Apple in-ears vs. Sony ex51s/71s

[Asli]

Well I recently got a 4th gen 40gb iPod and i'm not too happy with the earphones. They do not fit well, are uncomfartable, and the sound quality isn't that great. I have some Sony street-style mdr g52s and their sound quality isn't that much greater than the stock earbuds at all. So I've been thinking about getting some new ones and from browsing this forum i'm deciding between the apple in-ears and sony ex51s/71s and i have a few questions.

-Which ones have better comfort?
-Which ones have better bass?
-Sound quality?
-Isolation?
-Is there ANY difference between the ex51lp and the ex71sl?I mean, how come there's a $10 difference?

Another thing I'm worried about is like waranty/repair. I've heard of the ex's needing replacements a lot. I don't have a sony store near me and i'll probably order them online.

Please don't bother recommending shures/etys. I'm looking for comparisons to the stock buds so i want the one that'll show the most improvement.

[beauport]

Looking HERE (http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/search.php?s=) will help with with the information you're after.

[MikeM]

Opinions are mixed. I've read statements that some people couldn't use one or the other and sent one pair back. The sound quality is the same way- some preferred one. No real winner.

There shouldn't be a big difference in isolation unless you can't one of the pairs to fit correctly.

The 71's should be better sound-wise than the 51s. The 51s are known to be muddier, but then I'm speaking from what I've read. I have the 71s but use my shures exclusively :D

[MaXiPod]

UPS just delivered my EX51's a few minutes ago. I tried the EX71's all last week. Bought them at Circuit City so I could easily return them. I only wanted to test them out but not pay full retail for them. I decided to go with the EX51's based on forum messages saying they're the same as the 71's except $10 cheaper and without the pointless extension cord. They do in fact sound the same at the 71's and the cord is much lighter since it doesn't have the male/female connection on the cord. This connection has some weight to it which in turn tugs on your left ear plug.

[Asli]

Ok so far i'm more favorable towards the ex's. I'm just worried about it needing a replacement. but i wont be getting it from a sony store since there's none near me, so that could mean warranty/service problems. Is there anyone who's had their ex's and has no problems with them?

[ZippZopp]

I just picked up the ex51's from Fry's. I'm going to try them out for the week and see how i like them. The cord is slightly longer than most other earphones i've used, but i guess it is alright. is the cord of the ex71 much longer??? i had been wanting the white ex71's but my only concern is the extension cord....is it that much longer and obtrusive?

[Tbone]

Wow, I am amazed to read the comments about the Apple 'in ear' headphones. I bought a set and tried them and was furious because they sounded horrible. From what I read hear I assume that they just did not fit my ears. When I pressed really hard on them it sounded better but still tinny with virtually no bass. I found the stock earbuds to be infinitly better. I would like to get something better and it sounds like the Sony's tend to fit better so I guess I'll give them a try.

[ambipod]

I bought the apple in-ear buds prior to knowing that the sylicon layer on the buds causes them to constantly fall out of your ears. I was able to buy ex71 replacement buds instead of the 3 sets provided by apple - this way the apple in ear bud creates a seal and doesn't fall out of my ears. The sound is much better this way, but I am still thinking about taking advantage of the iPod lounge $60 coupon for the Shure ec3's - I have listened to these at a music store b4 and they sounded amazing.

[Tbone]

I think I'd like to go somewhere where I could try the various headphones but I'm not sure there is such a place. The EC3's do look good though.

[TommyMagic]

Originally posted by MaXiPod
UPS just delivered my EX51's a few minutes ago. I tried the EX71's all last week. Bought them at Circuit City so I could easily return them. I only wanted to test them out but not pay full retail for them. I decided to go with the EX51's based on forum messages saying they're the same as the 71's except $10 cheaper and without the pointless extension cord. They do in fact sound the same at the 71's and the cord is much lighter since it doesn't have the male/female connection on the cord. This connection has some weight to it which in turn tugs on your left ear plug.

The 'pointless extension cord'? The very same one which is perfect if you want to use your earphones with the remote? The same one which therefore gives you a good option to either use with the remote or without and either way have a reasonable length of cord!

[Ull]

what Ipodlounge 60$ coupon?

[burgerboy]

Yes, I'd be interested $60 coupon as well.

[AndyH]

The Shure E3c coupon offer is listed in our News archive here:
http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_archives.php?id=A2004087

Scroll down to the "Shure E3c earphones for $122" item. Looks like the coupon expired on August 22nd, but you may want to contact them and see if they'll still honor it.

[Jackus]

I have the ex71s and I see the extension cable as no problem. It barely "tugs" down on my ear at all, and the buds stay in fine. I would get the ex71s if I were you... Less likely to get mugged as well :D

[shabbs]

Originally posted by arsenalmad10
I have the ex71s and I see the extension cable as no problem. It barely "tugs" down on my ear at all, and the buds stay in fine. I would get the ex71s if I were you... Less likely to get mugged as well :D
Word to that. After hearing about all the muggings based on recognizing the distinct white ear buds and cable for the iPod, I had no problem with my EX71SL's having black coloured earbuds and cable.

I tried those Apple In-Ear phones that came with the iPod but man did they hurt. After reading the reviews about the EX71s I decided to get them. Holy moly what a difference. They are so comfortable and the sound is great. They block out a lot of the outside noise (this is a good thing and lets you hear only the music) so if you're walking on the street - keep your head up and be aware of the cars around you.

Man they are sweet.

Cheers.

[Xarthan]

well i have both since apple decided to send em to me for an unknown reason (I asked for a dock replacement and they sent me in ears :p anyways they told me to keep em)

So i took the plugs from my 71 and put em on the in ears and after burning the in ears i think they sound clearer than the 71s, though they lack the Bass my 71 punches when i cover two of the outside holes.

However the diameter between the in ears and the 71 is different being the in ears is smaller I can't get a 100% seal, more like 95% on my right, so I swapped them with the big one and it works perfect.

I don't get the In-Ears plugs, they just don't fit, they keep falling out. WTF?

[Joshdude]

Actually I love the Apple in-ears. They fit me perfectly, and they have great sound as long as the seal is good. I get nice, thumpy bass. I'm very impressed.
I don't like the way the Sonys cord is made, and I thought the sound was somewhat muddy. Although I might see if I can get some of the rubber pads that come with them and see if I like them more on my Apples. Where do you get them?

[Xarthan]

mmmmm audiocube? i think they are 10 bucks The bass on the 71's are much better if you cover up all 3 holes on the outside :) I tried on the In Ears but it didn't work