Skullcandy G.I Rasta Stereo Headphones
Test Setup & Results
Published: 23rd July 2007 | Source: Skullcandy | Price: |
As the Skullcandy G.I Rasta headphones are not designed for one specific market, I will be testing them on a total of three different set-ups. A variety of music (Rock, Chart, Rap, Garage & Hardcore) will be used on each test set-up with my personal opinion on the reproduction of the audio being noted at each point.
• Test set-up 1: Sony QS STR-DB1080 Reciever, Technics 1210 MK2 Turntable, QED Phono Leads.
• Test set-up 2: Creative Audigy 2 Soundcard, Windows Media Player.
• Test set-up 3: Apple IPod 20gb - 4th Generation
For comparison I will also be using a pair of mid-range Technics RP-F290 headphones. A comparison in their specifications can be seen below:
| Skullcandy G.I Rasta | Technics RP-F290 | |
| Driver Diameter | 40mm | 40mm |
| Frequency Range | 100-18,000Hz | 10-27,000Hz |
| Max Input Power | 400mW | 1000mW |
| Impedance | 50Ω | 20Ω |
Comfort Results
After wearing the G.I Rasta's for a total of 8 hours over the space of 3 days, I must admit finding them slightly uncomfortable. The faux leather ear pads certainly are very soft, but the circular shape of the ear cups means that the headphones do not cover your whole ear, instead squashing your ears flat up against the side of your head. This is also compounded by the fact that the headband is quite rigid and can lead to your head feeling like its been in a vice.
Sound Results
On all three of the sound systems tested with the G.I Rasta's, one thing was apparent - these headphones are designed for BASS. On low frequency tracks such as "Leviticus - Burial", the G.I's managed to produce masses of the stuff at high volumes without any distortion. Now I have to admit being quite a bass junkie, but on playing Hot Chip's "Over and Over" I found myself turning the bass levels down just to prevent the feeling of the hairs in my eardrums being flattened! Of course, good headphones are about more than just good bass reproduction, and with this in mind I moved on to some more sonically challenging tracks...
Starting off with Massive Attack's "Unfinished Sympathy", the Skullcandy G.I's disappointed in so many ways. Not only was there a distinct lack of any high range frequencies, but vocals seemed distorted and the song as a whole sounded like it was being played back from an old cassette. Moving on to Nickelback's "This is how you remind me" didn't improve matters, once again sounding like I was listening to the track wearing a pair of earplugs.
Switching between the Skullcandy and Technics headphones was almost a night and day difference, with the Skullcandy's not being able to come anywhere near the full frequency range output of the Technics. Overall, there's no way I'd consider the G.I Rasta's for anything more than giving yourself a headache with the excessive bass levels.
Most Recent Comments
Shame, you would think something that oddly coloured would have something up its sleeve. Companies just dont seem to know what good sound is these days!
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Originally Posted by name='llwyd'
Shame, you would think something that oddly coloured would have something up its sleeve. Companies just dont seem to know what good sound is these days!
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The colour is the main issue with it.
I like all my items to be black/silver, lookin very sylish,
but i suppose its something different
I like all my items to be black/silver, lookin very sylish,
but i suppose its something different
As you can see, the G.I Rasta's have a frequency range of 100-18,000Hz, an impedance of 50ohms and a maximum input power of 400mW. On paper this seems to make the headphones sound quite restrictive, especially when you consider that the headset we are comparing the G.I Rasta's today has a frequency response of 10-27,000Hz and a maximum power input of 1000mW.
Once I read that, I pretty much guessed these would fail to impress... The words steaming and turd spring to mind!
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