Now I generally hate inner ear headphones but these are a tad different in that (as the latest issue of Men’s Health Tech Guide has said in their Best New Mobile Gear Section), “they’re comfortable, with a unique loop design that balances them securely around the inside of your ear while also blocking out noise”.  Yes, I realize you need a picture to know what I am talking about which is why to your right there is a picture of  the Secure Loop.  iLounge is clearly a fan, “C5 makes a great first impression, in part because B&W has taken canalphone design in some new directions.  Rather than merely mimicking the most common canalphone cable designs by either dangling cords directly down from your ears or wrapping the cords around the tops of your ears, B&W has done something that both looks cool and works well: C5 uses position-preserving memory wire to create size-adjustable loops that secure the tubes within your outer ears—an innovation that not only legitimately enhances their stability, but feels completely natural.”  As B&W’s website states, “it is an ingenious innovation where a cushioned loop fixes quickly and comfortably in the inner ridge of the user’s ear.  It is infinitely adjustable, so it works perfectly with anyone’s ears”.  I can assure you these C5′s won’t get your of your ears (after being properly applied) even if your doing intense interval training.

When it comes down to sound I will tell you these sound amazing but what does an audiophile, an editor of a major consumer electronic website and an audio website think?

Steve Guttenberg who is a member of the CNET Blog Network thinks likewise.  “The raw electric guitars, bass, and drums were totally rocking out, and the C5 didn’t hold anything back.  I just enjoyed the C5 more with a wide range of musical styles. I found the C5′s wide-open soundstage hugely appealing, and switching back to other comparably priced headphones was a disappointment.”

Or as CNET Editors’ Review has said, “we tend to prefer earphones that carry a neutral, balanced sound and work well with all kinds of music, and the C5s are right up our alley.  What’s nice about them is you get rich, detailed, natural sound that delivers deep bass without over accentuating the low-end like some competing earphones.  One of the attributes of good headphones is that the sound doesn’t seem stuck inside your head and feels more “open.”  These guys flaunt that open sound, and as CNET contributor Steve Guttenberg said, “they sound more like full-size headphones.  The Bowers & Wilkins C5 earphones offer clean, detailed, natural sound with tight bass.”

Theaudiobeat,  “in a word, stunning — in its breadth, its spaciousness, its all-round accuracy”.

On a side note I must warn you to be very careful with the ear tips (4 different sizes so 4 pairs) for two reasons.  Reason 1, they break really easy so please twist them off real slowly (give it your full attention).  Reason 2, unless you find the right one for your ear type you won’t be able to lock them in properly to get the sound you deserve so do try on all 4.  Another side note since you will be taking these to the gym to workout in clean them everyday (that you use them) with a cloth and water or rubbing alcohol.

Some might look at the $185 price tag and get sticker shock especially considering with tax (8.25% CA) they cost $200.26 but you can easily get a pair for $150 shipped including 2-3 Day Priority Shipping on Ebay (which isn’t too bad).  The New York Post for one has no problem with the price, “the sound the C5s produce is astounding” from the very appropriately titled Bowers & Wilkins C5 headphones: literally the best buy for your money.  Going back to CNET Editor’s Review to clarify the value, “they feature an integrated microphone with navigation controls for cell-phone use, and an eye-catching industrial design with an innovative adjustable Secure Loop keeps the earphones securely in your ears.  The earphones exude a high-end quality of design with an artful tungsten/aluminum finish and feature a seemingly sturdy build quality.”

It even comes with a killer case that feels and looks like quilted suede but I wouldn’t use this on a daily basis because it doesn’t look like it can take a beating and I would never take this to the gym.  Keep this quilted suede for style points but on a regular basis get yourself a small bag to put them in.

So the Bowers & Wilkins C5 have the sound quality and the looks that we need or to put it more eloquently, from CNET Editor’s Review, “the Bowers & Wilkins C5s are wonderfully designed earphones with excellent sound quality”.  Or The Washington Post, “sound Great, Look Classy, And Strong Like Bull”.  Do make sure and get a warranty on them I have heard horror stories that some have stopped working after a month (only $21 at Square Trade for a 3 year warranty) since you want to keep all this sound and style in your life.

Breaking down these Headphones

Farhan Latif writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here

Ed Jones writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here

“F— more years.  I want more money.  I don’t work here for years.  No, I want more money.  Years — what, I’m going to die poor with the White Sox?  Hell, no.  Life is about money.  People don’t believe that. People are happy after they make money.  F— it.”  After eight exciting years and a 668-617 record the Chicago White Sox don’t want to pay significantly more than Guillen’s current $2 million.  So Guillen asked for his release yesterday and got it.  Then he went out and coached his last game, a victory and did his exit press conference.

Now he might have said, “they should f—ing fire me.  Look at what I did.  I got a great team that play like
s—.  Why not?  I take the responsibility.” But we all know this season wasn’t squarely Guillen’s fault.  But whose fault was it?

Watch the video to find out.

Farhan Latif writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here.

Ed Jones writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here

This is a movie first and foremost about something awesome happening in the Bay Area, “the war between intuition and statistics” (as Ebert has said) and most importantly about believing in yourself, going for it and not letting others stuck in the stoneage hold you back.  And if those aren’t enough reasons to watch this movie, I can honestly tell you for the first time in this pretty boy’s, Brad Pitt’s career, he has finally given an A grade performance instead B grade performances while using his A grade name.  So go out there and watch the movie that everyone is talking about before it wins a few Oscars!

Farhan Latif writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here.

“I would comply with my pending sanction and I would be available for any major league team already informed (agent) Scott Boras of my decision to return and begin the process.  If any team wants to sign me, I would play.  If no one does, I would look to play in Japan or any other place.  I was not prepared for retirement.”

So Manny Ramirez just found out he can’t play winter ball in the Dominican Republic because he’s on MLB’s inactive list so now he is willing to serve his 100-game suspension for a second violation of MLB’s drug policy.  Interesting stuff indeed he told Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com.

The big question should be how much does he have left?  His body has been breaking down rapidly the past 2 seasons.  Even then I would sign him for cheap one year contract if I could then if he can’t play move him the next season to being a hitter coach so he could help the team’s offense that way.

Farhan Latif writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here.

Ed Jones writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here

Oakland’s Paramount Theatre door’s will open tonight at 5pm for the World Premiere of Moneyball! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will be there! Moneyball will start playing at 6pm. If I were you I would get there way early than 5pm to line up with camera in hand to get some celebrity photographs. The afterparty will be at the Fox Theater right after the World Premiere.

Farhan Latif writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here.

Ed Jones writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here

Farhan Latif writes exclusively for CloudFantasy. Email him here.

Editors Note:  All photographs and the first two videos were taken with a Samsung ST 700 (camera) and the third video was taken with a Sony Ericsson Arc (cell phone).