Hi Guys.....

Set the Right Tone


What is the fastest way to gain recognition in a segment dominated by premium brands renowned for superlative products that are held in high regard? For newcomers, a common strategy would be to price products cheaply. However, this will be playing into the stereotype of "cheap can never be good", which is unwise in marketing terms. Indeed, rarely will you find a product that is both cheap and good, especially when it comes to audio equipment. Not so with the Crossroads Sport Earphone Mylarone (based on the OVC TC20) it seems. This is a pair of in-ear-canal earphones which, if you bothered, will very likely be one of the most rewarding purchases you will have ever made.

Looks don't matter

Due to the technical nature of in-ear-canal earphones, there is not much in the way of build materials for product designers to flex their understanding of contemporary industrial design. Therefore, unlike your conventional earphones, in-ear-canal earphones are almost always basic looking, rarely decorated with flashy trimmings or penned with bold design cues such as those of Audio Technica products, for example. The Crossroads Mylarone conforms exactly to this design (or lack of) principle, packaged and sold to consumers around the world in its raw functional form.

Good audio beckons

Because of its unassuming form, it's unlikely anyone will be expecting the Mylarone to sound amazing at first impression. This is not helped by the small paper packaging that it comes in. There really is nothing much from its plastic buds and packaging to suggest that you are actually looking at something with a high return on investment. Nevertheless, if you are like us who are not bothered by superficial packaging, then your persistent interest in the Crossroads Mylarone will soon pay dividends.

Before you soak up our comments however, we ask that you take a minute to clean your mind of the age-old consumer culture of price to quality ratio. Yes, you may have heard of people paying exorbitant sums for high-end earphones/headphones, but occasionally, that valued quality can be had very affordably.
Behold and be impressed

Judging by its 3.5mm earphone jack, the Crossroads Mylarone was clearly designed with portable players in mind. Having broken in the earphones a few days earlier, the Mylarone was tested by spending a few hours listening to a myriad of digital tracks we were familiar with from a Creative Zen Micro player and a Pioneer CLD-704 Laserdisc player (Audio CD). The audio quality was very encouraging to say the least.

Without amplification or any modulation from DSPs, the general audio quality of the Mylarone is best described as bright. Compared to the Creative ZEN Aurvana that we happened to have at the time of testing, the Mylarone was audibly more dynamic and returned far less colorations. Strings and synthesizer effects, admittedly, sounded a tad harsh, reminding us somewhat of the vented GR-80 from Grado. Bottom end was a little muddy for our liking; we couldn't help but feel it could have been tighter.

With a portable amplifier thrown into the mix, the Mylarone, rated at 16ohms impedance, immediately produced an audio quality of a different body (pun intended) altogether. We were treated to a stark improvement in response for mids and lows, with the overall quality sounding warmer, which is good news for listening for hours on end. Low frequencies sounded noticeably weightier while highs were not as shrill as before. It's as if we were listening to a different pair of earphones. The pair of rubber eartips worked fairly well at keeping the earbuds in place and blocking out ambient noise.

What a journey...

Instead of beating around the bush to tell you how incredibly value for money the Crossroads Mylarone is, we'll just put it to you plainly: it will make you rue ever buying earphones off the racks of electrical supermarts. Its blend of audio quality and value will make you realize how unwise you've been spending your money on audio gear. The best part however, is its low price of USD$32. Don't just take our word for it though, go test it out and be the judge for yourself.




Product Specifications

Driver Unit: 9mm Mylar speakers
Frequency Response: 20Hz ~ 22KHz
Impedance: 16ohms
Sensitivity: 104db ±5db
Rated Power: 2mW
Max. Input Power: 10mW


Quoted from http://www.hardwarezone.com/news/view.php?id=6387





Club is formed..pls updates us for the comparison, combination and etc etc with other parts...how is it amped with this that amps???

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Added on February 19, 2007, 9:58 pmReviews(first hour playing with it)
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First 5 minutes for listening on this baby.....i decided to buy one for myself....
How i decided???
as i have no any high end headphone to compare now, so i used the Koss KSC75 to fight with this baby...Koss KSC75 really dissapointhing me...totally lossed....not overall...loss in DETAIL...
important notices....i tried w/o amped...tml i will let to have a details listening.. and i think he will do a reviews which compare this baby with his AL inmotion716....as i had also tried AL inmotion....for me to choose btw this two....i will choose this without any doubts...no offences...the quality is in same range....
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Koss KSC75 vs Crossroad Mylar One....

High Frequency

the high is definately higher than KSC75, somehow is really high to somehow u can fell the power of the singer....as i m a loud listener....so i feel a bit of supprise with the high as i m not prepared on it... ..when this song come back to KSC75...it doesnt make me supprise again as i cant feel the high at all...so with this baby i know wat is the DIFFERENCES of High...

Mid-range
the midrange for this baby is nice as i could tell u..but one thing i could tell u is....u cna feel the scrath of the guitar sound clearly....do u all get wat i means...this is the thing i wan to tell u and this is the second suprise for me....i thought oni those high-end headphone oni came with this sounds....but then this baby have it as well...

Low Frequency
if u are a bass lover...i would tell u this is not ur tastes as i felt this baby doesnt simply come out with a lot/plenty of bass...the bass is tight and sorry to tell again....Koss totaly no fight....bass is nice for a music listener or audiophiles...not for DISCO man.....the bass is jz nice for me and i would not listen to a lot of basssss........for music....is really more than enough....

Seperation
the seperation is nicer than KSC75....sory i really dont mean to condem KOSS...sorry...this baby make me feel the seperated for the music instrucment...with the giutar u can really feel it is a guitar...or either a piano....and another suprises is the instrument of Low frequency...like the Big Drum..u really can feel it and it is nice like real..the Third supprises....The seperation of Music instrument...is really like right infront of u....especially for all the Drums...either low or high...

Colourful of Music
when i listen to this baby...and i change back to Koss..no doubt...i feel down again...is too much of differences....it is some source like MS2i...got a bit of touching...because u can feel the story....but not as much like MS2i...tat one 1k plus leh....


Conclusion
With this prices....RM130(second Batch onwards)..it worth its prices....the sound is bright..but a bit of dark(first trying)..but afterthat.....u will never fell any dark....this is wat i felt...with this much of Suprises...i deciede to buy one of this BABY.....and i think i may choose this which compare to CX300...as SENXXxER somehow is like "eat brand"..

this is jz my own opinion...wish this reviews help u all.....

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Added on February 19, 2007, 10:02 pmA small review





The appearance have might have changed, sound signature has been tweaked. One thing remained the same; audio bliss!

The CrossRoads MylyarOne could only get better and will hold up the contender for the best Price-to-Performance value for the year. Many would say the CrossRoads MylarOne from Korea is the evolution of the OVC TC-20, repackaged to deliver better performance and quality to the deserving consumers.



Colour identifications indicating the sides have been made during manufacturing, to clearly the Left (Blue) and Right (Red). No more problems of the microscopic L and R indentifications. A drawing sleeve has been inserted at the Y-cord for adjustments to your comfort when on the move.



Accessories includes a small carry pouch, a cable wrap and additional Medium and Large eartips for the set. The small ear tip is fitted onto the earphone as default. In addition, the CrossRoads MylarOne includes a hard carry case and a clip for attachment to the cables.



Before I set into an analytical listening, I allow the earphone to run-in for a few good minutes. I will be running the earphone direct from the iPod Mini. I will be experimenteing with music of various genres. Music used for the test is ripped from audio CDs at MP3 320kbps.

I compared the TC-20 with MylarOne (A - B compasion) and discovered that the differences are actually quite presentable. At first listen, the MylarOne seemed to be of a darker and profound sound signature than the TC-20 which delivers the feeling of light and breeze in the music.

From the CrossRoads MylarOne, it performed:
- More spacious in panoramic presentation.
- Better resolution, dynamic and weighted body.
- Relatively balanced delivery of tones in the sound spectrum.
- More responsive in terms of resolution to volume change.
- Smooth vocals and soothing highs.
- Much deeper and contrasting bass section.



Once again like many people would agree, the CrossRoads MylarOne is definitely worth a good buy for the price and superb for the performance. What remains will forever be audio bliss.


[Another review quoted directly from HWZ]

What is the fastest way to gain recognition in a segment dominated by premium brands renowned for superlative products that are held in high regard? For newcomers, a common strategy would be to price products cheaply. However, this will be playing into the stereotype of "cheap can never be good", which is unwise in marketing terms. Indeed, rarely will you find a product that is both cheap and good, especially when it comes to audio equipment. Not so with the Crossroads Sport Earphone Mylarone (based on the OVC TC20) it seems. This is a pair of in-ear-canal earphones which, if you bothered, will very likely be one of the most rewarding purchases you will have ever made.

Looks don't matter

Due to the technical nature of in-ear-canal earphones, there is not much in the way of build materials for product designers to flex their understanding of contemporary industrial design. Therefore, unlike your conventional earphones, in-ear-canal earphones are almost always basic looking, rarely decorated with flashy trimmings or penned with bold design cues such as those of Audio Technica products, for example. The Crossroads Mylarone conforms exactly to this design (or lack of) principle, packaged and sold to consumers around the world in its raw functional form.

Good audio beckons

Because of its unassuming form, it's unlikely anyone will be expecting the Mylarone to sound amazing at first impression. This is not helped by the small paper packaging that it comes in. There really is nothing much from its plastic buds and packaging to suggest that you are actually looking at something with a high return on investment. Nevertheless, if you are like us who are not bothered by superficial packaging, then your persistent interest in the Crossroads Mylarone will soon pay dividends.

Before you soak up our comments however, we ask that you take a minute to clean your mind of the age-old consumer culture of price to quality ratio. Yes, you may have heard of people paying exorbitant sums for high-end earphones/headphones, but occasionally, that valued quality can be had very affordably.


Behold and be impressed

Judging by its 3.5mm earphone jack, the Crossroads Mylarone was clearly designed with portable players in mind. Having broken in the earphones a few days earlier, the Mylarone was tested by spending a few hours listening to a myriad of digital tracks we were familiar with from a Creative Zen Micro player and a Pioneer CLD-704 Laserdisc player (Audio CD). The audio quality was very encouraging to say the least.

Without amplification or any modulation from DSPs, the general audio quality of the Mylarone is best described as bright. Compared to the Creative ZEN Aurvana that we happened to have at the time of testing, the Mylarone was audibly more dynamic and returned far less colorations. Strings and synthesizer effects, admittedly, sounded a tad harsh, reminding us somewhat of the vented GR-80 from Grado. Bottom end was a little muddy for our liking; we couldn't help but feel it could have been tighter.

With a portable amplifier thrown into the mix, the Mylarone, rated at 16ohms impedance, immediately produced an audio quality of a different body (pun intended) altogether. We were treated to a stark improvement in response for mids and lows, with the overall quality sounding warmer, which is good news for listening for hours on end. Low frequencies sounded noticeably weightier while highs were not as shrill as before. It's as if we were listening to a different pair of earphones. The pair of rubber eartips worked fairly well at keeping the earbuds in place and blocking out ambient noise.

What a journey...

Instead of beating around the bush to tell you how incredibly value for money the Crossroads Mylarone is, we'll just put it to you plainly: it will make you rue ever buying earphones off the racks of electrical supermarts. Its blend of audio quality and value will make you realize how unwise you've been spending your money on audio gear. The best part however, is its low price of USD$32. Don't just take our word for it though, go test it out and be the judge for yourself.

QUOTE(Aquanox28 @ Feb 22 2007, 06:24 PM)
I got it this morning too. Mine was sent using DHL. Working perfectly now. I do not have many earphones to compare with. Plus, I'm not really good with reviewing stuff. So, I'll try my best. It sounds clear and crisp. I think it's better than HPM-70. Bass is great too. tongue.gif Isolation is ok but it will not 100% block out all the surrounding noise. Also, great looking hardcase too rclxms.gif thumbup.gif

Walabie is also a responsible seller as he always update me with the status of my goods. Thanks Walabies for making this trade successful rclxm9.gif rclxm9.gif


Reviews from Walabies...

I am writing this comparison based on my little experience on IEMs and newbie in audiophilia valley. So don't take them as a good guide. laugh.gif So please think every sentence as "In my opinion".

Generally, Crossroads Mylarone and IM716 are way better than most of the IEMs I listened, unamped, including the ER6i, ER4, E2C, UM1, CK7... And lots you can name them. Don't feel offended if you guys owned them, it's "in my opinion".
Mylarone has darker sound signature, big opposite to KSC75, some airy bit in the soundstage presentation, nice transient and tons of quality bass, very sweet mid range and the extension to the highs is quite impressive. The package contains all the stuffs you need, a cable manager, a shirt clip, a hard case etc. You can feel how thoughtful is the manufacturer to the users. Comparing to its twins, TC20, mylarone shines in it's bass and the body feeling in the music.
In contrast, IM716 is very neutral, lack some bass in HD mode, refined and high resolution with good separation. Everything is presented in a very natural way and balance in along the sound spectrum.

Mylarone vs IM716
To start the ball rolling, we start with the design of these IEMs k? I voted Mylarone undoubtly for it's design. With the cable management and clip, I can easily keep the cables in shape and doesnt daggle around my body. The red and blue phone may seems odd to someone, but an immediate recognition to the left and right drivers is a big plus. Who cares about the colour as long as it delivers nice musics to your ears. Mylarone comes with 3 size soft flexes, which is a type softer than what I am selling with slightly 'greasy' feel. It pops in your ears easily, even a new user knows how to pop them in to get a good seal. In comparo, the IM716 just sucks, long cables, the volume control is very low on the cable, which I don't know where I should clip it. Making the two cables connecting to the drivers daggling and pulling my IEMs. Sometimes I will accidently hooked the cables onto something and it just being pulled out by 'outer forces' from my ears. The tri-flanges is a PITA to wear. Poking deep into your ear drums. I double flang mod is the way to go, foamies just dont fits my ears. White cables is also not an ideal colour for portable IEMs.

As for isolation, IM716 wins hands down. Maybe due to the tri flange I am using. More isolation is good for hearing more details. The soft flex of Mylarone doesnt isolate as much noise from the soft flexes. I havent tried the bi-flange mod which can be used on Mylarone's big sized drivers.

As for the SQ, I think I discussed some above, so it depends on what sound signature you prefer. I will just do some small comparison here. Mylarone just have a nice amount of quality bass as oppose to IM716's lacking of bass in HD mode. Bass mode in IM716 just lowered the resolution of the music, which I have to switch in between HD and bass mode so freqently in order to suit the music played. Tedious job... Both of them has good staging, but Mylarone is more spacious and IM716 has slightly better transperancy. IM716 has better resolution and separation, which I have to agree, but Mylarone wont lose too much in this field.

IM716 is very very amp hungry, lack of bass and it WILL sound grainy in the extreme highs, In order to remedy this, it has to be amped with correct amp. I tried to amped it with LD2+ and it sounds just very thin sad.gif Tried the LDM it just cures the grainy extreme highs problem, but the bass is still lacking. Finally found a better amp, xtra-1, and the result is -->" smile.gif " to me. Got the bass what I want.
As for the Mylarone, the improvement wont be so obvious but amping it does definate improvement in the resolution and body of the music. Good for those who doesn't wants to carry a bulky amp around.

Some may think Mylarone is slightly lower grade than IM716, but just think of the price gap, what more do you want?
cool.gif cool.gif cool.gif


Review from MR. Syxo
first five minutes listen to it i'm feeling nothing..maybe this stuff quite cheap compare to shure,westone or UM brand..but after wearing it for 5 hour without felling any pain,my head start BANGING coz the the bass going tight and tight..and the result shocking me after i burn it 24 hours non stop..last word for this da** good baby is..U HAVE TO BUY IT


Piece of advise, the phone looks quite fragile to me so is you want to take it out from your ear, don't pull from the wire

This post has been edited by yuheng: May 1 2007, 03:04 PM

Reserved this for the user list la...

Lol, directly quoted my post.

topic..affordable neh...

Affortable to many of you guys here I believe.
Or else you wont be browsing audiophile forums.

well, if the performance is on par with the IM716, this is definately in the affortable range.

hmmmmmmmmmm, contemplating.

I was saving money for ER4/E500

, maybe i should try this one first? Anyone from Penang who owns one?

This post has been edited by LittleGhost: Feb 20 2007, 12:48 PM

gah..got my tc-20 a tad too early heh..but no regrets...might get one of these later

Will do a review based on IM716 two days later, recently quite busy.

Lol, ER4 is a good buy but the price difference is far beyond this one.
It's cheap maybe you can just give it a shoot.

Both have some slight different sound signature. Read some reviews.

So fast .. Fans Club exist...
waiting to get mine ..

Hopefully can get mine soon enough to give some reviews on general..

This post has been edited by ATI.Bob: Feb 20 2007, 10:41 PM

wahahahaha......i think some user will get the stk tml ..so we wait for a nother reviews loh...lolz....walabies will do the comparison between inmotion and maylar one soon........lolzzzzzz

If they are better than the ovct20 then it is definitely a better buy. Thumbs up for cheap and good products

Btw anyone here really done AB comparison? Are they really that obvious the difference? Now I regret a bit getting the ovc

i'll conduct an AB test with my SR80 and K701 during the March meeting. I got a feeling this IEM may have better overall sound quality than my SR80 (from how walabies described it).

@walabies, if crossroad mylar one sounds better than inmotion , can i buy one brand new mylar one, and then exchange the inmotion with you??? =P

wahahaha
wat for he needed for 2 inmotion...
from wat i think...inmotion is still better...
but then mylarone is good enuf with its prices...
btw...exchange the inmotion with me... i will sell it for money ...

no u got me wrong, since mylar one is better so i willing to take the inmotion and buy him a brand new Mylar one as exchange. =)
if i got the inmotion i won;t sell it for money . lol

wahahaha.....totaly wrong .....wahahahaha...
but he like his al inmotion so much....
so...i think...
maybe...
nx life loh....

hey yuheng, how's the isolation of the Mylar One? Comparable to the IM716?

Feel like getting one for portable use.

isolution still im716 better lah...cos tat one using 3 layer one mah...this one oni one layer..but it do come with 3 size3 sleeve loh....but then the sound quality is superb where the price is really low...


Tight Bass...
Supriced High frequency...
good guitar sound...
colorful incrument....


if u wan to really compare to AL716...still tat one better lah...
but then i will feel maylarone is good enuf for a portable liao loh...
i would sayAL716 = 100%
maylarone = 85%

This post has been edited by yuheng: Feb 21 2007, 08:21 PM