View Full Version : Best Headphones <$350
surfernick
11-17-2003, 06:16 PM
I just got my new ipod and am looking to spend up to $350 on a pair of headphones. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something to just get lost from the daily grind - take me away. Don't know if this helps, but I listen to all types of music. Thanks... ntk
Check out the iPodlounge Reviews (http://www.ipodlounge.com/reviews.php) - Shure E2's, Ety 4's are popular in-ear phones. Headroom Corp. (http://headroom.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=1) might be a good place to start for a wider selection.
Search this forum - there are loads of posts about 'phones!
MikeM
11-17-2003, 08:04 PM
Etymotic ER-4P- highly recommended earphones that will block out everything that's 'grinding' around you.
http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=26&productID=0020100005
breakaway1029
11-17-2003, 08:10 PM
Although many don't like them, I would recommend the Bose Quietcomfort 1 or 2's. I think that they sound great, and they are noise cancelling so they block a lot of noise. I would also recommend Grados if you aren't looking to use the headphone to travel, because Grados are usually pretty fragile.
SkippyMcHaggis
11-18-2003, 12:45 AM
do a search for the Etymotics on ebay, there's a fairly reliable tooking "ebay store" selling them for something like $90 below retail.
i ordered some Shure E2c's today to give them a whirl. the ety's are a bit outta my acceptable price range based on my currently available disposable income.
i second the Headroom Corp for good stuff and good info.
Skip
yashan
11-18-2003, 06:48 PM
Originally posted by SkippyMcHaggis
do a search for the Etymotics on ebay, there's a fairly reliable tooking "ebay store" selling them for something like $90 below retail.
A seller named 'iDealSound' is selling the ER-4P, ER-4S and ER-4B for US $219.99. That includes free overnight shipping.
Seems pretty good since the best I could find elsewhere was $249 plus shipping.
He claims they are brand new and still sealed. Anyone done business with him?
Yep, it's a reputable company--check out the reviews--608 positive, to only 1 negative (and that person's complaint was eventually fixed to his satisfaction). A number of folks have bought from that vender at headfi.org, and all give idealsound rave reviews--and the folks there are very particular.....
I bought mine from Headroom.com--payed substantially more--about $260.00 with overnight shipping--but they have a 30 day no hassle return policy (what I should do is return them and buy them from idealsound, but I like headroom too much to do that to them)...But if you were absolutely sure you wanted the Ety's, I'd get them at idealsound--if you want the thirty day return, go with headroom...
CalgaryHABfan
11-18-2003, 11:00 PM
Originally posted by dmt1
Yep, it's a reputable company--check out the reviews--608 positive, to only 1 negative (and that person's complaint was eventually fixed to his satisfaction). A number of folks have bought from that vender at headfi.org, and all give idealsound rave reviews--and the folks there are very particular.....
I bought mine from Headroom.com--payed substantially more--about $260.00 with overnight shipping--but they have a 30 day no hassle return policy (what I should do is return them and buy them from idealsound, but I like headroom too much to do that to them)...But if you were absolutely sure you wanted the Ety's, I'd get them at idealsound--if you want the thirty day return, go with headroom...
The ER-6's, at $129 (click on advert on this site) are an excellent alternative to the ER-4 series. I have 'em, don't regret it a bit!
LikeAFox
11-19-2003, 02:54 AM
Would you guys reccomend the Shure E2's or the Etymotic ER-6's? I am about to buy a new pair of headphones and since the price points are comparable, I was wondering how the quality compares. Thanks for all help and opinions!
Oh yeah BTW these are for portable all around iPod use. I like bass but not too much. And I really didnt like the EX71's. They sounded way too tinny and empty to me. Hope this helps a little. Thanks again!
I haven't tried the Ety Er6's; over at headfi.org there has been a debate about the ER6's vs the Shure E2's--probably most would opt for the ER6's, but it's by no means unanimous. Either will be a huge step up from the EX's. If bass isn't critical to you, you may be happier with the ER6's....
If you need a earphone for working out, or your going to be walking around with them on, I'd definitely go with the E2's--they're durable, and have absolutely no cord noise (Supposedly the Ety 6's are better than the Ety4's with regard to the cord noise; but I have the Ety 4p's with the new cord, which is supposed to reduce cord noise, and it's still a problem with physical activity). I'd probably go with the ER6's over the Shure's if you weren't going to be walking around with them; otherwise I'd go with the Shure's. Either way, I'd try to listen to both first before purchasing--but that might not be possible. If that's the case, by from a vendor such as Headroom that allows hassle free returns...
Again, either one is a major step up from the EX's. If you can spring the extra dough, consider the Ety 4p's. But once again, even with the new cable, there is quite a bit of cord noise, so much so that I use the Shure E2's for working out, and the Ety's when casually listening.
lupowolf
11-21-2003, 07:58 PM
I like the Band & Olufsen ear phones. Great sound.
SkippyMcHaggis
11-21-2003, 09:56 PM
ya know, dmt1, the only solution to the Ety cord noise problem is Shure e5's :) too bad they're sooooo far outta my price range right now.
but seriously, if you're not sure what to get, Headroom is the place to go, if you can swing buying both up front, trying them out, and keeping what you like.
i'll cast a vote for the Shure E2's. i got mine the other day, and i'm loving them. right outta the box they fit, they're comfortable (although i should say that i sleep with earplugs in every night, so i'm used to stuff in my ears) and they sound great. i hate to admit it, because i'm really like the sound stuff that i've got around my house, but i've heard things with the E2's that i haven't ever heard before, on anyone's stereo. there really is a noticable seperation of instruments and the soundstage is so much more...tangible.
i haven't used the Etymotic ER-6's, but i'm not sure the difference between the ER-6's and the E2's is enough to justify the extra $30, but remember that's me, being happy with what i've got. "cord noise" (where the any touching or brushing of the cord is heard in the headphones) is something i can't stand, so i wanted something that wouldn't do it. and E2's don't.
if you want something that's gonna "break you in" to high-end audio, try out either one of them, they're both great starting points. just beware the upgraditis virus. it runs rampant in the hi-fi community.
not to steal Headroom's thunder, but if the price is an issue, i know there's a good vendor, brianf, on ebay who's got Shure E2's for $79.99 shipped. he'll take returns, but mentioned that he'd charge to replace any used tips (foamies or rubber). so keep that in mind.
Skip
Haven't tried the ETY but check out the Sennheiser PXC 250 noise cancelling phones. Its been a while since I heard the Bose QC 1 but these from recollection sound better for 1/2 the price, about 149. The PXC has good noise cancelling, solid taut bass and crisp highs that don't sound to bright. THD is below 0.1.
thedodgyguy
11-24-2003, 07:22 PM
I own the Shure E5, Ety ER-4P, Senn PXC250 and have owned the E2.
The PXC250 doesn't really take you away from the surrounding environment. It cancels low-frequency noise but not conversation. The ER-4P while very crisp and detailed may not be what you're looking for, especially on the iPod... It's a very neutral sounding earphone. The E5 is over your budget... Which leaves the E2. Give it a try first. I rate the sound of the PXC250 over the E2, but in terms of usability the E2 gets the nod over the PXC250. It features very good isolation, and it's cheap. I don't think you'd be losing anything by giving it a go. If you decide you like what you hear, then you can arrange a mortgage and go for the E5 :D
LikeAFox
11-25-2003, 12:32 AM
I just got my E2's in today. I like them a lot. They sound really solid, espically compared to the EX71's. Speaking of the EX71's, I ran into a little modification concept for the Shure E2's using the medium sized ear pieces from the Sony EX71's. The thread I got this from is over at head-fi.org. Many who have done the mod say that the modded E2's are even comparable to the Etymotic ER4's. I personally haven't done the mod yet, but I plan to. You can buy the medium sized Sony EX71 tips here (http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/index.jsp) for about $8 shipped (just do a product search on the right for "MDREX71SL"). For details on the mod and user reports, the original thread is here (http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49884). Good luck to all! And thanks everyone for your help!
thedodgyguy
11-25-2003, 02:26 AM
I believe you mean they become 'better' than the ER-6. Anyone saying that mod makes an E2 'better' than an ER-4 most likely hasn't heard one.
But still, E2's... very good phones for the money.
LikeAFox
11-25-2003, 03:03 AM
No, I meant what I said, and said what I meant. Some people thought they were comparable to the ER4's. And yes they had heard the ER4's, otherwise it wouldn't be a comparison now would it? :D
For what it's worth, I have the Shure E2's and the Ety 4P's--I've tried the mod for the E2--and they Shure's simply aren't anywhere near the 4P's with the mod--it's wishful thinking in my opinion. And don't get me wrong; I love the Shure E2's--they're my earphone of choice for working out, but they don't touch the Ety's. (I haven't heard the E5's). IMHO the E2's are the best bargain for an earphone you're going to find, and I would strongly recommend it to you after reading your posts in this thread, but mod or no mod, IMHO they aren't comparable to the Ety 4P's...
I made a crude triple flange mod using Ety flanges for the E2's--very, very crude I might add; it's too unstable to be usable--and it sounded great--I'd really love to see the Shure's with a triple flange option. I've tried earmolds; the triple flange (and for that matter, the foamies) sounded better...
LikeAFox
11-25-2003, 11:13 PM
Hmm, interesting. Would you say the $8 required for the mod on the E2's is worth it? Would you recommend the mod? Thanks.
Personally, no--I think the foamies sound better than the mod (But that's just me; from the link you posted, you can see some folks liked the mod, some didn't. Personally, I think the foamies do a better job). I'd recommend going with the foamies until (hopefully) Shure makes triple flanged sleeves available.
LikeAFox
11-26-2003, 12:27 AM
Ok. Well, I actually sent in an email to Shure suggesting triple flanged ear tips for the E2, because I would love to have these as well. Until then, I'll keep trying out different things and maybe try ordering those EX71 tips to try this mod. Thanks!
Nice job--the more people that ask for the triple flange, obviously the better chance that it will happen. A Shure rep (Sugarfried) lurks here occasionally and is aware of the interest in the triple flanges....
thedodgyguy
12-01-2003, 06:40 AM
Interesting. How did you get the Ety triple flanges on the E2?
Uh, you don't want to know....OK, I'll tell you, but it's kind of embarrassing..
I took a pair of E2 foamies, and removed the foam. Then I cut off the end of what remained of the plastic cylindar with the "edge" on it. Once the edge is gone, you can insert a Ety triple flange in on end, and put the other end on the earphone itself. It's a tenuous setup, but with compression, you get a good seal--and it sounds great. BUT, as soon as you let go, the flanges remain in you ears, without the earphone. Then you spend the next ten minutes of your life trying to figure out how to get them out, and the next fifteen actually doing it. Don't try this at home...
I thought about sending a video of it to Letterman, because I'm reasonably sure I could make a segment of "Stupid Human Tricks" with this...:D
Bottom line--the triple flanges, even in an imperfect (VERY imperfect) setup sounded superb--the best sound I've been able to get out of them...