Advice needed on headphone choice for use at the gym

[Drake_Marcus]

Ok- so I've actually done many hours researching headphones. I realize this is my first post here, so I'm not sure how well received it'll be, but please give me the benefit of the doubt. I've also read relevant threads, the FAQ and pinned stuff here, as well as the reviews on the main site. I'll outline my situation first then I'll get into my question.

I go to the gym 7 days a week, 4 days of weight lifting, and 3 days of cardio. The university gym has some real issues that these headphones should address- noise. The girl who sits at the desk like so play the radio obnoxiously loud, so much so that playing hardcore metal music at full volume on my iPod with stock headphones won't block it out. I find this rather distracting, as I like to get into a groove when I'm lifting, and don't like distractions. The second issue is sweat- I sweat quite a bit at the gym, as I'm usually there for 2-3 hours. I find this tends to have a very negative effect on the stock headphones.

With this in mind I did some research online about high quality headphones that have good noise isolation. I read everything at headphone.com and I think I have a good idea what's going on. I also did a lot of googling to cross-reference the headphones (read lots of top ten lists and comments on Amazon).

I'm really stuck between two things- a really nice set of cans that cover the ears (for this I'd probably choose the Sennheiser HD280 Pro, or the AKG K 26P, or 27i), or a canalphones (here I'm stuck between Etymotic ER-6i and the Ultimate Ears super.fi3, although I could be sold on Shure 3c's- although I don't want to spend more then $150 Canadian). For isolation and convenience I'd choose canalphones right away. The only problem I've read about is the microphone effect (where our isolated ears pick up all other transmitted sounds). Some people say it's a killer, others seem not to notice it. From what I've read the best solution to this issue is to try the ER-6i's. I'm also hesitant to buy canalphones because I'm worried that they're going to be annoying to put on and take off. I can't spot someone when I've got the earphones in, so I'll be taking them off sometimes, and this seems like it'll be a troublesome prospect. Plus I don't look forward to having to pay money to replace wax filters and having to clean wax out of my headphones all the time.

I don't mind lugging around a big old pair of cans, and hell I'd love to get something simple like the Grado SR 60 or Sennheiser PX 100 (except neither of these have sound isolating abilities). I considered the Sennheiser PXC 250 but I'm not keen on lugging around the battery pack. There are lots of great cans out there, no question... But if I'm going to carry around that baggage they better work damn well and that means excellent sound isolation, excellent sound, AND comfort. I don't care what they look like- I'm not at the gym to pick up girls. I'm concerned with function.

So what does everyone think? I'm leaning towards canalphones right now... but I really don't want to spend my money on a pair of canalphones only to find out they're a hassle and don't suit my needs!

Thank you for reading all this text- and thanks again if you decide to respond!

EDIT:

One more thing, I've been having trouble with my stock headphones- they've been failing fairly quickly. It starts with a rattle in one of the ear pieces- this rattle is usually dependent on the volume, and can be temporarily cured with a quick blow to the casing. I'm not sure if this is due to rough handling (read that last sentence again- I know hitting the headphones isn't kosher, but I figured it was worth a try because the headphones were obviously already broken) or if it's due to sweat getting into the headphones. Like 99.999...9% of iPod users I had to ditch the black material covers for my stock headphones because they fell off to easily. This means that sweat gets in the headphones rather easily. I've noticed that they work better dry then wet (no surprise there). This shouldn't be an issue with canalphones since the form a tight seal which would block incoming sweat (although that doesn't protect the body of the earpiece that isn't sealed in my ear canal) and apparently should work fine after drying out (according to what I read about the ER-6i's).

Double EDIT:

I'm also wondering about the impedance of some of the larger cans, so please keep that in mind (although this is an iPod forum, so I guess you've already thought of that!).

[Cakbar]

I also use my Ipod at the gym 6-7 days per week. I have 2 sets of canal phones that I use depending on the kind of workout I do. For days that I don't do any cardio, and therefore sweat less, I use Sony 81's. The reason that I don't use these on Cardio days is that, because of their design, sweat tends to roll down them and into the ear. On cardio days, I use Apple In Ears (with Sony 81 eartips). They are also good for the gym, but the sound quality isn't quite as good as the 81's. Both give decent isolation and are normally sufficient to drown out gym noises. They are also relatively easy to quickly remove to talk to/spot someone.

If I were to start over and just pick one kind of earphone for the gym, I'd probably go for the Sony 51's or 71's. They would/should give similar sound quality to the 81's, without the sweat issue.

I also have a set of Etymotic 6i's that I don't use for the gym as they are a bit more difficult to remove and replace quickly (if using the foam eartips). Plus the fact that I prefer to use these for walking or sitting quietly listening to music.

One thing to keep in mind about canal phones for working out is that, because you are moving around a lot and straining etc..., they will loosen from your ears easier than if you were just walking or sitting down. You will probably find that you will have to push them back in more often. This is something that you get used to, to the point that you don't notice you are doing it.

[Glorybox3737]

I also have the same routine as you and I love canal phones for this. I have UE super.fi 3s. No sound leaks out of them. Even though the volume isn't loud on the player it's loud in my ears. These sound great with hardcore and metal. The sweat is sealed out of your ears so don't worry about that.

The microphone effect isn't as bad as people make it sound. I've done a five mile run in these cross country and I had the wires behind my neck and my music nice and loud. I think behind the neck is a better way to use these when working out. No wires in your way.

Now taking them off and putting them on, at first it's a process. Once you get used to it then they only take a bit longer to put in. I find the foam adapters to take longer that the rubber double flang. But also the foam ones are less likely to slip when working out. I haven't had the foam ones flip yet. The foams ones are also the most comfortable and provide the best seal. But that's for my ears. Your's may be different.