Earphones

[raz]

What are people's experiences with finding earphones that just don't suck?

I started with the generic iPod ones and then found out how loud they really were. I switched over to some cheap ones I bought at Wal-Mart and found out they sucked just as much. Later on, I switched to Shure SE110's and they're just great. They're only ~80 right now. However, were quality bluetooth earphones even out yet?

What are others experiences with earphones/headphones/over-the-ear headphones? I'm talking about portable ones that you can bring anywhere easily. Which ones do you use and how are they?

 

[spirilis]

I've used Etymotic Research's 6i "isolator" earphones and they have simply perfect sound quality for everything except the bass. They're like $150/pair though, and they're in-ear phones so they block everything outside by ~20dB or so.

FWIW, Etymotic Research makes bluetooth earphones for music listening-- Etymotic Research, Inc. - ety8™ Bluetooth Wireless Earphones
Freaking expensive though.

 

[raz]

Was tempted to buy some earphones with my tax refund. I use my iPod a lot, so....bluetooth would be nice.

 

[JocktheMotie]

To be honest the headphones that came with my Zune are awesome. They're magnetic earbuds! And sound quality is decent. To be honest I don't really demand an amazing aural experience from my portable music headphones....

 

[The Third Rider]

Well my and my sister's keep malfunctioning so I end up buying new ones like every other month. Do any of you know of some that are actually reliable?

 

[Randomnity]

I'm interested in this too. What are the best quality earbuds you've used, under 100$ or so, and that don't go inside your ears (those ones make my ears hurt)?

 

[spirilis]

Not exactly earphones, but just my two cents, for casual listening I use a pair of radioshack headphones with titanium drivers (KOSS makes them; bought a pair under the KOSS brand once and they looked identical). Found for $20 on sale, but they have the best response I've ever heard in a cheap headphone. Link: Koss KTXPRO1 Stereophone Portable Headphones - RadioShack.com
(They used to be $40, looks like $20 is the standard price.)
I have... technically 3 pairs between work and home, and not one of them has broken. I'm not exceptionally hard on my headphones though.

Normally not a fan of earbuds/earphones, though. The pair I own I use for motorcycling (does double-duty as effective ear protection and listening to music if I really want to on a long ride).

 

[simpleamazement]

You will like these: Shure

But the question is: Do you want to spend that much money on headphones?

 

[raz]

I'd rather have wireless headphones.

I was looking at these:

Amazon.com: Etymotic ER-4P Portable In-Ear Earphones: Electronics

INTJMom was showing me her amazing research skills and helped me to figure out that those are probably the best all around earphones for their price range.