Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M PK Pink | Ear-Fit Headphones (Japan Import)

Cute colour. Very low profile so I use it for sleeping. Sound is surprisingly good. Only downside is the ear hooks hurt after a while (which I didn’t encounter with similar Panasonic ones)

I got these earphones for work as I was looking for something that didn’t squish my ears up against my head. I wear glasses and end up getting a headache after a while when wearing bigger earphones since they crush down and pinch my ears, and, my ears don’t like earbuds as they end up giving me a headache as well.

My coworker was raving about these, so I decided to give them a try. On first looks, I don’t normally like buying imported things because a lot of them seem cheaper. However, these do not. They feel good, and my coworker has several pairs and has had them for a long time, and they haven’t given him any problems. When I got them, I had to laugh because every word on the box is in Japanese, so obviously I couldn’t read anything, but you don’t need many directions with earphones.

I bought the pink ones, and they look really nice. When I tried them on, they feel very nice. They are super light and don’t weight down on my ears. Actually, after a while, I almost forget I have them on except for the music.

The only drawback to these that I can find is that they don’t have the best sound I’ve ever heard. Sound is pretty good, but it doesn’t really portray good base at all, but then I kind of expected that since they are a smaller headphone and don’t really squeeze around your ear to shut out everything else. But, in saying that, they do have great sound for being as small and light as they are.

Pros: Very light, don’t hurt your ears, good sound
Cons: Doesn’t have a great bass range, but still good sound all around

Update 06/23/2020:

I’m still using this brand of headphones and just ordered another pair. My second pair is still going strong (has it already been 3 years??) but they have been sitting in my desk for the last 6 months while I’ve been working from home due to COVID-19.

The weak point of these headphone are definitely the cord. If you are like me and play with it at all, the oils on your hands will eventually cause it to lose flexiblily and crack (my current pair is starting to get stiff). Still, cannot argue with the price for a couple of years of daily use!

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Update 01/10/2017:

I updated my review to 5 stars. I really love these headphones.

I noticed a few months ago that the cord was beginning to split so I ordered a new pair to have for a replacement. Today I had to say goodbye to my original pair as the cord finally broke and the sound in the left ear quit. (This is my own fault as I tend to play with the cord a lot and the oils from my hands over time made the cord stiff and therefor it cracked).

Still, two years is not bad for a cheap pair of headphones like this. I plan to keep buying these as long as they have them available.

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Original Review 03/04/2015:

I was looking for a replacement for my Phillips SBC HS430 headphones as they were my absolute favorite and Phillips stopped making them. I cannot stand in-ear headphones, which seems to be about all you can buy now (or the super bulky noise-cancelling ones).

Overall I really like these headphones. I work in a cubical environment and use them to listen to my iPod for at least 6 hours a day. These are super light, have nice sound quality, and I love the bright color.

I have rated them 4-stars because I occasionally notice a burning rubber smell, especially when I first started using them. Not sure if I’m just used to it now, or if it has subsided? This worries me because I’m concerned how long they will last.

I plan on keeping an eye on this product and may order more in the future to have some on stand-by. Hoping they last me a good long while.