For Denon, the respected manufacturer of headphones and stereo components, the concept of intentionally bass-heavy earphones is relatively new territory. Thus, we'll forgive the company for the Urban Raver AH-C300 In-Ear Headphones' somewhat ridiculous name, and its head-scratching product descriptions. ("Bone-jarring" and "brutally powerful" are two phrases that should never describe anything I'm about to put in my ears.) Thankfully, it's only the marketing that's brutal?like most Denon products, the Urban Raver ($$249.99 direct)??is a solid pair of earphones. It does indeed produce tremendous bass, so purists can probably stop reading now, but for bass lovers it's a treat, and it comes with enough accessories and innovative features, like on-ear phone controls, to take the sting out of the slightly inflated price.
Design
Luckily the Urban Raver doesn't look as ridiculous as its name would suggest, and the Denon logo is the only thing you'll find emblazoned on the earphones. It's easy to imagine the black and metallic pair sitting alongside recent visually pleasing, classy designs like the Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones ?or the Bose IE2 , both of which feature ear-stabilizers similar to the Urban Raver's. The earpieces are undeniably bulky, but they're lightweight, and provide a secure fit. However, over time, the fit can become a bit uncomfortable, and it's worth noting that the larger earpieces tend to push the cables against your jaw or cheek?a minor annoyance.
Denon throws in six pairs of silicon ear tips of various sizes, a pair of Comply foam eartips, and three total pairs of stabilizers in various sizes to ensure a secure fit. Also included with the earphones: a ?-inch adapter for larger headphone jacks, a detachable carabiner (a puzzling but harmless inclusion), and one of the sturdier, well-designed zip-up protective pouches we've seen.
The Urban Raver benefits from two notable design choices?a double-coated, tangle-free cable, and phone controls built into the right earpiece rather than the audio cable, which is the standard placement. This makes the cable less bulky (although this is presumably why the earpieces are?more?bulky), while Volume, Playback, Track Navigation, and Phone Calls are all handled by a click wheel that blends seamlessly with the overall design. Using it is simple and straightforward, and call clarity with the microphone, also built in to the right earpiece, is on par with the competition.
Denon also offers a free app for iOS and Android users called Denon Club. Like most apps from audio manufacturers, it is mostly unnecessary, as the menus for music on iPhones and Android devices are already pretty straightforward, but it includes an EQ adjuster and access to local radio streams.
Performance
Denon makes no bones about what the Urban Raver is here to accomplish: BIG bass. The rationale is that modern mixes tend to have more low-end presence, with some sub-bass frequencies that are all but ignored by many high-end manufacturers. The company took a page out of the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre ?playbook and added gobs of low frequency response to the equation. Fortunately, the Urban Raver provides ample clarity in the bass realm, as well, so things are never muddy, while the mids and highs are crisp and articulate?indicative of a more typical, less bass-heavy pair from Denon.
On tracks like the Knife's "Silent Shout," the deep bass electronic drum hits have serious presence, and even at maximum volume, there is no distortion?not that anyone should be listening at levels that high. Other challenging, bass-heavy and resonant tracks, like Thom Yorke's "Cymbal Rush," are presented clearly and cleanly with a serious low frequency push. It's safe to say that if you love electronic music, hip hop, or modern pop with deep bass in the mix, the Urban Raver will not disappoint.
If you favor a flat response pair, look elsewhere. On classical tracks, like the John Adams' piece, "The Chairman Dances," the lower register strings sound like they're playing through a subwoofer. A finely-tuned subwoofer with nice clarity, I should add, but a sub nonetheless. The brass and wood percussion may sound bright and clear, as well, but this is far from the balanced pair that most classical or jazz lovers?or purists?would pick out. If that's what you're looking for, start by checking out the review of the Etymotic ER-4PT .
But if you love bass, you deserve a pair that can deliver it, cleanly and intensely. Perhaps you don't want the bass to be "bone-jarring," which just sounds painful, but you want the added boost that a powerful subwoofer brings to the mix. The Urban Raver delivers this quite well, with a little more clarity than other bass-heavy pairs like the Monster iSport Immersion In-Ear Headphones. Throw in the excellent carrying case, the cool tangle-resistant cable, the on-ear controls, and the plethora of ear-fitting accessories, and it's easy to forget the name. The $250 price, on the other hand, seems a bit high for a pair of earphones that contorts the balance of the mix so drastically, but the aforementioned accessories make it all a bit easier to accept.
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