Customer Reviews

Denon AHC351K High-Quality Inner-Ear Headphones (Black)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Just got these to replace a pair of Etymotics Er-6 that died in the left channel. I'd have to say that I like these better. These Denons are a significant jump in sensitivity over the Er-6. I wouldn't recommend the Er-6 for an MP3 player, but the ER-6i might be better according to the specs.

Overall, I'd say the sound presentation of the Denon is similar to the the Er-6 but the Denon has a more realistic bass. Both are nicely balanced from top to bottom. Neither the Denon nor Etymotics have a boomy bass and neither are shrill and showy in the highs. You can listen to either for a long time without fatigue.

I also find the Denon's a bit more comfortable, and not quite as tight. The inclusion of three sizes of ear pads is also a real plus. The Denons also seem to have a bit less isolation and a bit less microphonics.

So this is a nice transition at a very reasonable price. Four stars and not five since they lack the ultimate definition of a top tier set of cans.

Overall I am very happy - a significant improvement in sound quality over the iPod earbuds, for a very reasonable sum.

I am not such an audiophile that I wanted to spend $[...]+. I wanted something easily portable - so I limited my choices to ear-bud and inner-ear types. From reviews, it seems clear that inner-ear phones provide superior sound quality to buds.

MOST IMPORTANT - QUALITY SOUND
I played my iPod for a while, switching from the iPod buds to the Denons with different songs from jazz to pop to rock & roll. In my opinion:
> the Denons are more sensitive - they play louder at the same volume setting; plus they cut out some ambient noise so you can play at lower settings anyway.
> the treble is a bit strong for my ears, but I think I am sensitive to treble. I found a few EQ settings that sounded great to me though.
> overall the sound is far richer and more detailed, a big improvement.

INNER-EAR TYPE HEADPHONES
If you haven't used this type of headphone before it can take a little getting used to. Like wearing earplugs, while they cut out some ambient noise, you become more aware of your own breathing etc. Make sure you try the different tip sizes to ensure you get the right fit or the sound quality, especially base, will suffer.

CORD
The cord design is quite unique. Clearly the design intends the iPod to be worn on your left side, ideally in a left-hand [...] or handkerchief pocket or perhaps an arm strap. If you wear it there the cord design is perfect. If you don't, there is a cord extension. The extension fits very tightly so there is little chance of it coming loose. I don't find the extension connection is heavy or catches on things.

AMBIENT NOISE
The Denons do not cut out as much ambient noise as some inner-ear models. This was actually something I was looking for as I didn't want to be completely isolated from the outside world.

COMFORT
I played these for 3 hours straight and found they remained comfortable.

At roughly $40, these earphones offer great sound and comfort for a reasonable price. I was not happy with the standard Ipod earbuds but did not want to fork out $80 or more for the Etymotics or other earplug type phones. The Denon's tonal balance is not bright for a change, and some may wish for some more pronounced highs, but I think it is a nice change from the often fatiguing harshness in this area. I am perfectly happy with the bass response using the Ipod's Bass Booster setting--the only EQ setting on the Ipod that does not sound terrible in my opinion. Highly recommended.

I hated reading all the negative reviews on this product because they simply misrepresented the earbuds. The complaint that the head phones have an uneven split is an invalid complaint. This design ensures that there is not pulling on each ear bud, which would be really annoying. The right side is longer, so you drape it around the back of your neck and put it in. Surprisingly, there is not too much pull on the left earbud. Also, the chord conveniently hangs to the left side, which is good when using an ipod or a mac book. Also, the extension cable has a benefit.

I broke my Sennheiser PXC250's because the cable snagged on something and the bulky noise canceling fell and broke. The extension cable serves as a break-away cable, and if this same thing would have happened to me with the Denon's, the cable would have separated instead of dropping my iPod or my headphones to the ground. People complain that the extension unit is heavy and pulls out the left headphone, but this is probably because they have the wrong size earbud in their ear (it comes with three different ones.) They also compain that the extension unit bounces around too much, (which it usually doesn't), and if it does, you can just hold it still in your hand if you are walking briskly.

If you dont want to use the extension cable, the regular cable is long enough for you to listen to an iPod in your hood pocket or for when you are sitting down at your computer.

The Sennheirse PXC250s, valued at about 150 dollars do not block out noise as well as the Denon AH C351s. The Denon earbuds have an acoustic driver inside the headphone that is powered by your iPod instead of a bulky battery pack. Since the Denon's are inside or your ear, they definitely block out more noise. The bass articulation is not as good, but the cost, convenience, and comparable sound quality make these ear buds worth more than the actually cost.

I believe these headphones are made specifically for those who use armbands to carry their Ipod/MP3 players. The cable is shorter on the left ear bud and short from the plug to the L/R Y-split. This creates minimal cords and tangles when wearing with an armband. I find this VERY useful when running or excercising, and I do not notice any restraint nor added 'tug' on the left hear bud. An extention cord is included for when an armband is not used.

I am buying these headphones a second time for the cord design and sound quality. Accidentaly washed the first pair with the laundry. $40 replacement headphones did not compare to the Denon's sound quality, noticed that right away.

So Don't Hate On The Cord Design.

I've been using the standard ipod headphones for years and was frustrated that they broke so easily. My Denon headphones are fantastic - love the different size ear pieces and the sound quality is great. The extension cord they come with is perfect.

Headphones are good over all - however the cable has a break in it so you can make it shorter. I find that the short version is too short to be useful and that when put together the joint is a sticking point against clothes etc that tends to tug against the left ear pod.

I have just received the DENON AH-C351K in ear headphone. Let me say its one of the best headphone out there for the money. Really The Best bang for the Buck. Great Sound... You can spend a lot more and get a lot less.
Ive owned KOSS to Sennheiser. If you want great sound without breaking the bank get the DENON AH-C351K's. Take your lady to dinner with the money you save. You both will be happy.

For in-canal headphones, these have zero acoustic isolation. If I could give these a lower rating, I would.

I almost returned this item because I had trouble getting the fit right to achieve quality sound. However, I did figure out how to create a good fit. Once I did that, I found the sound remarkably natural and realistic. The bass is well-defined and clean. As pointed out by most reviewers, these cans are not boomy in the bass range. They sound great even on my G1 phone without any equalizer boosts in the bass.

Overall, the sound is very natural and realistic - but on the bright side. For this price range, those who like clarity and balance will like these cans.

Fit. Is important to get a good fit or else these will sound terrible. I had to switch to the large tips, but they still seemed loose and the bass did not come through. However, I discovered that the trick is to create a seal: I gently pumped them in my ear - nothing dramatic, just a simple and gentle plunging action - this created a pressure seal, which seems necessary to get these phones to sound right. The seal is important for the sound, but it also helps to keep it in the ear. It comes with tips in 3 sizes; hopefully, one will fit your ear.

Cord. As noted by others, the basic cord is short (.5m). This is helpful for those who keep their device in their hand, armband, or using an extension microphone cable for their cellphone. The latter is my situation - so I found the short cord helpful. For those needing longer cords, they include an extension cable. Unfortunately, a lot of reviewers have found it to be clumsy. Some other reviewers have complained about the unequal length of the cord. I am really surprised by this complaint since it is a pretty common design. Where have you guys been? In any case, it is designed for most people who keep their device on their left side, which is the most common situation for righties. The longer cord for the right channel phone wraps behind your head before being inserted in the right ear: that is why it is longer. If you are leftie or otherwise have your device mounted on the right side, this design is not ideal for you.

Sound isolation. The isolation is okay, but not great. Etymotics are a LOT better for that. Like most phones of this design, you pick up noise from cord movement, wind, etc.

I would recommend this headphone if you meet the following criteria: (1) if you like realistic and clean bass - not boomy - and natural balanced sound, (2) if you want a short cord, (3) you are right-handed or otherwise keeping your device on the left side, (4) don't want to spend more than [...] bucks (when on sale).

NOT recommended for: (1) lefties who keep device on the right side, (2) kids who only want to listen to dance music with boomy bass, (3) don't want a short cord. If you want boomy, buy some sonys or skullcandy or something like that instead.

Good value for the price!