Airplane - earphones, headphones earbuds?

[viejo]

Just recently got an ipod to enjoy while I travel (which is a lot). With music, the volume is fine, but the whine of the airplane engines is still heard. With movies, it's a different story. Even with full volume, some of the quiet parts of the movie are barely audible.

I'm not inclined to find a way to boost the volumes, my hearing is bad enough as it is (ah, misspent youth!). Do y'all have a suggest/recommendation regarding a reasonably priced set of noise reduction earphone/headphone/earbud? I"d rather go with an earbud, but in the end I'm after function over form.

[kyussmondo]

I use the Shure E2c earbuds when I am on the plane. They are more expensive than your average earbuds but they are amazing for blocking out external noises and have great improvements in sound over Apples stock buds. Someone could probably shout next to me and I would be oblivious to it. All with my volume set around 30-40% (and I like my music loud and full with plenty of bass), if I had my stock iPod ones I would probably need to crank the volume up to 70-80%.

I know Sony also make some great noise-cancelling earbuds, also another quality brand is Sennheiser (spelling?).

[Bob]

For low end priced sound isolating "IEM" type phones I would say the Shure E2 are hard to beat. With the foam tips they isolate well and are comfortable (to me at least) for long distance flights.

[bdb]

I have a Sony EX-51 that I keep in my bag just for use on airplanes. It probably doesn't sound as good as the Shure, but costs about half as much, and in a noisy environment I don't think it matters all that much. I used to use a big pair of closed-air headphones, but these actually work better.

The important part with earbuds is that you get a model that inserts clear into your ear.

The other technology you may want to look for is active noise cancellation. I've never used this in an airplane, but I tried one in the office and its amazing. It would be preferable if someone sold a unit that could sit between the iPod and some headphones, but I don't know of one - usually they're built into a set of headphones (that may not be what you want). Don't confuse this with "noise isolation", which seems to be the current buzzword for in-ear earbuds.

[DoubleDown]

I am not a big fan of the earbud type headphone, but I can say that I have had great results on a plane using my Bose TriPort headphones. They are on the expensive side but have an outstanding sound, particularly the bass response, and do a good job of blocking outside noise.

[Signal to Noise]

The time I flew on a plane I had my Shure E3Cs to listen with. I used the triple-flanged sleeves and the isolation was excellent.

[viejo]

The time I flew on a plane I had my Shure E3Cs to listen with. I used the triple-flanged sleeves and the isolation was excellent.


Okay, an update....
I bought a pair of Shure E2c earphones. I bought them from a guy who didn't like them. After I got them I learned why. Very "tinny". But, after leaving my ipod on for a full day at half volume, I tried them again. Very nice! So far, so good. The big test came yesterday when I flew for the first time. Compared to the Apple earbuds, these were awesome.

So, the decision to get the E2c's was a good one. I think they provide a nice balance, but if you like a thumping bass, these aren't for you. Then again, I don't know that earphones of any kind would be.

Thanks for the advice and help!

[Signal to Noise]

Yes, the lack of bass even in the E3C's was a minor setback for my listening enjoyment. That's why I moved to the Ultimate Ears. So now I use my UE's for 'everyday' listening and the E3Cs for bedtime music and travel (so I don't lose the UEs).