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Headphones/Earbuds That Aren't Fucking Worthless

post #1 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:24pm
Thread Starter 
Any recommendations? I've probably spent a little over $60 within the past four months on headphones and I'm kinda sick of it.
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post #2 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:26pm
Good timing on this, Jake. I lost my last set of earbuds last week and am looking to replace them.
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post #3 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:28pm
These,

http://www.pixmania-pro.co.uk/uk/uk/...y-headpho.html


The ones I have are black, they give out fantasitc sound and because they fold up are very portable.
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post #4 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:35pm
I'm in the same boat as Jake, I must have ruined about 4 or 5 pairs of earbuds this year alone.
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post #5 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:38pm
I can't stress enough how good those JVC ones are, as someone that struggles to find a pair I like i was amazed at how good they were.
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post #6 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:44pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I just don't want to walk down the street with those on my head. Plus I prefer earbuds since you can leave one out while walking around, etc.
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post #7 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:45pm
Okay, big question time, Jake, what do you need them for? I have a huge list of recommendations but it's all dependent on what you are using them for ie) music at home, ipod, movies etc. Is sound more important than comfort? Do you prefer buds to out-of-the-ear? Is price an object?
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post #8 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:45pm
I use the Westone 3's and they're phenomenal. I had the Shure E500’s but they’re not as well made. They have great warranties and used them quiet often with Shure.
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post #9 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake View Post
Yeah, I just don't want to walk down the street with those on my head. Plus I prefer earbuds since you can leave one out while walking around, etc.
Try the B&O A8. They're a little pricier and have a slight Borg look about them but they have incredible sound reproduction and they won't hurt your ears after half an hour of listening.
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post #10 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:53pm
I'd be curious to try these.

I have a similar model and have been happy with them. Plus, these are cheaper and replacement earpieces are not too expensive.
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post #11 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan S~ View Post
Okay, big question time, Jake, what do you need them for? I have a huge list of recommendations but it's all dependent on what you are using them for ie) music at home, ipod, movies etc. Is sound more important than comfort? Do you prefer buds to out-of-the-ear? Is price an object?
I know that you posed this question to Jake, but since I'm in the market too...

I use them for work and, occasionally, the gym. Sound and comfort are both pretty important, but I'd probably lean towards comfort as being more vital. I prefer buds, and I'd like to keep the cost to something reasonable (under $25) if possible. The only reason that I'm price conscious is that I've had bad luck losing things lately.
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post #12 of 49
10/20/09 at 12:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan S~ View Post
Okay, big question time, Jake, what do you need them for? I have a huge list of recommendations but it's all dependent on what you are using them for ie) music at home, ipod, movies etc. Is sound more important than comfort? Do you prefer buds to out-of-the-ear? Is price an object?
-Need them for my mp3 player. Basically just for use while running around town, and if you have a recommendation for a durable set for more active use (gym, running, etc) I'll take that as well, I'm not averse to buying two separate pairs if one's a bit tougher than the other set.

-Buds are preferable, but out-of-the-ear/over-ear are okay too.

-Sound's pretty important. The pair I just dropped $14 on are already crackling, but that's what I get for buying a cheap replacement set from CVS for the time being.

-Price isn't TOO much of an object.
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post #13 of 49
10/20/09 at 1:12pm
I have a pair of Ultimate Ears at home and for on planes and such. Cost a 120 or so, but they are worth it for discriminating sound reproduction.

However, bought a cheaper pair of Sony (cost 60 bucks or so) that I use at work, etc. My original pair lasted about 4 years.
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post #14 of 49
10/20/09 at 1:16pm
FYI: I have the superfi pro http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimat...uperfi5pro.php

Some say they don't have enough bass, but it's a balanced more natural sound. But if you like a little more kick they have the extended bass versions.
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post #15 of 49
10/20/09 at 1:24pm
Damn, same problem here. Working out results in my earphones crackling within a couple months. My new ones are little Hot Topic-y Skullcandy buds that are actually kick ass. Their long term value remains to be seen though.
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post #16 of 49
10/20/09 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
Goddamn, guys. Sorry, money apparently IS an issue. I don't want to drop over $50 if I can't help it.
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post #17 of 49
10/20/09 at 1:38pm
Well, then. I was going to slam Ultimate Ears for their lack of durability and suggest Etymotics, but I suppose that's moot.
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post #18 of 49
10/20/09 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 
oh just go crazy anyway dude life's too short
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post #19 of 49
10/20/09 at 2:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arjen Rudd View Post
Damn, same problem here. Working out results in my earphones crackling within a couple months. My new ones are little Hot Topic-y Skullcandy buds that are actually kick ass. Their long term value remains to be seen though.
Those Skullcandy are absolutely everywhere all of a sudden. They seem to care about their looks enough that I'd just assumed the sound was awful.
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post #20 of 49
10/20/09 at 2:09pm
I haven't seen those skullcandy ones that you're talking about. Did you get them at Hot Topic, then? What was the pricepoint?

Thanks!
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post #21 of 49
10/20/09 at 2:11pm
Well, don't waste your time or money on Skull Candy. I think they are held together by happy dreams and kisses.

Total junk.
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post #22 of 49
10/20/09 at 2:12pm
Skullcandy sound great, but I've had three pairs die on me. They don't last long and they always die the same way (one headphone dies, usually the left in my experience, and the other keeps going). Don't go there.
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post #23 of 49
10/20/09 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
I think they're at Best Buy, too.

EDIT: Yeah, the pair that died on me this morning was a pair of iFrogz that I got from Ross for $7.00, so I'm not gonna bitch too much about the loss, but the left one was the first to croak on me too. They kinda look similar to Skullcandy buds too. Wonder if they share a manufacturer?
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post #24 of 49
10/20/09 at 2:20pm
Bluetooth an option?

I've had these for a little over a year now and they are fantastic for the gym. They are paired with my LG enV2 with an 8GB card.

No wires pretty much explains how great. Sound is good to me but I wouldn't be the best judge most likely. They also don't seem to suffer during calls from the same earpiece problems I have had where the caller thinks I have them on speaker and am sitting across the room. People on the other end rarely ask if I am on a headset.

Also use them for watching movies on my laptop.
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post #25 of 49
10/20/09 at 2:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The LD View Post
Well, then. I was going to slam Ultimate Ears for their lack of durability and suggest Etymotics, but I suppose that's moot.
Yeah. Heard this, but I don't go throwing my UEs around either. So far they've held up for a year and a half.
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post #26 of 49
10/20/09 at 3:03pm
I've had two pairs go to pot on me...the 4.vi model. The cords pull out and the buds die, and I'm fairly gentle, too. I'm not the only person I've known who has had this happen, but it's always been the 4.vi.
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post #27 of 49
10/20/09 at 3:06pm
It might just be their lower priced pairs. Dunno, but it's been a while since I researched.

Though I do remember being told to stay away from Shure.
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post #28 of 49
10/20/09 at 3:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post
I know that you posed this question to Jake, but since I'm in the market too...

I use them for work and, occasionally, the gym. Sound and comfort are both pretty important, but I'd probably lean towards comfort as being more vital. I prefer buds, and I'd like to keep the cost to something reasonable (under $25) if possible. The only reason that I'm price conscious is that I've had bad luck losing things lately.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake View Post
-Need them for my mp3 player. Basically just for use while running around town, and if you have a recommendation for a durable set for more active use (gym, running, etc) I'll take that as well, I'm not averse to buying two separate pairs if one's a bit tougher than the other set.

-Buds are preferable, but out-of-the-ear/over-ear are okay too.

-Sound's pretty important. The pair I just dropped $14 on are already crackling, but that's what I get for buying a cheap replacement set from CVS for the time being.

-Price isn't TOO much of an object.
Sennheiser CX 300s are a great pair of ear buds. I can't think of any over the ear headphones I'd recommend for under fifty.
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post #29 of 49
10/20/09 at 5:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pop Zeus View Post
I'd be curious to try these.

I have a similar model and have been happy with them. Plus, these are cheaper and replacement earpieces are not too expensive.
I have those exact ones in pink (shut the fuck up!), and they're fine. I mean, they're better than the actual Apple earbuds that come with the Nano (I mean, seriously - for such great products, Apple earbuds are the worst), but I may try something different when they die on me. They're comfortable in the ear, although not the world's tightest fit (that's what she said!). The sound quality is fine. But, it drives me nuts how they have that design where the one side of the cord is longer than the other so it loops under your chin - do you know what I'm talking about? If they had those earbuds with the even length of cord on the left and right sides the way the Apple earbuds do, they'd be better. They're from Sony, so I'd expect more from them, actually.
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post #30 of 49
10/20/09 at 5:25pm
CX500's are blinding too. Literally blinding, the sound quality's so good it overpowered my other senses.
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post #31 of 49
10/20/09 at 5:28pm
I pretty much only use headphones when watching a movie. Therefore, sound quality is very important to me.

For those who are curious, these are my headphones:

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post #32 of 49
10/20/09 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 
god these cheap shits keep crackling

on the verge of gluing a pair of speakers to my head
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post #33 of 49
10/20/09 at 8:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake View Post
god these cheap shits keep crackling

on the verge of gluing a pair of speakers to my head
Might want to try a plastic expoxy, Jake. I stepped on my Bose, but the epoxy I put on a few months back is still holding strong. I always at least attempt to fix my headphones before buying new ones.
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post #34 of 49
10/20/09 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 
I think it's just the way the plug fits in the jack. I've read folks saying that they've had luck with poking aluminum foil down into the jack, and it makes sense on the "okay, this is a conductor" front, but I don't want to screw up my poor $25 Sansa any more than I have already.

I know, my logic is illogical.
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post #35 of 49
10/20/09 at 10:08pm
Sorry to hear that! Like I said, the ones I have above are fine, and they're only $20 - plus I've had them for a year now without any real issues one way or the other. I know that's not a ringing endorsement, but they might do well for you for now while you see if there's anything better.
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post #36 of 49
10/20/09 at 11:20pm
Sennheiser PX-100. They sound amazing, with a really rich bass that is authentic and not overcompensating. They collapse, too, and are very portable (comes with a case, although you don't need to use it).

If you're at all hesitant about dropping $40 (they retail for $65, but can be had for $40 at Amazon) on headphones, please note: 2-year warranty. They'll replace anything, as far as I can tell, unless you obviously set fire to 'em or something. Lose an earpad? They'll mail you a new one.

About the only downside is that they eventually will suck you into higher-end headphones. I upgraded to a pair of Grado SR-60s, which are heavenly.
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post #37 of 49
10/21/09 at 12:23am
I've had a pair of Skullcandy earbuds that I bought for my iPod at Target for $12.99 back in May, and they're excellent. They've been working fine for me, and even if they go out, I'll buy another pair since they're affordable.

They're good if you're on a budget, and just want them for your MP3 player/iPod.
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post #38 of 49
10/21/09 at 12:26am
If breaking shit is really a problem, I say buy cheap. Cause if you're determined to break 'em, they're gonna brake. I'm something of a shitty headphones fanboy. Koss has a couple of models that sound way more expensive than they cost. The earbuds I have of theirs kinda suck but they were tossed in with this better sounding pair. I use them at work. They're light and sound fantastic. The fact that they're not earbuds is actually a good thing for extended use. They're pretty tough all things considered. The earpiece takes a little getting used to, but when worn they're very comfortable. Obviously they don't isolate sound, which is why I don't use them for my commute. But sonically they put my Sony earbuds to shame.
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post #39 of 49
10/21/09 at 5:34pm
I bought a set of those skullcandy earbuds yesterday from Best Buy. Honestly, they sound just fine for what I need them for and the price was right. I was tempted to go for a higher priced model, but the low price on these assures me that I won't fly into a rage when I eventually lose them. Thanks for the suggestions.
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post #40 of 49
10/21/09 at 5:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post
I bought a set of those skullcandy earbuds yesterday from Best Buy. Honestly, they sound just fine for what I need them for and the price was right. I was tempted to go for a higher priced model, but the low price on these assures me that I won't fly into a rage when I eventually lose them. Thanks for the suggestions.
I bought a pair of the same from Target a couple weeks ago. They ran like 15 or 20 bucks and sounds surprisingly good for the price.
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post #41 of 49
10/21/09 at 7:42pm
I had never had earbuds before I got the Skullcandy ones, and now I don't think I'll ever go back to using any other type. They really cancel out all sound. Nice when I'm trying to relax.
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post #42 of 49
10/21/09 at 7:45pm
Jake,

My bose work fine when I plug them directly into something. However, when I plug them into the extender cable that came with them, now adays the sound is almost always messed up. I have to twist and fiddle with it and unless I am laying perfectly still in bed, they easily become dislodged and the sound messed up. I tried the tinfoil trick last night but it did not really help. For some reason it sounded like everything was in slow motion.

Any advice?
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post #43 of 49
10/22/09 at 8:20am
CNET recently said the JVC Marshmallow ear buds are a great buy for under $20. I was leaning towards trying a pair. I wear the buds that came with my iTouch at the gym, and it barely blocks out any of the overbearing techno music they play constantly.
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post #44 of 49
10/22/09 at 8:36am
Not sure about the model, but Sennheisers are by far the best earbuds I've ever bought. Played em loud for over a year and never had any trouble with them.
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post #45 of 49
10/22/09 at 8:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan S~ View Post
Sennheiser CX 300s are a great pair of ear buds.
Seconded. I love these things. They're potentially a little fragile, so you really have to be careful not to catch the cord on anything (or anyone). They do me just fine walking around NYC, even helping to shut out the most painful aspects of subway noise. When these buds do deep, heavy bass, I keep hallucinating that I'm feeling the vibrations in my body. Great sound.

Here's where I got them, at J&R, marked down from $60 to $17!:
http://www.jr.com/sennheiser/pe/SEN_CX300_hy_B/
Amazon has them for the same price. Generally, you'll have to go north of $25-40 to get something good. This is the exception.

Here's a review guide that should help a lot. You can refine your search by price, brand, durability, etc:
http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/?...tag=mncol;dir3
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post #46 of 49
10/22/09 at 8:44am
^yup, those're the ones I'm talking about.
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post #47 of 49
10/22/09 at 8:51am
I have the same ones in white and I can confirm that they are really good given the price. I have them for my Ipod for about a year or so and nothing major to complain about. They fit the ear perfectly (You even get three different sized buds to adjust to your ear) and the sound is excellent on the full range.
One minor complaint though would be the fact that I can hear the buds sliding back and forth in my ears while jogging. But I guess that´s something you can overcome given the right buds.
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post #48 of 49
10/22/09 at 10:42am
I'll add another vote for the Sennheiser CX 300s, brilliant, brilliant buds for the price.
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post #49 of 49
10/22/09 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LisaNY View Post
But, it drives me nuts how they have that design where the one side of the cord is longer than the other so it loops under your chin - do you know what I'm talking about? If they had those earbuds with the even length of cord on the left and right sides the way the Apple earbuds do, they'd be better. They're from Sony, so I'd expect more from them, actually.
If those cord lengths are the same as on my Sennheisers, you're supposed to drape that longer cord along the back of your neck. That way, you can remove your buds and they will just dangle safely near your collarbone.
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