are more fun to listen to which sounds more pleasing to some, as always it depends on the listener. Number of Drivers Earphones generally only have one driver in each earphone, but some models have more than one. These tend to be BA drivers as they are more compact. With more drivers you naturally get better sound as each driver copes with a different frequency range. What that means is that each driver focuses on a different element of the track or two may combine, for instance dual low BA drivers

would give an IEM excellent bass, or one driver could focus on lows while another focuses on treble. It is very unusually to find more than 3 drivers in an IEM, for that you would want to look at Customs which can have up to 6 drivers per earpiece! DIAGRAM of balanced and dynamic. Signatures: Neutral Preferred signature of the audiophile. 'Neutral' sound signatures are harder to tune properly due to the human ears natural tendency to hear different frequencies at different volumes. The audio signal is taken and manipulated in such a way as to give an equilibrium between mids, highs and lows so that all aspects of the music shine, rather than focusing on bass/trebles/mids. The best neutral signatures are usually 'uninvolving, but will be very clear and have a 'musical' enjoyment to it. Coloured One that has a 'fun factor' or particular flavour about it. The audio signal is manipulated in such a way as to produce either; 1. 2. 3. A 'brighter' sound, emphasising vocals or instruments more A 'bassier' sound A 'clearer' sound

This 'fun factor' makes this a very popular signature, but some people who listen to their earphones for an extended period of time can find this tiring, for instance if you are not a big fan of pounding bass you wouldn't want something like the DUNU Hephaes. Analytical Favoured signature of the critic. The most miniscule details and nuances can be heard in your music, like the intermittent breathing of a singer, or the sliding of fingers up a guitar. This style of sound can be weak on a 'musical' presenct, but is intimate and accurate. Genre Pairing Particular genres compliment particular signatures. -Hip-Hop, Reggae and House will pair well with a Coloured sound signature -Pop compliments Coloured and Analytical sound signatures. -Jazz pairs well with a Neutral or Analystical sound. The best way as always is to try them out for yourself! Equipment With all audio equipment, it is about getting that perfect pairing. To get the most out of a set of speakers you want to get the right amp that coaxes the speaker into an orgasm of sound. The same goes for earphones, they are essentially smaller speakers for your ears. Some MP3's have built in portable amps, and some don't. For this reason earphones can also pair were with certain MP3 players. An external portable amp can go a long way to producing top quality sound, like the DigiZoid which has Smart Vektor technology that the company have patented.

Comfort True comfort to me is being able to pop my earphones in and forget that they were ever there. I forget that I am listening to music and instead feel like someone has paid for performers to follow me around on a trailer and play to me. When I turn around to see if anyones there, I remember I'm on my lonesome...just listening to music. It's really amazing how much more comfortable earphones are today. The ears are a fragile piece of evolution and should be taken care of - Nobody wants to end up like Frankie Wild from 'It's all gone Pete Tong'. They come in all different sizes, therefore everyone does not have the same perception of comfortable. I have known an earphone to be critically acclaimed for its comfort, but yet it didnt suit one or two thats just the way it is! Fit First of all make sure that you know what way the earphones are designed to be worn. Most can be worn straight-in or over-the-ear, commonly both. Wearing your earphones over the ear can help cure microphonics problems with your earphones that noise which microphones make when you move them around. Ear Tips The main problem I have heard many un-convinced owners of IEM's tell me is that they keep falling out and become irritating to the ear. IEM's come with a variety of accessories, which includes various sizes of tips along with ear guides, carry cases and anything else the manufacturer throws in so that you can take care and customise your pair to your specifications. These ear tips are generally the source of the problem, but they are in no way to fault for it. -Silicone Silicone is a heat-resistant, rubber-like material that is the make-up of a majority of ear tips for its ability to hold its shape and provide a good seal at the ear canal. They work just like earplugs, but inject sound into your ears as well as block it out. You'll usually get at least 3 different sizes of ear-tip with a pair of IEM's, sometimes more. In most cases there will be one size to satisfy everyone, but there is always the option of buying in customs from manufacturers if you want the perfect size. -Foam Foam tips are the kings of comfort. They work the same way as silicone tips, but upgrade your ear canals to first-class - Think memory foam mattress in your ears. Squeeze the tip, pop it in, and it will expand to give a temporary mould of your ear canal providing optimum comfort/seal. Comply.com are your place to go for such a luxury. Id also point out the popularity of Shures tips too. Ear Guides This is another optional accessory which manufacturers throw into your package. Also made from silicone, these little puppies will wrap around your ear to give a little aid to those who need it. Some people just do. Build: Shape and Weight It is worth checking out the design of the earphone casing. Some earphones are designed to fit when worn in one certain way like the MEElectronic A151 and VSonic GR07 which are worn over the ear and fit just under the concha. (See sophisticated drawing of ear)

INSERT DRAWING OF EAR The weight of earphones can cause issues with comfort for some listeners. The overall weight of an earphone is taken a whole including the cable and the jack. Take the materials and number of drivers used into account, for instance - plastic is a much lighter material than ceramic, 2 drivers weigh more than one. Heavy cables can drag down the earphones which could be a nuisance when your out on your morning jog.

Price
I just don't see why you would spend this much on a pair of earphones? A question my family always asked me, to which I answer by letting them try out a pair. My auntie is the latest member of the Frogbeats family having bought not one, but two pairs of A151's. My uncle also now a happy man. Add something in about the plain and simple fact is most people have never heard good audio quality, they dont know it exists so litteraly they dont know what they are missing. Without sounding like the world's most blatant Marketer, don't be shy on price buy what you can afford, but don't cheap out. Price and performance go hand in hand in this industry and as long as you use all your newly acquired knowledge and consider your choice carefully, you'll be happy with your investment. There are many examples of earphones which punch above their weight, like the DUNU Tridents or the MEElectronics M6. We've done the research.. Check out our review table for all of our products where you'll find no holds bar reviews from experts and audio enthusiasts who have a thing or two to say when it comes to a good grilling of any new audio hardware they can get their hands on.

Aesthetics
For me, I would prefer something that sounds great and looks good too, without saying 'mug me'. Most of us would probably fall for the looks of a beautiful woman, then we realise she's got horrible eating habbits and snores in her sleep (no disrespect ladies). The rule goes 'Don't judge an earphone by its cover'. Earphones look great personally I hope that we get some wooden numbers in soon because I love that retro look but that doesn't mean they sound great. I now direct you to this review of a very popular earphone, which admittedly looks good on the eye, but is let down by its sound. Ironic. http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/headphones/monster-cables-beatsby-dr-dre-solo-951896/review. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.. At the end of the day it is about what you are after. Nobody wants an ugly earphone, and some people are more happy with something that has a bit of colour or added design. PHOTO DUNU HEPHAES

Durability
I used to go through a pair of earphones a month. No joke. Luckily I wasn't spending any serious cash on them, but now the only reason I have to get a new pair is if I lose them (I'm one of these people who constantly forgets where I put things down). I love having a stronger cable that can withstand a good tug, and cases that I'm not afraid will at any moment provocatively flash their driver at me. Earphones can last for multiple years if taken care of. This means keeping them in a case when you're not using them, and watching not to get hit by a bus while your crossing the road wearing them. Seriously, watch out! Id point out that if you wrap them round your ipod or throw them in your jeans pocket then they probably wont last as long as they would if you treat them properly. The Wire Manufacturers have taken into account the problem of cables becoming damaged. It's easy to snag a cable on a door handle/piece of exercise equipment. Cables can also become problematic when you frequently wrap the wire around your MP3 when your not using it. If you have this problem, or will be doing a lot of activity with your earphones in then it is something you will want to consider. To combat this problem manufacturers have made some modifications to the simple rubber design in order to give your earphones the added defensive edge against the elements. Braided cables are super strong compared to a single cable (see Basic Engineering 101). This is the same way they make ropes on sailing boats so strong to withstand super fast speeds and harsh storms. The power of 3 ropes in one. You'll see this used on the MEElectronic A151. Woven fabrics are also common, which reduces problems arising due to wrapping the cable as they are less resistant to movement than a rubber cable. Woven fabric will also withstand a harder snag on a door frame or even your dog trying to chew it up. The Fishcer Audio Tandems and Fischer Audio Genesis possess woven fibre cables. If your cable isn't the standard rubber-like cable then it will have added benefits in either Durability or Comfort, or both. Casing The material which the casing is made of can be stronger in some instances. Earphones nowadays can be built from almost any material wood, plastic, ceramic, metal you name it. The casing is what provides defence for your drivers as well as comfort and fit.

Isolation
David to write

Our Favourites
Alwyn Poulter Financial Director & Wise-cracker 1. HiSound Audio Crystals They are really small, light and have a great fit. They also have fantastic sound quality, especially for bass heavy music. Fisher Audio Eterna A great price for really punchy earphone, Slightly bulkier than the Crystals but for 42 you cannot get a better sound.

2.

Russell McMahon Marketing Director & Ideas Man 1. MEElectronic A151 A polite IEM very comfortable worn over-the-ear and good price. I'm more of a bass lover, but these swayed me. Balanced armature driver sounding great out of the box and I really like the braided cable. DUNU Trident When I was using these I actually didn't know how much they cost. My guess was around 70. When I found out they were 19, just WOW. They look great and satisfied me on the bass front without becoming too much.

2.

David Annez Managing Director & Frogfather