FS1 Earphones offer good sound, aural protection
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Oct 24, 2005 at 10:27pm
The FS1 High Definition Earphones from XtremeMac are well-designed earphones for use with iPods and other devices that provide really “dialed in” sound for the iPod market. And they come with a variety of pliable foam “comfort sleeves” designed to fit comfortably in your ear and block distracting sound.
The physical design is from Future Sonics, which makes a variety of high-end earphones. One major factor in the FS1 is this: bigger sound at lower volumes. With all of the appropriate and important media attention on hearing issues with regard to iPod use, the Future Sonics/XtremeMac product offers the thing that most consumers listen for in their music—bass response. Armature-type drivers used in most products of this type—custom or universal—can’t achieve the dynamics, bass or natural quality of audio compared to the FS1.
As Macsimum News contributing Editor Frank Petrie has pointed out in previous reviews of Future Sonic earphones, you can hear every part of the audio spectrum, as opposed to some devices that are tin-y sounding or too mid-rangy. The Ears sound complete and round. The definition is very clear. You can pick out the effects quite easily. And the bass response is incredible.
Some of the included rubber earpieces may be uncomfortable for you. However, there’s a custom fit upgrade available for FS1 that makes them both completely personal and offers a fit that is longer lasting for those who might go through quite a few foam sleeves.
At US$149.95, the FS1 High Definition Earphones aren’t for everyone. But if you want high-quality, and protective, earphones for your iPod, you’ll want to check these out.
Macsimum rating: 9 out of 10
—Laura Sellers
Skooly D Says:
LOL - I think that listening is believing and I was amazed when I heard the Xtreme Ears at Apple Expo. I think it is more like finding the sleeve that works for you than assuming all of the sleeves should fit everyone. I was very impressed by the sound with the foam sleeves in that noisy hall and would use foam - but that’s just my ear size.
The comments above sound like someone’s jealous “damage control” since Xtreme sent out emails with ship dates of Nov. 1 and after a call to check status once I’d seen a review online I was told that only press models had shipped. If Dave C has a set already, I’d like to know how and why - Hey Dave! Do you get to keep yours? Did you send yours back?
Posted on October 25, 2005
Sprocket999 Says:
Although I do not use this brand of headphone on my iPod, I understand what the manufacturer is attempting to do and I commend them for it. Furthermore, I commend Laura for this very objective review. Thanx Laura.
Ears and earphone/earbud fit can often be frustrating to a consumer looking to get that level of instant satisfaction out of the box. I know that too well, as I’ve wrestled with this myself since the first ‘earbuds’ were available for the ‘walkman’ in the 80s.
Myself, I bought the ‘upgraded’ Apple iPod phones/buds and replaced the grey rubber flanges with flanges from some EarJams that I bought to ‘improve’ the iPod issued earbuds. The result is this ‘mad-scientist’ hybrid now look like something more from the Shure line, yet the sound REALLY full, I can wear them for hours and best of all . . . they don’t fall out.
So given what I had to go through, AND the expense of the trial-and-error, when I hear of a manufacturer who goes OUT OF THEIR WAY to provide satisfaction to their customers (like Future Sonics obviously is) I have to stand up and applaud their efforts. At the end of the day, it only takes ONE of ALL those options provided to make the customer happy. MOST would be very appreciative. And then there is Dave C . . .
Posted on October 30, 2005
P J S Says:
I appreciate what DaveC is trying to convey, and suggest he rethinks his little rant. The cost of the FS1’s is not related to the amount of “useless” silicon rubber tips, but rather it’s design and position in the market place. Basically, there was no way with ExtremeMac being involved in the chain, that Future Sonics were going to make a new design that cost the same as their original EM3’s, and cannibalise sales of it to those on a tight budget and where the colour is immaterial to them.
By providing the rubber tips, then ExtremeMac/Future Sonics have given their customers the choice to choose which they prefer, rather than dictating they will use foam only (EM3s) and like it or lump it.
Also, Laura suggested that the rubber ones MAY be uncomfortable for some - is that a lie?
I’ve had nearly every earphone on the market to review also, and of all of them that include silicon rubber tips, I’ve never liked it once. Foam is MY preference - but that doesn’t mean it’s everyone’s and to that end, I’m glad the manufacturers provide the alternatives, just in case. Foam cuts more of the ambient noise out, but again, this is not for everyone for a variety of reasons, and it’d be arrogant to expect them to be just like myself or Laura, and use the foam tips whether they like it or not.
I also take issue that you believe reviews get dictated by whether a company allows a reviewer to keep the review sample or not. This is generally not the case, since if it were, there’d be a lot of disgruntled people out there having bought something on the basis of a review, only to find it wasn’t remotely like the reviewed unit. It’s the fairest thing for all concerned - consumers (which we too are) and the manufacturers. If something is not right, or doesn’t do as it’s supposed to - we highlight that so everyone’s aware it exists, and whether it be design or quality control issues, it hopefully gets fixed.
Also, due to hygene reasons, the earphones are not asked for return, as they are pretty much unsaleable, and they are written off as an expense for the marketing of the product.
So, please be just a little less cynical and believe most reviewers have core values, just like you, of which integrity is but one.
Posted on November 26, 2005
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Dave C Says:
I’ve tried these earphones. The included earpieces are so amazingly uncomfortable, and the rubber ones *destroy* audio quality. They’re useless. The flanged earpieces actually block all sound unless I fidget and reposition them everytime I move my head. The only ones that are useful are the foam sleeves, and using those basically turns the FS1s into EARS EM3s minus the fancy “iPod colors.” So basically we’re being asked to pay $149 versus $99 (EM3 price) to get iPod colors and six sets of useless rubber earpieces. This is a joke.
Do you mention any of this in your review? No. Instead you give a 9/10 rating to a $150 product (which is essentially, in the context of your review, an upgrade to a $299 product - the iPod and its stock earbuds) which ships with 2/3 of its features in the “unacceptable” category?
Seriously, think about it ... These phones come with three kinds of earpieces. Two of the three are “uncomfortable,” as you put it—or useless, as I put it. And instead of taking the manufacturer to task for this, you suggest that users upgrade even further to custom-fit sleeves?
Let me guess—XtremeMac is letting you keep the review unit to use yourself, huh? Objective reporting at its finest.
Posted on October 25, 2005