Earphone review that you can spend comfortably on the Shinkansen --Sleeper Loop / COTSUBU for ASMR

I found earphones that I can spend comfortably on the Shinkansen. Review "Sleeper Loop" (bottom left) and "COTSUBU for ASMR" (bottom right)

Before I got on the Shinkansen on a business trip to a distant place, I was a little worried about how to deal with noise in the car. I've touched on a lot of information on the latest earphones / headphones with work patterns and noise canceling functions, so you can just choose the one you like ...

To tell the truth, when I concentrate on something in the car, such as listening to music or reading a book, I often get overboard even on a regular train and get confused. Recent models equipped with noise canceling have significantly improved noise reduction effect, and in such a situation, it becomes an adversary. Even if you think, "Why don't you choose a train that ends at your destination?", It can be difficult because the options you can choose on a schedule are limited.

Is there a product that does not completely shut out outside sounds so that you can hear the necessary announcements (such as at the arrival station) while providing adequate sound insulation while spending time in the car? It's even better when you're done.

Therefore, I chose the wired earphone "Sleeper Loop" (actual sale 2,200 yen) and the completely wireless earphone "COTSUBU for ASMR" (6,980 yen, direct sales only). I actually used these in the Shinkansen train and tried them.

First, let's give a brief overview of the product. "Sleeper Loop" is an earphone for people who want to fall asleep while listening to music, a standard model of the so-called "sleeping phone" genre, the US ADV. Brand "Sleeping earphone" "Sleeper" (actual sale 1,900 yen) renewed However, it is a new model released in October. In Japan, it is handled by Miyaji Shokai MID.

The feature is that the silicon housing has been improved to a thinner and flat shape to improve the fit. It has a built-in dynamic driver to enhance the sound quality, such as extending the high-pitched sound reproduction capability up to 40kHz (Sleeper up to 20kHz). A new slide volume has been added to the remote control microphone provided with the cable, making it possible to adjust the volume at hand without having to mess with the connected smartphone.

I used to like Sleeper before, but maybe the cable was broken, and I couldn't make any sound, so I bought it again. As a countermeasure for the new Sleeper Loop, the shape has been changed to a softer and longer shape so that the part covering the stereo mini terminal is less likely to break. In addition, a function has been added that allows you to wind the cable around and pierce the stereo mini terminal into the loop-shaped parts for easy storage. If this is the case, you can expect to improve durability.

"COTSUBU for ASMR" is a complete "ASMR exclusive" released in November from its own brand "ag" by final, which handles various earphones from low-priced but well-established wired models to high-end models. Wireless earphones.

It adopts a sound quality design for ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: content that pursues comfort obtained from whispering and environmental sounds, unlike music), which is enjoyed these days for the purpose of introducing sleep and relieving stress. The feature is. Since the announcement, it has been attracting attention because it is a product aimed at making the final wired earphone "E500", which is gaining popularity among ASMR fans, completely wireless. However, because it is a fairly niche product, it is currently sold only at the final official store and the directly managed store "final STORE".

It is extremely compact and lightweight, weighing about 3.5g on each side, and the Bluetooth codec is compatible with AAC, which is suitable for iPhones, and aptX, which is often used in Android smartphones, and has sufficient connectivity. Equipped with a MEMS microphone and cVc noise canceling function, it can be used for hands-free calling. It also supports "one ear mode" that can be used with only one ear.

Now, let's actually use the two products in the Shinkansen "Nozomi" that runs between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.

First from Sleeper Loop. The ear canal of the author (male in his 30s) is often a perfect fit with the M size earpiece in the middle, which is often attached to earphones as standard, and the Sleeper Loop could be attached without any problem. As it is a compact canal type (earplug type), it fits well in the ear canal. Because the housing is thin and flat, there is little protrusion from the ears, and it does not hurt even if you are in a position to press your ears against the headrest of the Shinkansen.

There is no noise canceling function, but when I put it on, I felt that the jarring noise of "going" was well suppressed. It doesn't completely shut out the noise, so you can hear it faintly with the feeling of "ko ...". However, this is enough for me personally to use it in a car that is not good if I sleep soundly. It seems to be useful when you are worried about air conditioning noise in your room.

Since the cable is attached, it is also important that it is hard to get out of your ears. It is suitable for smartphones with earphone output and portable audio players, but if you use a conversion adapter, you can connect it to the USB Type-C terminal of your smartphone or the Lightning terminal of your iOS device.

Please note that this earphone is not suitable for people who regularly use S size or L size earpieces because the main body and earpieces are integrated and cannot be replaced.

Next is COTSUBU for ASMR. This is also an M size earpiece that comes with it from the beginning and is perfect for my ears. The size of the earphone is larger than the Sleeper Loop because the battery and board are packed in the earphone body, but it does not come out of the ear more than I expected, and it is stable even if I shake my head. As with the Sleeper Loop, the noise inside the car, which is annoying to the ears, was suppressed and it was comfortable when it was just fitted to the ear canal.

It's completely wireless, so it's very convenient that you don't have to run cables. The continuous playback time is up to 5 hours, and the battery life is reasonable. You can use it for up to 20 hours including the case if you put it in the charging case except for the travel time. In addition, it is IPX4 waterproof, so you don't have to worry about getting wet in light rain. It may not be suitable for people who tend to drop or lose small items such as earphones, but the manufacturer allows you to purchase only one earphone if you lose it within the warranty period. that's right.

However, when using COTSUBU for ASMR, I was sometimes worried. For example, if you put it on your ear and press it against the headrest, your earlobe will touch the touch sensor of the main unit and you will be able to operate it without permission. The power will be turned off. Due to the specification that the power is turned off by pressing and holding the touch sensor for about 3 seconds, there should be many people who lie down and enjoy ASMR content, so I would like to improve here (There is no smartphone application for the COTSUBU series, touch operation Cannot be customized). This is also the same as the base model COTSUBU (6,480 yen). By the way, the smooth texture of the powdered snow paint finish is nice, but I'm also worried that the charging case may be slightly discolored or dirty.

Finally, about the sound quality impressions of both products. If you listen to some songs for sleep introduction on Apple Music, it seems to match classical piano songs and songs with simple sounds, and you can enjoy a gentle and gentle sound. While I was doing the audition test for this article, I was about to fall asleep (although I was on my way home to Tokyo so I don't have to worry about falling asleep).

In particular, the Sleeper Loop has a brighter and clearer sound than the conventional Sleeper, and even considering the difference in the actual selling price (about 300 yen), the Sleeper Loop is recommended. On the other hand, COTSUBU for ASMR is still ASMR content, especially the sound making that specializes in human voice, so even if you listen to the song, you will feel as if you are singing near your ears. Depending on the content I listened to, I felt that I was slowly taken to the world of sleepiness, which was excellent.

Sleeper Loop and COTSUBU for ASMR are both earphones for special purposes intended to be used relaxedly, so if you listen to music as usual, you can say "gentle and fluffy sound". If you change it, you will feel that the resolution is not so high and the sound is neat.

But, of course, it doesn't mean that the sound is intentionally bad. The earphones are finished with a mellow sound that does not irritate your ears, such as when you fall asleep, so if the concept of the product matches how you use it, you will be very happy. When asked, "Do I need to buy more earphones for that purpose?", I would answer "yes" without hesitation.

For those who are looking for earphones for this purpose, we recommend both of them, considering that they have a soothing sound, high sound insulation, and an easy-to-buy price range. Which one to choose should be decided in terms of usability, such as the taste of sound creation and the presence or absence of a cable. I bought both of them, so when I lie down, I use Sleeper Loop, and when I want to sit comfortably on the sofa and be healed by the voice of others, I use COTSUBU for ASMR. ..

In addition to these options for "sleeping headphones" and ASMR content, which are close to the two products featured this time, Bose's sleep wearable device "Bose Sleepbuds II" and ASMR sound source dedicated equalizer are also used, although they are a little pricey. There is ANIMA brand complete wireless earphone "ANW01" that can be done. For those who want to sleep while on the move, or want to cut noise even if they can't hear the sound, there are JVC and Sanwa Supply's completely wireless digital earplugs, so please find the one that suits you. ..

Last but not least, when using earphones while traveling or sleeping on public transportation, it is better to pay attention to the playback volume, the length of listening time, and the cleanliness of the earphones. If you keep listening at a loud volume for a long time, you may have "earphone deafness", and if you do not maintain it properly, you may get otitis externa, so it is safe to keep it moderately, such as avoiding long-term use.