Headphones for iPod - NOT for bike use

Gonzo

Gonzo

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In marketing terms, I'm what's called a laggard so have lived with my iPod and its standard headphones for nearly 2 years.

After such an extensive period of research, I can now announce that they're crap. :rob

I don't want to use them on the bike, rather the gym, plane, train etc.

So the question is what should I buy to replace them? My wish list is: in-ear, comfortable, little sound seepage (I'm considerate me) and less than £50 - ideally much less if quality can be bought at this price.

Any ideas?

Cheers

G
 
Most people persist with using standard iPod headphones not realising they are of low reproductive sound quality. They are literally a crap £2 per of ear plugs. Invest a little money and you can improve your listening experience considerably. If you are wanting something really special then try in ear phones from the likes of Shure or Etymotic. I use Etymotic ER4P's, at around £150. It may sound a lot to spend (no pun inteneded) but listen to them once and you will be hooked. Info at etymotic.com :thumb
 
I had a pair of Koss Earbuds which I like a lot. Now my son has nicked them, so I suspect he likes them too.

They have different foam covers to fit different ear sizes. £20ish on the interweb. PB
 
The sennheiser CX300's get fantastic reviews - I read somehwere that they are possibly the best sub £100 earphone available, even though you can pick them up for £35-£40. I've not tried them but the avforums reviews are great. Amazon do them for loess than £30 - just looked.
 
I like the Sony in-ear ones. Don't know the model name, but they seem to be about £40, and have a selection of different sized rubbers, to ensure a good fit.
 
i got black ones, so i don't look like a :censor::censor::censor::censor::censor::censor:^h^h^nabe mind :)

Only complaint is the asymmetric cable, left line shorter than right so if the cable snags your left ear gets the tug.

Also unsuitable for use inside a helmet, as they come out when you go to take it off, and it's quite painful (just tried).
 
Have had 2 pairs of the Sony EX71's- these are in ear headphones as already mentioned- sound quality is good, but the rubber sleeving does shred after a while. I used these for approx 3 months (for 2 hours a day admitedly) and they fell to pieces.

I then decided to try something else- I got a pair of Shure E2c's off fleabay for under £50- they do take some experimenting with to get the correct ear plugs (there are NINE to choose from!!!) and get them in correctly- anyone who tells you they are not loud enough or have no bass hasnt got them in properly. As they are in ear there is virtually no sound leakage so you can have them as loud as you like.

They are also incredibly loud- twice that of the Sony's and they dont distort. I also have a mod for my Ipod which increases the volume as the EC dont trust us to keep the volume at a sensible level

Was considering getting some moulded ear plugs to drown out wind noise on the bike- after using these puppies for a couple of months I no longer need them- I wonder why???
 
earphones for i Pod

Shure e2c (or current model) in ear phones which sound superb, makes you go back and re-record all your CD's in lossless format as sound so good, good chunky cable and a selection of bits to make s(h)ure they fit your ears! also sound isolating and sound brill on the bike (will fit under system 4) so earplugs no longer needed which at 50p pr pair means you'll have paid for the 'phones when you've got through approx 120 pairs! John B :thumb
 
I got a set of A8 Bang and Olufsen earphones which I really like, great sound and very comfortable.

earphones1.jpg
 
Thunder said:
I got a set of A8 Bang and Olufsen earphones which I really like, great sound and very comfortable.

earphones1.jpg
Click to expand...

on my 3rd pair of these in 18 months - all replaced under warranty - the mini jack is "inline" with cable....and doesn't last too long with regular use....(i notice nearly ll other "walkman" headphones have an "L" shape where the cable joins to the jack - obviously to reduce strain on the solder when jack is removed from the walkman........)
 
Thunder said:
I got a set of A8 Bang and Olufsen earphones which I really like, great sound and very comfortable.

earphones1.jpg
Click to expand...

How much where these Thunder?, Bang and Olufsen stuff does'ent come cheap :( but quality never does
 
never really rated B&O stuff... form over function... way too much money for what you get... but i know nothing about the headphones :)
 
ianf said:
I've been very happy with the Sennheiser CX300...

http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/icm.nsf/root/products_sennheiser_headphones_portable_cx_series

Good tuneful bass, and reasonable isolation. Not overly bright either.

The rubber bits are soft, non-porous and don't therefore don't get manky with earwax either.
Click to expand...

The said items are, indeed, rather excellent! Great sound with far better bass than I've heard so far. The ear piece fittings are also an ergonomic triumph - no regular fall-out when mowing the lawn!

Thanks for enlightening me! :beerjug:
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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