Archive for September, 2009

Sony MDR-EX500 Earbuds

Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 3:31 am

Facing left and right to see the frames...

The MDR-EX500 earbuds are the 2008 update to the 2006 model, MDR-EX90 earbuds. Both were equally priced at 10,000 en / 100.00 usd when initially released and now you can find the EX500 earbuds on sale for 8,500 en. The stats are about the same so the same refined Sony-signature sound of their high-end earbuds. As I am quite pleased with the sound of my EX90's, I'm also happy with the sound of my EX500's. The difference between the two models is in the shape of the earbuds, the EX500's sit in the ear a bit different and reacts different to cord strain.

Let's compare the shapes with the EX90 earbuds on the left and the EX500 earbuds on the right...

With these pictures we see how the housing sits different on the EX500's to the EX90's. The EX500 earbuds have a housing that does not immediately face the body when inserted into the canals. Rather, the EX500's taper slightly away from the body. This spreads the distribution of weight in the canal different than the EX90's and I find both styles to be comfortable for long-wearing periods of several hours.

What I do like about the EX500 shape is that less of the earbud housing sticks out beyond the vertical plane of the ear. For me, this matters from mid-fall through mid-spring as I always wear a stocking cap when I'm transitory or sitting in front of the coffee shop I take breaks at from work. With less of an object sticking out beyond the plane of the ear, less pressure from the hat on the buds. So, for hat-time, I'm going to go with the EX500's over the EX90's.

Another difference between the two styles is the height of the cable entering into the housing compared to the height of the bud; the EX500's have a higher entry point. This higher point puts a different stress on the housing and in turn a different stress on the speaker armature. I find that the EX500's can take more stress on the cable from body movement with less effect upon the position of the earbud. I'm not saying that you can wrestle an angry sasquatch for an abandoned elk carcass and expect the earbuds to stay in place but it is something noticeable in daily use with periods of time over two hours of wearing.

For an update to a great set of portable earbuds, EX90's, the EX500's maintain the quality of sound and provide style changes that you may find beneficial. They sit well in the ears for extended periods of time and they are stocking cap friendly.