Opinions please on best available headphones

[Senryaku]

I want to get some new heaphones for my ipod, i don't like having the so obvious white headphones, i am toying with the idea of spraying the wire black (anyone ever done this?) or buying new ones.

Don;t mind the cost, just want the best ones possible, i want the in ear (bud) kind. I have a pair of basic sony ones, and jvc ones but the sound quality is much worse than the white ones. So any recommendations would be gratefully recieved.

[street_hawk]

Wrong section of the forum

Look in the Gear->Ear/Headphones section.

Sennheiser MX400/500s get good write ups and they're cheap.

[baggss]

Look here (http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=43) for the proper forum....

[br-]

If you're looking for great quality headphones and you aren't worried about cost, here are your options:

Etymotic ER4 $210
Shure e5 $370
Sensaphonics ProPhonic 2X-Soft $900 (I think)
Ultimate Ears UE10-Pro $900

I suggest the ER4. The lower end phones like the Shure e2, e3, and the Etymotic ER6 aren't really worth their cost when for a bit more money you can purchase the ER4.

[thedodgyguy]

I suppose it depends on what you want out of your headgear.


I have the E3c, E5 and the ER-4P/S and the Etys get the least use. It's a very precise sounding phone which amazes first in it's clarity but is musically rather boring... it completely lacks any cojones to the sound: starts you off hearing more music as opposed to listening to it. The difference? You enjoy music less in my opinion. The very same reason is why I use them to test new equipment. The E3c is a bit of a compromise too and is basically the ER-4P with different equalisation (so the same thing about no cojones applies to a large degree, although Shure have tried to boost the low end) but is more suited to portable use.


As far as 'ultimate' earphones are concerned, I don't have experience of the Ultimate Ears or the Prophonics but apparently the Prophonics have a better reputation in professional circles.


For good value in-ear phones which sound pretty good (and above all quite entertaining) I'd suggest the E2's to start off with. They're $80ish, isolate nearly as well as the higher-end in-ear phones and are quite tractable. One of their problems is that the ear tube can be a bit big for some people.


If you don't want to fiddle around with earphones which may or may not fit, the at the low end of the price scale take a look at the Sennheiser PX100 or 200. The 100 is an 'open' phone which lets in outside sounds, and the 200 is 'closed' which blocks off a bit of outside noise. Due to the compromises involved in closing off a phone, especially one this small, the 200 sounds worse... but is more usable for commutes, etc. The PX100 however is one of the best sounding (and most entertaining) phones under $60. Both fold flat and are very portable.


Others? I think you may have to say a budget, more of your musical preferences, etc.

[Will F]

I have just re-discovered my Sennheiser MX500's I have been using the Sony EX71SL's Ear Buds.

I have found that the sound is much clearer with the 500's The volume control is handy too.

The cord length on the Sony's is can be a little annoying at times but if perfect for a suit top pocket

Both are good headphones in my opinion

And as mentioned they are cheap !!

Cheers

W

[XBarbarian]

dodgyguy....

THANK YOU! Thats exactly the kind of info I seek.

I bought the EX71's this weekend, and feel they really dont sound to bad to my apparently ignorant ears, but I have the option of going back to try the E2's, and I think I will.

cojones is a good descriptor here..I totally understand what your saying. The EX71's have punch, but are a tad "muddy", but I do luv the bass. I like to listen to the music as opposed to hear it, so..maybe higher end maybe foolishly speant, but the E2's will only cost a additonal 50$, so :)

[thedodgyguy]

In terms of generic (non custom) earphones, the E5's are definitely the most listenable and entertaining. There's quite a lot of loss at the highs (although this is dependent on the tips... some you lose less) but you can absolutely hear everything you need to hear and it's all quite good fun. It's the in-ear phone I use most but it did require the most effort in tweaking for my ear.

[Wilder_K_Wight]

Sennheiser PX100 if you don't want canalphones. Very nice set.