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

[GTaudiophile]

I want to buy a set of canal headphones for around $100 or less that isolate well enough to use during a noisy commute and sound much better than my current Sony EX51 (HPM-70) canal headphones.

Options in this category tend to include but are not limited to...

V-Moda Vibes
Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3
Sennheiser CX300
Creative Labs EP-630
JBL Reference 220
Shure E2C
Etymotic ER6.

Does anyone have these and can compare?

I would appreciate any feedback.

(Yes, I have also been posting at www.head-fi.org.)

 

[SoLiDus88]

I have the e2c and I originally had a sony canal phone (i forgot the model # like ex71, they were white)

The sound on the e2c was much clearer. The bass didn't sound as muddy. Plus 2 year warranty kicks ass on the shures.

 

[777php]

i have a pair of UE super.fi 3's and i like them a lot. They replaced a pair of Sony EX71's.

I've auditioned Shure e2g's and i think that the super.fi's are much better sounding.

 

[SketchMaster]

I own the Shure E2c and they work good, Mids and Highs sound great but bass is a bit lacking.

I only use mine when I'm on a plane or such because my ears are very sensitive so I can only have them in for 1 1/2-2 hours before I can't take the pain anymore, and thats after I put softer foam on them.

 

[Pugnax]

I have Shure E3cs. They are pretty nice. I broke the nozzle and had to go back to the standard ipod ones for a week, ouch! I could really tell the difference.

Er6i seems to be a popular choice. One of my friends really likes them.

 

[SLCentral]

Get the Ultimate Ears UE-5c, I love 'em. Just kidding .

I started out with the e2c's and I was very happy with them, though durability was weak, IMO. The area of the cable that wrapped over the ear ripped on both sides, causing sound degradation and cutouts. It's a common occurrence, and Shure's warranty department is excellent, but it's still a PITA.

I then stepped up to the Super.Fi 5 Pro, which I loved even more. The 3's compared to the e2c's, AFAIK, are larger and more obtrusive, so if you will be sleeping with them (or flying), I'd get the e2c's. For pure sound quality, I like the UE signature sound more then Shure's (hence the reason I went the custom route with UE), but seeing as I haven't actually tested the 3's, I can't be sure this holds true with that model.

The guys at Head-Fi seem to LOVE the V-Moda's, but once again, seeing as I haven't tried them, I don't want to give my opinion. I'd check out the thread at head-fi, though. They look sexy as hell.

Edit: I didn't see the Ety's on your list when I originally posted. The Ety's are excellent for isolation; best in it's class. They go in very deep though, which makes me a little wary just for safety, but that's just me. If you like bass, the Ety's arent the way to go, but they're extremely detailed. If you want detail, Ety's, more bass focus, the UE's, and a good balance, Shures.

 

[Ricemarine]

ER6i's are reallly good for their price, better than the Creative EP-630's which are very similar to the Sennheiser CX300's (they just tweaked it). The only downfall of the er6i's is that the white versions TURN YELLOW after use... That's gross, and it costs $15-$20 for replacements. I've never tried the E2C's, but I heard they were very good, even though it looks weird putting them around your ear.

 

[keeleysam]

My first canalphones were a pair of Shure E4s. I love them, even now.

I now have the E500s, and love them even more.

I'm a Shure fanboy and canal snob, buy the E2Cs.

 

[nakedfrog]

I just got my first set (super cheapie Koss Spark Plugs) but haven't used them enough to offer useful feedback.

 

[Brainonska511]

For everything but the gym: Sennheiser PX100's (that go over the head)
For the gym: An old pair of Sony MDR-G42's (+ another still in the original, unopened box) that go behind the head

I don't prefer in-the-ear headphones.

 

[state 08]

My first and only canal's are Sony MDR-EX71's.

Don't got enough loot to drop more than $30+ on headphones... yet. More so, it's not really a priority.

 

[wtfbbq]

had sony ex71's and shure e2c's

ex71 had good sound quality and I like the length the fact that it came with a wire extension. was also very comfortable in the ear. the cord was very thin and weak, and i would sleep with them on and i think they got damaged from being stretched when i rolled over (lasted a few years until one ear stopped working).

replaced them with shure e2cs. e2cs do sound better (very noticeable diff over standard ipod headphones), fit great, very strong and long wire, and i ALWAYS use the carrying case it comes with. from what i hear, they have great service as well.

i would recommend the ex71s for those on a budget, but i would definitely say the price jump to the shure e2cs are worth it.

 

[NatePo717]

How about these.

I've had mine for about 7 months and love them. Very comfortable and do a good job of blocking out noise.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I don't recommend the E2C's - weak bass response.

Whatever you buy, listen to it first, don't just go based on reviews. Oh, and I see you increased your budget too

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
I don't recommend the E2C's - weak bass response.

Whatever you buy, listen to it first, don't just go based on reviews. Oh, and I see you increased your budget too

The E2Cs lack on bass, but I don't really like a lot of bass in my headphones. Bass is something that should be felt, not heard.

 

[Safeway]

I have a pair of Shure E5Cs. I love em.

 

[Kirby]

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

 

[Appledrop]

i have the v-moda vibe, and very happy with them, comfy and sound good, but never used any of the others, so cant compare

 

[GTaudiophile]

I don't like the tips on the Etys. I prefer the tip style of the CX300.

I would jump on the Vibes immediately if I had more information on how they isolate.

NatePo717: Yes, I have heard those mentioned. They seem fine but they just aren't a popular option. Not many reviews.

 

[Tom]

How do these affect one's ability to hear approaching fire trucks ?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Tom
How do these affect one's ability to hear approaching fire trucks ?

Depends on the level of isolation.

As someone who uses them while walking on the sidewalk or on the metro, I can say I can hear firetrucks/sirens through my EX51s/HPM-70s.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
I don't recommend the E2C's - weak bass response.

Whatever you buy, listen to it first, don't just go based on reviews. Oh, and I see you increased your budget too

The E2Cs lack on bass, but I don't really like a lot of bass in my headphones. Bass is something that should be felt, not heard.

You don't think I miss the feeling too?

I love bass too, but with headphones, you can't get that same amount of bass. The point is to hear it, and by the way you're describing it, you'd take a set of headphones that had next to no bass compared to a different version that had a good amount of it, just because it was heard and you feel it should be felt.

I don't really know how the best way to debate this is, but from your post I get the feeling that you're saying you don't even want to hear bass when listening to music through headphones.

I don't have the privelege of having my equipment with me on a daily basis and so headphones are almost like a survival type of thing for me... heh, I'd take hearing bass over no bass at all, anyday.

 

[Imported]

I'll be getting V-Moda Vibes within the next month. Everything I hear about them is great so far.

 

[SZLiao214]

I have owned both the shure e2c and the etymotics er6i.

They are both excellent set of earbuds for their price and recommend both. I got the shures e2c on sale at buy a long time ago for 65 shipped. The etymotics came from amazon and cost me 72 shipped.

The shure's had stronger bass then the etymotics but the etymotics has a cleaner sound. If you are more into easy listening or acoustic music i would have to recommend the etymotics. If what you listen to is more on the lines of rnb/rock/rap then go for the shures.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

I had Sony EX-51s, loved them, but they were too fragile (replaced them twice)
Got Shure E2Cs, built like a tank, AND sound better to boot, nothing to complain about
Got Shure E4Cs because they roxxor, love them even more

Cliffs:
Buy the Shure E2Cs