Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Sarc · Jul 14, 2005, 10:36 PM

I'm looking for a replacement for my iPod Shuffle's earbuds, wich sound terrible.
I was tempted to buy Shure's E2c. However those are noise cancelling, wich seems dangerous for skiing or biking.

OTOH, Sony's offerings don't look very good.

Any sugestions are welcome.

CreepingDeth · Jul 14, 2005, 10:42 PM

I hurd da fontopia ones (81's) are goo 'fo da money. If ya gots da bling bling, dem E3c's, o eben da E2c's, are da wai ta go.

Sarc · Jul 14, 2005, 10:42 PM

I'm looking for a replacement for my iPod Shuffle's earbuds, wich sound terrible, hopefully with a pair that has a nice bass response.

I was tempted to buy Shure's E2c. However those are noise cancelling, wich seems dangerous for skiing or biking.
OTOH, Sony's offerings don't look very good.

Any sugestions are welcome.

budster101 · Jul 14, 2005, 10:47 PM

They may be a bit dangerous for such activities. You might not hear a car coming up from behind or a warnging from a fellow skier or safety patrol person. Also, heavy breathing activities such as those would be amplified I've heard. What about these?

Sony MDR-EX71SL Fontopia Headphones

They say in the ad that they are for active people.

or the step up from the Apple iPod earbuds from Apple? I've heard they are much better than stock.

DeathMan · Jul 14, 2005, 10:51 PM

Seems like all the good ones are noise cancelling. Its the main reason I've put off getting any. I hardly listen to my iPod at all anymore.

MaxPower2k3 · Jul 14, 2005, 10:53 PM

both the Sony Fontopia and the Shures are the same idea. They're basically earplugs with speakers. the Shures have a better design that blocks out more noise, but both of them do that. If your priority is being able to hear what's going on around you, neither of those are for you.

Zimphire · Jul 14, 2005, 11:04 PM

I love my Sony's.

Even though I think I payed too much for earbud headphones.

It drowns out all the hens hissing at honking at work.

Superchicken · Jul 14, 2005, 11:54 PM

You should try the iPod's earbuds for a while. After mine broke in they acctually sound good. They sounded tinny at first. both pairs.

Kerrigan · Jul 14, 2005, 11:59 PM

The people over at iPod Lounge have many reviews for this type of thing. They gave great reviews to these earbuds which I now own. They are quite good but you have to have them shipped from Japan.

BasketofPuppies · Jul 15, 2005, 12:24 AM

Sennheiser MX-400 (or 500, if you want a volume control).

Unless you want excessive bass, these are perfect for everyone who isn't an audiophile. (And they cost half as much as Sony's equivalent models.)

Sarc · 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3

both the Sony Fontopia and the Shures are the same idea. They're basically earplugs with speakers. the Shures have a better design that blocks out more noise, but both of them do that. If your priority is being able to hear what's going on around you, neither of those are for you.

any suggestion then ?

about the headphones already suggested here, the Fontopias have good reviews as far as sound goes, however the cables seem to 'dissolve' after some months.
The Sennheiser 400's look good. How's bass on those ?

I used to have a pair of Sony that looked very much like these (Sony MDR-ED21LP), anyone tried them ?

Thx

spatterson · Jul 15, 2005, 01:27 AM

rave reviews from the iPod lounge http://www.ultimateears.com/superfi/..._prod-979.html

I'm thinking of getting a pair

Lancer409 · Jul 15, 2005, 03:38 AM

ex-lp 51's, or 71's or 81's are good. seems their white rubber wears down pretty quick, didnt have that problem with the black earbuds. i'd suggest ex-lp 81's in black. low price, sounds great. when on sale they hit approx 30-35. otherwise 81's should be going for 40-60. good luck

GSixZero · Jul 15, 2005, 03:47 AM

I have a pair, and the E2c's are not noise canceling. They passively block noise by forming a seal in your ear, but they don't electronically cancel any noise.

They are very nice, I like them a lot, but not with the hard rubber tips that come on them. I prefer the orange foam tips that are also included. They're much more comfortable.

BasketofPuppies · Jul 15, 2005, 04:36 AM

Originally Posted by Sarc

The Sennheiser 400's look good. How's bass on those ?

Natural. No boost.

If you're the kind of person who thinks more bass = better sound, stay away. Otherwise, they're the best value for the price.

yakkiebah · Jul 15, 2005, 05:28 AM

Check the fora at Head-fi.org

karent · Jul 15, 2005, 09:40 AM

i like these:

Apple has them, macmall, ebay, etc. I like them especially because the rubber/silicone caps come in different sizes and fit in your ear well so the sound is very good. I can really hear the bass come through. They run about $40. I'm afraid to spend any more than that for fear of loss.

Description from MacMall:

Great sound quality and bass response, and come with 3 different sized caps to ensure the headphones fit comfortably and securely in your ear. Supports all iPods and all computers with headphone port

k-

MaxPower2k3 · Jul 15, 2005, 10:39 AM

I've got a pair of Sennheiser MX300 (same as MX400, but sans-case. MX500 is also basically the same, but has a little volume control on the cord) that i like a lot more than the Apple ones (more comfortable, sound better). $10 retail, so losing/breaking them is no big deal. And you can still hear everything around you (they block out about as much noise as the apple ones)

jokell82 · Jul 15, 2005, 10:47 AM

Go for the Etymotic ER-6's.

Sarc · Jul 15, 2005, 10:49 AM

mods, somehow I managed to doublepost this, could you merge the topics please ?

Sarc · Jul 15, 2005, 10:50 AM

mods, somehow I managed to doublepost this, could you merge the topics please ?

turtle777 · Jul 15, 2005, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Sarc

mods, somehow I managed to doublepost this, could you merge the topics please ?

Merge ?

They're gonna lockinate one.

-t

Randman · Jul 15, 2005, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by karent

i like these:

Seconded.

RAILhead · Jul 15, 2005, 11:47 AM

I love my Etymotic ER-61's.

Maury

tooki · Jul 15, 2005, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Sarc

mods, somehow I managed to doublepost this, could you merge the topics please ?

Originally Posted by Sarc

mods, somehow I managed to doublepost this, could you merge the topics please ?

Done.

Done.

Lockinate? So few people ever request merging (a fairly simple operation) that I did it for shits and giggles!

tooki

CreepingDeth · Jul 15, 2005, 12:14 PM

Yo dawg, you jus dubble post'd a reques to da mods 'bout yo dubble postn' of da thread. Dat's funny. How's dat ireny, mutha ****a? Sweet, like sum bitches.

Zimphire…werk…haha.
Sure can't check is PM's.

f1000 · Jul 15, 2005, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Sarc

I'm looking for a replacement for my iPod Shuffle's earbuds, wich sound terrible.
I was tempted to buy Shure's E2c. However those are noise cancelling, wich seems dangerous for skiing or biking.

I think the Shure E2c is noise isolating, meaning that they have built-in ear-plugs, not noise canceling.

Noise canceling ear phones often include noise isolation as well. I don't recommend Sony NC headphones unless you plan to use them in a car, train, or plane. In a room that's already quiet, the noise cancellation only adds hiss to the music. They're also bulky in the ear.

turtle777 · Jul 15, 2005, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by tooki

Lockinate? So few people ever request merging (a fairly simple operation) that I did it for shits and giggles!

I didn't know it was simple. I thought it's a bloody manual cut & paste job. Well, of course, merging is the better solution. Just didn't think you mods / admins would have / take the time.

-t

Sandbaggins · Jul 15, 2005, 11:05 PM

71s here. In Black...and White.