Modern Simple Living

Gear Review Rediscovering My CD Collection with the M50s A nostalgic journey through legendary vocals and 80s memories ~15 Track Number 4 Key Artists 80s Era Section I The Joy of Physical Media I recently pulled out my old CD collection to test out my M50 headphones, and it's been a nostalgic journey. My collection may be modest and a bit eclectic, but it’s filled with artists whose vocals and lyrics have always resonated with me. I find myself gravitating toward legendary voices like Jim Morrison, Freddie Mercury, and Phil Collins. And, here’s a little secret: I’ve got a soft spot for Utada Hikaru, especially her work before the Exodus album.   Current Rotation Highlights → Jim Morrison — Iconic vocals and poetic lyrics that stand the test of time. → Freddie Mercury — Unmatched vocal range and legendary performances. → Phil Collins — Master of the 80s ambiance and timeless ballads. → Utada Hikaru — A personal favorite, specifically focusing on her pre- Exodus discography. ...

Gear Review Reflections on Beats Studio Headphones: A Journey into Audio Quality Why I moved from style-focused bass to balanced studio sound 2 Battery requirement 0 Batteries for M50 2 Headphone models compared Section I The Evolution of My Listening Experience The Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones were my first introduction to the world of "high-end" headphones. Although I received them as a gift, they helped me explore audio quality on a whole new level. They excelled in delivering deep bass, which made them great for genres like electronica, techno, or hip-hop. Beats are also designed to be as visually striking as they are functional; I received a lot of compliments when wearing them at cafes or on public transit. However, as my knowledge of headphones grew, so did my understanding of where Beats fit in the audio world.   Downsides of the Beats Studio Despite their stylish appeal, several issues led me to eventually part with my Beats Studio: → Battery Dependency — Th...

Gear Review Audio Technica M50x Headphones Review: A Strong Contender for Your Only Pair Why this versatile classic is the last pair of headphones you’ll need to buy. $169 Price 3 Cable Options ~4 Months Usage Table of Contents ① The Case for a Single Pair ② Specs and Comparison ③ Performance and Build ④ Final Thoughts Section I The Case for a Single Pair If you're only going to own one pair of headphones, I’d highly recommend choosing either the Audio Technica M50x or the Sony MDR-V6. Both models deliver impressive sound quality, durability, and a great design. The Sony MDR-V6 is about half the price of the M50x, and I plan to buy a pair soon to see how they compare. The online reviews for the V6 are consistently positive, often compared side-by-side with the M50 for overall quality.   M50 Variants The M50 line offers three different versions, which can be confusing at first: → M50 — The original model with a 10 ft. coiled cable. → M50s — Features a 10 ft. straight cable. → ...

Gear Review Audio Technica EQ500 Headphones Review A budget-friendly find from the streets of Shibuya ~$10 Price 28mm Driver Size 22g Weight Section I The Experience I picked up a pair of Audio Technica EQ500s while in Shibuya for about $10 USD in yen—a solid deal for the price. These headphones perform quite well considering their affordability. In hindsight, though, I probably should have gone for the EQ700 model. The EQ700 offers the convenient feature of retractable audio cables, similar to the WM77s, which I find really useful for travel and storage.   Technical Specifications Feature Detail Driver Size 28mm Frequency Response 16–24,000 Hz Max Input Power 40 mW Sensitivity 103 dB/mW Impedance 20 Ohms Weight 22g Cable Length 1.2m     Final Verdict Overall, the EQ500 is a practical and affordable choice, especially for casual listening. → Practicality — Compact, lightweight, and perfect for light travel needs. → Value — Extremely budget-friendly at the ~$10 price...

Gear Review My Headphone Collection (As of 2014) A look at the audio gear fueling my daily listening 5 Current Models 3 Past Models 8 Total Headphones Featured Section I Overview My headphone collection is modest but steadily growing. As of 2014, I own five headphones—not counting ear buds, which I have in abundance, including the standard ones that come with the iPhone. Here’s a breakdown of my current lineup and past models.   Current Collection → Audio Technica ATH-M50x — White finish, a cornerstone of the current setup. → Audio Technica ATH-WM77 — Red colorway, providing a compact, portable option. → Audio Technica ATH-EQ500 — Green model with a distinct design. → Sony MDR-ZX100 — White finish, offering a lightweight listening experience. → Skullcandy Hesh Gen1 — Black over-ear model. Past Headphones → Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Gen 1 — White model, no longer in the collection. → Skullcandy TI — A previous part of the audio rotation. → Skullcandy LowRyders — Include...

Gear Review Sony MDR-ZX100 Headphones Review *Affordable audio on a budget—are they worth the impulse buy?* $20 Price 30mm Driver Size 24 Ohms Impedance 12-22,000 Hz Range Section I Initial Impressions The Sony MDR-ZX100 headphones were a bit of an impulse buy. They were selling for just $20 at a local store, and since I didn’t have any headphones on hand, I decided to pick them up to enjoy some music. Now, for $20 headphones, it’s fair not to expect too much—but these actually sound decent and get the job done.   Build Quality One notable plus is the build quality. Sony seems to have improved the durability on their budget headphones over time. Having owned several cheap Sony models before, I can say these feel the sturdiest. The plastic used is surprisingly strong and flexible, with a headband that has a feel more like injection-molded resin than typical low-cost plastic. Technical Specifications → Drivers — 30mm → Frequency Response — 12–22,000 Hz → Impedance — 24 Ohms → Pl...

Gear Review A Journey Through Inexpensive Timepieces A retrospective on the starter watches that shaped my horological journey. ~5 Watches ~3 Types 1 Movement 1 Update Section I My Early Watch Journey In the early days of my watch journey, I gravitated towards inexpensive quartz, automatics, and digitals. Back then, I had little knowledge about watches, and as I've grown in my understanding and taste, I've sold off all of my 'starter' watches. Here’s a look back at some of those pieces that played a role in my watch journey.   Section II The Starter Collection: Learning & Evolving Fossil Chronograph DE5009 The Fossil Chronograph was one of the most difficult watches for me to part with. Despite its size being a bit too large for my preference, I appreciated its cream-colored dial paired with a brown leather strap. I loved wearing it on a NATO strap, as it gave off a unique steampunk vibe. It taught me a lot about style and design, and I dreamt of someday owning ...