Do you own a set of canal headphones? Please come in!

[GTaudiophile]

Problem is that my tastes run the full spectum. One morning it might be techno/trance, the next it might be Beethoven.

But I think I want cleaner/clearer mids/highs than lots of thumping bass.

 

[James3shin]

I :heart: my E4C's as much as I love playing the field currently.

 

[Tiamat]

I have the altec lansing IM716. They are pretty good for their price, and have decent bass.

 

[Special K]

I have a a pair of the ER6i's and really like them. You need to put them pretty deep into your ear to get a good sound, but they are still pretty comfortable and I've never had to take them out due to soreness or anything.

I don't have a basis for comparison since I haven't ever used any of the other models you listed, but I am pleased with the ER6i's.

 

[yosuke188]

I have the Shure E2C and they sound okay. Nothing spectacular, but they do isolate very well. The sponge tips work the best IMO.

Just please, do not drive with them on.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I get more recommendations for the Shure E2Cs than anything else.

 

[IAteYourMother]

you want to use iems while driving?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
you want to use iems while driving?

no. walking/riding metro

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
I had some E2Cs that I loved, before I demolished them with a chair, 12 days past the warranty! :|

I demolished my MDR-EX71s that way in a week.. well not demolished but I ripped the rubbery cord slightly. Good thing I didn't buy E2Cs/E3Cs.

Some of the Sonys have horrible wires. The rubbery/stretchy ones are the worst. They rip and tear a part so easily. At first I fixed them with some electrical tape but that came off so I had to put scotch tape on. It came to a point that the headphones would poke my neck so badly with the tape that I threw them into a drawer.

I have another pair of MDR-EX51s that I had BEFORE the 71s and those had a plasticky shiny rubbery cord that has served me well for 3 years. It's still going strong.

On top of this I have 2x Sony HPM-70s which are the headphones that ship with the SE W810i. I lost a 3.5mm adapter so I had to buy another set which came with the headphones. These are identical to the MDR-EX51s/71s except they have a walkman logo on it.

So at the rate I'm going, I'm stuck with Sony for a LONG time...... until I break the next 2 headphones or till I run out of the silicone ear cushions..

 

[ChaoZ]

Out of the list, I hear the Etymotic ER6 isolates the best. The Vibes isolate less than the Ex-51.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i have the Shure E2C's. great sound quality but a bit uncomfortable for me.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[flashbacck]

speaking of canal headphones, why the hell do they all have uneven left and right cable lengths? I wish they would stop doing that.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: flashbacck
speaking of canal headphones, why the hell do they all have uneven left and right cable lengths? I wish they would stop doing that.

Not all are "J" design. The V-Moda Vibes have a "Y" cord design for example.

 

[Doggiedog]

Anyone know about these Sonys?

I see they have a 13.5mm driver which should give it a lot of bass. I've got a set of Sony MDR-E888s that also have a 13.5mm driver which produces a lot of bass.

 

[thawolfman]

How comfortable are these things? I've never owned a pair but am kinda interested in picking some up...

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: flashbacck
speaking of canal headphones, why the hell do they all have uneven left and right cable lengths? I wish they would stop doing that.

So the right earbud can go behind your neck.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Before you buy, find a place with the E2C's and see what I'm talking about, the bass response is very lacking. I bought the E3C's incase I didn't mention that earlier... if I was biased, I'd be recommend Shure without hesitation, however you'd be best off listening to them first.

Sharper Image and Brookstone both carry them, I listened to them at both - bring your own music source so you can get an idea of how they'll sound.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: thawolfman
How comfortable are these things? I've never owned a pair but am kinda interested in picking some up...

I've heard mixed comments from people, but haven't read much around on head-fi.org. I'd say that if you're looking at using them quite a bit, then maybe consider getting custom ear molds, which should be under $100. I forget what price I was quoted, but it even included the person coming out to my house to do it. I'd imagine that if I went to their location, the price could be dropped even more.

Custom ear molds are definitely the best choice, but they do cost a bit. Other than custom ear molds, they usually come with a few different sizes and I think usually you won't really have an issue with them.

The only time I've heard people I know complain about them is if they use them for a long period of time without taking them off.

 

[Canai]

I've got the BOSE Triport in ear phones... not a canal phone per se, but with soft gel ear things and multiple sizes, they are great. They isolate well enough that it's not a problem, and they sound great.

 

[imported_Snagle]

Originally posted by: Canai
I've got the BOSE Triport in ear phones... not a canal phone per se, but with soft gel ear things and multiple sizes, they are great. They isolate well enough that it's not a problem, and they sound great.

obligatory :thumbsdown:

er-6i owner here. The comfort isn't great but it's tolerable-- I'm probably just spoiled by the Sennheiser HD555's I use when listening at home. The Etymotics have very detailed (and bright) mids and highs. It's key to get a good seal (I use the foam tips) or you won't get any bass at all. When properly inserted the isolation they provide is fantastic-- the first day I got them I walked across campus and felt like I was in a movie, you get no environmental noise, all music. My friend tried them out and his reaction was "wow, it sounds like The Decemberists are playing a concert in my brain".