Sony MDR-G54LP

By Steve Guttenberg on 10/08/2007

More Sony reviews , RRP: AU$52.95

The good:

  • Street Style behind-the-neck headband headphones
  • Ultralight

The bad:

  • Not terribly comfortable

The bottomline:

Sony's affordable Street Style MDR-G54LP headphones offer high style and crisp sound.

Editors' rating:

5/10

Users' rating:

8.5/10

Design
Sony's redesigned Street Style headphones will stay put when you're blading, jogging, or just grooving to your music. Like other Street Style headphones before it, the Sony MDR-G54LP (AU$52.95 RRP) has an ultra-light design and wraps behind your neck instead of over your head, so the headphones won't mess up your painstakingly coiffed hairdo. Our only quibble from an ergonomic standpoint was that the headphones' clamp-style design applied a little too much pressure on the ear; the fit may be a little tight for some.

Features
The MDR-G54LP weighs almost nothing -- just 45g -- but it doesn't fold up, so it's more likely to be damaged when you stash it in your pocket or carry bag. The 1.5m-long cord is fitted with a gold-plated stereo 35mm mini-jack. On the inside, the headphone's streamlined silver ear cups house powerful neodymium magnets and 30mm drivers. Sony's Acoustic Turbo Circuit is said to deliver extended bass response.

Performance
For our auditions we relied on an iPod and a Jens of Sweden MP-110 MP3 player. The G54LP's sound was detailed and clear. Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones rocked with conviction, but we would have liked more bass. Our Sennheiser PX 30 headphones' sound was warmer and more laid back but lacked the resolution of the G54LP. However, the Sony model's aggressive tonal balance might be fatiguing over extended listening sessions.

The MDR-G54LP headphones offer a cool design and decent performance at a bargain price. But if you're a fan of the Street Style look, check out the MDR-G74SL, which adds a folding neckband and notably better sound quality. For an additional AU$20, the upgrade is a no-brainer.

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Mgamerz
09/01/2008, 07:36 AM

rating
9
/10

I've had these since I got them for my birthday. Recently the left speaker went out, and I want to get it fixed. (I've had them for at least 2 years)

Pros: It has great sound quality. Very stylish, comfortable, and a great price. They are very flexible, and have a nice rubber cord, making them not seem cheaply built. They can get REALLY load, almost a speaker.

Cons: Big, and the ear clips wiggle a little. I don't know if the left speaker going out was a con, but it might be that some snow got on the left speaker.

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kooka
25/08/2007, 03:00 PM

rating
8
/10

Bought these headphones last year and have survied londer than previous ones.

Pros: Good sound
Look Stylish

Cons: Don't fold up
Bulky

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