In need of decent headphones

[msinger23]

I know you've all heard it and im probably the 14781487912489th person to ask but the white ipod headphones arent cutting it anymore. I've already used the ex-51 which I thought were ok. Im looking for a good pair for around 50-75 bucks. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[camille]

for canal phones:

sennheiser CX300
Altec im616
creative EP630

headphones:

AKG K81DJ

clip-on:

Koss KSC-75

[Jokieman]

for canal phones:

sennheiser CX300
Altec im616
creative EP630

headphones:

AKG K81DJ

clip-on:

Koss KSC-75


And a Headphone, the PX100 by Sennheiser

[n2xe]

I agree with camille that the Sennheiser CX-300 is the best canal phone (or bud) out there.

See http://www.n2xe.com/Buds.html for my take on the issue.

[Prinny]

Besides the Sennheiser CX300, I've tried out Sony EX51, EX71, and EX90. Sennheiser's better, hands down. Better sound quality, louder at the same volume than Sony's, and (for my ears) better sound isolation. I heard a drastic jump in sound quality using Sennheisers, rather than the tiny jump in EX51/71's.

If you plan on jogging with these however, I'd get the EX90. In general, in-ear earphones are annoying if you're doing lots of movement, like exercising, but EX90's are a middle-ground.

[Jackonicko]

If you want to pay $100 or less, then the best in-ear choices, in descending order, are, in my view

1= Sony EX90 (great comfort and fit, better sound than the CX300) AND Panasonic HJE70 (great warm sound - best sound on this shortlist but not so secure in the ear as the angled EX90)

3 Sennheiser CX300

4 V Moda Bass Freq

5 Creative 630

I'd say that there's a HUGE gap in sound between the EX90/HJE70 and the other three, which are quite closely matched.

I would not consider the Shure E2C (they sound no better than CX300 at a much higher price and with much less comfort), nor the Sony EX51, 70, 71 or 81, whose tiny drivers give nasty, hissy, sibilant highs and crude, muddy bass.

I would point out that while I rate the V-Moda marginally behind the CX300 for sound (and marginally ahead for comfort), I have only heard an early version of Bass Freq and that the phone has since been revved. I'm expecting a newer pair to review shortly, but note with interest that there are a number of threads on HeadFi that rate the Bass Freq as being better than the CX300.

I'd also have to concede that V-Moda's bulletproof guarantee and after sales service, and the very wide range of colour choices might sway some to choose the Bass Freq over the CX300.

The whole list might or might not change with the release of the V-Moda Vibe today, at $101. I have a pair en route to review, and will be interested to see how they stack up against the EX90 and HJE70.

If you don't want in-ear canal phones, then consider

BUDS: Sony E888 (lack bass, but superb sound otherwise), V-Moda Remix-M, Sennheiser MX400.

OVER EARS: Sennheiser PX200, PX100, Sony G73, AKG81

[dbdynsty25]

For those hip hop or rap fans out there...I just picked up a pair of Philips SHE9500 headphones. They have the new 'turbo bass' feature that really does reproduce some impressive low end sounds. I compared them with my Shure E2c headphones and the Philips version win as far as bass reproduction. That is my one beef with the Ipod...very poor bass reproduction overall. These Philips headphones fix that...and now I'm really happy with it. At $29.99 @ Best Buy...they are a steal.

[truckson]

And a Headphone, the PX100 by Sennheiser

The small size of the D333LW and sweet design is good and ppl seem happy with them...

I bought my Sony MDR-D333LW @ warehouse123.com which is for portable use. The headphones are easy to carry around, and easy to drive from a portable player. This sony is very good with detail and soundstage was great, very practical but not overwhelming.

[roostaphant]

I just got the Shure E2C's this morning, and I'm impressed. I haven't tried any other high quality headphones, but I really like the Shures. There's no way I would have bought them though if I didn't have a discount at Best Buy.

[Dayroc]

If you want to pay $100 or less, then the best in-ear choices, in descending order, are, in my view

1= Sony EX90 (great comfort and fit, better sound than the CX300) AND Panasonic HJE70 (great warm sound - best sound on this shortlist but not so secure in the ear as the angled EX90)

3 Sennheiser CX300

4 ATH ck7



Anyone of these you can't go wrong. Amazon.com has t he cx300 on sale from time to time.
also i replaced the #4 spot. My own opinion that is.

I love the ex90s, but they are just too 'bulky'. can't really do any physical activities when i have them in my ear. But what i can say is that i can do any physical activity when i'm wearing the CK7s. The only down to the CK7 is the darn lack in bass.

[Jackonicko]

Dayroc,

Quite apart from its lack of low down bass 'grunt' the CK7 should not be on that list because it costs $120, and so isn't 'less than $100'.....

See: http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=181101

[Dayroc]

Dayroc,

Quite apart from its lack of low down bass 'grunt' the CK7 should not be on that list because it costs $120, and so isn't 'less than $100'.....

See: http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=181101


ahhh, see but it is.

http://www.warehouse123.com/ProductInfo.php?pid=AUTATHCK7-SLV

http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Headphones,+Earphones_Earphones/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-CK7_Inner_Ear_Earphones.html

i think this price reflects the perfect balance of worth for the CK7s.

it is totally not worth 120$.

I use the Ck7s for my daily only because i have yet to find anything of that compact, easily fit, durable, and easy to tuck away. the Ex90 and panny 70s are awesome phones, but they are just to bulky. If only both of those phones were in the ck7's shell.

[Jackonicko]

I agree that the CK7 (like the new Vibe) has a very low profile, and is ideal for wear under a hat, or helmet, and that the weight of the HJE70 makes it sub-optimal for exercise, but the bulk of the EX90 does not effect its ability to stay firmly plugged into the ear.

[Dayroc]

I agree that the CK7 (like the new Vibe) has a very low profile, and is ideal for wear under a hat, or helmet, and that the weight of the HJE70 makes it sub-optimal for exercise, but the bulk of the EX90 does not effect its ability to stay firmly plugged into the ear.


I can't fall asleep in bed when having the Ex90 plugged in. Not that this should be a factor in purchasing earphones.

Due to a lot traveling, i base my opinions mainly on the size of the phones and the durability of them. As for the quality of the sound, paying anything over $60 should give you something of an upgrade already. If the sound quality(low,mid, highs, base) is amazing then that is a bonus. Again, i am not a audiophile, but have many pairs. There are a lot of people who review phones with a technical aspect, where as I would share my opinion on a more customer level. Hoping that whoever is interested in the phones can cross reference with the audiophile reviews.

My little secret is that i love the Ex90, i love sony and their products, but the quality of them are just sometimes not up to par.

Haven't tried the vibe, but i hear a lot of good things about that company.
I would love to try the Bose in-ears.

Anyways back to topic, really anyone mentioned in the last 3-4 post are a good all-around in-earphone.