Best earphones/earbuds for iPod

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Level 1

37 points

Best earphones/earbuds for iPod

I know this is a loaded subject and much depends on how the iPod is used. I'm getting a new iPod and want to get new earphones with better quality listening. A long time Sennheiser customer, but this time I'm going for earbuds for ease of travel. Plus, I fly for a living and need something that I can at least hear on the plane without the drone of the engines. Iv read about everything there is about the following, but was hoping to get some real comments on a selection ... pro vs con. Any comments are appreciated. I also know that any earphone or earbud is going to be an individual choice. Currently use an couple of old Sennheiser earphones at home that would be well over $400.00 now.

What can anyone tell me of the following choices? All 3 range between $79 - $200.

1. Bang & Olfsen: earphones / earbuds

2. Sennheiser: CX500

3. Shure: SE100 / SE210

14" iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 1.07GHz, 768 Ram, 40GB HD, Safari3.0.4, Camino1.5.4, Airport Express, Bluetooth.

Posted on Oct 15, 2008 9:55 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 15, 2008 10:17 AM in response to atomicluck1

One that's not on your list but that I have used and loved for several years is the Etymotic E6ri. I find them comfortable enough to wear while sleeping; they stay in while I'm running; the drown out a lot of airplan background noise. The are within your price range. I find that if you take the trouble to insert them properly (they are the in canal type), the sound is quite good.

Best of luck

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Answer 2

atomicluck1 Author

Level 1

37 points

Oct 15, 2008 11:16 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Meg,

Thanks for the reply. As an audiophile I'm use to earphones of HIGH quality and the testing or decision on earbuds is exhausting. I know there are going to be no earbuds that have the sound and comfort of high quality earphones. But, I'm just trying to find something that is going to be good and not kill my inner ears with the pressure of the inserts. Not so concerned about the noise canceling part because much of that on earbud is strictly how tight they fit. The tighter they fit the more noise they cancel. The bad side to that is they kill your ears.

I'm hoping to get more replies.

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Answer 3

atomicluck1 Author

Level 1

37 points

Oct 15, 2008 11:18 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

The bigger question is where to find them???

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Answer 4

Oct 15, 2008 11:25 AM in response to atomicluck1

I buy mine from Amazon. If you get the right sized plugs, these fit very securely. If you need a different size, I believe Etymotics will send you a set of different sizes (but only one of each) though I've never tested this myself.

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Answer 5

GRS

Level 3

891 points

Oct 15, 2008 5:31 PM in response to atomicluck1

I have the B&O A8 earphones and I find them pretty comfortable and very good sounding. I also have Shure e500PH...don't like them at all--find them uncomfortable after a short while no matter which sleeve I use.....for general use, for me the ones that come with the iPod have been the most useful....I use them while exercising (and am not afraid of losing or breaking them since they're so cheap) and since i have tinnitus in one ear, the benefit of more exotic headphones is wasted.

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Answer 6

atomicluck1 Author

Level 1

37 points

Oct 16, 2008 6:59 AM in response to GRS

Doesn't anyone have a review of earbuds??????

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Answer 7

Oct 16, 2008 9:54 AM in response to atomicluck1

atomicluck1 wrote:
Doesn't anyone have a review of earbuds??????

Hmm. I thought that's what we were giving you.

Have you tried www.ilounge.com? They have lots of "professional" product reviews. You might also try the user reviews on Amazon, even if you don't buy from there.

Best of luck.

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Answer 8

atomicluck1 Author

Level 1

37 points

Oct 16, 2008 12:57 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I did some looking today and even went to the Apple store to see what I could find there. However, I'm going to wait now for Apple to come out with their new earbuds this month or next. They will be the first to have individual drivers and be under $100.00. Going to see what reaction they get.

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