which headphones?

[fivergirl]

Hey, this is my first time buying real headphones and I'm kind of having a hard time making a decision. I just need an affordable ($50-$75) set of headphones that works well with the iPod. I don't really know which sound I prefer, but I know I tried the Apple In-Ear Headphones (the ones purchased seperately) and I didn't like how they sounded - either because I didn't like the sound or wasn't used to the way it sounded compared to my other ones.

I've narrowed it down to these choices and I was just wondering which one/s you preferred... if you have any recommendations or suggestions please post. What are the main differences between them?

Shure E2
ezGear ezEars SX50 Earphones
Sony MDR-EX81 (prob thinking about buying these the most)
Sennheiser CX300
Creative 660
V Moda (Bass Freq or Remix M-Class)

also I was thinking of just purcashing the iSkin ones since they come with the iSkin case.

I have an iPod video (5G) if that helps. I'd prefer if they matched the iPod. Thanks. :)

[Jokieman]

x2 on the CX300's depending on your music tastes.

[camille]

Sony MDR-EX81 (prob thinking about buying these the most)

the EX81 are just EX71s w/ clip-ons. the Sony MDR-EX90LP/SL are much better, but just outta the price range. the MDR-EX85SL (http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Sony_MDR-EX85SL_N.U.D.E_EX_(Monitor)_Earphones.html) from what i heard, is very similar to the EX90 but cheaper price.

[Jackonicko]

Fiver,

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

Shure E2:
Good sound (no better than good). Good guarantee, which you might need, because build quality is variable. Big bodies, hard and uncomfortable. Once highly regarded but now overtaken by newer entries at this price point.

ezGear ezEars SX50 Earphones
Mediocre.

Sony MDR-EX81
Awful. The clips don't fit most ears, and they use EX51/71 drivers - so the sound is over-bassy, the bass is muddy, and the highs are sibilant and hissy, and the cords tend to disintegrate.

Sennheiser CX300
A good phone, but buy from reputable dealers as there are counterfeits available. Good sound and comfort. Better than the E2 at half the price.

Creative 660
The Creative 630 is similar to the CX300 - many find the sound slightly inferior. I don't know the 660.

V Moda Bass Freq
Light and very comfortable, and great if you like bass, but they do have a lot of bass.

V-Moda Remix M-Class
This is an earbud, like the stock Apple Earbud, not an in-ear. It has great sound almost equalling the Sony E888. Jerryli500's comment that V-Moda are all about style is unfair. V-Moda's phones all sound even better than they look, and they provide phones that perform better than most competitors at the same price point, though I personally believe that the CX300 just beats the Bass Freq, and the E888 beats the Remix M.

I believe that the Sony EX90 (superb comfort), the Panasonic HJE70 (lovely warm sound), the V-Moda Vibe, and the Audio Technica ATH CK7 should be on your shortlist.

I'd personally caution you against the ER6i recommended by Jerryli500 - it's great if you want accuracy and perfect balance - if you want the CD exactly as it sounds out of the box, but many (even most) people find that to be cold, clinical, uninvolving and tiring, lacking warmth, fun and sparkle.