Design and features:Although this portable ear-insert model lacks active noise reduction, the ear plug-like design helps to reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. The earphones have very high sensitivity so they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with lower powered portable audio devices. The RE-300i has an inline volume control that works with iPads and some iPod and iPhone models, plus an integrated microphone and player function controls that are compatible with iPads, some iPods, and some iPhones and some other cellphones. The call connect/disconnect button can be used with some iPhones and some other cellphones. These earphones use a cable with a 4-contact mini-plug works with most mobile devices but may not be compatible with some other audio equipment. This model comes with two pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, a removable shirt clip, and ten earphone dust filters.
Sound quality: We found the RE-300i delivers sound quality that falls in the fair range, meaning that it has sonic shortcomings that leave a lot to be desired when listening to music but don't rule it out for dialog and communication. The overall sound can best be summarized as full, busy, and a bit choked. The bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but lacks a bit of detail. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is hazy, nasal, and a bit grainy. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended but upper treble is muted. While the sound has a decent sense of liveliness it is closed-in (sound-wise it is obvious that you have something plugging up your ears), congested (like a sonic traffic jam), and constricted (think straightjacketed).
Comfort: We found that these earphones stay in place with no problems, but they produce sense of pressure in the ear opening that might be uncomfortable for some and the small size of the earphone body makes them hard to grasp when trying to fit them. They require careful placement for some users to get the best sound quality.
