Perhaps a good way to share how these sound is to describe my impressions on a number of songs, starting with the live Hell Freezes Over version of “Hotel California.” The song has a fabulous multi guitar beginning, and sounds really great on the 1More buds. You can hear the squeaking of the strings early on. The guitars and the vocals are pretty far forward sounding, compared to my high end speakers. Glen Frey’s voice sounds like Glen Frey! For those familiar with this (my favorite) version of “Hotel California.” After the acoustic opening, the drums kick in. Wow! Well, at least Wow, compared to my Apple or JVC ear buds.
That first bass kick drum entrance, really is pretty tight. The other percussion instruments have a clear high end. There’s a bit of sparkle to top hats, cymbals, etc, that on my apple buds definitely come across muted, much harder to pick out. I’d say that the upper mid-range is down a few db from the lower and mid-mid range, so not as forward, almost a little distant compared to the male vocals. That’s definitely my conclusion from listening to some Adele! Overall, listening to “Hotel California” on these, is likely to really surprise someone who just heard the song on low cost ones. Ultimately there is a bit too much upper bass, but not bad, not bad at all! Those of you who have never owned good buds or headphones, or serious speakers, will probably get to experience a “Live and learn” moment.
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Moving on to Florence and the Machine – her voice definitely not as forward as the Eagles. Listening to her “Seven Devils” with its very busy opening and lots of effects, the buds manage to do a good job of still revealing a lot of detail. The upper bass again shows up a bit strong, but, doesn’t overwhelm the other instruments or Florence’s voice.
Then there’s an old favorite of mine. Lots of vocal tracks laid on top of each other – Grace Slick and the (recently) late Paul Kantner of Jefferson Starship. The song “A Child is Coming” is a gorgeous vocal demonstration, one I really could enjoy on these.
Next is an old favorite of mine. Lots of vocal tracks laid on top of each other – Grace Slick and the (recently) late Paul Kantner of Jefferson Starship. The song “A Child is Coming” is a gorgeous vocal demonstration, one I really could enjoy on these 1More buds. This song just doesn’t cut it on the usual Apple buds. (It will be interesting to see if Apple’s just announced wireless ear buds at $159 can compare, but then I suspect we’ll mostly be paying for the wireless not the sound quality.)
Finally, a real change in genre, and just for fun, I threw Holst: “The Planets: Mars” at these buds. That is one dynamic classical piece, that is tough on any speakers or headphones. The detail was very good, and they didn’t mush up on the big crescendos. Even the big bass note came across reasonably well. Mars could be considered a torture test. I wouldn’t even bother to listen to them on lesser buds or headphones. This is a piece that is a challenge for my reference monitor speakers, and while they do a much better job, the piece is fully enjoyable for someone who cares, with the 1More E1001s.
It’s worth noting, that I’m writing this review shortly before landing on a long international flight. I’ve been listening to music on these buds on and off, but for a total of at least 5 hours. If I tried that with my Apple earbuds, my ears would be in pain long ago. Even better, although no match for large heavy, noise canceling phones like those of Bose or Dr. Dre, the 1More’s block out a large chunk of the background noise. Only on soft passages do I notice background 777 engine noise. Well, when that background noise is jet engines, the improvement in the experience compared to most typical buds is outstanding!
Of of course, the E1001 buds really do sound good, especially on vocals, and blues (love the bass lines on these). That’s not to say they aren’t great on my every day rock and roll and alt rock music. I confess to not really listening to any classical music with these, except Mars, which I put on, during the flight, while finishing this review. I don’t listen to classical very often, but when I do, it’s always in front of my massive “audiophile” quality speakers (IMF Reference Standard Professional Monitor MKIVs, if anyone cares – arguably they were the best conventional speakers in the world back in their day, and were widely used in studios, especially in Europe.
Get the 1More Triple Driver Premium Earbuds on Amazon.
Art's been reviewing high tech products and editing their reviews for 15 years. He launched his first website presenting solutions.com (sold in 2003) in early 1995 when there were only a few thousand .coms. He launched ProjectorReviews.com in 2000, and started planning Smarterhomeautomation.com back in 2011.
Art's goal is to provide in-depth reviews on the latest and hottest products that fit into the Smart Home, aka Home Automation, as well as insightful articles to educate people into what's available, what makes the most sense, and where the market is going, so people can better plan, and implement their goals for energy efficient, convenient, and downright "cool" capabilities.
Ancient history: Born in Allentown PA, Graduated 1972. Sold and managed stereo stores (and did a little surfing) in the early, mid-70's before getting into computers and more AV. Managed the first computers store in Pa, starting in 1979 (not the first manager). Moved to selling computers to major accounts. Then moved west to SF area, for a four year stint with Epson starting in 1982, then left for one of the early large venture backed start-ups in the Silicon Valley - Presentation Technologies. Left there to start up Presenting Solutions, which became the first projector focused reseller on the internet (Jan 1995). Married Lori in 1990, and have been enjoying our daughter Lisa, since 1992! Presently living, and working in San Clemente, CA.
