Advice on Earbuds

[inanis]

I am looking to buy a pair of relatively nice ear buds for someone as a gift. I'm hoping to spend around the $75-$100 USD range. I don't have much experience in this area, and I was hoping you all might be able to offer some advice. Here are the things I think I'm looking for:

• They should sit in the ear, not be forced to go over - he is used to wearing the stock buds that came with his phone so I don't want to spend a lot on something he might not enjoy, but if there is an argument to be made please let me know.
• No microphone is needed (they won't be used with a phone).
• These will be used in a large factory, so noise isolation (not necessarily cancellation) is required.
• He is not a stationary person by any stretch, and moves around a lot. His job requires him to work a various machinery, and locations. So, these will need to be secure in the ear.
• He likes Rap/Hip Hop, but also likes to listen to comedy routines as well (spoken word), so I'm hoping for something that will sound good in a lot of different sound profiles.

Any guidance you guys have would be great!

[CPTBadAss]

I was talking to mashby and tjcaustin about this a few weeks back. I forget what tjcaustin recommended but I was really surprised by the BeyerDynamic MMX100. If I didn't have JH5s, I'd probably have a pair of those.

And because their going to be earbuds, wouldn't that imply that it'd have some sound isolation already?

[demik]

Shure SE215 if he listens to rap.

I listen to mostly rap ( and i also listen to comedy albums so your person has great taste!) and I love these very much. They are comfortable and the noise isolation is great. They are obviously in ear but they have a bendable wire that goes over and around the top of the ear. But like i said, comfortable. They are only 100 on amazon also.

[inanis]

I was talking to mashby and tjcaustin about this a few weeks back. I forget what tjcaustin recommended but I was really surprised by the BeyerDynamic MMX100. If I didn't have JH5s, I'd probably have a pair of those.

And because their going to be earbuds, wouldn't that imply that it'd be some sound isolation?

I think the sound isolation can vary by design. I have a pair of Shure EC2's, which go directly into the ear and with them in you can't hear anything at all, even without music playing. I've had others where with them in, it isn't even equivalent to me blocking my ears. I'm sure those were incredibly cheap though.

The BeyerDynamics look nice at first glance. I'll check into these further.

Thanks for the advice!

[tp4tissue]

What you're after is impossible..

Earbuds with good sound, will be isolating (to provide bass) and have a thick cable (to prevent movement of cable while seated)..   

HOWEVER, if you're ON the GO.... the cable will create loud Thuds; when it brushes across ur cloths/ shoulders, when you walk heavily, your feet, your body will generate thud noises as well while wearing isolating earbuds

The only type of earbuds that DO NOT have the cable-thud sound, are non isolating.. and they also sound like crap.. and they also DO NOT cut out factory noise..


So you see.. what you're after does not exist..

UNLESS you can accept cable-movement noise,  and / or really crappy sound..  to which why bother listening to the radio at all.

[inanis]

Shure SE215 if he listens to rap.

I listen to mostly rap ( and i also listen to comedy albums so your person has great taste!) and I love these very much. They are comfortable and the noise isolation is great. But they are around/over the ear. But like i said, comfortable. They are only 100 on amazon also.

I have Shure EC2s and another pair of Shure's as well - I can't remember the model right now. The thing I worry about is that the cable is very stiff. I'm not sure if he could get used it it. I agree...these are *excellent*. I didn't realize they were in the range I was aiming for.

Thanks!

[demik]

I like the stiffer cable as it doesnt swing around as much. But i wear mine under my shirt.

[paicrai]

I like the stiffer cable as it doesnt swing around as much. But i wear mine under my shirt.

lol

[tp4tissue]

I like the stiffer cable as it doesnt swing around as much. But i wear mine under my shirt.

lol

LOL

[hwood34]

http://www.amazon.com/Grado-iGi-In-Ear-Headphones/dp/B005W1D6ZS

[demik]

I like the stiffer cable as it doesnt swing around as much. But i wear mine under my shirt.

lol

Ah to be 12 again

[tp4tissue]

I like the stiffer cable as it doesnt swing around as much. But i wear mine under my shirt.

lol

Ah to be 12 again

stfu.. I can tell you lold......

[frosty]

I do just fine with my A-Jays One. It's affordable and pretty good (in my opinion). :-)

[CPTBadAss]

Oh I forgot, Vsonic GR07s are an interesting choice for earbuds. I tried some out and that sound may be something you like.

[Lurch]

I love my thinksound ts02's.

Keep in mind, most of your comfort and isolation is going to come from the earphone tip, which are replaceable/up-gradable.

I grabbed a pair of Comply TS-400's and they work great with the ts02's. Super comfy and secure, with good isolation.

Shure SE215

I've heard good things about these earbuds as well. I believe they sit flush with your ear, which can be beneficial for comfort purposes...

[inanis]

I love my thinksound ts02's.

Keep in mind, most of your comfort and isolation is going to come from the earphone tip, which are replaceable/up-gradable.

I grabbed a pair of Comply TS-400's and they work great with the ts02's. Super comfy and secure, with good isolation.

I was looking at these, he does a lot of woodworking, so I thought the earbuds being made with wood was pretty neat. Then I got concerned that the wood is more of a gimick to get people to buy, rather than good sound. They do have good reviews though, and hearing your experience is reassuring. They are on my shortlist.

Oh I forgot, Vsonic GR07s are an interesting choice for earbuds. I tried some out and that sound may be something you like.

These look like they would be more comfortable over the ear, which could be a problem since he wears glasses 100% of the time, and when he is doing certain jobs, protective eyewear over those. I did really like the BeyerDynamics you suggested earlier, I'm pretty sure I'll go with those. I can debate forever when making purchases, even for myself. If it is over $50, I hem and haw until I can't stand myself.

You guys have been very helpful with all the suggestions. Thank you!

[IPT]

if he's a basshead with rap and what not, maybe the Sony XB line would appeal to him
http://www.amazon.com/MDR-XB90EX-In-Ear-Headphones-Japanese-Import/dp/B008G80FIU/ref=pd_cp_e_0

I own the Sony MDRXB60EX for when i want extra bass on the earbuds
The 90EX are the ones released this year from Sony.

For normal use i use MDR-EX650AP.  They're a more balanced earbud without the heavy bass.

I dunno, im partial to sony's sound compared to sennheisers and other brands

[demik]

Gr07 range between 120 and 180. According to headfi original gr07 are discontinued, gr07 mkii are discontinued, gr07 bass edition are discontinued and only one version is available. But amazon still has the bass editions which im tempted to try but 180 is too much for me

[CPTBadAss]

I could've sworn I saw it for less than $120 but I assume you just did a quick lookup which is much more accurate than my memory.

[demik]

Nvm blue and maroon are 99

[microsoft windows]

Make sure you buy the cheapest earbuds possible. That way you won't spend as much money.

[inanis]

Make sure you buy the cheapest earbuds possible. That way you won't spend as much money.

Yes, of course! Then I'll have more $$ to spend on my upgrade to Windows 10. 

[paicrai]

i bought ear buds once, 70 bucks and one didnt work, got them replaced and they broke after 3 weeks

[demik]

i bought ear buds once, 70 bucks and one didnt work, got them replaced and they broke after 3 weeks

bose?

i paid 100 for a pair of bose ear buds before i discovered tjcaustin and they died within a month.

[Tiramisuu]

Personally I'd rather have in ear monitors than base boosting gadgetry.   I can use an eq if I need unrealistic bass.   The over the ear setups that fit flush to the ears can give isolation from cord movement.

[paicrai]

i bought ear buds once, 70 bucks and one didnt work, got them replaced and they broke after 3 weeks

bose?

i paid 100 for a pair of bose ear buds before i discovered tjcaustin and they died within a month.

i crack up every time i think of the name, i honestly do- fanny wang. i didnt look that much at the name in store, they just recommended them to me and i tried one (the one that wasnt broken new in box) and they sounded aight, so i bought them to be horrified to know i had been sticking a defunct ******** in my ear

[demik]

i bought ear buds once, 70 bucks and one didnt work, got them replaced and they broke after 3 weeks

bose?

i paid 100 for a pair of bose ear buds before i discovered tjcaustin and they died within a month.

i crack up every time i think of the name, i honestly do- fanny wang. i didnt look that much at the name in store, they just recommended them to me and i tried one (the one that wasnt broken new in box) and they sounded aight, so i bought them to be horrified to know i had been sticking a defunct ******** in my ear

so, literally skull ****ed.

[paicrai]

i bought ear buds once, 70 bucks and one didnt work, got them replaced and they broke after 3 weeks

bose?

i paid 100 for a pair of bose ear buds before i discovered tjcaustin and they died within a month.

i crack up every time i think of the name, i honestly do- fanny wang. i didnt look that much at the name in store, they just recommended them to me and i tried one (the one that wasnt broken new in box) and they sounded aight, so i bought them to be horrified to know i had been sticking a defunct ******** in my ear

so, literally skull ****ed.

recieving and giving as well

[Sniping]

Gonna plug hcry4's classified thread for some nice IEM deals.

IE80 at $150 is great value.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=63169.0