I was shopping around for a replacement for the mediocre earbuds the iPod ( and pretty much every portable audio player) comes with. Might as well share the research effort. This is a list of what I found, I'm not specifically endorsing any one earphone. I'm also not looking at anything much north of the kite flying patriot.
Recomendations
I found info in the folowing 3 fora.
Head-Fi
HeadWize
Ars Technica: Audio/Visual Clube
These things fit (it's a pun) into three categories. Heaphones, you know this one. Earbuds, you can figure this one out. And canalphones, should also be obvious now. At least that's how I categorize 'em. 😉
I'm not interested in toting a big pair of "cans" around on my head so I focused on smaller phones. Want something bigger? Start clicking.
Earbuds
Sennheiser MX 400/500, 500 is 400 w/ volume control, 400 has RC version with short cord for attaching to iPod remote. Considered a good value. Under $20 in your town.
Sony MDR-E888 LP/SP Seem to be higly regarded. LP is long cord and has carrying case. SP has no case and is short cord but also has an extension. $66
Canalphones
This list may not strictly be canalphones but I'm grouping stuff into this group that seals the ear. These will have higher isolation the those above. This is probably the style I'm going to go for since I'd like to block some noise and all the earbuds I've worn have been uncomfortable.
Koss The Plugs Supa cheap! Like $10 around town. Feel like modding?
Pioneer SE-CL30 *Not reccomended anywhere.* I just linked these up since I was hoping to find something in white. Or Snow as Mr. Ives calls it.
Sony MDR-EX71SL Short cord, available in white, and good sonic reputation. I will try these if I can talk myself out of going topshelf or rail. $46
Etymotic ER-6 Cheapest model they make. Should be awesome for $120.
Headphones / Earphones
I want something small so I really didn't pick much out for this group. Koss gets *rave* reviews for the low budget stuff.
Koss KSC-50 Latest version of the much loved, by the kind of people who love little plastic objects from the East, KSC-35. I had a pair that was stolen along with my iPod and the sound was pretty damn good. But I'm no expert. Considered a hell of a deal, by the kind of people who love little plastic objects from the East, at less than $15. Kind of a funky mounting system that actually works. Also come with a behind-the-head band as the KSC-55 These are open phones and as such do not do much in the way of isolation and do much more in broadcating your music into the surrounding atmosphere.
Koss PortaPro Old school looking phones that have a pretty good price/performance reputation. Semi-closed. Are you cool like that? $35
Grado SR-60 Supposedly the shiznit, "produce brilliant sound for a low cost". $60
Hope somebody finds this useful. I wasted entirely to much time to use it for my consumer fix alone.
PS - Will not work if you have an iPod in your mind!
Recomendations
I found info in the folowing 3 fora.
Head-Fi
HeadWize
Ars Technica: Audio/Visual Clube
These things fit (it's a pun) into three categories. Heaphones, you know this one. Earbuds, you can figure this one out. And canalphones, should also be obvious now. At least that's how I categorize 'em. 😉
I'm not interested in toting a big pair of "cans" around on my head so I focused on smaller phones. Want something bigger? Start clicking.
Earbuds
Sennheiser MX 400/500, 500 is 400 w/ volume control, 400 has RC version with short cord for attaching to iPod remote. Considered a good value. Under $20 in your town.
Sony MDR-E888 LP/SP Seem to be higly regarded. LP is long cord and has carrying case. SP has no case and is short cord but also has an extension. $66
Canalphones
This list may not strictly be canalphones but I'm grouping stuff into this group that seals the ear. These will have higher isolation the those above. This is probably the style I'm going to go for since I'd like to block some noise and all the earbuds I've worn have been uncomfortable.
Koss The Plugs Supa cheap! Like $10 around town. Feel like modding?
Pioneer SE-CL30 *Not reccomended anywhere.* I just linked these up since I was hoping to find something in white. Or Snow as Mr. Ives calls it.
Sony MDR-EX71SL Short cord, available in white, and good sonic reputation. I will try these if I can talk myself out of going topshelf or rail. $46
Etymotic ER-6 Cheapest model they make. Should be awesome for $120.
Headphones / Earphones
I want something small so I really didn't pick much out for this group. Koss gets *rave* reviews for the low budget stuff.
Koss KSC-50 Latest version of the much loved, by the kind of people who love little plastic objects from the East, KSC-35. I had a pair that was stolen along with my iPod and the sound was pretty damn good. But I'm no expert. Considered a hell of a deal, by the kind of people who love little plastic objects from the East, at less than $15. Kind of a funky mounting system that actually works. Also come with a behind-the-head band as the KSC-55 These are open phones and as such do not do much in the way of isolation and do much more in broadcating your music into the surrounding atmosphere.
Koss PortaPro Old school looking phones that have a pretty good price/performance reputation. Semi-closed. Are you cool like that? $35
Grado SR-60 Supposedly the shiznit, "produce brilliant sound for a low cost". $60
Hope somebody finds this useful. I wasted entirely to much time to use it for my consumer fix alone.
PS - Will not work if you have an iPod in your mind!
