Buds or Headphones
Discussion
Struggling to know which way I want to go.
Disappointed that even the new-style iPhone earbuds are a complete waste of time - for me they just fall out.
So I use cheapie JVC squiggy ones for comfort which then - because they fit and stay in - give an acceptable result when on-the-hoof.
At home I love my old Sennheiser HD25s. But they're falling apart, have already been back to Senny for repair once and the connectors remain a bit dodgy and fragile - hence they're not going to stand up to a daily commute.
I'd like a good in-line mic/control too. And I want sound quality that's good for rock, the spoken voice and classical from piano to orchestral and opera.
I seem to have looked at hundreds of reviews and am no closer to short listing either some decent buds or lightweight portable headphones.
What are your favourites???
Disappointed that even the new-style iPhone earbuds are a complete waste of time - for me they just fall out.
So I use cheapie JVC squiggy ones for comfort which then - because they fit and stay in - give an acceptable result when on-the-hoof.
At home I love my old Sennheiser HD25s. But they're falling apart, have already been back to Senny for repair once and the connectors remain a bit dodgy and fragile - hence they're not going to stand up to a daily commute.
I'd like a good in-line mic/control too. And I want sound quality that's good for rock, the spoken voice and classical from piano to orchestral and opera.
I seem to have looked at hundreds of reviews and am no closer to short listing either some decent buds or lightweight portable headphones.
What are your favourites???
The dogs: http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Headphones/Headpho...
(they fold up into a smallish space).
(they fold up into a smallish space).
Steve - I look at those longingly every time I visit an Apple store.
(The main bugbear about trying them out in an Apple store is the pathetic range of music on the iPods they have them linked up to. I mean I "like" The Band, but really it's no staple for checking sound quality
)
I take it you use them when travelling - and tbh if *you* think they're good I suppose I better stop looking!
(The main bugbear about trying them out in an Apple store is the pathetic range of music on the iPods they have them linked up to. I mean I "like" The Band, but really it's no staple for checking sound quality
)I take it you use them when travelling - and tbh if *you* think they're good I suppose I better stop looking!
K12beano said:
Steve - I look at those longingly every time I visit an Apple store.
(The main bugbear about trying them out in an Apple store is the pathetic range of music on the iPods they have them linked up to. I mean I "like" The Band, but really it's no staple for checking sound quality )
I take it you use them when travelling - and tbh if *you* think they're good I suppose I better stop looking!
They are really good... it's just a size thing (!), if they are small enough, they do the biz as they are as good as my noise reduction phones, but MUCH better sound quality. They may well be too big as a travel thing for many though.(The main bugbear about trying them out in an Apple store is the pathetic range of music on the iPods they have them linked up to. I mean I "like" The Band, but really it's no staple for checking sound quality
)I take it you use them when travelling - and tbh if *you* think they're good I suppose I better stop looking!
probedb said:
Probably get a better response in the Hifi section, there's also a post with lots of reviews in there 
I use IEMs, great isolation and excellent sound if you use a decent pair.
See, how long have I been around PH. I didn't even know there was a HiFi section!!!I use IEMs, great isolation and excellent sound if you use a decent pair.
I just thought of here for people with everyday experiences!
I use both. I have B&W P5s that I am about to change for Senn Momentums for most days and IEMs fort he days that I am. Going out in the evening and don't want to be carrying a massive pair of headphones about.
Some of the IEMs sound great, but not quite up to a full size phone and I often have fit issues. Something like the Senn IE80 has a soundstage almost the equal of full size phones but will fit in your pocket so could be a good compromise.
Some of the IEMs sound great, but not quite up to a full size phone and I often have fit issues. Something like the Senn IE80 has a soundstage almost the equal of full size phones but will fit in your pocket so could be a good compromise.
Mastodon2 said:
... they are comfortable, and critically stay in my ears. ...
That's the sort of thing that has left me struggling with earphones. Whilst I would like to have good quality sound, and am happy to pay for a reasonable result, I worry that I won't find anything that stays in and is comfortable; that perhaps those two things are mutually exclusive!How people get on with the more solid types (a la Apple) just confounds me.
I'm leaning more towards headphones for the comfort and fit - looks a bit poncey on the 6:50 from Moor Park maybe, but I have to listen to them not see what I look like!
You can't go far wrong with these
http://www.richersounds.com/product/all-headphones...
Brilliant sound, fold down, carry case and great price....
I haven't looked back since I brought them about 8 months ago...
Give them a try, you won't regret it!
http://www.richersounds.com/product/all-headphones...
Brilliant sound, fold down, carry case and great price....
I haven't looked back since I brought them about 8 months ago...
Give them a try, you won't regret it!
Agree on the Shure buds.
I've got a set of SE 315's that sound superb and very comfortable. I use them at work and when commuting as they isolate a huge amount of background noise and don't leak sound and annoy anyone else on the train.
If you are looking for something on the ear then the AKG K451 are a great buy for £50. Nice and compact, foldable when not in use and have an inline remote + mic. They are nowhere near as nice to look at or hold as the B&W P3's, but they are less than a 1/3 of the price and sound brilliant.
I've got a set of SE 315's that sound superb and very comfortable. I use them at work and when commuting as they isolate a huge amount of background noise and don't leak sound and annoy anyone else on the train.
If you are looking for something on the ear then the AKG K451 are a great buy for £50. Nice and compact, foldable when not in use and have an inline remote + mic. They are nowhere near as nice to look at or hold as the B&W P3's, but they are less than a 1/3 of the price and sound brilliant.
K12beano said:
hat's the sort of thing that has left me struggling with earphones. Whilst I would like to have good quality sound, and am happy to pay for a reasonable result, I worry that I won't find anything that stays in and is comfortable; that perhaps those two things are mutually exclusive!
Sony's angled ear buds.In terms of comfort and snug fit they're the best I've owned
i've got a set of Shure SE530 PTH earphones which are truly fantastic, thoroughly recommended but they aren't exactly cheap (though they're now the SE535), prior to these I've had Shures for ages, E2C then E3C then E5C! Had the 530's for around 6-7 years I think with no intention of changing unless I have to.
Shure customer care is 2nd to none as well.
Shure customer care is 2nd to none as well.
E38Ross said:
i've got a set of Shure SE530 PTH earphones which are truly fantastic, thoroughly recommended but they aren't exactly cheap (though they're now the SE535), prior to these I've had Shures for ages, E2C then E3C then E5C! Had the 530's for around 6-7 years I think with no intention of changing unless I have to.
Shure customer care is 2nd to none as well.
stull using a pair of E3C's here - as you say after care is fantastic!!!! they redid all the wire on mine 5 years ago at no cost! after being already at least 5 years old! Shure customer care is 2nd to none as well.
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