View Full Version : Urgent advice needed
t3homni
12-24-2005, 03:55 AM
Well, I read the article on iLounge about the iPod headphones being bad for your hearing in the long term, and I've always found them to be a bit uncomfortable. The sound quality also isn't that good, and my left earbud is starting to make crackling noises.
I'm going overseas tomorrow, so I'm thinking of buying earphones at the duty free shop.
So, can any of you reccommend comfortable, good and less damaging earphones for me? Budget is around $80 AUD max.
At the moment I'm strongly considering these: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=MDRQ66LW%2fLIV2&Dept=audio&CategoryName=pa_Headphones_wear
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=MDRQ66LW&Dept=audio&CategoryName=pa_Headphones_wear
Anybody have them? How are they?
t3homni
12-24-2005, 07:21 AM
bump
Gee thanks for nothing. -_-
I'm going now...
ZOOM ZOOM
12-24-2005, 09:44 PM
It,s better if you buy some inearphones which make seal. Like panasonic, jvc and koss inearphones are avalaible in the market. So with those you won,t hear any external noise but only music. The sony headphones looks good too but in the plane it,s maybe won,t show enough bass.
To answer your first question: long term exposure to loud noise will damage your hearing. If you're a male, it's bad enough that we all pretty much lose our high end (above 16 kHz) by the time we're in our mid 20's. So don't crank the volume up to the max all the time and wear ear protection if you get exposed to loud noise on a regular basis.
To answer your second question: It's hard to say. I think even really cheap headphones sound better than earbuds. Canal phones like the Shure E4c or UE stuff, or Etymotic sound pretty decent compared to earbuds. But there are a lot of inexpensive headphones that put canal phones to shame.
Good luck!
Macromedia
12-25-2005, 02:04 AM
There is cheaper stuff that is better then IEM's but the Westone UM 2 would beat the Grado 125 I'm sure.
Edit: You're just ignorant n2xe, there are great IEM's out there. The e4c would beat the grado 60 or maybe even the 125.
Originally posted by Macromedia
There is cheaper stuff that is better then IEM's but the Westone UM 2 would beat the Grado 125 I'm sure.
Edit: You're just ignorant n2xe, there are great IEM's out there. The e4c would beat the grado 60 or maybe even the 125.
As I see and hear it, the Grado SR80 is much more accurate putting out what was sent down the wire. The SR80 has a flatter frequency response curve than any UE and it goes all the way out to 20kHz. So, exiting the nerdium and entering the listening room, the Grado SR80 has tight bass and isn't a monotonic thump. They exhibit spacious midrange and crystal clear high-end. Particularly at high volume.
More importantly, I've actually listened to the E3C, E4C, ER-6 and ER6i, UE Super.fi 5 Pro and SR80. It's not even a close contest for a casual listener.
What's you definition of "better" or do you prefer to make you case by calling me ignorant?
AmazingDM
12-26-2005, 03:03 AM
if you press the in ear headphones (Well with my sony's at least) more into the ear you hear bass which you never hear otherwise and it's pretty amazing
but I'm thinking of going with regular headphones
Originally posted by AmazingDM
if you press the in ear headphones (Well with my sony's at least) more into the ear you hear bass which you never hear otherwise and it's pretty amazing
but I'm thinking of going with regular headphones
There is a pretty big difference between the Sony and "high end" canal phones. The E4c and Super.fi 5 pro sound really good.
My point is that headphones sound better than canal phones--even cheap headphones. All one has to do is look at audiophile behaviour to see this. Virtually no one puts in canal phones when they sit back in the easy chair at home and listens with them--they reach for their favorite headphone. And for good reason, if it's sound you're after, headphones rule.
Macromedia may dispute my choice of cheap headphone that I used for my example but even he admits that there are cheap headphones that blow away canal phones. That doesn't mean that I think canal phones suck, just that it's easy and cheap to get better sound by using headphones.
I do, however, find canal phones to be very limited in practice. If you are not sitting still, it's difficult to enjoy the sound they put out--even if it's good. If you're walking or jogging, your heel strike sends a shock wave through your body that ends up in the (now plugged) ear canal so you get a loud, annoying low frequency thump with every step.
You can't eat a sandwich and listen to canal phones. Chewing gum? Forget it. Jaw movement totally swamps out the music. Any movement of the line cord sends sound straight into your ear canal.
So to summarize, canal phones don't sound as good as cheaper mediocre headphones and they pick up unwanted sounds in too many real life situations. Do I use them? Yes, often.
Macromedia
12-26-2005, 04:11 PM
I agree with you in saying the over the head headphones are better for the dollars but they don't blow away IEM. Look at the praise the UE-10 pro is getting. Yes it is expensive and other headphones maybe be equal to it in performance for a lower price but guess what. Most high end headphones need an amp to sound good. Sure the RS-1 cost 700$ but it needs an amp to sound it's full potential. that easly another 300$. It all adds up. Also you may need other things like a source that could be an ipod or a cd player etc. That ranges from 100 to well over 500$ Also this system isn't as portable as you think. Just a note but I find IEM's to be far more useful for me as were my grado are practically useless for walking on a street with them. They don't isolate. The IEM's that I tried out are really good for me. I plan on getting custom ones when I get a little bit more money.
J Dubbya K
12-26-2005, 05:28 PM
iems are great for portable players whereas full sized cans are good for home listening from a good amp...Both have their uses. I own a pair of sennheiser hd 650's and I find the sound more pleasing than my shure e5c's. However, the senn's are impractical with portables, especially when you're out and about, and thats where my e5's come in. Also, I never had problems with microphonics with my e5's because I wear the wires over my ears and the music I listen to usually filters out the unwanted sounds, but I do find iem's uncomfortable for extended listening periods, as the in-your-brain sound can cause a bit of fatigue, especially with forward-sounding e5's. This is where my hd650's shine, as I could listen for hours without any discomfort, but only at home, of course.
Originally posted by Macromedia
I agree with you in saying the over the head headphones are better for the dollars but they don't blow away IEM. Look at the praise the UE-10 pro is getting. Yes it is expensive and other headphones maybe be equal to it in performance for a lower price but guess what. Most high end headphones need an amp to sound good. Sure the RS-1 cost 700$ but it needs an amp to sound it's full potential. that easly another 300$. It all adds up. Also you may need other things like a source that could be an ipod or a cd player etc. That ranges from 100 to well over 500$ Also this system isn't as portable as you think. Just a note but I find IEM's to be far more useful for me as were my grado are practically useless for walking on a street with them. They don't isolate. The IEM's that I tried out are really good for me. I plan on getting custom ones when I get a little bit more money.
So after calling me ignorant, you're agreeing with me, cool. Then you tell me about the UE-10 but have never listened to them. OK, got your number. On the plus side, what a helpful hint about needing a source like an iPod or CD player, I was wondering why my phones don't play anything with nothing attached. I've got to wonder if Canadians would be better off sticking to salmon fishing and fur trapping.
Macromedia
12-26-2005, 09:28 PM
I was calling you ignorent because you said cheap headphones put IEM's to shame. Thats not true. As soon as I get the money I'll probably buy Westone ES 1. I'd say those are better then the lower end grado's. You're right by saying headphones are better for the dollar but to say that all headphones beat IEM's is bull####. Why are you now resorting to personal insults because I'm Canadian? Are you 12 years old or something? I'm just saying that there are great IEM's out there and I never said the UE-10 pro was good, I said look at the praise about how good it is. Go to Head-fi (http://head-fi.org/) and look at the forums. People love the UE-10 pro. Look at the reviews.
AmazingDM
12-26-2005, 10:42 PM
Originally posted by n2xe
There is a pretty big difference between the Sony and "high end" canal phones. The E4c and Super.fi 5 pro sound really good.
My point is that headphones sound better than canal phones--even cheap headphones. All one has to do is look at audiophile behaviour to see this. Virtually no one puts in canal phones when they sit back in the easy chair at home and listens with them--they reach for their favorite headphone. And for good reason, if it's sound you're after, headphones rule.
Macromedia may dispute my choice of cheap headphone that I used for my example but even he admits that there are cheap headphones that blow away canal phones. That doesn't mean that I think canal phones suck, just that it's easy and cheap to get better sound by using headphones.
I do, however, find canal phones to be very limited in practice. If you are not sitting still, it's difficult to enjoy the sound they put out--even if it's good. If you're walking or jogging, your heel strike sends a shock wave through your body that ends up in the (now plugged) ear canal so you get a loud, annoying low frequency thump with every step.
You can't eat a sandwich and listen to canal phones. Chewing gum? Forget it. Jaw movement totally swamps out the music. Any movement of the line cord sends sound straight into your ear canal.
So to summarize, canal phones don't sound as good as cheaper mediocre headphones and they pick up unwanted sounds in too many real life situations. Do I use them? Yes, often.
lol yah i agree especially since my jaws click a LOT and are very loud and annoying. So basically earbuds are just trendy and for portability eh?
Originally posted by Macromedia
As soon as I get the money I'll probably buy Westone ES 1. I'd say those are better then the lower end grado's. You're right by saying headphones are better for the dollar but to say that all headphones beat IEM's is bull####. Why are you now resorting to personal insults because I'm Canadian?
OK, I figured that's where you're coming from. I personally don't comment on audio equipment if I don't have any experience with it. I also try to temper other folk's reviews of high cost stuff. You learn the truth from the negative reviews. Sure, some are just people that are impossible to please but most are accurate. There is an "emperor's new clothes" syndrome when one plunks big bucks on the barrel head. Most don't want to admit that they just blew $700 on junk. And, particularly with audio equipment, the brain is such a good signal processor, if you listen to anything for a while, it sounds OK.
Regarding the Canadian crack--hey, if the toque fits eh?
Actually, I love Canada and its natives (even the white European imperialist conquerors that banished the natives to the barren, fruitless, great-white-north). I'm one of the two non-Canadian people on earth who can name all the Canadian provinces and territories as well as every Prime Minister since 1980 or so. I guess I just have kind of a low tolerance for people throwing personal insults my way especially when they haven't even touched the stuff they're spewing about. Even less tolerance when they cry about me responding in kind.
Despite all that, you're actually growing on me Macromedia. I'm going to hoist a Molson in your honor (honour).
Macromedia
12-26-2005, 11:27 PM
Molson isn't Canadian. Its owned by Coors. Get a real Canadian beer. Get Big Rock or Phoenix Gold. The Phoenix gold is a micro brewery so thats not aviliable. If all else fail, get Sleemans beer......
Originally posted by Macromedia
Molson isn't Canadian. Its owned by Coors. Get a real Canadian beer. Get Big Rock or Phoenix Gold. The Phoenix gold is a micro brewery so thats not aviliable. If all else fail, get Sleemans beer......
Hey, I know this is off topic but when I lived in Toronto about 12 years ago, I used to get this Cremora Springs Ale? Maybe I don't have the name right but are you familiar with this stuff? It was fantastic.
AmazingDM
12-26-2005, 11:45 PM
ok now i'm confused
i bought a pair of sony studio style headphones for $20 and they sound worse than the $10 sony earbuds i bought at walmart
they have a little more bass but it's a little more than half as loud as the earbuds.. and everything sounds muffled
should I go for the fontopias?
what does IEM mean?
A couple of comments on that. First, any new phones always sound funny. You're brain does a remarkable job of equalizing to what it's used to hearing. Turn off any EQ you might have on and give them 10 tunes or so before you decide they suck.
Here's what I have:
Sony MDR V150 Headphones - about $18 - good bass and midrange, highs could be better but all in all, a good cheap headphone.
Radio Shack Pro 35 - about $20 on sale - Great midrange and highs. Lots of bass but not annoying. If you like bass, you'll like these. Probably the best bang for the buck. Nobody likes them because they say "Radio Shack" and they look cheezy. I use them for jogging. These easily outperform the E3c and ER-6
Apple in-ear - about $40 - totally suck, I mean really. Some people claim these thing have bass response but I can't hear any.
Sony MDR EX71 in ear - about $30 - better than stock iPod earbuds but low bass with a monotonic thump.
Sennheiser PX-200 - about $65 - Great headphone, a tad on the brassy side but probably the cheapest entry into audiophile quality sound. Don't expect a big difference between these and the Radio Shack cans.
Grado SR80 - about $95 - I love these! I find they are tight and accurate from 20Hz to 16kHz which is as high as I can hear. No artifacts or distortion anywhere. Again, don't expect a big difference between these and the Senn PX-200.
Shure E3c and Etymotic ER-6(i) - both about $100 if you shop around - Not bad for canal phones but not great either. Bass is weak for both and I'm hard pressed to decide which is better. A big step up from the stock iPod buds and better than the Sony Fontopia offerings (noticeably)
Shure E4C and UE 5 Pro - about $200 on the web - Much better bass than the E3c and great midrange. The bass, however, doesn't compare to the Senn or Grado. Even the Radio Shack for that matter. The high end could be better. They don't like high volume but you don't need high volume either. If you need to use something small in your ear, this is the choice.
Grado SR225 - about $195 - I'll be honest, I don't hear any real difference between these and the SR80s.
Sennheiser HD595 - About $195 - I'll be honest, I don't hear any real difference between these and the SR80s. But then again, I don't claim to have that "trained audiophile ear." Maybe the sound is a little more "open" but that might just be me wishing it were so.
Again, the brain equalizes to what it hears most and I listen to the SR80 most. I do find that anything else sounds weird until I have at least 30 minutes of adaptation time.
I might add...
When I'm riding my bike, I can't use headphones over the helmut and canal phones block out way too much ambiant noise--which is important when a car is bearing down on you from behind.
I use the Griffin Ear Jams that click onto the stock iPod buds. These things really boost the bass but the midrange sounds kind of muddy. I set the EQ with bass reducer and it's not too shabby. I'd say better than the Sony Fontopias which I used to ride with. The Ear Jams give better ambient leakage (ambeint noise being a good thing in this instance). These things really boost the volume out of the stock buds but I wouldn't call it hi-fi (close though).
Oops, forgot to add... Yes, the Sony (MDR V150 anyway) takes a good bit more to drive than the stock earbuds.
IEM - In Ear Monitor, comes from the music industry where these things were first used for on-stage live music performances. Maybe the broadcast industry beat them to it but quality sound showed up to service musicians.
Nar1117
12-27-2005, 03:14 AM
Yeah, i'd have to agree with you on the ambient noise point. I also ride my bike often with earphones, and it is not a good idea to do it with IEMs... that can be dangerous.
AmazingDM
12-27-2005, 05:13 AM
that's what i bought, the mdr 150's "Studio style" headphones.
They're just too quiet, and muffled
I donno
I'm definately not going to ever spend more than $40-50 on IEM's...
it just doesn't seem like there'd be such a big difference to justify the cost
i was gonna try those sony fontopias but if they have low bass that'd suck
Originally posted by AmazingDM
that's what i bought, the mdr 150's "Studio style" headphones.
They're just too quiet, and muffled
I donno
I'm definately not going to ever spend more than $40-50 on IEM's...
it just doesn't seem like there'd be such a big difference to justify the cost
i was gonna try those sony fontopias but if they have low bass that'd suck
You can probably return the Sony's if they sound muffled. Then run over to the local Radio Shack and plug into some Pro 35A (if they have any left). Take your iPod with you and give them a test ride. For $20, I think you'll be pleased. They are low impedance phones so you'll get plenty of volume as well.
AmazingDM
12-27-2005, 08:56 AM
i'm very confused
for the past two hours i've been doing music tests (god i wish walmart still had these headphones, $10, came in 3 colors, to be quirky i chose pink, good sound)
the mdr 150's sound alright, the volume thing isn't such an issue i suppose, a pro is it it does sound nice having an enclosed sound thing, as opposed to the in ear phones which sound like they come from a single small point in my ear.. but the muffled sound kinda sucks.. some songs completely sound different, the walmart sony's sound very clear compared to them.
oye
is aiwa still in business? havent heard much from them lately.. same company as sony really but who knows, they've always been the audio branch
Yes, Aiwa is still around (www.aiwa.com).
I'd be interested to know exactly what Sony earbuds those are that you like so much. I probably have 15 different pairs from a wide spectrum of manufacturers and I kind of think the iPod stock ones are about the best of the bunch.
This is the problem with taking audio advice. I personally think that the way an individual's ear is built makes a huge difference. Some people tell me they love the stock buds and they get decent bass. I don't but I know it's there, it becomes overwhelming with the Griffin Ear Jams so go figure.
I recommend that you actually listen to phones you may want to purchase. That's hard to do with cheap bubble-packed cans and a lot of places won't let you tryout canal phones. You probably wouldn't want to if everybody else has left their earwax all over them.
If you can, try out phones with your own iPod and choice of music. I have found over the years, that it's really hard to give headphones or speakers a fair shake in less than 30 minutes of listening.
I've also found that you pretty much get what you pay for up to about $100. After that, things get a lot more subjective than objective. I do enjoy the few bargains out there like the MDR-V150 (mine are 4 years old but I've heard a few "muffled" complaints lately, yours included) or the Radio Shack Pro 35A (good bass and mids but the highs are a little ratty, kind of like the Etymotic ER-6).
CookieFactory
12-27-2005, 02:18 PM
Awesome. 2 pages of info after the guy leaves the country.
Macromedia
12-27-2005, 05:39 PM
Edit: Double post
Macromedia
12-27-2005, 05:41 PM
Well its advice isn't it. Even if is a bit late.......
Dougboy
12-27-2005, 06:32 PM
well, it really isnt advice. You guys talked about IEM's and headphones when he refered to those over the ear single piece headphone (whatever they are called... things)
but despite the replies being no help to the starter of this thread, i found this thread quite interesting to read :D
Macromedia
12-27-2005, 11:15 PM
At least some good came out of this.
AmazingDM
12-28-2005, 12:45 AM
should i give the mdr 150's more time/a longer chance, and will they get better after some use? like can you condition them?
Dougboy
12-29-2005, 07:05 PM
Originally posted by n2xe
Radio Shack Pro 35 - about $20 on sale - Great midrange and highs. Lots of bass but not annoying. If you like bass, you'll like these. Probably the best bang for the buck. Nobody likes them because they say "Radio Shack" and they look cheezy. I use them for jogging. These easily outperform the E3c and ER-6
you got any pics of this? Because i tried to find it online but didnt come up with anything since radioshack has been takin over by circuit city.
revmonkey
12-29-2005, 07:27 PM
maybe he's referring to the 'new' centrios. i seriously considered buying these for ab-use but decided to save my money.
www dot thesourcecc dot com/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Earbud+Headphones&product=3319535
Originally posted by Dougboy
you got any pics of this? Because i tried to find it online but didnt come up with anything since radioshack has been takin over by circuit city.
Sorry, I was away for a few days skiing (more like ice skating on Whiteface). There was one pair left at my local Radio Shack last week for $19.95. Here's the pic: