Samsung EHS70

Samsung EHS70

Samsung, like Sony, recently jumped into the world of balanced armature earphones, a previously unexplored territory for both electronics behemoths. Samsung's EHS line has fewer options, most of which are more affordable than the Sony XBA lineup, with the EHS70 positioned as the middle-ground earphone pair in the range. At $79.99 (direct), it's significantly less expensive than the Samsung EHS71 ($129.99, 3.5 stars), which is marketed as Samsung's "refined sound" option. The EHS70 is billed as delivering "massive sound," but at high volumes, the pair distorts on deep bass tracks, whereas the EHS71 does not. Phone controls and a microphone are built-in, but they are intended for Android and Blackberry devices—they don't work well with the iPhone. DesignLike its big brother, the EHS71, Samsung's EHS70 keeps things simple from a design standpoint. The earpieces are cylindrical with a muted sheen that at some angles looks black and others looks more like gunmetal. These tones are mixed with brighter, more polished aluminum accents—though all of the outer materials on the earpiece are comprised of a lightweight aluminum alloy.