Training & Nutrition - Earbud Recommendations?

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View Full Version : Earbud Recommendations?


seawind161
11-03-09, 04:46 PM
With winter/indoor training season coming on, I'm in the market for new earbuds for the MP3 player.

Does anyone have a favorite that (1)Stays in place well, (2)Endures, (3)Doesn't sound like crap, and (4)Doesn't cost the farm?

Perfection at a bargain basement price, please! :lol:


jviking
11-03-09, 04:47 PM
Shures are really nice

seawind161
11-03-09, 04:56 PM
Any particular model? I'd like to hit the price/performance sweet spot, and have no idea where that might be.


jviking
11-03-09, 05:06 PM
http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.121026300 are what my uncle has... wicked nice. I can't afford them but if I could this would be the pair.

seawind161
11-03-09, 05:11 PM
Very nice, but a little over my budget, too. Thanks anyway!

flip18436572
11-04-09, 07:02 AM
Skullcandy

Garfield Cat
11-04-09, 08:08 AM
Leo Laporte is the "tech guy", a radio talk show about anything technical. He has a web site and has some recommendations on ear buds.

ridethatbike
11-04-09, 08:13 AM
I bought some Sennheiser CX500's. I like them quite a bit, I've had them around a year now. I think MSRP is around $100, but you can find them cheaper. Caveat emptor if you go to ebay to find them.

Dtuns
11-04-09, 12:58 PM
Sony bumpen buds love em

meanwhile
11-04-09, 01:52 PM
Sennheiser CX300s. About $20-$30. Just be careful where you buy them - or any other brand name earplugs - there are a lot of fakes around.

superdex
11-04-09, 02:01 PM
I've had Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3s --they're phenomenal, but I blowed them up riding in the rain last spring. I now have a pair of $50 buds with a mic for my iphone, they work great. The $10 pair of skullcandy buds are okay, but there is a lot of friction noise from the cable when it rubs on ya...

Ziemas
11-04-09, 02:21 PM
I've got a pair of Audio Technica ck7 phones which are simply amazing. Whatever you buy check out Comply tips for them. They soft material that isolates outside sounds and fits snugly in your ear.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-CK7-Titanium-Earphones/dp/B000N427GI

Aside from they you might want to check out http://www.head-fi.org for some more ideas.

DesnaePhoto
11-06-09, 09:22 AM
I ruin earphones due to massive amounts of sweat. These work well for me. I can hear around them, decent sound, and not breaking the bank

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+Clip-On+In-Ear+Stereo+Headphones+-+Black/5335657.p?id=1051826204520&skuId=5335657

flip18436572
11-06-09, 12:01 PM
I tried earphones, and destroyed them with sweat. Bought a decent pair of skullcandy ear buds and don't have any problems.

Zephyr11
11-07-09, 05:19 PM
In my opinion:

Best bass for cheap: Skullcandy Ink'd (http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=211116881&listingid=42940807)
Best accuracy for cheap: JVC Marshmallow (http://www.costcentral.com/proddetail/JVC_HA_FX34_Marshmallow/HAFX34A/10598219/froogle/)
Best bang for your buck: Crossroads MylarOne X3 (http://www.amazon.com/MylarOne-X3-CrossRoads-Earphone/dp/B000U4W91O) (Unfortunately this particular model looks to be discontinued, but Crossroads has since introduced the Bijou and Quattro. I just haven't had any experience with either of the new models).
Best HOLY CRAP! price I found while looking for the X3's: Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 4 for $27! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Ultimate-Ears-Super-Fi-4-vi-Noise-Isolating-Earphones_W0QQitemZ350275965316QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_MP3_Player_Accessories?hash=item518e131184)

Also, Etymotic ER6i's and Jays J-Jays are pretty affordable. I've never used either of them, but I've heard they're pretty good. Personally, I want a pair of Super.Fi 5's. Been drooling over them for a while.

captnfantastic
11-08-09, 02:08 AM
sony mdr j10

google it.

$10 at walmart.

if they fit your ears (like me) you'll be in love. they wrap around so they dont fall off when you accidentally pull on your cord ect. I've had 2 pair in 3 years over 4k miles of riding.

roadbuzz
11-08-09, 06:35 PM
In my experience, the wire is the failure point. If you're paying $$$$, be sure the wire is covered by the warranty (some do). On the low $ side, I like JVC Marshmallows... the wire is a little beefier than Ink'd and many others. Personally, I don't like earbuds with a short cord on one side and a long loop to the other ear... short side has more weight and pulls out.

seawind161
11-09-09, 05:28 PM
Thanks for all the input, guys. I ended up with a pair of SkullCandy Smokin' Buds; I don't know, I just liked the name... :innocent:

Actually, they were available locally, so instant gratification won out.

They sound good to me, but I'm no audiophile, but the immediate thing was their comfort- wow! I'm used to the old in-ear but not noise-blocking types, not sure of the terminology, the ones with the little foam condoms on them? These are SO much more comfortable.

Again, thanks for the recommendations and the links. I knew I could count on BF!

daredevil
11-09-09, 05:32 PM
I was gonna say, I have some Etymotics which are hundreds of dollars but I typically listen to my $15 Skullcandy buds. Good choice. :)

To avoid the sound of the cord rubbing on you, loop the cord over the top of your ears.

seawind161
11-09-09, 05:37 PM
Awright, good sounds and confirmation of my own impeccably good taste! :thumb: Life is Good...

daredevil
11-09-09, 06:24 PM
Awright, good sounds and confirmation of my own impeccably good taste! :thumb: Life is Good...

Now all you need to do is move that indoor training outside. It actually can be quite enjoyable. You can still use the buds too!

seawind161
11-09-09, 07:10 PM
Now all you need to do is move that indoor training outside. It actually can be quite enjoyable. You can still use the buds too!

Certainly don't intend to abandon outdoor riding, but we have had whole weeks of rain down here this Fall. At times like those, a quick session on the rollers is a lifesaver.

And I just don't do music outdoors, riding at least. I like the ambient sounds and the situational awareness they help provide.

(Can we talk about something less controversial, like helmet usage?) :lol:

flip18436572
11-09-09, 07:36 PM
We actually had better temperatures in southwest Iowa the last few days compared to the GA temps. Our winds were another story though.

rumrunn6
11-10-09, 02:48 PM
I like Phillips from CVS. They're $10 and work great!

captnfantastic
11-13-09, 02:33 AM
i just ran my sony's through the washer on accident yesterday... they work fine.