Best in ear type headphones?
- Thread starter chriswill
- Start date
I like the relatively cheap sony fontopia MDR-EX71SLB buds.
They come with S, M & L silicon inserts that let you adjust the size of the bud itself. I use them on the bike for long runs, and they fit my ear canal so well removing my lid with them in isn't a problem. I keep a pair of them in my rucksack all the time in their little carry bag.
About 30-35 quid in the shops. Cheap enough that braking a pair isn't a disaster as long as you don't make a habit of it.
They come with S, M & L silicon inserts that let you adjust the size of the bud itself. I use them on the bike for long runs, and they fit my ear canal so well removing my lid with them in isn't a problem. I keep a pair of them in my rucksack all the time in their little carry bag.
About 30-35 quid in the shops. Cheap enough that braking a pair isn't a disaster as long as you don't make a habit of it.
Bob_the_lost
Elsewhere
I've got a pair of these too, the wires are too long but otherwise they're fantastic.
They changed the design, later models have a single longish wire, the earlier versions have an extension that you don't have to use. Also the plastic little bean that comes with them can be used as a cable tidy, wrap the unneeded length around the bean and away you goBob_the_lost said:
I find the sound to be good, with a decent bass. I'm no audiophile and don't have much to compare them to (and I'm a biker so my hearing's shite anyhow) so you might not agree with me.
Try googling the model number, I'm sure there are a few reviews out there for them.
Negativland
Pope Handsome VII
Does anyone know any good ones that are not the closed kind?
I don't like the sensation really, or the heavy, perv-like breathing effect they have.
I don't like the sensation really, or the heavy, perv-like breathing effect they have.
Bob_the_lost
Elsewhere
I've got the one with the detachable bit, which works for armbands but it's far too short for pockets and the extension cord makes it very long indeed. Which reminds me, armband, need one.Radar said:They changed the design, later models have a single longish wire, the earlier versions have an extension that you don't have to use. Also the plastic little bean that comes with them can be used as a cable tidy, wrap the unneeded length around the bean and away you go
Also the round the back of the head cord is too long, cut about 1/3 of it off and it'd be much better for me.
cybertect
It's grim up north (London)
Some other options
The Shure E2Cs are good quality audio for the money. The E3Cs, however, offer a much better overall sound. Both suffer a little from microphonic noise off the cable when you're moving about.
My current pair are Ultimate Ears super.fi 5Pros, which I love. The cable's thinner than the Shure design, so they you don't hear them rustling against your clothes, but it does make them slightly more prone to tangling up (much like the Sony Fontopia earbuds mentioned above).
With any of them, in my ears the best sound is obtained by using foam plugs rather than plastic sleeves (the only option with the Fontopias). Much better isolation from the outside world.
Unfortunately one of my cats loves to use my earbuds as chewing fodder and every once in a while I forget to put them somewhere safe - hence the number of them that I've been able to sample.
The Shure E2Cs are good quality audio for the money. The E3Cs, however, offer a much better overall sound. Both suffer a little from microphonic noise off the cable when you're moving about.
My current pair are Ultimate Ears super.fi 5Pros, which I love. The cable's thinner than the Shure design, so they you don't hear them rustling against your clothes, but it does make them slightly more prone to tangling up (much like the Sony Fontopia earbuds mentioned above).
With any of them, in my ears the best sound is obtained by using foam plugs rather than plastic sleeves (the only option with the Fontopias). Much better isolation from the outside world.
Unfortunately one of my cats loves to use my earbuds as chewing fodder and every once in a while I forget to put them somewhere safe - hence the number of them that I've been able to sample.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
These are the best bud headphones I have ever heard. The ER6's. The ER4's are really for studio use, so not that necessary unless you have the 190 quid they cost.
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.aspx
Aint cheap either at about 80 and the filters do clog from time to time, but I would go as far as to say the quality of the sound alone is worth it. Truly fantastic. You can also listen to stuff in noisy places with it on fairly low volume.
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.aspx
Aint cheap either at about 80 and the filters do clog from time to time, but I would go as far as to say the quality of the sound alone is worth it. Truly fantastic. You can also listen to stuff in noisy places with it on fairly low volume.
The Groke
hot hail/Paging Dr. Beat
cybertect said:
I *heart* my E2cs - another vote for em here!
Yes they are more expensive, and yes they can be a bit weird feeling to start with and take some experimentation to find the right type of bud/foam and to learn how to fit them properly and yes they do have a longish "break-in" time to reach their full potential......
But I love em, am on my second pair (lost the first
) and I beleive you can't get a better bud for the money.Next purchase will probably be the E3c's but I can't justify spending that cash at the mo!
chriswill
Misbehaving!
Purchased the Ec3's.
I have been having a try with the different sleeves.
They are going to take some getting used to.
First impressions are good, excellent clarity and for an in ear type headphone the bass is great.
They are out performed by my triports in their sound production, but this is unsuprising really 'cause they are 25 times the size.
Triports - Home use
Ec3's - On the move
I have been having a try with the different sleeves.
They are going to take some getting used to.
First impressions are good, excellent clarity and for an in ear type headphone the bass is great.
They are out performed by my triports in their sound production, but this is unsuprising really 'cause they are 25 times the size.
Triports - Home use
Ec3's - On the move
chriswill
Misbehaving!
The Groke said:I *heart* my E2cs - another vote for em here!
Yes they are more expensive, and yes they can be a bit weird feeling to start with and take some experimentation to find the right type of bud/foam and to learn how to fit them properly and yes they do have a longish "break-in" time to reach their full potential......
But I love em, am on my second pair (lost the first
Next purchase will probably be the E3c's but I can't justify spending that cash at the mo!
What sort of break in time do they need?
)cybertect said:
The Groke said:
I bought e2cs best on some other peoples reviews..... errrr what have they done with the bass?
I have a pair of sennheiser HD 202's on my desk and have been listening to the same piece of music on both... and the difference is spectacular - in comparison the shure's just don't have any bass
really quite disapointed with these
The Groke
hot hail/Paging Dr. Beat
chriswill said:
Around 12-15 hours before they really settle in - IME
Chorlton said:
A few things I have found:
1) It really does depend on how you position them and what bud you use - if you get the right fit they are just perfect.
2) They do require the aforementioned "break-in" period.
3) I personally feel that a lot of people seem to hold too much stock in "bass" and boosting it above the levels at which the original recording was made!
I found these to be amongst the most natural and "correct" sounding buds I has tried - certainly in that price range. Conversley, I thought the one pair of Senheisers I have owned were far too bassy and false sounding.
That last one isn't a dig at you or anything, but I really do find a lot of people whack up the bass on everything they listen to stupid levels and distort how the original recording is supposed to be.
Horses for course I guess!
I suppose the best thing to do is to try a few different pairs before you buy - unfortunately this is really and easy thing to do!
cybertect
It's grim up north (London)
I never had bass-end problems with any of mine once I figured out how to get them fitting into my ear properly. If you don't, then they will sound very, very lightweight.
Try the different sleeves that came with them - while I get the best results with the foam ones, each person's ears are different and YMMV.
What you should be able to do with any decent in-ear phones is to sit in a Northern Line tube carriage listening to a quiet classical or jazz passage with the volume about 2 and not be disturbed at all by outside noise.
Try the different sleeves that came with them - while I get the best results with the foam ones, each person's ears are different and YMMV.
What you should be able to do with any decent in-ear phones is to sit in a Northern Line tube carriage listening to a quiet classical or jazz passage with the volume about 2 and not be disturbed at all by outside noise.
The Groke
hot hail/Paging Dr. Beat
Chorlton said:
I used the plastics for ages until I lost one.
Then I used the foams.....and never once looked back.
They are wicked!
Though more prone to getting grubby, both from ear sweat/gunk and the fact that you roll em between your fingers before insertion.
I just bought a bunch of spare ones online.
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