Recommend to me some good earbuds ($30-$50 range)

[nsiderTalon]

So I've got a new job where I'm sitting at a desk all day and I'd like to get some new earbuds. I've always kinda cheaped out and bought the $10 things (I'm currently using some JVC Marshmallows with e2c pads and the Kramer mod) since audio quality doesn't matter so much when you're running, but I'd like to get something of higher quality now. Would prefer in-ear earbuds as they don't bother me, but will look at others. Anyone have experience with any of these?:

Shure SE110
Sennheiser CX500
V-Moda Vibe

Any opinions are appreciated!

 

[Greg04]

Originally posted by: nsiderTalon
So I've got a new job where I'm sitting at a desk all day and I'd like to get some new earbuds. I've always kinda cheaped out and bought the $10 things (I'm currently using some JVC Marshmallows with e2c pads and the Kramer mod) since audio quality doesn't matter so much when you're running, but I'd like to get something of higher quality now. Would prefer in-ear earbuds as they don't bother me, but will look at others. Anyone have experience with any of these?:

Sennheiser CX 400
JBuds J2 Premium
V-MODA Bass Freq

Any opinions are appreciated!

I own all three (and several more) Of the three you listed, the CX400 sound the bets to me. Now, bass is not my main need, so if its yours go with the v moda. A weird thing about the Cxs though, I had to use the silicone earbuds pieces from my old sony earbuds...the the CXs had a strange texture on the silicone buds that made them slip out. Think mini-ribbed trojan? Anyhow, the CXs have my vote for extended wear - I use them about 2-3 hours aday with no problem.

 

[nsiderTalon]

Do you have the CX300 or CX500? Is there much of a sound quality difference between them? I don't care for the 2 feet length of the CX400's wire, which none of the others have. I'd definitely get the CX500 if I could fine some real ones for $40 or below, but I can't seem to fine them anywhere...

 

[Slickone]

The CX400's come with an extension don't they? Seems I've read some people say that it's too short without that, but too long and heavy with it.

 

[nsiderTalon]

Yeah, that's exactly why I don't like it. Unfortunately I can't find anything better than it in the CX series, and the CX300 seem to be a step down in actual sound quality.

What about the Shure SE110? All the reviews I'm seeing say it's not as good as the higher models, but neither is it $150+. For $50 it looks like a good deal. Anyone have those?

 

[cdnbum88]

I got some skull candy and love them. They where under $50 if I remember, got them at BestBuy.

 

[zoiks]

I have the CX500 and am not really impressed with the performance. The bass is almost nil and it just seems that there is something missing in the sound. The earphones themselves are quality made.
I also have the cheap Headbanger ear subs and damn they sound awesome. It's hard to find them nowadays though.

 

[Killmenow]

Hmmm might want to look into NuForce NE-7M or something similar... Haven't personally heard them myself, but they were all the rave a good couple months back.

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: nsiderTalon
Yeah, that's exactly why I don't like it. Unfortunately I can't find anything better than it in the CX series, and the CX300 seem to be a step down in actual sound quality.

What about the Shure SE110? All the reviews I'm seeing say it's not as good as the higher models, but neither is it $150+. For $50 it looks like a good deal. Anyone have those?

What about the CX500?

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: zoiks
I have the CX500 and am not really impressed with the performance. The bass is almost nil and it just seems that there is something missing in the sound. The earphones themselves are quality made.

You didn't get yours from ebay did you?

 

[Dirigible]

Grammar Nazi!

"Recommend some good earbuds to me."

 

[nsiderTalon]

I was hoping to get the CX500, but I can't find them anywhere which is why I kinda dropped them.

Amazon (official retailer) has the Shure SE110 and V-Moda Vibe for $50 each, and I think I'll order one of those. From what I've read, the Vibes sound better, but break after 3-6 months (which, if true, I won't buy).

@ Dirigible

It was supposed to be "Recommend to me some good earbuds." Guess I lost a word there...

 

[s44]

Amazon still has the white SCL3s for $70...

 

[nsiderTalon]

I'd really like to keep $50 as my max.

I'm actually thinking I might jump on the NuForce NE-7M. Everything I've read says they're amazing, especially for the price.

 

[Killmenow]

Originally posted by: nsiderTalon
I'd really like to keep $50 as my max.

I'm actually thinking I might jump on the NuForce NE-7M. Everything I've read says they're amazing, especially for the price.

Keep us updated if you do I'm particularly interested in how much better they are compared to something like the marshmallows. I was planning to try them myself, until I jumped the gun for some q-jays.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Slickone

Originally posted by: zoiks
I have the CX500 and am not really impressed with the performance. The bass is almost nil and it just seems that there is something missing in the sound. The earphones themselves are quality made.

You didn't get yours from ebay did you?

No. I bought them from some store online. They came decently packaged and contain all accessories. Look like the real deal.

 

[nsiderTalon]

Well I ended up going with the new Apple dual-driver IEMs. After several hours of reading on Head-Fi, the general consensus seemed to be that the NE-7M and the ADDIEM were pretty much equal (though different, i.e. the NE-7M has stronger bass, but ADDIEM has clearer highs), and that both were really some of the best to buy < $100. I personally chose the ADDIEMs because they're supposed to be more comfortable, I didn't care for bass over clarity, and an ebay seller is selling them for $35 shipped (compared to $55 shipped for the NE-7M + $15 more for good tips). If there is any interest I will compare them to my JVC Marshmallows, though I hardly consider myself an audiophile...

 

[aphex]

Curious to hear your impressions of them once they arrive. Please keep us posted.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: nsiderTalon
Well I ended up going with the new Apple dual-driver IEMs. After several hours of reading on Head-Fi, the general consensus seemed to be that the NE-7M and the ADDIEM were pretty much equal (though different, i.e. the NE-7M has stronger bass, but ADDIEM has clearer highs), and that both were really some of the best to buy < $100. I personally chose the ADDIEMs because they're supposed to be more comfortable, I didn't care for bass over clarity, and an ebay seller is selling them for $35 shipped (compared to $55 shipped for the NE-7M + $15 more for good tips). If there is any interest I will compare them to my JVC Marshmallows, though I hardly consider myself an audiophile...

I'm curious also to see what you think about them. As for not considering yourself an audiophile. It's not hard, just use fancy terminology to explain simple shit and act smug about any brand you can buy at a regular B&M store. The price is right on them, especially considering all the good things I've heard about them. I'd get some myself if I hadn't bought the Beats By Dre earbuds last month. I think the Apple ones look pretty slick. Maybe I can sell my Beats and downgrade to the Apples for 1/2 the price.

 

[ivan2]

please let us know if your ebay addiem are real or not.

 

[BassBomb]

My sister snagged CX500 for 45 CDN off ebay..

As stated above barely any bass, but great quality for the rest of the sound (mid to high) feels high quality when you wear them and fits nicely in my ears (and nothing fits in my ears!)

If bass is not a concern I would get them.. make sure you aren't buying from a china seller

 

[nsiderTalon]

@ ivan2

I bought mine from a seller confirmed to have legit ones (a bunch of Head-Fi guys tested and recommend them). PM me for a link if you're interested

@ BassBomb

Sounds like you got some fake ones, considering the price...

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: Slickone

Originally posted by: zoiks
I have the CX500 and am not really impressed with the performance. The bass is almost nil and it just seems that there is something missing in the sound. The earphones themselves are quality made.

You didn't get yours from ebay did you?

No. I bought them from some store online. They came decently packaged and contain all accessories. Look like the real deal.

The packaging and accessories on the fake ones look almost identical to the real ones. You have to some research online to figure out of they're even fake. I bought some CX500's from ebay and I'm fairly sure they're fake, but still not 100% sure.
I think more on ebay are fake than are legit.

If they sound 'bad', they're probably fake.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: nsiderTalon
@ ivan2

I bought mine from a seller confirmed to have legit ones (a bunch of Head-Fi guys tested and recommend them). PM me for a link if you're interested

@ BassBomb

Sounds like you got some fake ones, considering the price...

nope, verified legit
i assume the guy bought a bunch from the US when our dollar was good

seller was local

 

[nsiderTalon]

Alright, received the ADDIEMs today. From only plugging them in my iPod Mini and listening to a few 192 kbps MP3s, I can tell that they are amazing compared to my old Marshmallows. Way more comfortable, sound quality is noticeably better (I honestly did not expect this much of a difference), and the little case that it came it is actually pretty nice. I do think that the Marshmallows had a bit more bass (for better or worse), but the rest of it was nowhere near as clear or separated (in the best way possible). I really can pick out single sounds, it's not just a muddle of music anymore.

At this point I'm very happy, especially for the $35 I got them for. I can't wait to try out 320 kbps AAC files on my Touch this weekend