MDR rubber cups and...

[Hank]

I don't mean to shock anybody, but I need to talk about ear wax.

I have owned a pair of MDREX71's bud for awhile and yes they are far superior to the buds that came with my 2G pod. But, I have one continuing problem:

Ear Wax.

Now, I keep my ears as clean as the next person, so I don't want this thread to deteriorate into a personal hygiene clinic. If anything I have been admonished for using Q-tips too much by my wife and my doctor (you'll put you eye out!)

I use the medium sized cups, because they are almost juuuusssst right. The problem is that they just slip out over 1-30 minutes. I push them into a snug position and they either slip out right away or after a little finagling they might stay put for 20 minute s os so. the cause is always earwax on the rubber.

Sure, I guess I need to clean the area that comes in contact with the buds more thoroughly just prior to applying the buds, but come on, is this only my problem?

I just have to know the truth doctor.

Henry

[XBarbarian]

LOL hank...

I just got some ex71's yesterday . still tryin to learn how to seat them properly, without irritating my ears. I picked them becasue they had them at the apple store close by, and they were the least expensive of the ones Ive read about here. They also, to my surprise had the E2's, but they were twice as much...99$..and I wanted to go cheaper to see if I even like the in-ear style first. I may go back for the E2's, becasue Apple gives ya 10 day turn in for 10%..reasonable.

other threads mention the solutions you can buy that wash and dissolve ear wax - incidently, they are recommended over Q-tips too..I have been a Q-tipper all my life, despite "warnings" from all sorts! lol. But I may go buy some wax removal solution to try it out.

My ex71s dont fall out, but I am not sure how deeply they are supposed to go in. One of the complaints of the d00d at the Apple store I spoke to about his experience of the ex71's vs. the Shure E2's was he felt the E2's were so much bigger and heavier, and that was a problem for him. BUT, I almost feel the ex71's are too small, and diff to insert, and that maybe the larger size of the E2's externally, may make them easier to insert...Plus I dont like the silly damn cord config of the ex71's, but they sound fine, but I like to hear the better too..in fact , have really considered going to the ety4's now...grr...decisions, and not enough cash to buy all of em :)

[Prudence]

Careful with the oversealous cleaning, there. I managed to pierce my eardrum doing the same last summer, and well, now I have some hearing loss. It ain't worth it!

[Hank]

Glad that this thread is what I had hoped. Part hygiene, part audio. I treated to use one of those ear candles which my wife always thought was insane, then the FDA made them illegal to selling the US. Luckily for me I was in Canada on business and...

Other gripes about the MDR's. I feel I read so many raves, but the truth is:

Cord configuration is silly, there is all this extra cord on one side of your head, like they are designed for Joseph Carey Merrick or something.

Then there is the fact that without the cord extension they are too short, with the extension they are way too long, the goldilocks syndrome. What yo do with all the extra cord?

And lastly, the rubber cups? I imagine I will lose them pretty soon, then I gotta go to SONY (only place I have heard that sells replacements) and dish out another $6 plus I imagine $5 for shipping.

I think they are the best for the money, but there is certainly a market for a well designed $35 set of ear cans, are you listening Apple?

Hank

[GarrettPRS]

I haven't had the MDRs fall out due to earwax so I'm not sure...

Anyhow, I had the 71s and broke those for reasons of stupidity. So after buying the E2Cs and not liking them, I picked up the EX51s cause they were a few bucks cheaper. The cord situation is a lot better - there's no extension, just one piece of normal length cord. Also, though the ear wire is still different lengths, I matched up the left wire's length with that of the right's and used some black electric tape to neatly tape them to the same length. Since they're black and I did a decent job, you can't even tell. It was a really good solution and I recommend anyone with 71s or 51s to do it and also get the 51s if you're in the market for the Sony's. I've had both and there is no audible difference. The only difference is that the 51s don't come with the pocket case (both come with the earbud protector) and the 51s wire doesn't have the idiotic extension thing.

[XBarbarian]

Garret...

why didn't you like the E2's?

[GarrettPRS]

Well first off, I couldn't get them to fit because apparently my ears are small. The foam tips worked alright, but even the smallest silicon tips wouldn't go in with out some pain. I just thought they sounded flat and had very little bottom-end on the ipod. Through my computer and stereo they sounded great but I'd never regularly use them through either one of those.

[seoul brova]

Hank - You are NOT SUPPOSED To use Qtips because it just packs the ear wax deeper into your ear. Use a drop or two of baby oil or hydrogen peroxide to safely remove ear wax. I have no problems with my 71s falling out because of wax...the use of your Qtips may be why the headphones fall out since your building up wax inside your ear and as the canal gets "warm" with your canals, the wax may be causing the rubber to slip.

[Hank]

I realized I was not clear in the first part of my thread.

I stopped using Q-tips completely about 9 months ago. Now there is more wax in my outer ear. Yes, I believe the answer is what you suggest, proper cleaning.

In reality I was wondering how peoples experience is with the fit of the MDR's, because I just have a hard tim e with them. The big cups too big, little cups too small and the middle size aren't "just right"

thanks,

henry

[seoul brova]

I use the smallest cups because the left side of the midsize feels too big. The biggest, im not sure who would have ears big enough for those.

[JBF]

I use a waterpick to clean my ears. It's actually my fathers, but he lets me use it. Works great.

I honestly use the smallest size silicone buds on mine. All the others felt incredibly uncomfortable after a while.

[Hank]

Originally posted by JBF
I use a waterpick to clean my ears.


Ouch, can't wait to try it.

hank