Ear buds/head phones, more options?

[mysticllama]

OK, I have wonky ears or something - because I cannot keep ear buds of any size buried where they should be in my ear canal. I tried the Ipod ones, the zune regular and premium ones (these have 3 sizes of inserts and all of them failed me) and.. I suck or something.

So - seeing the bluetooth stereo headset on the other thread made me wonder... Are there any ear bud options that may be better for the ear-canal-wonked or any recs for smallish and non-super-jostle-able headphones?

[Heap]

I got a pair of these (http://www.amazon.com/Philips-HE591-Surround-Sound-Earbuds/dp/B0001OY2VS) the other day. I don't know if that's the style you've tried (never seen a pair of the adjustable size), but they work for me. They're a little bit unwieldy for the ear at first, but they get easier to put in. Don't know if they'd be too big for you. Have you tried the ear buds with the head band-thing (you know, similar to the ones that used to come with the yellow Sony Discmen)?

[The BYP]

I got these. I've heard new things in songs that I've listed to for years with these. They work great with ipod and are really durable. Kinda spendy though like $150 or something.


http://images.sharperimage.com/all/en/images/products/js322_pip.jpg

[Boss]

I can't stand earbuds. I've never worn a pair that I liked or that were worth a shit. Gimme a good set of headphones any day, like the ones BYP's got. I'm wearing a pair of Sennheiser 202's while I work right now. Very comfortable, block out all the noise around me and sounds great. And these are just the cheap ones, about $20.

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/2523/2610630602140f623ol2.jpg

If you want to stay with the small form factor, you might want to try these or something similar. They fit in the ear differently than earbuds. A bit pricey though, but they are supposed to kick ass.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826159701

[Booze]

Ive got the Shure E2c's as me backup pair. They come with a ton of different types of earbud, in all different sizes, so they might be yer best bet.

The fact that you stick 'em right deep down in yer ear canal might take a bit of getting used to, Llama, & will be a bit dangerous if you're going to wear 'em whilst riding yer bike on the road, as you can't hear bugger all else. But I'd vouch for them any day.

The wire is encased in a pretty thick sheath, if I can use that word without exciting any passing blind retards. That means they're less prone to getting knackered just above the headphone jack than most.

My main pair are Etymotic ER6i's. They failed the knackered wire test after about 7 months, but I sent 'em back to the States & they replaced them no questions asked. I won't be buying them again, as that wire is a bit flimsy. But in all other respects, I like them a lot. The earbud is a Christmas tree shape that you wedge inside your ear & it then expands to fill up the gaps. And maybe if you looked after them better than I do mine, they might last longer.

You can get the Shures & these cheaper on Ebay.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Isolator-Earphones-Black/dp/B000BQSGMM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-5419545-9340658?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1185479382&sr=8-2

[nate]

Okay, so my 15 year old Sony pos headphones finally died, and I think I just blew out the left on my iPod ones trying to deafen myself in the usual manner.

I'm looking at around-the-ear and closed, at sub-$100 (i.e. yeah supposedly the Bose QC rules but I hain't payin' that).

Right now I'm thinking the Grado SR-80s. They're open air (boo) but are ranked really really high, like right under the Bose shit (yay).

[Heap]

I only use ear-buds...these (http://www.amazon.com/spungbebips-HE591-Surround-Sound-Earbuds/dp/B0001OY2VS) to be exact. I think I got them at Best Buy for under $25.

[TheWagesofSin]

I'm having the strongest sense of deja vu with this thread

[nate]

Yeah, ear buds don't work real well for me - I'm constantly having to look at them to see which one is which because I have to take them off every time someone comes in my office. And they don't fit in my ears very well, so I don't get very good audio out of 'em.

[nate]

I'm having the strongest sense of deja vu with this thread
I'm too lazy to search.

[TheWagesofSin]

the funny thing is: I think there's another one


edit: maybe not

[nate]

There probably is. Who the fuck knows, who the fuck cares?

[TheWagesofSin]

Who the fuck knows, who the fuck cares?

you said it brother

[Spooner]

I'm glad this was bumped; I missed it the first time. Shit, I actually thought TC was back for a minute, reading this.

Anyway, this is a huge topic for me, as I *must* sleep with headphones every night of my life--no way around it. I've been using the Sony wraparound headphones forever, but they DO hurt after awhile. Like Llama, I could never keep an earbud in my ear for 10 seconds w/out it falling out (or killin' my cartilage), but I just discovered Lee's link.

Booze, tell me: If you were to try to sleep with those fuckers in, would they protrude much from your trumpet bells, or do they sit flush, so's you could lay on a pillow w/out them falling out or hurtin' like a bitch? I'll buy those tomorrow if they pass the schleepin' test. :tipofthecap:

[djb]

Okay, so my 15 year old Sony pos headphones finally died, and I think I just blew out the left on my iPod ones trying to deafen myself in the usual manner.

I'm looking at around-the-ear and closed, at sub-$100 (i.e. yeah supposedly the Bose QC rules but I hain't payin' that).

Right now I'm thinking the Grado SR-80s. They're open air (boo) but are ranked really really high, like right under the Bose shit (yay).

Nate,

Grado SR 60's & 80's sound great (I've got em), but not quite as comfortable as the Sennheisers (unless you get the real expensive ones)
For a C note or less you might want to look at the Sennheiser HD 515 (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/05341)

But you should seriously spend the extra 30-50 and get the Sennheiser HD-555 (http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/all-headphones/sennheiser-hd-555.php). You'll be glad you did.

I really prefer not to use headphones but when I have to, it's good to have some that are comfortable and sound right. I hate earbuds so very deeply.

I use the Grado 60, 80, 125 & Sennheiser HD-555, HD-580 & HD600.


djb

[Verno]

I sometimes still use the same earbuds that came free with my Game Boy from when I was 11 years old. I'll send them to you if you want, nate.

[Dr. P]

I thought I was the only person who slept with headphones on every night! That's a harder habit to stop than smoking.

[nate]

Thanks for all the info, djb.

Why do you have so many different models (and is the only thing that makes the 555s better than the SR-80s the comfort, or are there other differences)? They're both about one bill from J&R.

[The BYP]

For those of you who like to sleep with headphones might I suggest these (http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/812b9b8dae91ed31889d81a413b0ae33.jpg)?

[The BYP]

If that won't work try one of these (http://l.yimg.com/img.tv.yahoo.com/tv/us/img/site/67/85/0000036785_20070105172933.jpg).

[Booze]

I'm glad this was bumped; I missed it the first time. Shit, I actually thought TC was back for a minute, reading this.

Anyway, this is a huge topic for me, as I *must* sleep with headphones every night of my life--no way around it. I've been using the Sony wraparound headphones forever, but they DO hurt after awhile. Like Llama, I could never keep an earbud in my ear for 10 seconds w/out it falling out (or killin' my cartilage), but I just discovered Lee's link.

Booze, tell me: If you were to try to sleep with those fuckers in, would they protrude much from your trumpet bells, or do they sit flush, so's you could lay on a pillow w/out them falling out or hurtin' like a bitch? I'll buy those tomorrow if they pass the schleepin' test. :tipofthecap:


Bill, both the Etymotics & the Shures should be fine to sleep in without making your lugholes sore. The Etymotics go right down into yer ear canal, leaving a tiny nub sticking out. The Shures have a bit more on the outside, but it fits right in the hollow of your ear. I've slept in both with no problems.

Out of the two, though, I'd go with the Shures if you're gonna be kipping in them. The wire on the Etymotics is just too fragile, whereas you could abseil down the side of a building on the Shure cable. Tons of Shure e2c's on Ebay for about 40 bucks.

[Pull Out Method]

If that won't work try one of these (http://l.yimg.com/img.tv.yahoo.com/tv/us/img/site/67/85/0000036785_20070105172933.jpg).

:score:

lmao

I use these (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5335728&type=product&id=1051826204625) bad boys. They isolate almost all of the noise in my office, and sound great. Plus they are only forty bucks.

[djb]

Thanks for all the info, djb.

Why do you have so many different models (and is the only thing that makes the 555s better than the SR-80s the comfort, or are there other differences)? They're both about one bill from J&R.


I use em for my work.
They are both quite good (for the money) and you should try and listen to em if possible.
If you are listening primarily to MP3's with a portable player go with the 555s which sound good and are quite comfortable.
If you are doing more serious hi-fi (CD, SACD, DVD-A, DAD) the SR-80's will do a better job but then you'd be better off saving up to get higher end headphones.

[Spooner]

I'm all over the Shures, Booze. And, I agree--I can't COUNT how many headphones I've had to chuck because of the wire getting fucked up. That's an underestimated feature. (*Edit: Just bought 'em new on Amazon because these fuckers on Ebay are selling for almost as much, and some assholes want $12.50 for SHIPPING... FUCK - THAT.)

[Dr. P]

I buy cheap ones, cuz I break 'em all the f'in time. When I get out of construction, I may invest in some decent ones.

[moneymaker]

If that won't work try one of these (http://l.yimg.com/img.tv.yahoo.com/tv/us/img/site/67/85/0000036785_20070105172933.jpg).

Wrong forum. You may mean this (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41R1ZXJ2NFL._SS500_.jpg)and these (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31HYG6ADVVL._SS500_.jpg).

[Dr. P]

Moneymaker, go count your dick!

[djb]

Moneymaker, go count your dick!

Russ you misspelled vagina.

[nate]

I'll try and find a local place that carries 'em. Thanks, deej!

[Franks n Beans]

If that won't work try one of these (http://l.yimg.com/img.tv.yahoo.com/tv/us/img/site/67/85/0000036785_20070105172933.jpg).

Hmmm...Where can I get that?

[Spooner]

Booze, I just received my Shures today. Holy shit! You ain't kiddin' about that ear-canal seal, man. Imagine if someone took a terlet plunger to your ear! That's what these are like. I'm afraid if one pulls out of my head while I'm snoozin', it'll take my eardrum with it!

lmao Christ! The wire is pretty fuckin' industrial, too. Gonna give 'em the serious test tonight. Thanks for the recommendation, man!

[Booze]

I ordered another pair myself, seeing as they've discontinued 'em. They block out the noise of the Victoria Line, which is the acid test for me. I reckon I could get snuck up on by a 747 while I've got those things in.

The only problem is hearing the alarm clock in the morning.