Some New Earphones

[Zaza]

Well, I've had my iPod for about two years and have used the stock earbuds the whole time. However, about two weeks ago, I had my earbuds wrapped around my iPod in my pocket as usual, and when I pulled them out, the right earbud came completely off. Well, now I'm looking for some new, better ear phones that are in-ear. Audio ranging from the E2Cs and up is fine, but what I really want is comfort and durability (so these earphones don't suffer the same fate as my last ones). I heard that the UE 5 Pro are the most comfortable, but they are just too expensive. Any help is appreciated.

P.S. If it makes a difference, I listen to rock, hard rock, and metal on my iPod.

[Interpol]

Comfort will vary from person to person, so you'll have to try some headphones on yourself to judge. What is comfortable for one person isn't for another.

As for durability, the Shure models (E2, E3, E4, E5, and the new E500) are built with thick cords and good components. Also, Shure backs up their products with a 2 year no-questions-asked replacement warranty.

[Sinwerm]

What is your budget ? If you can afford it I would also suggest the Shure line for the music tastes you have. Shure I.E.M.s give great clarity and the best midrange (imho) , some say the highs are a bit to "soft" but I think they are just about right. For the rock and metal you listen to this may be perfect. Also they are not a "boomy" bass earphone wich works well for harder rock and they have very good definition in the bass and throughout the range. With that said I would not go lower than the E3c though , in the model range.

[Jackonicko]

If you want Sony EX71 type comfort, you need a soft sleeve IEM, and not a deep seating in ear earbud.

For a comfortable, budget earphone, with great sound (better than the E2C or E3C or the Ety ER6i, and I have all of those, so can compare them) I'd recommend the $89/£52 Panasonic HJE70. Nothing else comes close to the HJE70 below $200. If you don't want to splash on the SuperFi 5, you simply cannot do better.

Other options are the Audio Technica ATH CK7 if you like a little less bass, or, among the cheaper phones, the Sennheiser CX300.

Any of these will give you the comfort you need, and much better sound than you're used to.

But whatever you buy, you need to look after them better.

[Zaza]

A small update:

I did a quick search on Google for the Panasonic HJE70 and found these:
pricegrabber.com/p__Panasonic_Panasonic_RP_HJE70_S_Stereo_Ear_Bud_H eadphones_with_3_Pairs_of_Earpads_S_M_L,__11702110

I liked the style and the input and began the process of picking the Panasonic or the Shure E3Cs.

After having the power go out and the above site lost, I went onto Amazon to find a pair. When I typed in, "Panasonic HJE70," instead of getting the above pair, I got this:
amazon.com/gp/product/B0006BBIZO/ref=sr_11_1/002-3587217-1917615?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Is there a big difference between the two and which was the one you reccomended?

Also, between them all, which do you all think is the best?

[Jackonicko]

The HJE50s are an entirely different, cheaper, headphone not in the same league. At all.

[Zaza]

I see. So out of the three, which would you pick?

[Sinwerm]

I don't have the Panasonics , I will leave that reply blank. I still say the Shure's should be a good match for the music you listen to and since you seem to want a well built earphone or at least one with a great warranty (2 years) and top of the line customer service if something does go wrong. I would suggest you buy them from an authorized dealer and one that will let return them or get a credit towards something else if you find you don't like them.

[Zaza]

Hm. I was looking at different prices for the Shures and found that the black versions are more expensive than the originals. Is there a purpose for that or is it just a way for them to make more money?

[Sinwerm]

A total guess , supply and demand , Black is popular as is the black Ipod. Please don't base your purchase on color.

[Jackonicko]

HJE70 EVERY time, unless you want to spend $250 on the UE superfi 5