This review was originally published in the iLounge Holiday Buyers’ Guide 2005-2006. Please download the Buyers’ Guide for additional photographs.
Similar in appearance to Altec Lansing’s iM716s (iLounge rating: B+), the black iM616s step down on price and audio quality: they’re touted as similar in clarity and slightly better in frequency response than Etymotic’s ER-6i, but we found them brighter than the ER-6i with identical triple flanges; they sounded better with foams. Thicker cords than the ER-6is create more noise in the buds when you move. But they’re nice-looking, and come with a hard case.
Our Rating
Company and Price
Company: Altec Lansing
Website: www.alteclansing.com
Model: iM616
Price: $149.95
Compatible: iPod 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G/color/photo, mini, 5G, nano, shuffle