Audio Quality and Comfort
On the topic of comfort, both ear cups are lined with soft leather padding meant to protect your ears during extended use and facilitate the noise cancellation. Each earpiece extends along an aluminum extension bar to allow you to get that perfect fit.
Personally I found the fit to be quite snug and secure without the usual accompanied feeling of compression on my head. It wasn’t long before I simply didn’t notice the headphones anymore and was able to concentrate on work. After a few hours of testing, working and a bit of gaming, however, I was started to notice a bit of discomfort from the constant compression on my upper ears. This went away immediately when I eventually removed them. Even without the noise cancellation on, the earphones themselves are able to eliminate much of the day-to-day white noise but once it is engaged you can really notice the noise cancellation working.
Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony – The Crossroads: For a song with a lot of subtle elements layered underneath the bass track, the EP02s really let you take everything in. The bass is, of course, superb but not too overpowering that it drowns out the rest of the song which is a testament to the range.
Nat King Cole – Unforgettable: In contrast to the first song, this mellow piano track tests the EP02s mid to low range capabilities. I was not left disappointed. Each individual instrumental is easy to follow even in the lowest sections.
Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven: Another mellow offering but less show piano and more rock elements. The song comes across as a full piece in much the same way as the previous with very little loss and the ability to pick out the multiple layers at work.
Ludwig van Beethoven – Fur Elise: A timeless masterpiece of classical music that runs the full spectrum with transitions abound, the EP02 handles them all with near perfection never missing a key. I am by no means a musical guru but I was able to close my eyes and experience the piece with new appreciation. It is hear that the clarity of the EP02s shine.
TV/Movie – Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: I figured what better way to test sound quality in a media oriented environment then by letting the EP02s cut their teeth on the 2003 Academy Award winner for Best Score. Throughout the movie I was able to pick up ambient noise lost to most; the creaking of a door, the fluttering of a flag, the buzzing of a fly. Dialogue was crisp and the music, as expected was just as good as I remembered it. The action was enhanced throughout by the booming bass the EP02s deliver.
Game – Remember Me: The already entertaining electronically infused orchestral score garners new appreciation through the EP02. The clarity and bass also add that special something to any action sequence as well as enhancing the brutality of the combat with the ability to hear even punch you land and every hit you suffer.
