silmarillion

What are the best earphones for the ipod? For running and exercising at the gym and such...

rebel1916

Why do you care what these busybodies think? I have a nike pair that loops around the ear that works pretty good. Skull Candy stuff tends to be real nice

cpach

The big distinction is wether you want to hear ambient noise or not. I use Etymotic ER-4Ps when I don't want to hear ambient noise, such as when working on a musical score in a coffeeshop, and sometimes in a gym. This type of headphone is typically called an IEM (in ear monitor), and forms a seal with your ear canal to block ambient noise. Contrary to popular conception, this is generally safer for your hearing because you don't need to raise the volume to drown out ambient noise. This category has really become more popular over the last 5 or so years. Good brands to look at include Etymotic, Westone and Ultimate Ears among many others. These range from inexpensive to insane. When I want to hear some ambient noise I wear Yuin PK3s, which are what most people think of as ear buds because they allow ambient noise, but are unusual in that they don't sound absolutely awful (like ipod stock earphones). They're still not amazing, but I've heard good things about the higher end models in this line. I'm tempted to start cycling with these sometimes as I can hear the mechanical condition of my bike and vehicles pretty well with these with the volume down, but I probably won't due to safety worries. I don't need music all the time, and I'm a musician. Although lately I have a nasty habit of getting "Whip It" stuck in my head when tackling an especially hard climb.

head-fi.org is probably the biggest forum of headphone nerds and is a useful resource. People, as with any hobby, get insane and not particularly objective regarding the high end, but offer generally reasonable advise regarding entry to mid level gear.

Mithrandir

I have these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038W0K2K

They're great and you cannot beat that price.

Also the description is wrong, they don't come with 4 kinds of ear tips, it actually came with about 6 or 7, can't remember off the top of my head.

Mobile 155

Skull candy or Point Mobi. I like the Point Mobi with the Mic because I use it with my Iphone.

johnr783

Ah, I got you. Anything that loops around the ear is perfect for physical activities that include anything except riding

I find in ear without the loop results in the bud falling out. Traditional headphones that go over the head seems a bit uncomfortable.

I prefer to run the wire behind my back so as to keep it free of getting snagged. Works even better if you run the wire inside your shirt.

GriddleCakes

Ditto. Skullcandies are comfortable for mildly aerobic activities, but I've had them short out from excessive sweat during long runs. Anything that loops over the ear is your best bet. The 'phones that came with my iPhone are a no-go for me, as they won't even stay in my ear when I'm sitting still.

commo_soulja

Brother cpach preaches the truth, amen!

I use Etymotic ER-6is when I tour on my motorcycle. I can keep the music volume at a comfortable level whilst keeping the droning engine noise at a minimum. When off the moto, I use another pair of Etymotics or a pair of Ultimate Ears which had a crazy price tag but I got it for a good deal off the innerwebs. Good for riding the train, bus, airlines.

IMO, the stock iPod earbuds suck. I can't count how many people I've come across wearing them and I can hear the music coming out of them. They have to keep the volume high so they can hear their music above the ambient noise in the train, bus, street so that they're basically using small earbuds as portable speakers. Not their intended use and could be detrimental to their hearing.

CraigB

For the best high-fidelity, I've found Etymotics and UltimateEars to be among the best, along with the most expensive Shures. Best sound for the money, though, has got to be Skull Candy.

The Audiophile Voice recently gave a great review to Yurbuds Ironman Series earbuds, and they seem reasonably priced. I haven't heard them, though. They have a tip that inserts a little deeper into the ear canal that they say makes them more secure. You insert them, then tug down on the cord to seat them fully.

pg13

I vote for Skullcandy FMJ's. Ive had no problem with them sweating or in the rain(using chrome fmj). And they come with afaik 2 pairs of rubber buds and 2 pairs of comply foam tips. Foam tips are awesome for canceling outside noise. And umm I have no idea if theyre called iem or not just usually referred to them as in ear buds(though theres 2 styles of in ear. the side ways and the facing in). Try to get foam tips as theyll expand to fit your ear comfortably and help keep it in place.

@Mithrandir just multiply it by two and it tell you how many pairs it comes with. So if it says four you get 8 actual buds or 4 pairs

fietsbob

The ones that are made with ear loops like glasses don't fall out. Koss one brand.
NB they will get damaged accidentally , so high end overspending may hurt more
when that happens..

superdex

I went through two pairs of UltimateEars (one set died tragically, one died riding in the rain). I since have gone a little cheaper:

I have a pair of v-moda earbuds with mic (Vibe Duo) that work really well (and sound great), but the set that got me through all summer (even in rain) are these:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHQ300.../dp/B004477D0A

niccig

I have/love the Klipsch s4i. They're noise isolating, so I run my iphone on mono and use one earbud for rides. Great for running because they don't fall out. I think they're around $80 retail, but you can find them on ebay for around $30-40 (last time I looked).

tagaproject6

Get the cheap and easily replaceable type if you are going to subject them to punishment and sweat. However, I've always like Grado. Reference or professional series depending on your budget.

pg13

Or you can get a decent pair of waterproof headphones for roughly the same amount. Something like this I like better than most over the ear buds as youre stuck with however long the attachment is even if it doesnt fit well for you. https://www.amazon.com/H2O-Audio-IEN2.../dp/B00480OQAI or https://www.amazon.com/Yurbuds-Ironma...3374675&sr=1-4 or https://www.amazon.com/DiCAPac-WPE10-...374839&sr=1-19 If really worried about sweat and water.

dprayvd

Vmoda vibe or vibe duo.

Ebay in the mid $30s (for the Vibe).

With proper burning-in (I do two full days at 80%) they've proven very pleasant sonic-wise, and robust to boot. The drivers are great, I feel.

I'm onto my second set now, as the first set--which survived almost two years together--finally became unrepairable from an amateur soldering point-of-view.

Ymmv, but I'm gonna do a third set if they're still then on Ebay.

weshigh

I know you said you wouldn't use them while riding, but something like this might work out for you. https://onegoodearbud.com/ They mix both channels into one ear bud, so you can listen to things why still keeping your other ear completely free for hearing your surroundings.

DataJunkie

I am cheap. JVC marshmallows work for me on my rides, runs, trainer, and what not.

fishymamba

Philips SHE9550 Only $30 for two at Costco or $15 for one on Amazon.

They have lasted me the longest. (8 months)

Skull Candy inkd lasted me two weeks. FMJs last one month.

dprayvd

Dude.

I've been here. It's laughable.

Laffable?

johnr783

I agree with the other guys suggesting cheaper items.

Even behind the back sometimes gets caught or pinched, lowering the life of the headphones.

I use some Phillips brand earphones from walmart that cost $10. Loops around the ear and great sound.

pg13

Wierd. Ive had my Skullcandy FMJ since 2009 and theyre working the same as they did out of the box.