Seidio 2-in-1 InEar Isolator Noise-Isolating Earphones for Treo650/700 Review: Part II: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Published: 2006-03-28 - 23:15:00

Seidio 2-in-1 InEar Isolator Noise-Isolating Earphones for Treo650/700 Review

By Chris Boylan

Part II: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

As I mentioned in Part I of this quest, music-loving Treo 650 and Treo 700 owners now have several choices when it comes to buying a set of hybrid stereo headphones with integrated hands-free microphone for their beloved smart phones. The PalmOne model previously reviewed offers some advantages (namely, low cost and reliable, if basic, operation), but ultimately falls short in performance. The Seidio 2 in 1 Retractable InEar Isolator (MSRP: $69.95, street price $54.95) comes in toward the middle of the pack in pricing for these devices, and offers some unique advantages over the competition. But can it satisfy the tastes of a die-hard audiophile? Read on to find out.

Functionality, Comfort and Ergonomics

Seidio isn't wasting any money on fancy packaging.

The Seidio headset arrived at my door in a clear plastic baggie with no manual or instructions. Fortunately, it's pretty straightforward to operate (plug it in, turn the dial, press the button) so a manual is probably unnecesary. But still, I've gotten used to fancy hard-to-open packaging to accompany my electronics accessories. The plain plastic baggie gives an impression of cheapness that's hard to overcome.

The Seidio device, like the PalmOne hybrid headset, combines a set of stereo headphones with a microphone and a button. The button is what you use to switch between listening to music on your Treo's media player (e.g., RealPlayer, Core Player or Pocket Tunes) and taking or placing a call. As with other hybrid headsets, you need to have your Treo in silent (vibrate) mode in order to hear the ring of an incoming call through the headphones.

In addition to the call button, the Seidio device adds three very useful features: an in-line volume control dial, a clothing clip and an integrated cord-winder. The volume control, located in a small module that also houses the call button and electret microphone, makes it easy to adjust call or music volume without digging your Treo out of your pocket or belt clip. The cord-winder reduces cord clutter by allowing you to quickly pull up any unnecessary slack in the wire and to store the unit without fear of tangling.

As with the PalmOne unit, when a call comes in, you simply tap the button once to switch over to the call, then the Treo automatically switches back to your media player when the call completes.

The Seidio's button works properly with external control programs available for the Treo such as "Headset Controls" and "Magic Button." These programs allow you to use the call button to control your phone and/or media player with one or more presses to the button. Two quick presses might perform a "redial" when in phone mode or skip to the next or previous song when the media player is active. I use Headset Controls, which is fully customizable, and very handy for operating the Treo without fumbling around trying to take it out of its case.

Seidio's cord retractor allows the cord length to be adjusted from 18 to 46 inches.

The microphone worked reasonably well in normal use but you do have to make sure to clip it in an unobstructed location relatively close to your mouth in order to get the best results. After a few complaints from call recipients that my voice was too low, I found myself actually holding the mic next to my mouth from time to time, in order to get the best results.

The volume control worked well and placement near the microphone and call button was very convenient. Many of my MP3 files vary in level so it was extremely helpful to be able to adjust volume easily between tracks. Also, the cord retractor is a wonderful invention - I love being able to prevent excess cord clutter and to neatly store the 'phones away when not in use.

Like the PalmOne phones, the Seidios are placed inside the ear, and they are fairly comfortable. But unlike the PalmOne 'phones, the Seidio are designed to be "noise isolating." Noise isolating phones are supposed to fit very snugly in the ear canal (like earplugs) in order to block unwanted external sound from intruding on your enjoyment of music, videos, or callers with particularly sultry voices that may or may not charge $1.99/minute. This differs from "noise-canceling" headphones, which mute external sound via electronic circuitry.

In my experience, well-designed noise isolating earphones provide superior sound quality to traditional headphones, earbuds or noise-canceling phones. Their tight seal enhances bass response and minimizes external interference, allowing you to listen to music at lower volume levels while still catching every last detail. Unfortunately, these Seidio 'phones do not qualify as "well-designed noise isolating earphones."

The volume control, microphone and call button are well-positioned near the top of the cord, just below the earphones.

Performance/Sound Quality

Seidio 2-in-1 "High End" In Ear Noise-Isolating Headset.

The sound quality of these Seidio earphones was a real let-down. Unlike true high-end noise-isolating phones such as those made by Shure and Etymotic Research, the Seidio phones do not form a tight seal in the ear canal, so they block very little ambient noise. The bass response on these earphones is thin, the highs brittle and the midrange sounds as if a veil has been placed between the listener and the performers.

Listening to music for too long on these earphones leads to ear fatigue. They're not even labeled as to which earphone is left and which is right - this can be particularly annoying if you're watching video where spatial cues are embedded into the soundtrack and the audio doesn't match the on-screen action. I have to say, in terms of sound quality, these are easily among my least favorite headphones ever.

If you're an audiophile, I can only recommend the Seidio 2-in-1 noise isolating phones if you promise to cut off the actual headphone tips and solder on the tips from a pair of Shure or Etymotic Research 'phones instead. But then you may as well buy the less expensive earbud version of this 2-in-1 headset, also made by Seidio. In fact, Seidio makes these in a "headphone-free" version - a device that features the same cord retractor, volume control and microphone as these earphones, but it ends in a standard 3.5 mm jack so it accepts any pair of headphones. This unit will be covered in a future review.

Final Thoughts

I wanted to like the Seidio 2-in-1 phones. $55 is a pretty good price point for a highly functional hybrid device that allows you to easily move between music and media functions of the high-powered Treo smart phone. I loved the ergonomics of the cord retractor, the "Headset Controls" compatibility and the integrated volume control. But the sound quality - the most important single element - was just awful.

I can't recommend the Seidio 'phones, unless you're not at all picky about music reproduction, or are looking for a gift for someone that you don't actually like very much. Just be sure to remove them from the cheap plastic baggie and put them in a nice box.

Specifications:

Color: Black with silver accents on earpieces
MSRP: $69.95
Cord length: 18 inches to 46 inches (adjustable)
Phone/device compatibility: For use with Palm Treo 650/700w/Audiovox SMT 5600/HP iPAQ hw6500 Series/i-mate Jam/SP3/SP3i/PDA2/MDA II/Compact/O2 XDA II/IIi/II mini/Orange SPV C500/M1000/Qtek 8010/S100/S110/2020/2020i