Finally I found them, the earphones that could probably end my quest for the perfect match for the iPhone. The HiDefDrum AcousticSteel™ by Atomic Floyd™ combines everything I look for into a neat masculine package. Actually the HiDefDrum AcousticSteel™ caught my eye directly when I saw them in the UK Apple Store due to the uncompromising design and sense of style. I contacted the company to find out more, and after some brainstorming we reached the conclusion that Atomic Floyd™ as a brand would cater quite perfectly for the iPhone/iPod Touch user. A couple of weeks later the HiDefDrum AcousticSteel™ reached my door. Reviewing them had to wait though as the queue had grown with products from Apple, Sennheiser, Sony and Monster Cable. I have used the HiDefDrum as my everyday headphones as much as I could for the past month to really take them to the test.
The box the headphones ship in is a square piece of art with a lot of attention to detail. From the Atomic Floyd™ card with product registration instructions to the protective foam padding it breathes passion for the product. The HiDefDrum comes with three different sized ear buds, 6,3 mm adapter, airplane adapter and a small leather pouch.
I don’t know much about the company Atomic Floyd™ other than that they are a collective from various known companies that have come together to create their vision of sound and design. The Atomic Floyd™ homepage is filled to the brim with slogans, and it is easy to understand all the work and passion that is injected in their products.
Everything about the HiDefDrum appeals to me. The sturdy heavy feel of the AcousticSteel™ earphones, the metal finish and all the attention to detail. Atomic Floyd™ is etched in red letters on the back of the earphones, along with HiDefDrum in a grey/white colour. 11 small holes in the main body of the earphones constitute the bass port that gives the sound an extra thump of base without distortion. Within the ear buds the seven holes from the tweeter looks like something found on an airplane from WWII. Actually a lot of the design reminds me of some kind of World War equipment with the sleek lines and subdued metal shine.
The ear buds are made of two pieces of silicone melded together with a black softer outside facing the ears, and a more rigid red inside that isolates the sound. I really enjoy the ear buds as they are more rigid and have no tendency to feel squidgy or make a mess of moisture in the ear canal. The HiDefDrum is an in-ear headset that I can wear for really long periods of time without any discomfort or itching ears.
The HiDefDrum is perfect when it comes to portability due to sturdy design, and a magnificent fabric cord. The cord is not rigid at all, and means that the headset can be stored easily wrapped around anything or loose in a pocket. If the anti tangle fabric cord does tangle it becomes hard to unwrap as it can be tied to hard knots. The cord also works best when not dangling loose as it can transfer noise by moving against clothes. I usually stick the heavy microphone under my clothes to avoid this noise transfer with all headsets but with the HiDefDrum in particular.
The sound quality of the HiDefDrum is truly amazing with both depth and power. I have not had any concerns with any sound source. Opera arias, heavy metal instrumental music by Pelican or Isis, hip hop by Snoop Dog or Jay-Z, chiptune music by Anamanaguchi or Pixelh8 and finally Christmas songs by Bob Dylan all sounds great, yes even Bob Dylan manages to sound really good with the HiDefDrum. It is quite easy to feel a depth to the music, especially live music with an audible audience make me feel like I am there in the crowd with them. For gaming no source sounds bad, and especially softer sounds come true really well such as the music of Inotia – Wanderer of Luone, and still sound effects get their full whooping power. The range of the HiDefDrum is wide from high to low made possible by the powerful high-definition 13.5 mm neodymium driver. The powerful driver also helps in creating a heavy bass sound that never sounds cracked or strained, almost like a stack of Marshall amps in your ears.
The sound quality of the microphone is really good, almost on par with the one Apple uses for their in-ear headphones. It can be used as your primary headset at all occasions: work and leisure.
Every product I have tested, and for that matter will test have weak spots and noise isolation is something the HiDefDrum isn’t among the best at. First of all to get any noise isolation at all it is imperative to use the correct size of ear buds for your ears. I use the largest set after trying the medium sized for quite some time. The difference in noise isolation for me just switching to the better suitable ear buds was significant. Still a fair share of noise comes through, but of course I can block most of it out playing loud music with a constant flow. I enjoy listening to podcasts while preparing exams at work, and at those times I want silence from my surroundings to focus on the task at hand and Dave’s love life or whatnot the lads are talking about on TouchGen Unleashed. Sadly I can still be disturbed by voices from my colleagues at those times. Fans and other low register background sounds are properly blocked though. The main reason the HiDefDrum doesn’t isolate as well against noise is that you don’t push them as deep into the ear canal as for example the Apple In-Ear Headphones. 
To me the trade-off between comfortable wear for hours or noise isolation goes in favour of the wear ability. The HiDefDrum leaks sound quite a lot making them less ideal to listen to your absolute worst head banging death metal while working alongside conservative elders.
I can highly recommend the HiDefDrum AcousticSteel™ by Atomic Floyd™ as a complete package with great sound quality, design and durable quality. Highlights also include a good microphone, comfortable ear buds, decent noise isolation and the anti tangle fabric cord. The HiDefDrum AcousticSteel™ by Atomic Floyd™ is receiving my first Editor’s Choice in the Gear section.
Final rating
Atomic Floyd™ HiDefDrum AcousticSteel™ headset at Atomic Floyd £99.00
Worldwide delivery, roughly $164 plus shipping for US customers.
Atomic Floyd™ HiDefDrum AcousticSteel™ headset at the UK Apple Store £99.95
