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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: kidchunks on Fri, 20 May 2011, 09:28:45
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Hey all,
I'm having trouble finding some decent earbuds for when I do my 30 minute runs in the morning. The ones that come with the iphone just aren't cutting. I've had my eyes on the Jbuds J4Ms.
Can anyone recommend some that they've tried?
Thanks!
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Etymotics ER4 (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er4.html). Go all the way. Do it right the first time.
(http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/images/er4_graph_wrfy2.png)
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Some cheap IEMs, like the Meelectronic M6: $20 at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/MEElectronics-M6-CL-Sound-Isolating-Headphones-Players/dp/B0038W0K2U)
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All the "fancy" earbuds I've tried don't fit in my ear. They always fall out.
I like the ones that came with my iPod best.
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yeah, in my experience the audio quality is going to be affected by the actual physical comfort and/or fit of the earpiece so it is even more subjective than it already would be in terms of choosing a good one. I often like to have a volume control option on the headphones too, even a cheapo little sliding thing on the cord comes in handy so I don't end up fumbling for buttons. You could try checking out overstock.com as they seem to have daily scandalous deals and multiple user reviews/opinions for the ridiculous number of different earbud varieties they may carry atm. You can look at the various complaints and compliments from people who say what they liked and what sort of physical activity they do with em or what size ears they have too (comparing with other brands that may have been more or less comfortable to them). I got lucky with a 6.99 deal for some that fit comfortably where I can lean on my pillow on the side while watching tv or something without it smashing my head or getting wedged in my ear. I ended up breaking one side while working in the garden cuz I snagged the cord while digging and was looking for another but they're now up to about 20 bucks and I'm hesitant to pay 3x the amount I did once before for the same thing. They were decent enough though that if I can't find something else I might go for those again just because they don't fall out and had a long cord with a volume adjustment (and most importantly in "Y"configuration - the ones with one side longer drive me absolutely bat****.)
So I'm gonna go look now, too, cuz I sort of forgot that I meant to do that a few weeks ago... I'll let you know if I find anything good.
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Yuin Pk3 (http://www.amazon.com/YUIN-PK3-Yuin-Pk3-Earphones/dp/B001B4E49C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1306091497&sr=1-1)'s are the best standard earbuds I have used. I prefer these over in-ear models, since I can hear the outside world.
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Why did he steal his costume from the set of Aliens?
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gangsta audiophiles lawl
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Are those the Chinese clone of the Senny CX500?
The CX500's are proper plug-in-ear headphones, the Yuins are the "hangs off your ear" style. They're closer to the MX300's than anything else (but sound quite a bit better).
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It depends on what exactly you listen to and what you want from the phones and what you want to spend- For running, I find that the buds with a cylinder that connects directly to the cable is more likely to stay put than the kind with plastic or metal 90 degree legs even if they are short since this seems to put the center of gravity more towards the outside, but the ones without that leg means that sometimes the only way to pull them out of the ear is by the cord, hence greater chance of damage to them. How much fidelity do you want? Or are you most concerned with them staying put? and must they be actual bud-type or will any kind suit if it isn't likely to fall off?
I found that a no-name Q:electronics cheapo fit very comfortably and eliminated much noise to the point where I couldn't actually hear people addressing me unless I turned them down (so I would need the kind with the volume control for those or constantly be yanking them out to talk to someone) I find that the cylindrical barrels with the adjustable/varied silicon tips were most comfy - much more than the round disc-y like ones that sort of just sit in the crevice before the canal. Sony seems to have always had decent sound vs others, but without trying several kinds on the same source directly after each other its hard for me to get a good idea of what sounds better. I'm kind of stumped as to what to get myself now, since I don't want to spend much on something that is likely to get abused a bit just by the nature of it being designed for portability. Those ones in the OP look like the cord is less fragile looking than most, but I think I'd rather get two pair of cheaper ones and have a spare just in case for the price.
Anybody try the Skullcandy Titans? They appear popular, but that doesn't mean much other than lots of people might not have any clue what a good earphone is like... the CX500's I have seen with good mention too... I'd like to find a set that is proper-in-ear without the 90 degree leg with a volume control under 30 bucks... any recommends for those specs? I'm really thinking about grabbing the 2 for 34 Q:electronics off Amazon since I know I didn't hate those unless someone can convince me of a comparably priced better alternative.
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Sennheiser has a line of sporty buds (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headphones_sport-line).
I can't say much about audio quality, but I'd imagine they're at least nice and comfy to wear. Personally I'd choose these over the SE530 for working out because while I do want to make love to a pair of SE530s I don't think I'd want to wear them while running. Though if anyone feels like buying me a pair of SE530 I can see how they feel during a run...
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Thanks for the suggestions! Going to take all of them into consideration.
@ripster: Do you find the Phillips a little heavy? I've tried a set of neck bands not too long ago and didn't find them light.
So I'm gonna go look now, too, cuz I sort of forgot that I meant to do that a few weeks ago... I'll let you know if I find anything good.
Thanks!
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Ha! I ended up finding the same ones I broke on ebay for half the price listed everywhere else right as I was about to commit to buying 2 pairs at amazon for 36 bucks! I was gonna buy the 2 pairs left, but the seller told me that one was broken before shipping and so just refunded half of the $ and I won't have a spare now - Still I'm pretty happy with that. These are proven to fit my ears with the smallest silicon choice on the end... Even the medium is too big for my ears, so I'm glad I went with these again instead of rolling the dice on something that might have been uncomfortable. (I actually got stuff stuck in my ear canal more than once as child and had to go to the hospital to get it removed - I know once was just a ball of fuzz I'd pulled off a blanket,but I can't remember the other... ) Unfortunately I can't really recommend anything since the other reason I went with the familiar is that my brain started to melt trying to compare the different options available at overstock and amazon and I had to retreat. But I did learn that generally, the earlier J2 and J3 lines are supposedly a bit better than the newer J4's but that was about the only consistently expressed opinion that I could see.
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Here with an update!
Purchased the MEElectronics M6's in clear from amazon (http://www.amazon.com/MEElectronics-M6-CL-Sound-Isolating-Headphones-Players/dp/B0038W0K2U).
Going on my third day running with them with no issues. Sound is decent for the price and they don't fall out. Definitely recommend them!
Thank you all for your suggestions. :smile:
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I have a pretty tame setup, no amp for me. But I rock some Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10s paired with a Cowon J3. The drivers in the 10s make the earbuds pretty big, but my ears are huge so they fit perfectly and of course sound amazing.
I got the headphones with a Visa Card my company gave me as a small bonus...$100 when they were on a lightning sale on amazon. I couldn't pass them up at that price.
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Yuin PK3s FTW!
(Attachment) 23321[/ATTACH]
Made me want to buy a Chinese clone keyboard.
Almost.
Top of the line, the OK1 is some what better. But my generic computer sound card can not drive them, no problem with iphone / ipod though.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]23338[/ATTACH]
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Top of the line, the OK1 is some what better.
For $200, I would hope so. The PK3's "only" set you back about $40.
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I may have to pick up a pair of PK3's for travel usage. I ran across a combo deal which included the Fiio E5 + the PK3 for $54 shipped. Anyone use the Fiio F5 amp attached to an iphone 4?
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I'll get my ViSang R03 soon, can't wait.
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Most people don't want isolating earbuds for working out or running, they cut you off too much and you can't hear cars. Not to mention with many you'll hear the ccord moving around and like you're breathing in Darth Vader's helmet.
Check the sporty/active styles mentioned. Someone I know is happy with these types of senns. (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sennheiser&x=0&y=0#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sennheiser+pmx&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asennheiser+pmx)
I love my ultimate ears triple fi 10's but that's for commuting and lawn mowing, not for running.
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Most people don't want isolating earbuds for working out or running, they cut you off too much and you can't hear cars. Not to mention with many you'll hear the ccord moving around and like you're breathing in Darth Vader's helmet.
Check the sporty/active styles mentioned. Someone I know is happy with these types of senns. (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sennheiser&x=0&y=0#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sennheiser+pmx&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asennheiser+pmx)
I love my ultimate ears triple fi 10's but that's for commuting and lawn mowing, not for running.
That's something good to think about. There has been a few times where a car hasn't seen me and I was the one that had to move out of the way. Luckily I was on the left side of the road and I could see them or I probably wouldn't be in too great of shape right now...
Then again I'd really like some IEM's for running, for they seem to be the only things that won't fall out of my ears. I used to use my Grado sr-60's but in Florida that got hot quick. Work as nice earmuffs in the winter though.
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Some odd recos. Balanced armatures and sweat don't mix. You'd know this if you actually do work out :tongue:
I'd still try the Senn sport line even if you got something else. Or go for something like the Koss Sportapro and just constantly use the Lifetime warranty :eyebrows:
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Aw, just grow a pair and run with some Stax.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BR2pXhJ_6tI/TTPHaVIwa1I/AAAAAAAABp8/yW1zSanpfi8/s800/Stax_Headphones_Worn.jpg)