Ok, your replacement IPOD/mp3 player headphones

[geepondy]

Well we have both defended and criticized Apple quite a bit in the other thread but I read that any mp3 player will sound better with a headphone upgrade. I'm sure it's an attempt on the manufacturers to keep costs in line. I have a pair of Koss portapro's that I bought some time ago for I think around $40 after getting pretty favorable reviews. They do sound fairly decent, good bass, for the price but they are kind of bulky and not extremely comfortable and I don't see myself ever wearing them in the gym. On the other hand I don't see myself going to the other extreme and using canal phones. I'm not sure if I see myself shoving them in my ear and they tend to be expensive, from what I read it seems you got to spend at least a hundred dollars and the really good ones are multiple hundreds of dollars. So any good ones, along the same style as the Apple phones or what have you? I know we have discussed headphones before but I'm wondering about specific portable phones made for the portable players.

 

[NeonLights]

For earbuds I like the Sennheiser MX-500, for canal phones, the Sure E2C. I have several pairs of the decent Koss headphones too, and like the Portapros and the KSC-75. I have more expensive and bulkier headphones too, but seldom use them portably.

 

[Coop]

I have a set of the Philips SHE-9500, they are ok, but bass is fairly weak for this type of earphones. Also you need to turn up the volume quite a bit to get to the volume levels equal to other earphones, causing the battery on your mp3 player to go flat a bit faster.

I also have a set of the DX cheapie headphones (Kanon brand). These are actually pretty nice for the little money they cost. The sound is ok, but nothing spectacular. Good enough for the daily commute on a noisy train, where sound quality doesn't matter that much (and the unknown brand reduces the chance of getting mugged).

But my favorite earphones are Koss The Plug. I'm a bass-junkie and the bass on these earphones is amazing. I had a set of the older model which had a bit better sound IMHO, but the cushions on it weren't that good. It broke and I got a new set, which had cushions with a higher density and these are much better, even though the sound isn't as good.

But the best bang for the buck is the Koss UR-40 full size headphones. great sound, at a great price. They fold up, but still, not exactly the summit of portability.

 

[elgarak]

Another Sennheiser fan here. I use the PX-100 with my iPod Nano; hate in-ear buds. Though you might not like them if you think the Koss PortaPro is too bulky. Though the PX-100 collapses much nicer than the Koss when not in use. I prefer my headphones to do as little sound adjusting as possible -- no bass-boost or any of that crap. All the Sennheisers I tried work great in that regard.

I also have a pair of Sennheiser PXC-150 noise-canceling headphones I use when traveling that work just great.

 

[LukeA]

ER-6i here. I really like them, except for the new filters I got. They aren't lasting like the original ones.

 

[axolotls]

The Etyonics 6i were hands down the best ear canal phones I ever owned till I broke them

Then I got the Shure E2C... and they were not as good. Disappointed in fact compared to the Etyonics which were about the same price. Those were stolen then I bought

err.. forgot the name but are based on the Etyonics 4 system. ARS? I think, those rock out hard!!! They even have a bass boost switch which the other didn't. However, the 6i's are tuned to be bass enhanced already.

 

[louie]

Etymotic ER4P, bought at Amazon. If you want bass, you have to seal the ear, so these are in the ear. Only works for you if you can stand in-ear plugs, or get custom molds. But very accurate. I use them for professional audio monitoring often. The iPod style buds I use for when I need to hear some of the world and maybe have to take them out often, but I accept the fi is low.

 

[LuxLuthor]

For headphones, I love my Sennheiser HD-600's with Creek OBH-11 HP Amp.

For best quality & sound isolation (i.e. air travel), I second the Etymotic ER-4P (or with 4S adapter for even more accuracy).

A nice alternative which are more comfortable, but a little less dB isolation are the M-Audio IE-30 Earphone Plugs.

 

[bobisculous]

I am listening to some great music, on my great Sennheiser PX-100's as well. Amazing sound quality for $40 or less. Highly recommend them! Ridiculously comfortable too!

-C

 

[TigerhawkT3]

You might try this thread about headphones.

 

[NeonLights]

For near total isolation with excellent sound, the Etymotic ER4's can't easily (or cheaply) be beat. I've had two pair over the years, and both were fantastic for what they were, but I seldom needed that much isolation, so I ended up selling both pair. For high quality stationary use I preferred open-air headphones like the Sennheiser HD580 or HD600 or my Grados, and for mobile use, I like to not have quite so much isolation. I still have a pair of the Ety ER6's though, they offer much of the isolation and sound quality of their more expensive big brother without the high cost.

 

[bitslammer]

For about $20 I am loving my JBL's.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5151011

These are the only in ear bud type phones I've ever had that were 100% comfortable and they really keep out the outside noise. I was almost as pleased wearing them on a plane as I am with my TEAC noise canceling phones. Actually I can wear the JBLs for 8 hours straight with no discomfort and the sound is on par with $75-100 products.

I like the idea that I can loose/break these and I'm only out $20.

 

[Pumaman]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000779RZU/?tag=cpf0b6-20

Terrific for the price.

 

[geepondy]

I believe I am going to try out the new Sennheiser CX-400's. Saw on ebay for $60.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=251604&page=2&highlight=Ultimate+Ears+Super.fi

 

[chesterqw]

you need a headphone amp too

 

[paulr]

I use Sony MDR-V6 full sized headphones, or cheap Panasonic over-the-ear phones. The first earbuds I didn't hate are the supposedly sound isolating ones from DX/Kai that were about 3 bucks for the pair. They don't sound isolate at all, but the audio is ok and they are the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried. Found url.

 

[havand]

I've been using V-moda Vibe headphones. I really love the sound. My only complaints are 1) As any in ear bud, they are a little tricky to get that airtight seal. 2) I'm not thrilled about the way the wire connects to the aluminum housing....No rubberized tail or anything. They sound fantastic though. They were about $80 when I bought them, they're down a little.

Here is a review.


Do not buy Sony EX series unless you like shrilling S's and excessive bass.

 

[dano]

I really like Creative Lab's EP-630's (which are available through other makers, also, under their own label).

Unfortunately, the Ipod leaves a lot to be desired in terms of sound quality. It's convenience is what drew me to it.

--dan

 

[TKC]

I bought a pair of Bose headphones. I LOVE the Bose headphones!!

 

[ernsanada]

I got these Sennheiser PX 100 Headphone from B&H Photo

B&H Photo price is $39.99 shipped.

From the website description.

Key Features

• Ultra-lightweight, folding headphones with self-adjusting headband designed for maximum portability

• Unique, registered design allows the ear cups to be turned through 90° and fold the headphones closed, headphones will lock in open and closed positions

• Rugged transport case with cord take-up

• Extended, fast low end response due to system "twin damping" with 80ppi polyurethane and special perforated elements

• High resolution headphone "Duofol" diaphragms with spiral embossing, extended high end response to 27 kHz

• Replaceable earpads and headband padding

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Specifications,

Type Supra-Aural Open Back Dynamic Stereo Headphones

Frequency Range 15 Hz - 27 khZ

Impedance 32 Ohm

Sensitivity 114 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, 1 Vrms

Maximum Input Power Not specified by Manufacturer

Connectors Detachable 1/4" Stereo Phone Plug
1/8" Stereo Mini Plug

Cable Length 4.6' (1.4 m)

Weight 2.1 oz (60 g)

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Comes with a carrying case.