Comparing Low-End Earphones

[Auron]

Well I was looking for some good earphones but I really don't want to buy online, so I looked around for some in my area. They had the Sony EX51LP's at Best Buy and I tried them for 2 days. I didn't like the way they felt in my ear so I returned them and looked around some more. They had the Philips noise-cancelling ones but those are headphones and I only like earphone styles.

Basically all the electronics places around me do not have higher-end earphones besides the 51's, 71's, and the big bulky headphones. None of which I like. So I started looking at the low end stuff; I'm not that much of an audiophile anyway and so I figured why not.


I saw these on the same rack they were selling iPod accessories on:Philips HE591's (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-7362893-2279813?asin=B0001OY2VS) . Supposedly they provide a "Virtual surround sound" experience. They ran for 20 bucks.


For 10 bucks I saw the Sony MDR-E828LP's (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=LuHZ-1FVekrZphA9Ag_T8B5azxAyNDsRD6U=?ProductSKU=MDRE828 LP&Dept=pa&CategoryName=pa_Headphones_FontopiaEarbud) which had similar specs minus the "surround sound" feature.

I also saw these .Sony MDR-ED21LP's (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=-S6HhmIQs-GHCSN4nYaNjS0AZh9lA-5MkSA=?ProductSKU=MDRED21LP&Dept=pa&CategoryName=pa_Headphones_FontopiaEarbud) there that looked nice, can anyone vouch for these?

I've heard mixed reviews on both and I want to know if anyone can vouch for either earphone. Don't compare them to high-end ones, obviously. And besides I'm not looking to spend too much on these - I just want the best bang for my buck under 40 dollars. And this is all I found. Thanks

[MikeD]

For the money, you can't beat the Sennheiser MX series earbuds. The MX-400s I have sound better than my Sony EX-71s that were a lot more expensive.

[Elithrar]

The Sony EX51's & EX71's are uncomfortable at first, but you get used to them after a few days. Just takes some time for you to adjust to having something in your ear canal, and takes your brain a few days to block out your breathing + internal organ sounds.

[Texipod]

Sennheiser MX 500's sound great, have inline volume control and can be found online for 10-15 bucks.

[Auron]

i don't really want to buy online though.

[kauffee]

Can I ask why not? Once you move away from low end Sony and Panasonic, it's pretty hard to find these headphones in stores. Online is about the only option for most of the phones we talk about.

[Auron]

if i don't liek them it's harder to return - i want to try out the earphones myself to see if theyre comfortable.

these 3 are what i have nearby. i want to know which is better sound-wise.

[kauffee]

They're probably pretty indistinguishable. I wouldn't pay too much attention to phrases like "virtual surround sound" when you're talking about $20 earphones. It's just a marketing gimmick.

If it were me, I'd definitely choose the Sony ED21. I have a few pairs of Sony buds that look pretty similar to that and they don't sound half bad.

[enjoilax]

I have heard the Fontopia's are terrible. But then again this is from a kid who can not listen to anything less than EAC\LAME (not only that, but a specific version of it) encoded VBR mp3s.

[kauffee]

Well to be fair, there really is a difference. EAC/LAME MP3s just sound a lot better than ones that aren't.

I don't think the Fontopia buds sound like crap. They sound like $20 earphones. They're really not much better than the iBuds, in my opinion... but they're certainly not worse.

[Auron]

kaufee: just curious, how do the ed21's compare to say, sennheiser mx400

[kauffee]

I've never heard either of them so I have no idea. The old fontopia's that I have look a lot like the ED21. They have a bit of bloatiness in the bass. I wouldn't call it mudiness necessarily, but it's just a bloated sound. If it were me, I would probably go with the mx400 if both were sitting in front of me... but I highly doubt there's really a big difference.

If you're not stuck on earbuds, you should take a look at the Sennheiser PX100. That'll give you more audiophile quality sound at a low-end price.

[Auron]

well i just went with the 21's...

so far i am very pleased. turns out they are semi-canal phones. kind of a midway between earbuds and canal fones. there is a rubber portion that goes into the canal, but not as deep as ex71's so i find it to be VERY comfortable. plus the earpiece is made of some sort of anti-bacterial material, which is a plus. no need for foam pads to increase bass or keep them from slipping - the comfortable rubber material it's made of does it for you.

sound is pretty good; yeah i do notice a little bloatiness in the bass, but nothing the treble booster EQ can't fix. everything else is great tho. the sound is very close to that of the ex71, only slightly worse obviously because its not technically an in-canal. it also displays a VERY slight stethoscope effect, but its negligent compared to what you get with ex71's. it gives a decent seal too while still allowing you to hear ambient noises such as other people talking.

i will give them a 2 weeks or so to adjust and break in and i will let you guys now how they are then. perhaps some of the bloatiness will clear up. for now though, i am VERY pleased with my purchase.

did i mention these are really comfy?

btw kaufee are yours semi-canal fones too?