Getting the best out of Earplug type 'phones

[Bob]

A question that comes up quite often with regards to the isolation/earplug style of earphone is a "tinny" sound or lack of bass.

In a lot of cases this problem is down to the actual way you wear this type of 'phone. Isolation earphones create an acoustic seal inside your actual ear canal, so the sound from your earphones stays in your ear while outside noise can't get in.

An acoustic seal is the target of all isolation earphones. When an acoustic seal is achieved, sound projected into your ears by earbuds cannot escape and is channeled directly toward your eardrums, while disturbing external noise has no way of getting in. Acoustic seals are air-tight, so when you've got it right, you can feel the difference: pulling gently on an acoustically-sealed earbud will create a gentle tugging sensation inside your ear canal.

There is a knack to getting the earplug inserted deep enough in the ear canal to achieve a good seal.

As with noise suppression earplugs, you have to open up the ear canal by pulling upwards and outwards on the fleshy outer part of your ear (the Scapha).
The easiest way is to reach over the top of your head with your opposite hand, gripping your outer ear just above the mid-point, and pull upwards and outwards while inserting the earplug into your ear.

With the likes of the Sony EX70/71 range of 'phones I have found you can also insert the 'phone loosely into your ear canal and then, with the hand on the same side, pull out on your outer ear using the thumb and index finger while pushing the earphone in with the middle finger. This method is slightly less attention getting when in public, and less likely to elbow people in the immediate vicinity in the face!

[david8613]

wow! thanks i just got the sony 71 and was very disappointed with them no bass so as i was reading your post did exactly as you said and i have bass now thanks so much!!! but i have one question though, i know home theater speakers have a burn in period were in time while using them they settle down and sound even better over a period off time, do earphones experience this, thanks...

[Bob]

You can try and run them overnight - but the drivers are so much smaller than those used in speakers, so the 'burn-in' may be a moot point...

[MikeM]

There's an always on-going debate on whether headphone burn-in makes any difference. i think that it really can't hurt, so go for it.

[DoctorSuarez]

The included headphones fit in my ears about as comfortable as a pair of cattle prods.

Instead, try the Sony Fontopia Earbuds. They seal into the ear quite comfortably, they weigh almost nothing, and the bass response is quite shocking for such a small driver. The only trick is, keep your ears clean. Trust me.

[Timmy]

I have the sony MDR-EX71SL headphones and found that often the "tininess" is a result of the sizing of the buds you use with it AS WELL as the placement, if you find it tinny despite the instructions, increase the bud size (the sonys come with three size buds)

hope it helps

[maduca]

Check this out:

http://www.microphonesolutions.com/coandreofshi.html

They review and compared the Shure earphones. Seems like the E3 takes it...

[Huberdood]

I didn't realize how bad my Sony MDR-V600's were, at least with the ipod, until I finally unwrapped the stock headphones that came with the ipod and surprisingly discovered how much better then sounded. Major relief. I only can imagine - no, I can't imagine it - how much better the Shure e3c's are gonna sound when they arrive in January.

[xander]

I use the supplied Apple earbuds with these things.

http://www.mobileplanet.com/private/...%5Fid=MP800896

They seal the ear canal and direct the sound almost perfectly. They're not designed to be used with earbuds and are a tight fit but they work very well indeed, and for $7 at radio shack they can't be beat.

[podster]

WOW!

So that's what all the fuss is about! I had my new Shure's in wrongly and then read your post and refitted them. When you don't get the fit they sound pathetic.

It's like a totally new world now! Once you get that fit they just sound superb!! It's like suddnely someone turns on the stereo in your ears. To my ear, with a proper fit, the shure e3s have plenty, plenty of bass. And you really can't hear anything in the outside world. Incredible. This is what listening to music is all about....

[truckson]

Originally posted by maduca
Check this out:

http://www.microphonesolutions.com/coandreofshi.html

They review and compared the Shure earphones. Seems like the E3 takes it...

The guys in microphonessolutions seem very pro. That is a pretty good review.

[explenture]

This is some good advice. I bought a pair of Koss 'Plugs' and would have returned them as being junk had I not read this. Thanks!

[Benco]

I'm getting good bass response with my new Sony MDREX71SL's but I seem to have to turn the volume more with them than with my stock buds, any suggestions?, Im pretty sure Im getting the seal right, but then again maybe not..!?

[grizel]

I got some slicsound ear gels.

they fit over the apple buds, but also on the Koss "The Plugs" I have. looks liek they were made for them. The cuffs fit around the sides of the phones and hold them in tight.
fit great! There are three sets of gels share with a friend - s, m and l.

best price for them is here: http://www.pricegrabber.com/user_sal...d10cedfcdd1318 - and they came fast!

[liZ]

so if i get these ear gels do i take the foam crap off and this on??