Earphones for iPod and other MP3 players, which do you use??

[Guy]

I'm currently using the stock white earbuds that are included but I want to get some new earphones. Are people using the provided earbuds or have you purchased aftermarket earphones to use w/ your MP3 player?? If you're using aftermarket earphones, post which ones you're using, price and rating.

[Gameaddict8]

I'm using these badboys. I had the Sony MDR-EX51's, lost them and upgraded to the Shure E2c's w/ foam earbuds. Very comfy, wraps around the ears. They have isolating sound, that is very clear. $60 with a $5 new user coupon from buy.com

Headphones (http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90132508&loc=111&sp=1)

Coupon (http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=85094736)

I highly recommend these if you have an I-river, I-pod, or any other high end MP3 player. Protect your investment. Wu-Tang Financial. :bang:

[FloorMatt]

Used with: iPod mini

I'm using the Apple In-ear headphones ($39).......yes, I know they don't meet the quality of the Shures and such.....but...hear me out.

Note: All of these sound-blocking earbud/phones require you to "jam" it into your ear.....therefore, the fit will be different on different people.

The In-ear headphones are a good upgrade from the standard Apple earbuds. At first, I thought the sound was bad.....but....turns out I wasn't using them right! (and I had some ear trouble at that time). Just push them in your ears (watch out for wax), and they shall "seal" the sound in your ears. You have three different sized ends (it makes a difference once you find the right size).

Even though the Shures are better (I don't have any personal experience with them) at blocking sound out......I have used the Apples while mowing the yard, and the mower sound became a very low hum (didn't degrade my musical experience)!

With the earbuds that came with the iPod, they had terrible bass response from certain songs. (It was like the earbuds couldn't handle the bass, and had alot of static with the bass) All of that is gone now with the in-ears! It handles the bass very well.
(I know that others are probally better, but nothing beats actual headphones)

For the price, they can't be beat :) PLUS, here's another thing....Sharper Image now sells iPods and accessories. That's where I got my in-ears and....for $5.95 extra, I got the 2-year Sharper Image guarantee. If something better comes out than the in-ears, I can get the new thing (I think even if there is a higher price difference....but if not, I know you can get what you paid for, back), get your money back.....or, if something goes wrong with the in-ears...no matter who or what is at fault.....they give you new ones. I'm sure I will have to find out if that's really how it works!

I'm about to take back the inMotion speaker dock I had just got last month, and will be getting the new model.....thanks to the guarantee! :)

[Guy]

I've heard a lot of good things about the "Shure" ear phones. They have many different models but I'm not trying to drop $100+ right now. Those ones that you posted look pretty good. Maybe I'll give those a try.

Floormat, you have a link to those Apple ones you're talking about? I'm sure which specific earphones they are.

[FloorMatt]

Check http://store.apple.com Click Headphones (located under iPod Accessories), second page.....Apple In-Ear Headphones.

Here is the Sharper Image link: http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview/sku=AP706/catid=676889423/pcatid=2

[macaddiict]

Good earphones are hard to come by. I actually really like the stock earbuds that come with the iPod, but I think I might have damaged mine (I listen about 6 hours a day, fairly loud... now the bass crackles a little) so I'm also on the lookout for something new.

A few people have recommended Koss headphones to me, but it doesn't seem like they have any nice in-ear stuff right now.

I might have to check out the Apple In-Ears... I had heard some bad reviews, but everyone also said they didn't like the ones included and I love them. I must have giant ears or something!

If you're looking for an absolutely amazing sounding set of portable headphones, check out the $45 Koss Porta Pros at Amazon. They haven't changed one bit since they came out in the 80's (including the amazing sound - bass will blow you away!) so they're not exactly the best looking headphones around but they make up for it in the sound department.

[ken_vs_ryu]

these rock my face off

http://www.avland.co.uk/grado/sr80/sr80lrg.jpg

[Mantichora]

I have a little trouble hearing sometimes, all those years of back stage listening to loud Rock music, lol.

I took the plunge and got the best, UltimateEars Model UE-10. Worth every penny I paid.

It's like listening in a concert hall!

http://www.UltimateEars.com

[FloorMatt]

Ahh yes, I forgot about those Grados.....

And...:eek: I've seen about those kind (UE).....and their price.....

[ken_vs_ryu]

mantichora? $900 for qtips? i doubt it.

[Mantichora]

To each his own pocketbook. If you are hard of hearing like I am, these make a world of difference.

Now what did you say? LOL

[FloorMatt]

To each his own pocketbook. If you are hard of hearing like I am, these make a world of difference.

Now what did you say? LOL

:hee: I think we are all jealous!

[Mantichora]

Don't be jealous.

Work hard, build a business, sell & retire! Then at 51, like me you can buy a few nice things, spoil your wife and leave some for the kids down the road, like me. : )

As a footnote, any ear plug/phone that fits in the ear is better than one that rests on it, IMHO.

[galorajo]

I use these
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=33%2D1233&hmcf=A
there from radioshack, sony brand, and the quality is awesome.
I only spent 50 bucks for these but like the sound.

[JoMamma]

http://www.cobyusa.com/image/products/L_CV220.jpg
I use these and they work awsomely with my iPod.. My stock ones broke.. lol i guess it was because i slept in them with the sleep timer.. and the cord pulled out from the ear bud.. then it just stopped working.. with crackling sounds etc.. so yeah. i asked for these and i got them for christmas!

[knelson]

Shure E3c - got them at the Apple Store since I am not patient enought to wait for mail order... $179 but you can get them cheaper if you look around.

[Quill]

About a month ago I bought a pair of Sony MDR-NC6 noise-cancelling headphones off amazon for $40 plus tax (yay for super saver shipping). That's about $20 less than I've seen them for in stores like Circuit City, Best Buy, etc.
They were a dramatic improvement over the stock earbuds...they aren't ridiculously chunky and are quite comfortable. The sound is noticeably clearer and richer. I also don't have to turn the volume up as high on my iPod in order to drown out the background noise in my office. I don't use them at the gym, though. =) Sweaty headphones, ick.
Until I feel comfortable spending $150 for the bottom of the line Bose headphones, these will be more than sufficient.

[jerereyn205]

Shure E2c......