Recommend a pair of headphones for me

anyone have recommendations on especially comfortable earbud-type iPod headphones? i don't know if i'm just irritable or over-sensitive about my earlobes but i kind of hate how sore my ears get with even the fairly nice Bose earbuds i have so much that i don't listen to my iPod nearly as much as i would otherwise.

people have different shaped ears - there's no replacement for just trying earbuds out until you find a pair that you like

yeah but i can't really go into a store and try them on like shoes -- was thinking maybe other people had had the same problem i dunno

what are your thoughts on Klipsch earbuds?

― juicebox, Thursday, February 10, 2011 4:50 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark

had klipsch earbuds, the plug broke within 3 months

― dayo

My Klipsch S4's sound great (with Shure buds). But I have to say, build quality is not great (as mentioned above). My last pair developed a loose connection in the plug within 12 months. Got a new pair with the warranty but I'm a bit suspect as to how long the new pair will last.

been researching a bit the B&W P5s and came across a lot of comparisons with the Beyerdynamic T50p. Has anyone tried these?
The B&Ws look fabulous but I'm a bit worried that they seem to have a rather dull neutral sound not really adapted to the kind of music I listen to (mostly electronic)

Well, my Bose died on me tonight for what sounds like a pretty common reason - the cheap ass jack plug came lose and exposed the wires. Not sure what to do now, can't really afford to spend $100+ on new cans. Very pissed.

hate it when that happens, pays to be good w/ a soldering iron

Just frustrating because I've been super careful with them because I'd read about that very issue. Is there any decent over the ear cans for less than triple digits? Just doesn't seem worth it to spend so much when they break anyway.

I've stanned for these before I think. Definitely worth considering.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0026P45EE/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/179-7624359-3573039

Koss Portapros.

http://www.globalnerdy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/anime_headphone_guide.jpg

(bottom right)

^^^ ♥♥♥

i feel sort of creepy for posting that but fuck it, it's the internet

Fetishisation is the elephant in this room thread anyway, may as well express what everyone's thinking.

Koss Portapros.

Definitely leaning this way after researching and reading a few reviews last night. Are they comfortable for at home, relaxed listening? This is what the Bose were 100% used for.

Yeah, they're open and are pretty comfy for most head shapes, I think. Excellent sound for the price. The Sennheiser PX-100 model is probably the closest I've used that aren't the portapros, and they're still probably not as cool.

I rediscovered my AKG 240s after buying a uDAC preamp two weeks ago. teh AKGs are comfy and rich - maybe a bit above your budget though

has anyone tried running with the koss portapros? if so, how does that work? my etymotic er-6i earbuds just gave out after a few years :/

works fine. they get a bit damp.

sennheiser makes special sports buds xp

oh cool i need to check those then

i was happy with the etymotics but i'm looking for something below $80 this time, yknow?

not sure how much the sennheisers are...

to take this thread full circle

I just bought a new cheap pair of earbuds to replace my Apple earbuds

so anyone who thinks those are bad (though I don't) should try these

I'm not sure whether they're worse or not

I suspect they are

oh cool i need to check those then

i was happy with the etymotics but i'm looking for something below $80 this time, yknow?

not sure how much the sennheisers are...

over time sweat will damage phones. sennheisers are water resistant, sq ain't great though. senns are also designed to stay in your ear through exercise although they may be a bit uncomfortable

ilxor, i use these when running and they are great

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-80-ECO-Rugged-Neckband-Headphones/dp/B001IKKDL2/ref=pd_ys_iyr_img

My skullcandy titan earbuds just broke. Looking to replace them with other earbuds sub-$40. Any recommendations?

What do you people make of this? I don't want to get scammed - is that even possible on Amazon?
A bunch of people are selling the Dr. Dre BEATS earbuds - which retail for £120+ and sell on Amazon for £98 - for about £24.99, brand new.
That seems nuts to me - and a lot of these sellers are listed as "Just Launched" without any profile or feedback.
Too good to be true?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B002GI2YXA/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

probably - maybe its a fake

Sounds like a fake version of an already mediocre product.

Are they bad? I thought the consensus was they were at least sturdy. I have gone through a pair of Bose earbuds and then a pair of Sennheiser CX300IIs (with that hideous one-headphone-is-longer-than-the-other thing they do), and both of them frayed at the jack. Very frustrating.
I use my iPod a lot, but not in any crazy circumstances - just general in-the-front-pocket commuting.

I need some STURDY earbuds!

(also, thanks - you've warned me off of them!)

Not to go all Stewart Lee on you, but keep the receipt. I ALWAYS go through my headphones (all makes, all models) within 18 months, but most manufacturers have a 2yr guarantee, so send them back and get a new pair. I've started doing it, will have to see if it actually works.

Actually there's only one thing that stood out at me about the Dr Dre phones based on my time working for an authorized dealer: they have the highest return/warranty claim rate of any brand I dealt with.

I'm curious about Club Beats because, when recently shopping for new headphones, I was shocked to see how expensive they were, especially for such a ubiquitous product (and when top notch stuff is available for $100 < less).

Granted, I've never heard them, so they may be better than mediocre.

Anyways, I wouldn't do it, sounds like a gyp.

just ordered a pair of Sennheiser CX-500 in ears on Amazon for $39.

dawning on me that they are probably fakes tho

You think? That price looks about right for genuine ones, but if they do seem dodgy when you get them then a full refund and report of the seller is in order - loads of fakes on ebay, but Amazon marketplace stores ought to know better.

I was reading comments about only getting them from authorized dealers. I cancelled the order and bought different headphones.

Fair enough - saves the hassle. I bought some (genuine) CX300s last year and they lasted less than six months before they failed, so no real love for them here.

My current pair of CX-270s have lasted a little over 2 years. They're finally going now though.

shakes, I'm really pleased with the build quality of my denons - thick wire and good jack. they've been yanked out of my ears I dunno how many times but still work.

but yeah it's best to think of portable earbuds as things that just will break over time, like anything else that gets subjected to repeated mechanical stresses constantly

i've also found denon buds to be long lasting

I had Sennheiser (cx400??) earbuds that worked fine for 18 months and one day the audio in the left ear muted to a whisper. Sent them away for repair/exchange about 6 wks ago. Received an email a few weeks ago from a Sennheiser CS lady regarding delivery; she said DPD would deliver 'a package' to my work the following day, which of course never happened. I've been trying to chase this with Sennheiser and it seems DPD may have just delivered my stuff to some random other person... so I'm kind of giving up hope of ever getting my headphones back. Pretty frustrated with this, it's put me off buying the same ones again even though they were good while they lasted.

A few people have mentioned it upthread, but to confirm - the Klipsch S4s sound amazing but seem to be crafted from eggshell. Mine lost sound to the right bud <6 months in. Very annoyingly Amazon UK told me they won't be getting them back in for a couple of months (not sure why... are they discontinued?) so in the meantime I'm tiding myself over with Soundmagic PL11s, which a couple of audiophiley forums have suggested are the best of the bargain basement in-ears. For 13 quid I've no complaints - they're a bit better to my ears than senn cx300s. Would recommend as an emergency/backup pair.

Anyone had a pair of Beyer buds? Not sure whether to try these or just get new S4s...

think i mentioned this on the other headphones thread but if one of yr headphones goes it's unlikely it'll be the driver itself it'll be the jack end, should cost more than £2 to fix.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Denon buds, I'm going to check those out. My Sennheiser CX-300 II's lasted a year and I was perfectly happy with the sound - they only broke when the plastic around the jack separated, exposing wires which eventually frayed.

That said, I can't buy another pair of Sennheisers because of that absolutely INFURIATING 'innovation' of theirs where one headphone cable is longer than the other. Does ANYONE like that?!

update: my denons broke! :( I had to order a new pair because I dont' think they offer international warranties.

otoh I am going to purchase a squaretrade warranty this time

I took the denons apart and it's actually only the rubber sheath that's thick, the actual cable is still thin copper.

That said, I can't buy another pair of Sennheisers because of that absolutely INFURIATING 'innovation' of theirs where one headphone cable is longer than the other. Does ANYONE like that?!

Well, if you wear them as designed ie. looped round back of neck, then it does mean you can pop the earphones out and they'll rest on yr shoulders which can be handy when out and about / getting served in shops / scrabbling for change on a bus etc. Quite useful, imo.