MP3 Ear Buds

[BlackDog]

Can anyone recommend good sturdy earbuds? I've tried cheap ones and more expensive ones, and none seem to hold up very well. I'm not hard on my stuff, but for some reason I don't get more than a few months out of earbuds before something breaks. On the ones I have now, the metal screen over the speaker broke off, and now the speaker sounds like crap. Any suggestions?

[AD720]

What is your price range?

[BlackDog]

Prefer not to go over $100. $50 is even better.

[Beagleone]

I use Shure earbuds for my listening pleasure. They start at $100 and go up (I have the low end buds for now). They have several replaceable sleeve buds that fit differently in your ear, depending on your usuage. I like the form sleeve since they conform to my ear and don't slip out when I am at the gym.

http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayCategoryProductListPage/categoryID.12165500

[St. Lou Stu]

IMHO the Koss Sparkplugs are the best bang for yer buck in that price range.

I have two pair and I like em a lot. mmmm hmmmmm

[poker]

Although mine are nowhere near under the price point you are looking for, I absolutely love my Shure SE420-K earbuds.
I found that over the 2-3 years of buying inexpensive earbuds I easily spent a total that equals the cost of the Shure's.

Shure makes some less expensive models that are excellent also:

SE110
SE210

Both are under $100.00 at amazon

[BeerAdvocate]

Skull Candy

[Tripp]

Skull Candy +1

[AD720]

I use Shure earbuds for my listening pleasure. They start at $100 and go up (I have the low end buds for now). They have several replaceable sleeve buds that fit differently in your ear, depending on your usuage. I like the form sleeve since they conform to my ear and don't slip out when I am at the gym.

http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayCategoryProductListPage/categoryID.12165500

Although mine are nowhere near under the price point you are looking for, I absolutely love my Shure SE420-K earbuds.
I found that over the 2-3 years of buying inexpensive earbuds I easily spent a total that equals the cost of the Shure's.

Shure makes some less expensive models that are excellent also:

SE110
SE210

Both are under $100.00 at amazon

Shure is where it's at. They are built to withstand the rigors of touring with musicians so they will stand up to your commute easily.

Try to find your self a set of e2's.

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1242687578&sr=8-1

If I understand correctly the se110 is the replacement for those but the e2's seem a lot more durable to me and are about half the price of the se110. I've had mine for going on 5 years now. Definitely get the foam buds for them, I find the foam much more comfortable than the plastic.

[kelmac07]

I LOVE my Shures...now Beats by Dre make a nice set too (I have the full size headphones by Beats By Dre and they are AWESOME!!!! Like sitting in the studio...with the studio time price...$ 350). Just my :2

[leasingthisspace]

Skull Candy

+2

[jjirons69]

+1 for Shure

Right at $90 in the Scratch and Dent on Crutchfield, I got a jam up set. I use the silicon tips in the gym and the expandable foam in the yard. Nice sounding bass from such little guys.

[BlackDog]

I'm leaning towards some of the Shure models in the under $100 bracket. Am I going to like the "sound isolation" earbuds in an office environment? Are they difficult to take off and put on to talk with colleagues, answer the phone, etc?

[AD720]

I'm leaning towards some of the Shure models in the under $100 bracket. Am I going to like the "sound isolation" earbuds in an office environment? Are they difficult to take off and put on to talk with colleagues, answer the phone, etc?

Most in-ear style headphones are going to do a large amount of isolation. For example, I wear mine on the train and I don't hear anything, but I like that. To hear anyone talk I just pop one out. Putting them in takes a little getting used to but it really only takes a second.

[RGD.]

I looked at the Shure and Bose models for my iPod Touch. Never had anything by Bose before - but ended up going with them as I like the way the earpiece was designed and it came with three different tips.

The clarity and detail across all the ranges is just freaking incredible. And I was shocked at the bass - just never imagined it could be that good. I really just couldn't be happier. A solid 5 out of 5 stars for me.

It also came with a very nice zippered leather case that is sized exactly to hold the iPod Touch in along with the headset. Perfect for me.

Right at the $100 selling mark at Best Buy.

Ron

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/7997/7997322_sa.jpg

[BlackDog]

Thanks guys. I've been looking at the Shure SE110 earphones on Amazon. The customer feedback they use makes me nuts. Most people rank the SE110 very well within it's price range, but then there's some who say the bass sucks. I wish there was some ranking system out there that would definitively say that "XYZ" model is the best under $100. Would make my decision making easier. :confused:

[PeteSB75]

I've been using a pair of Sony earbuds for about 3-4 years now. I use them on the train commuting every day with no problems.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0015AFOR8/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance is similar, as is http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007N55LO/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1GC47N5J8F7IJ&v=glance

$100 is a waste of money, IMO. Those Sony buds are $25-$35 and, I think, just as good.
FYI, generally the people complaining about lack of bass response are not wearing the buds correctly. These need to be in your ear canal. If they are sitting on the outside, you get poor response and less isolation.

[morefifemusic]

Thanks guys. I've been looking at the Shure SE110 earphones on Amazon. The customer feedback they use makes me nuts. Most people rank the SE110 very well within it's price range, but then there's some who say the bass sucks. I wish there was some ranking system out there that would definitively say that "XYZ" model is the best under $100. Would make my decision making easier. :confused:

Wish granted. :)

Headfi.org IEM comparisons pt.1 (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/review-18-iem-reviewed-compared-final-update-nov-2-08-a-335851/)

Headfi.org IEM comparisons pt.2 (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/review-multiple-iem-shootout-v-2-a-394365/)

I personally would recommend HeadDirect RE2s (http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=23). They have a combo deal (http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=71) going on right now in which you can get the IEMs and a Fiio E5 Heaphone Amp (http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=57) for $50 (or you can get just the IEMs for $39. These do sound significantly better amped but will blow many IEMs out of the water even unamped.

That said, look the threads over and pick what is in your price range and meets your needs. I thoroughly enjoy my Re2s though. ;)

-Tyler

[GreekGodX]

Lots of great recomendations on here! I would go with shure. I use Vmoda earbuds, great bass and good sound. I think on amazon or buy.com has them for cheap.

[skullnrose]

My go to are Shure SE530 but for the money you can't go wrong with Head Direct’s RE1 with a headphone amp without an amp Head Direct RE2.

[BlackDog]

Thanks guys. I just ordered the Head Direct RE2's with the amp. Good reviews. I appreciate everyone's help!!! :tu

[BlackDog]

My earbuds showed up yesterday. Wow, the sound is amazing! I've hardly had these out of my ears since they were delivered. If you're currently using low-end earbuds, you have no idea what you're missing. For $49, which includes a small amp, these seem like a terrific value. Thanks guys for the recommendation!

[skullnrose]

Glad you are enjoying them you made a good choice. The sound you get from them is only as good as the source. If you are not afraid of a dangerous slope try them in a high end source. I have a 5th gen Ipod that was modded by a company called Red Wine Audio they call it the Imod. They get the little ipod to sound like a very high end source. That matched with a quality headphone amp and a nice headset/earbuds is audio bliss. At the very least try them with something other than a compressed MP3.

[ehdg]

Based on this thread, reviews and Warren's comments since he ordered them I went and did the same just now. I was tired of my old original one's since they move too much in my ear. For the price it just seemed like a no brainer. Will let y'all know what I think when I get them and use them.

Tks.

[BlackDog]

The "in ear canal" fit takes a little getting used to. My old ones fit in the outer ear. I had to change the rubber to a larger size. Never knew I had big ear canals. It's like wearing ear plugs. As long as you're comfortable with that, I think you'll be very pleased.

[morefifemusic]

Glad you are enjoying them you made a good choice. The sound you get from them is only as good as the source. If you are not afraid of a dangerous slope try them in a high end source. I have a 5th gen Ipod that was modded by a company called Red Wine Audio they call it the Imod. They get the little ipod to sound like a very high end source. That matched with a quality headphone amp and a nice headset/earbuds is audio bliss. At the very least try them with something other than a compressed MP3.

Indeed it is a slippery slope. Do an A/B comparison of your favorite track in MP3 128 bitrate vs FLAC. You'll notice even more of what you were missing. :D

[kelmac07]

Glad you found something you liked!

[BlackDog]

"Moooommmm, tell Tyler and Scott to stop. They're tempting meee."

http://fotosa.ru/stock_photo/Fancy%20by%20Veer/p_2714512.jpg

[alley00p]

I'm glad you found some that you like!

I'm really hard on earbuds, I use them at work, and I sleep with them plugged into my iPhone or Sansa MP3 players. For me, the higher end earbuds break just as fast as the cheaper models, so I've settled on Jvc Soft Inner Ear Buds - they run from $12 - $18 a pair. They have pretty decent response and I don't worry when a pair stops working I just toss 'em. :tu




:dance:

[BeerAdvocate]

Thanks guys. I just ordered the Head Direct RE2's with the amp. Good reviews. I appreciate everyone's help!!! :tu

Where did you order yours from?

[BlackDog]

Where did you order yours from?

I bought the combo from the link below. Ordered on Tuesday, arrived on Saturday.

I personally would recommend HeadDirect RE2s (http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=23). They have a combo deal (http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=71) going on right now in which you can get the IEMs and a Fiio E5 Heaphone Amp (http://www.head-direct.com/product_detail.php?p=57) for $50 (or you can get just the IEMs for $39. These do sound significantly better amped but will blow many IEMs out of the water even unamped.

[ehdg]

I just got my combo one's in today. I ordered on Sunday and it came today. Just tried one song with them and they fit much better in my ear already and sound better. Now just need to charge the amp and see how well it works with that too. Tks gain folks!!

[LasciviousXXX]

So based on what's been said in the thread so far I'm between the Shure's and the HeadDirect's.

Are there real differences between the two or is it just down to personal preference at this point?

Thanks guys

[poker]

I cannot comment or offer any comparison on the HeadDirect's since I have never heard them Dustin. I do love my Shure's though. ;)

[LasciviousXXX]

Your post alone was enough to get 'em on my radar screen Kelly :D

Both are priced pretty equally (with minor exceptions) and all the reviews I'm reading are favorable. I was THIS close to buying just some random in ear headphones at the apple store before I read this thread, now I'm armed with some better info.

Thanks bro!

[poker]

Im certain that whichever you choose, they will blow the doors off the original Apple ones. I know mine do.

[LasciviousXXX]

Awesome! Thanks for the info Kel, I'm going to go pull the trigger on the Shure's now :D


:tu

[ir13]

You should also check out etymotics.

The ER-6 is a great earphone for the money

[morefifemusic]

So based on what's been said in the thread so far I'm between the Shure's and the HeadDirect's.

Are there real differences between the two or is it just down to personal preference at this point?

Thanks guys

Shure makes some quality IEMs.

I only have the head directs, so I can't do a comparison.

In my experience shopping though, I would tend to think you pay a little more for a name like Shure.

Also, there is a pretty decent price different as the RE2s are fifty bucks with a great amp and the lower end Shures are in the 50-70 range without an amp.

Either one is a good buy though.

Good luck!

[morefifemusic]

You should also check out etymotics.

The ER-6 is a great earphone for the money

+1 good value.