Best "in-ear" headphones for iPod??

[dealmaker]

I had a pair of moderatley expensive (circa £70) BeyerDynamic - in ear headphones for my iPod(s).

On a flight last week one of the (admittedly very flimsy) rubber "gaskets"/ear fittings dropped off and I couldnt find it.

So I want to buy a new pair but keen to avoid these BeyerDynamic types with the (too) detachable ear pieces.

I have an expensive paid of Bose "on-ear" noise cancellinng headphones - but to be honest the bloody case for them is so huge I cant be arsed to take them on any trips with me! (or keep them charged for that matter)

Anyone got any recommendations for a decent pair of in-ears?

Thanks!

[jnm23]

You don't seem to have much luck with headphones!

Shure e2c-n - around 50 sovs on amazon. I think these were 35 when I bought a year ago but price has mysteriously risen

Sennheiser cx300 also worth a look, but buy carefully as many reports of fakes

[sjj84]

I use some Sennheiser cx300, they're only about £20 from play or amazon. Also got a pair of bang & oulfsen in-ear ones which cost alot more and have to say I prefer the sennheisers.

[dxg]

jnm23 said:

You don't seem to have much luck with headphones!

Shure e2c-n - around 50 sovs on amazon. I think these were 35 when I bought a year ago but price has mysteriously risen

Sennheiser cx300 also worth a look, but buy carefully as many reports of fakes

Tried the shures - just couldn't get them to fit (even with the vast amount of adaptors they come with) and therefore got no bass. (Plus they looked a bit too conspicious for my liking...)

Oddly, then moved to those sennheisers and they're fantastic for the price!

Edited by dxg on Sunday 22 February 19:50

[Finlandia]

Thickness of wallet would help

Anyway, for traveling, Shure do offer very good isolation, SE102, SE110, SE115, SE210 for chep to moderate, and range topping SE530 for the ultimate experience.

Sennheiser CX6 and CX95 are very good, but do not isolate as good as the Shure's, CX300 are not that good really.

[dealmaker]

Guys,

Thanks for the input.

Will look at the Sennheisers - but a colleague had a pair of Sennheisers of some description and ended up replacing them.

I have been looking at the Shure SE530 with "Push to Hear" switch - £200 ish - anyone got any views on those or are they overkill??

[$nake eye$]

Sennheiser cx300 all the way..although just seen cx300 mark 2 on play

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/787...

[Zod]

No, Etymotics, ER4P are the best. I've had Sennheisers too, but Etymotics are the best.

[Finlandia]

dealmaker said:

I have been looking at the Shure SE530 with "Push to Hear" switch - £200 ish - anyone got any views on those or are they overkill??

They are in a entirely different league to most others out there, and certainly among the very best money can buy.

Do you enjoy good sound, with a strong and punchy bass?
If your answer is yes, then get the SE530, or look at Westone UM3 or Sennheiser IE8 (poor isolation though).

If you enjoy a good sound, but prefer the music to be on the analytical side, then look at the Etymotic ER4P or ER6.

Sennheiser CX300 are a entry level phone, and in no way comparable to the above phones.
With IEM's as with anything, you get what you pay for

[M3 > 535D]

I was a little dissapointed with the bass on the se530's , mid bass ok but no real sub bass although they

do have a fantastic wide sound stage....

With the new sennheiser IE 8's the bass response is awesome if not a little over powering at first , but i am

finding the "highs" are much better after 100 hours plus of using them .

Nick

[dealmaker]

Thanks guys - well I've ordered a pair of Shure SE530's - so will see how we get on with those!

I wish I'd know about the suitablity of the Sennheiser IE8's to dance music - as I migth have gone for those. Maybe I will try those if the Shure's don't hit the spot!

[Finlandia]

Both are at the very top of the IEM world, the IE8 may have a more "fun" sound, but if you are frequently using your IEM's in noisy environments, then the SE530 offer a better ambient isolation.

[dealmaker]

Well the Shure SE530 arrived today!.......what a revelation - they are astoundingly good! - they sounded a little lean at first - but I left them on the iPod (playing) for an hour and then fitted the appropriate sized ear pads - WOW - they are leagues ahead of anything I've had before- I honestly can't see anyone needing the extra bass promised by the Sennheiser IE8's - as I'd imagine this would sound "false" in comparison.

As a by product of the efficiency of the Shure's and the excellent "seal" on the ear cavity - I am now playing the iPod with the volume 40% lower than on the BeyerDynamics and 25% lower than on the Bose III's (porbably now means I can use the European "volume limited" iPods again instead of having to buy "unrestricted" US units!)

So - for now - I am happy!

[Finlandia]

Glad you like

[zagato]

Ultimate Ears Triplefi 10 are the best off the shelf currently available, unless you spend around £1k on custom in ear mouldings for that last couple of % in diminishing returns. I actually have an as new pair for sale with all packaging if anyone is interested. I now only listen at home so they are not used. Half price to any PH ers

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/store/pr...

[bodhi]

I recently spent the grand total of £12.99 on a pair of Sony in-ear jobbies with the plastic windy thingy to save getting the cords tangled when you aren't using them and I've been chuffed to buggery with them. Good bass, clear treble and seem to drown out enough of the general office background noise that I can get on with my work.

[y2blade]

Sennheiser cx300 get my vote

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

zagato said:

Ultimate Ears Triplefi 10 are the best off the shelf currently available, unless you spend around £1k on custom in ear mouldings for that last couple of % in diminishing returns. I actually have an as new pair for sale with all packaging if anyone is interested. I now only listen at home so they are not used. Half price to any PH ers

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/store/pr...

YHM!

[Zod]

Etymotics ER4p are the best. I've tried Shure and Sennheiser too, but the Etymotics are the best.

[edwardsje]

zagato said:

Ultimate Ears Triplefi 10 are the best off the shelf currently available, unless you spend around £1k on custom in ear mouldings for that last couple of % in diminishing returns. I actually have an as new pair for sale with all packaging if anyone is interested. I now only listen at home so they are not used. Half price to any PH ers

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/store/pr...

Custom moulds aren't that expensive, IIRC I paid c120 for mine through a contact recommended by the Ariel Owners Club.

If I'm being honest though, the isolation isn't quite as good as the correct size of Shure ear buds, with very slight but noticeable leakage in noisy envoronments such as a plane.