Customer Reviews

Sony MDR-A34L Vertical In-The-Ear Headphones

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since I got my DAP (an iAudio X5) I've been looking for a good compact headset to carry around (for classical music). This Sony MDR-A34L is the one I finally settled on, after nearly giving up.

First, I can't see paying $100's for a compact headset that is likely to break or get lost. Sure, they may have better sound, but when I'm riding the bus, puffing on the treadmill, or even sitting in the office, I'm not expecting and probably couldn't distinguish the highest levels of sound quality anyway. That I'll reserve for sitting at home with good speakers or a full-size headset. Besides, the correlation between price and quality (according to reviews) seems pretty tenuous; some of the best reviews went to the $10-15 models. Finally, there is so much individual variation in comfort, and the only way to know for sure is to try one in combat. I'm not paying $100+ to find out it hurts my ears.

So, I tried a number of well-rated loose earbud models in the $10-40 range. These are the ones I see around most commonly. Well, I must have odd ears, because they were all uncomfortable and/or fell out easily and/or did not seal well enough to give good bass. I was about to give up when I decided to try the in-the-ear with headbands. This Sony was well rated, fairly cheap, and had the bonus of folding up, so I wouldn't totally sacrifice the compactness of free-standing earbud units.

Well, I discovered that the in-the-ear-with-headband models are a totally different beast from the loose earbuds. The headband models position the speaker unit in an enitrely different way than the earbuds -- facing forward and backward in the ear rather than inward. Also, with the headband to provide gentle inward pressure, the earpeice need not be shaped to stay in the ear on its own. It can be made both more comfortable and more optimal for listening.

So, I put this Sony on my head, and was blown away... great sound, great bass, reasonably comfortable once I get the headband adjusted right (sorry, but I will never be totally at ease with things stuck in my ears). I was skeptical of the folding aspect, but it works very nicely. I keep a rubber band around when folded, and it's about the size of a small candy bar. I wish somebody would make a little slipcase for it, but for an under $15 item, it's not likely. And of course, at under $15 I can afford to buy a couple more against breakage and the inevitable day that Sony discontinues this model.

I really like these headphones.
For two reasons:
1. I have a big cranium, and I need headphones that have a little give and dont smash my ears. Well these fit the bill -- they are foldable but still adjustable, so someone with just about any size head can wear these. Thanks Sony.
2. I cannot wear ear bud headphones, they fall out of my ear and make my eats sore. But I still crave compactiveness, because I am using these headphones in conjunction with a PSP so I needed headphones that fit in a small pouch. Again these fit the bill.

The cord seemed too short to me, but I am a giant so maybe it is just me, so I gave these headphones a 4 out of 5 only because of the cord. Otherwise these headphones are great, exactly what I wanted - foldable - compact - over the head, head phones and the price is right too.

As years go by I keep trying new headphone models, and I always end up returning to the Sony MDR-A34. Why? I don't know the exact year, but this model has been around since -at least- 1996. Why hasn't in almost a decade a better model appeared? Is it the unique design? Certainly this model's particular physical design doesn't look "cool" any longer and even looks kind of dated, but it probably has a lot to do with the headphone's exquisite sound response, perfect from the lower basses to the higher trebles, always delivering unbelievably amazing sound.

I must clarify that it isn't enough just to read the specs at the back of the packaging; this won't tell you how well they will perform. The right way to value this model is to test it in the field against other models: choose your favorite song and keep changing headphones. When you come to the A34 you won't believe the difference. Sure, you may find a better fidelity model out there (those very big ones) at the expense of looking like a DJ, but none as discreet and portable as this one.

At this point I must state clearly that I am not a Sony fan. In fact I've tried several other Sony headphone designs -expecting A34 performance- and they all let me down.

Now, you must admit that it's kind of weird that a brand like Sony keeps manufacturing a headphone model for a decade(*); they must have a good reason to do so and I bet this is sound quality.



(*) Although the specs have changed a little over the years: The frequency response of the original A34 was (18-22k)Hz whilst this recently purchased model claims (10-23k)Hz.

These is the best mobile headphones I've ever used.

Not because of sound quality (which is EXCELLENT), but because of fit, price, comfort, lightweight, durability and how it sticks to my head even when running. Not jogging - SPRINTING - as in to catch airplanes and buses.

Mine broke the other day after 3 long years of faithful service. If I didn't turn around fast and crush it against my desk while it was folded up in my pocket, it would probably last another 3 years. It sounded great with no buzzing (even at high volumes) right up until I broke it.

The cord's length is perfect, I keep my MP3-loaded PocketPC in my left front pants pocket. It's long enough but not too long, and never catches on anything.

As for the phones themselves, they go far enough into the ear to properly point the speakers forward, not merely inward like those annoyingly uncomfortable little bud things do (how they justify the price for those things, I'll never know).

As for allowing outside noise through, they do if you have them turned down low, but I can't tell what people are saying when listening to stuff at "normal" volume. In other words, they're just as good as ear buds without the annoying lack of comfort or ability to keep from falling out. They do let LOUD sound in, however, which can disrupt what you're hearing. For example, loud vehicles like buses driving past you at a bus stop will completely drown out what you're listening to. Small price to pay for the things sticking to your head like glue in great comfort for hours on end.

Sound quality is great. The larger speakers provide for a very well-rounded sound, not just treble and bass like most ear buds. Perfect for anything from music to talk radio.

The foldable design is a feature of importance to me because I'm a long distance commuter by bus and ferry boat (4 hours a day). Compact, portable and lightweight are very important to me, even more important than sound quality. Fortunately, I didn't have to sacrifice a bit of sound quality by using these over buds. These headphones give great sound, are comfortable, are lightweight, stick to your head even when running, and they're very compact and portable. And for 10 measly bucks!

You can have those over-rated, expensive buds and all the discomfort and "fallout" that goes with them.

Did I mention I am here on this web site right now to buy two more pairs of these?

Seriously, I've tried dozens of headphones over the years and they're all complete garbage compared to these amazing beauties. They've been making these same headphones for a decade-plus, but you just can't improve on perfection, can you pal?

Sure, they might break after a few years of constant use (AND ABUSE!!), but what what are they, like 14 bucks? Buy two pair you tightwad. What are you my grandma? You WON'T regret it. They're THAT good.

They have a classic and sophisticated, yet understated black color scheme-- you don't want to look like every Segway-riding clown wearing those white earbuds do you? You might as well be wearing a big sign on your face that reads "LOOK AT ME, I OWN AN IPOD."

Get with the program, turkey. These suckers are as light as a single lotus petal. Not like those gigantic over-sized DJ ones you see some techno Burning Man dudes wearing. The cords on the work of art that is the MDR-A34L are a stunning 3.9 feet. So even a tall gent like myself can sport them without fear of the plug popping out in mid breakdown. The cords on most headphones are a pitiful 3.3 feet-- who am I, Tim Conway as Dorf? Have you ever been listening to that part of "Dream On" when Steven Tyler's voice starts getting all high and everything and then the cord pops out? That will NOT happen with these amazing headphones-- guaranteed.

Oh yeah, the plug? Gold-plated. Take that, D. Trump.

Do Headphones have Sony Turbo(R) Acoustic Circuit? Yes, next question.

Are these Sony Headphones Wireless? Pass.

Do Neodymium magnets provide maximum energy with minimal size? Yes

Also, they fold up! I haven't even mentioned that bonus aspect yet have I? Yeah, go ahead and fold them up and pop 'em in your lil' pocket you got there. Like a previous reviewer mentioned, the folded size is about the size of a small candy bar. To be more specific I'd say they're roughly the size of Kit-Kat-- shorter than a pack of Sprees, but not as wide as a bag of Whoppers.

What part of "Sony MDR-A34L Vertical In-the-Ear Headphones with 3-Hinged Headband" don't you understand? Is it the MDR-A34L part? To be honest I don't really understand that part either. But, I do understand amazing sound & quality workmanship. I leave the technical aspects to the good folks at Sony
Electronics.

Pick yourself up a pair today. Your 12 gigs of Edgar Winter tracks will be thankful you did.

Let me explain to you that I am an audiophile in the first place. Sound quality is of the utmost importance to me. BUT, I also don't have an unlimited income as well.

I have owned and tried probably 20 different types and brands of headphones on the last 20 years and have not found anything remotely close to the value and sound quality of these excellent Sonys.

I primarily use these for running and they are very comfortable and loud with excellent bass response. If only Grado made a compact pair like these at the same price point.

I also fly all the time and have used the Bose QC2 and QC3 on the plane recently, but could never bring myself to purchase either ($300-$350) for the priveledge. They are the best at cancelling ambient plane noise but I made a direct comparison to my cheap little 34Ls and to myself the Bose sound quality was lacking. To me, Bose has always been a little midrange heavy with a lack of highs and lows. Now don't get me wrong the 34Ls aren't noise cancelling but because of their partial in the ear design they do block some outside noise. Nowhere to the extent of the Bose's, but in my opinion they did sound tonally better than the Bose, althought I had to play them louder.

I have even purchased some of the more expensive Sonys and they sounded far inferior with annemic bass.

In short, you can't go wrong with these at any price.

Sony better not discontinue them, idiots that they can be.

Update 11/2011

My recent MDR-A35g broke so now I don't know what to do, BUT I found these still available on Ebay! Hooray! One drawback though is that they are the short cord version. MAJOR drawback but with a Sony extension I am back in business!

I am pretty sure the drivers of the 35g and the 34L and 34s are identical. Get em while they last. I bought TEN!

I seem to have those kind of ears that most ear buds just fall out of - one side or the other always flops out, no matter which manufacturer I try. Regular headphones always seem to slide off my ears. It's been a hard life, I tell you. ;->

These headphones - hallelujah! - stay in my ears and sound great. I have definitely gotten value for my money, and I thank all of you who took the time to write reviews about them, because I bought them based on your recommendations.

I find that they're easy to fold and unfold, and very lightweight to wear. My Zen player happened to come with a black velvet storage bag, so they fit inside there with the player. But I would think that one of those small plastic ZipLoc bags should also do the job for those of you who don't have a similar item.

***Update -- What I said below is accurate, but these things fell apart (left speaker stopped working) after only a couple of weeks. I returned them and will not buy them again. I recommend not buying them if you sweat profusely during the activity with which you intend to use them, e.g., running.

Here is a little info that I hope will be helpful. I think I'll keep em, but I'll keep you posted.

Pros:
-- Sound is not too bad. Can't expect much for <$20. Compared it to my Grado SR-60s and Sennheiser PMX70s -- the sound is noticeably more muffled and less detailed, but the bass comes through pretty nicely. I really have no complaint given the price and comfort
-- Very lightweight
-- Comfortable; not too much pressure on your head, but still secure

Cons:
-- Copyright Sony 1998, made for Discman (seriously, right from the package!) Old school.
-- Cord attaches on both sides, so you give up a little bit of freedom, which isn't that bad.

Conclusion:
If you want audiophile sound, look elsewhere. If you want better sound and a secure fit for running, go with the Sennheiser PMX70s, but beware: the PMX70s are tighter on my head and tend to hurt more after a while. And if you want a good value, something portable, and more than decent sound, get these.

- Amazing sound quality for such a low price
- Fits very comfortably in your ear, the headband stays securely on and doesn't require those useless foam covers that inevitably come off
- Wish I had ordered two of these

Wonderful set of headphones - easy to transport - lightweight and great sound. I highly recommend!!