Pocket headphones pack a punch
Going where you go, the Mode and Mode EQ from Marshall double as smartphone headsets
Two new models of in-ear headphones from Marshall – the Mode and Mode EQ – provide good sound quality despite their compact size.
They might not compare to Marshall’s full-sized headphones, like the Major and Monitor, when it comes to bass, but you do get clear sound, especially in the middles and highs.
The Mode and Mode EQ are designed for portability – they fit nicely in your shirt pocket, for example – so the loss of deep bass might be considered a worthwhile trade-off when you want to listen to songs on the go.
Both can also be used as smartphone headsets because they have remotes with built-in microphones. The remote has a clip to attach to that same shirt pocket. Click the control button once to answer or end a call and to play or pause your music. Click twice to fast-forward. Click three times to rewind.
The Mode and Mode EQ have similar sound quality, but the latter alone has an equaliser switch. You can choose between two sound set-ups. EQ I offers a warmer, more bass-heavy sound. EQ II is for those who prefer their music brighter, with the emphasis on the mids and highs.
Both the Mode and Mode EQ use 9mm drivers and have 39 ohms of impedance. The frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz. Both have good sensitivity at 99dB.
There are four different sleeve sizes to choose among depending on the size of your ears – small, medium, large and extra large. The earphones’ L-plug design offers a durable connection to the device. The plug is compatible with any music player that takes a 3.5mm jack.
I test the earphones with an Android smartphone and iPad I and found that both the Mode and Mode EQ reproduced clear sound with good detail in the instruments and vocals. They seem great for pop and other forms of easy-listening music.
With the iPad, the button for controlling the playback worked fine – various clicks moved me around the song menu as advertised – but with an Android phone I could not get back to the previous track.
The bass on the Mode EQ is adequate for enjoying rock music, though the members of AC/DC might wonder where the thump has gone on their latest album, “Rock or Bust”.
The Marshall Mode has a suggested retail price of Bt2,490 and the Mode EQ Bt3,490. They’re available at the iStudio and Gizzman shops and from Ash Asia at http://th-th.ashop.asia.
Key specs:
Driver: 9MM moving coil
dynamic speaker
Impedance: 39 ohms at 1Khz
Frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz
Sensitivity: 100m
