Please help me decide on new earphones....

[iPod_Greg]

I am looking ofr some suggestions on a new set of earphones that I will (hopefully) be getting for Christmas (thanks, mom and dad!). The problem is that I would like some opinions and/or suggestions. Here is my situation: I am currently using the stock Apple Earbuds, ans think they are ok, but by no means great. I am also no audio purist, but am looking for a good set of in-ear phones somewhere in the $70-$150 range. I mainly listen to rock music (inc. Creed, Skynyrd, Zeppelin, Shinedown, etc...) The two main earphones I'm currently considering are the Sony EX71s and the Etymotic ER-6i's (don't like the Sony EX-81's cause of their funky ear hook thing). Any and all help is appreciated! :)

Thanks,
Greg

P.S. - Happy Thanksgiving!

[MartyMcPod]

Shure E2's. They are warm, thumpy, full, and make music sound GOOD.

The cable is THICK, and extremely sturdy, you don't get the microphonic stuff that Ety's seem to be prone to.

And best of all, the Shure's aren't white! :p

[iPod_Greg]

I appreciate your reply, Marty, however I'd like a set of white/iPod-Matching 'phones....also, I'm not sure about the way the cord goes over your ears/behind your head...it seems kind of awkward to me. I'll check 'em out though. Also, what do you mean by the "...microphonic stuff the Ety's are prone to" ?

[Doug Gilmour]

Originally posted by iPod_Greg
I appreciate your reply, Marty, however I'd like a set of white/iPod-Matching 'phones....also, I'm not sure about the way the cord goes over your ears/behind your head...it seems kind of awkward to me. I'll check 'em out though. Also, what do you mean by the "...microphonic stuff the Ety's are prone to" ?

I'd suggets the E3c's, they have gotten quite good reviews, and I will soon be getting a pair.. You can find them from places such as eCost for as low as $115 +S&H, which is an awesome deal! If you really want a pair for style so they can match the iPod you may want to check out the white version of the Sony MDR-EX71SL or the new MDR-EX81SL, or perhaps the new Etymotic Er-6i's... You may want to do a bit of research first and visit places like Head-Fi (www.head-fi.org), Head Room (www.headroom.com), and Stereophile (www.stereophile.com) for some more info on them.

-Dan

[iPod_Greg]

Thanks for the links, Dan. I will also take a look at the E3c's. As I mentioned earlier, I have looked at the EX-71's and the Etymotic ER-6i's (the latter of which I am leaning to right now mainly based on iPodlounge's review). Anyone else?

[MartyMcPod]

Well, if you want white ones, I can't help you there, as I'm opposed to white headphones besides the stock buds.

The cord does go over your ears, but it doesn't have to go behind your head. I never wear it behind my head. I just loop them over, and bring them down in front. I actually find it much more comfortable and secure this way.

Microphonics is when you can hear sounds in your earbuds, because the cord is touching something, or dragging on something. I'm not exactly sure why it happens, but it seems to happen more with buds with thin cords, as the Ety's often have. I'm not sure specifically if the ER6i's have that issue, but some of the other Ety's, like the ER4's I believe, had this issue, and it was quite noticeable. The Shure's are definitely built to last. The cable is nice and thick, and there is no issue of microphonics at all.

The E2's are a great "bang for the buck". It seems to be a consensus that the E3's sound better, but, they obviously cost more.

The overall opinion of the difference between Shure's and Ety's is that the Shure's make music fun to listen to, while the Ety's are very accurate, crisp, clear, and almost "thin". They are great for people who want to hear every single part of the song, and they seem to be liked more by "audiophiles" who like the accuracy.

I love music, and I love how it's "supposed" to sound, realistically. I don't want to hear every studio track, divided up, and strung together. The Shure's seem to give a better mix, and blend of overall "synergy" (pardon my use of that terrible word) that make the music better than just a mix of all the parts.

I like Shure's, but many people prefer Ety's.

[Doug Gilmour]

Originally posted by MartyMcPod

The overall opinion of the difference between Shure's and Ety's is that the Shure's make music fun to listen to, while the Ety's are very accurate, crisp, clear, and almost "thin". They are great for people who want to hear every single part of the song, and they seem to be liked more by "audiophiles" who like the accuracy.

I love music, and I love how it's "supposed" to sound, realistically. I don't want to hear every studio track, divided up, and strung together. The Shure's seem to give a better mix, and blend of overall "synergy" (pardon my use of that terrible word) that make the music better than just a mix of all the parts.


Well put, the Etymotic line are not known to be the warmest sounding earphones out there.. The ER-4's especially are known to be very cold sounding and mechanical, but precise especially in the Mids and Highs. The reason the Shures have little problems with the Microphonics issue is because of the good, thick cable size, which allows for much better insulation. The Etymotic line has very thin wires, which accounts for the problem..

-Dan

[kauffee]

Marty is right about microphonics. The thin Ety cords are much more microphonic than the thick cords that Shure uses. Also, the over-the-ear design helps to reduce microphonics by killing a good deal of vibration before it gets to your ear.

Greg I would suggest you look closely at the E2c and E3c. Don't knock the over-the-ear style until you try it. Once you get used to it, you'll never want to go back.

[iPod_Greg]

Well looks like the Shure's have quite a good reputation here, and after hearing your experience with the E2c's and E3c's, kauffee,along with everyone else's, plus your succession of phones, it seems that the over-the-ear design is something to be reckoned with. Thanks everybody, and keep the replies coming (anyone out there with the ER-6i's??)!