Believe it or not—though we suppose you should, because it’s certified fact—Etymotic invented the in-ear headphones bud. They were the first to invent the clever little devices, requiring a diagnostic tool that quickly turned into the commuter’s dream. In the meantime they’ve been cranking out quality buds all the same, inventing new methods and even better performance with every passing year. With that introduction, may we introduce to you the Etymotic mc5, the cheapest pair of headphones currently in the company’s extensive line-up. For our full thoughts on this rocking set of high-quality earbuds, check out our headphone review below.
Design and Comfort
Etymotic mc5
Like a lot of the other in-ear buds produced by Etymotic, the mc5 headphones features a similar, sloping look that produces a tapered and narrow ear tip. Personally, we’re quite the fan of this design, as it typically produces a much better seal than most of the other, bulkier in-ear headphones we look at. Likewise, because the tips are somewhat smaller than most, we have a feeling they’ll fit almost every user that desires them. We’re known for having somewhat oddly-shaped ears, and the mc5 headphones fits us fine: No small feat, we assure you. Another notch in the buds favor is their elegantly slim-lined construction. The headphones are almost unibody, and are discreet enough to not fall out of your ear while in use. They also happen to come in a wealth of flavorful colors, though you won’t find any of the luscious patterns of the Skullcandy brand on these babies.
Sound Quality and Performance
As stated, the mc5 headphones are a cheaper type of Etymotic than we’re typically used to. As such, we expected a somewhat diminished audio performance. However, we were quite surprised to find little to no loss when compared to a pricer set, like say the hf5. Like its bigger brothers, the mc5 suffers from the same general lack of punch at the high and low mark, but in a way that makes us comfortable with the sound. What we mean is, Etymotic typically produces headphones that are less specialized as say the Beats, by Dr. Dre. Rather than blasting us with bass or crunchy high-end, the mc5 instead produced a warmer tone across the board. There’s a little less clarity than with some other Etymotic headphones, but on the whole, it’s still a rock-solid sonic experience.
Overall Value
Considering a pair of mc5 headphones will set you back only $60, we can’t help but recommend them. Their sturdily designed, elegant in-ear, and provide one of the best, naturally sound canceling seals we’ve ever seen. Add to that a top-notch audio performance for half the cost of a comparable model, and you’re looking at one incredibly rich bargain. All in all, if you want Etymotic quality without the price tag, the mc5 is certainly your best bet.
