Incase Sonic Headphones

[rpmpv1]

Did a search and really didn't find much of anything about the Incase Sonic headphones here on AK. I bought these about 2 years ago through a LivingSocial deal (I believe they were about $40 with the deal when they were being sold for $100+ elsewhere) and I have to say, the longer I own them, the more they are growing on me. I've owned Sony MDR-7506's, JVC HARX900, and the Sonics. To me, the Sonics have a warmer, more natural tone than any of my other 'phones. I realize they aren't "audiophile" quality by any means, but they're extremely comfortable, with suede-like ear pads and a relatively low profile (at least for over-the-ear headphones). I recently went searching for them online, to see if I could pick up a pair for my girlfriend, only to find that Incase has bowed out of the headphone industry.. The remaining pairs online (most of them USED) are going for well over $100; way more than I paid 2 years ago! Does anyone else have these headphones? What are your guys' thoughts on these?

 

[BMWCCA]

I bought a pair on Woot about two-years ago when they were $49 because I'd seen them at the Apple Store and loved the form-factor and tactile material. I also was intrigued by the iPod controls. I used them once and put them away in the box, just preferring in-ears for the iPod and the Sonics didn't really impress me over my Sennheiser HD-280 Pros.

 

[rpmpv1]

Unfortunately, I don't think many people have given the Sonics a fair chance. Although some people will say headphone "burn-in" is BS and unnecessary, it's pretty much required for the Sonics before they really come into their own. I've probably put between 60-80 hours of listening into these phones and the highs, while they were initially pretty shrill, have tamed down a considerable amount and the Sonics have become decent headphones for listening at work. I've auditioned the HD-280 Pros and thought they felt really tight on my head compared to the Sonics, but maybe it's just my melon head!

 

[BMWCCA]

Unfortunately, I don't think many people have given the Sonics a fair chance. Although some people will say headphone "burn-in" is BS and unnecessary, it's pretty much required for the Sonics before they really come into their own. I've probably put between 60-80 hours of listening into these phones and the highs, while they were initially pretty shrill, have tamed down a considerable amount and the Sonics have become decent headphones for listening at work. I've auditioned the HD-280 Pros and thought they felt really tight on my head compared to the Sonics, but maybe it's just my melon head!

Did your Sonics "burn-in" or was it your ears?? :scratch2:

I have a big head (7-5/8ths Bell helmet or XXL Nolan) and I like the fit of the 280s. Maybe you need some "burn-in" time?

To some extent it's what you're used to.

 

[Bob Clobber]

I have a pair that are sound pretty nice driven by a Fiio X3 for portable music. Very comfortable. I think they compare with the Sennheiser Momentums, which is their offering for the iPhone crowd. The Momentums are twice the price, just to give people an idea as to why we are disappointed that Incase is out of the headphone business.

 

[rpmpv1]

Did your Sonics "burn-in" or was it your ears?? :scratch2:


To some extent it's what you're used to.

Well, they got a full 24 hours of burn-in with pink noise from my XLO reference disc and then at least 40-60 hrs of listening (at moderate volume levels) while working. Could it be placebo? I suppose so, but they sure sound more mellow to me now than they did when they were new. The highs seemed harsher on my 7506's than the Sonics, in fact. Maybe the Sonics are just too comfy for me to notice any real negatives haha.

 

[rpmpv1]

I have a pair that are sound pretty nice driven by a Fiio X3 for portable music. Very comfortable. I think they compare with the Sennheiser Momentums, which is their offering for the iPhone crowd. The Momentums are twice the price, just to give people an idea as to why we are disappointed that Incase is out of the headphone business.

You and me both! I'll agree I have heard better, and I have heard worse, but the comfort of the Sonics is really something... The only time I felt otherwise was when the air conditioning broke in my office building - those suede earpads aren't really made to handle sweat too well. I'd like to see Incase return to the headphones market, but I think Dr. Dre pretty much killed that possibility with his marketing, unfortunately.