Pioneer unveils SE-CLX9 / SE-CLX7 canalphones

Joining all those other guys who have unveiled new earbuds recently is Pioneer, which has introduced two new sets that actually rely on different nozzles to adjust the sound. Granted, you could just use that built-in equalizer on your DAP to accomplish the same goal, but nevertheless, the SE-CLX9 and SE-CLX7 -- which look to differ only in the material they're constructed from -- both come bundled with five different tips that can be used for different genres of music. According to Pioneer, you'll find attachments (shown after the break) for High Tune 1, High Tune2, Standard, Bass Tune 1 and Bass Tune 2, and each pair also arrives with an extension cable and a carrying case. The duo is set to land next month, and while the aluminum-clad SE-CLX9 will cost ¥22,000 ($190), the less snazzy SE-CLX7 will demand just ¥12,500 ($108).

[Via AkihabaraNews]

[bjrcboy @ Oct 5th 2007 11:37AM]

I WANT THEM!

[Merrick @ Oct 5th 2007 11:48AM]

Sounds like a waste of time, money, and effort. I can't imagine anyone, although I'm sure there's someone, who would want to change out their earbud tips every time they change music genres.

[blevay @ Oct 5th 2007 12:10PM]

The irony is that anyone that would shell out $200 for earbuds (i'm thinking audiophiles, myself in that group i suppose) is not going to want to "tune" the sound.

I'm interested in how they stack up against the Shure flavoured ones.

[skant @ Oct 5th 2007 12:11PM]

shure is much better, specifically because of how rough i can be with my stuff. i've gone through over a dozen headphones in 3 years. shure are the only ones that provide the sound quality and the build quality to match my daily usage needs. panasonics, from my past experience are shit on both and while the sound might be improved, if i rip the cord within a month, it doesn't matter. i'll skip this, thanks

[Sahil @ Oct 5th 2007 2:51PM]

I think you read the company of these buds wrong. The buds are from Pioneer, not Panasonic. Also, how do you go through so many headphones? (I know you said you were rough with your stuff, but still 12 pairs over 3 years!)

[silvarga @ Oct 5th 2007 6:34PM]

I don't know what kind of Shure's you've got, but I've had 2 pair and both broke after about 9 months. And both broke in the same spot where the wire connects to the earbud.

If the connectors on these stay intact for over a year and don't leak sound, then I'm all for 'em.

[defresh_2000 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:20PM]

I really like the way the housings look just like the EQ knobs from their mixers, a la DJM600 or DJM3000.

[John @ Oct 5th 2007 12:30PM]

so instead of changing tips to get a good seal, you change tips to change the sound? baaad move.

[blevay @ Oct 5th 2007 1:51PM]

actually, from the picture it looks like they're different shaped doo-dads for fit as well as "sound". Maybe they're applied in combination to achieve "optimal fit+sound". Or maybe they're trying too hard.

[mcdj @ Oct 5th 2007 12:46PM]

Oscar The Grouch will pop out of them at any moment.

[Sahil @ Oct 5th 2007 2:55PM]

Everybody who is spazzing about the tips, if you look at the picture closely, you will see that the attachments are not the same as the earbud tips. They are completely different things, so no, you do not have to change the tips each time you wanna listen to a different genre because the attachments are not genre specific, but more for the tastes of different audiophiles who like to listen to deep bass, for example.

[Luijo @ Oct 5th 2007 3:36PM]

Real question is:
Do they fit on the iPhone?

[toronado455 @ Oct 5th 2007 4:26PM]

Yet another WIRED headphone. Just what we all need. More wires to fuss with.

Why is it that companies release wave after wave of wired headphones instead of putting the R&D into developing a wireless technology with high quality audio.

There are not too many things that I require to be wireless. I use a wired keyboard and mouse. A wired landline. But the one item that really NEEDS to be wireless is still undeveloped!

[allaina @ Oct 5th 2007 4:33PM]

no, i'm okay that they're wired. i STILL haven't found an in-ear sealing headphone that doesn't hurt my ears-- i have a pretty weird skin condition that leaves the inside of my ears burning the SECOND i put ANYTHING in them.

so, wired is fine. but are they going to be comfortable? or, you know, that's a big step, comfort... i'm just looking for a pair that i can stand to wear without my eyes tearing up.