guadzilla

No, this is not a parody thread.

I have been getting a bit bored with the music on my iPod (doesnt help that good music stopped being made the day Metallica cut their hair and foisted "Tick Tock" on their loyal and unsuspecting fans, but I digress), so I downloaded a couple of audiobooks to listen to while riding.

And it has been a less-than-ideal experience so far.

If I use my Shures, I block out pretty much ALL ambient noise, which is a no go. I have a pair of ear-clip style sports headphones but they allow too much wind noise - ok for rock or techno, but not good if I am listening to a Dennis Miller rant.

Is there a good balance - something which lets you hear what's playing but doesnt cut off all ambient noise either?

And please - no anti-ipod/anti-music diatribes. Just an answer to the question will suffice

V.

BarracksSi

Just wear one of your Shures and let the other one dangle. You'll get the sound isolation in that one ear so you can hear Dennis Miller like he was riding alongside you, but the other ear is still open.

When I use earphones, I prefer these Etymotics:
https://www.etymotic.com/ephp/hf2.aspx

These and Shure isolating earbuds let me play audio at half volume or less instead of nearly full blast like non-isolating earbuds require just to be legible. They're pretty nice on windy days, too, when I couldn't hear anything even without earbuds anyway -- I can listen to Norah Jones instead of "FSHWSFHSHFWHSHFW" noises.

subnoob

I use the Iphone earphones, work great. No issues with wind, they do tend to slip out ever so often though.

mzeffex 

I used skullcandy noise canceling ear buds, but they died. Now I use samsung ones that came with my phone that suck.

FLvector

If you do a title search on earbuds, earphones, headphones you can read for hours. This has been discussed to death.

guadzilla

@Flyvector: It has been discussed, but not with the specific nuance I had in mind. Do I have your permission to take up 1 thread on BF with a genuine question?

@subnoob - yeah, they work but their sound quality is not very good, as mzeffex pointed out. Admittedly, it doesnt matter as much on the bike, but I am very sensitive to tonal distortion and skewed frequency responses (some symphonies I simply *cannot* listen to on a lot of speakers - it is like having a poker driven through my skull), and dont really enjoy the sound of the stock headphones.

@Barrack - yeah, I suppose that is one option. I really dont like the one ear in/one ear out solution, as I'd like to have the option to switch to music as well, but worst case I could stuff a second pair of phones in my pocket. I just ordered a pair of Maximo iMetal from headphone.com - will give it a shot if I dont find anything better (prefer not to get the Shures sweaty)

AngryScientist 

these are amongst the best i've used:



https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-MX8.../dp/B001GSZAF0

substructure

I have these as well. Very clear sound. They stay put as well. I really like them.

acpeeps

NONE!, I wouldn't ever wear them while riding........I want to live

get a Podio

thebigx

I've just started road cycling, but previous to that I use to mountain bike a lot. I rarely wore head phones when I went out, and to be honest, with riding on the road, I don't think I will ever use them, just for safety reasons.

But, when I'm on the "DREAD"mill and now my recently purchased trainer, I do wear and use my Westone 2 Dual (https://www.earphonesolutions.com/wes...earphones.html) I've had Ultimate Ears, Bose, and Shure and I've found the Westone's to be the best! In sound quality, fit and usage during exercise.

They are a bit pricey, but worth every penny!

thompsonpost

I duct tape my house stereo speakers to my head. Nice and loud, traffic doesn't interfere with my listening enjoyment, and my shoulders are getting really big and strong.

AngryScientist 

thats a pretty good website, thanks for that. there are a few other sennheiser models models i didnt know existed. for the $$, i think sennheiser is one of the best out there, good sound quality, comfort and build quality.

RaRah

Tulex

None, getting away from the same old noise that is forced into my brain all day long is part of what being on my bike is about.

thompsonpost

Sometimes, when my shoulders get tired, I tape two of these to my head. Sweet.

hipcheck5

This reminds me of the cell phone thread from yesterday. I guess listening to books while riding a bike won't be a distraction at all.

Tulex

I do that on the trainer. Very few accidents.

thompsonpost

Texting to someone that you are listening to an e-book would.

cotatrials

I use these with my IPod, and a similar one with a built in line mic when I take my Iphone instead.

https://www.scansound.com/single-stereo-earbud.htm

Plays both channels through one ear bud and allows me to hear traffic etc. from left ear.... only ones I would wear on the road.

kini62

Wearing earbuds, headphones etc... while riding is idiotic. You're just asking to get into an accident. It should be illegal just as it is to use them while driving a car and for the same reasons.

Gene

LesterOfPuppets

I can't figure out how not having headphones in saves lives. Unless the volume's maxed, or what's coming out of headphones distracts you to a great extent, having them in doesn't significantly diminish one's awareness level.

Most people in cars can't hear much anyways, just because of the fact they're in a car. Even going fast on a bike you can't hear much because of wind noise. If you've ever ridden a motorcycle without a helmet, you're practically deaf once you get above 40 mph.

If the volume of your program isn't excessive, some phones/buds can actually improve hearing at speeds over 20mph, by reducing wind noise.

kayakdiver

Why thanks. I guess I'm an idiot and you're an ass. Some can do both and do it safely.

OP.. I think they are overpriced for what they are.. but the upgraded ipod headphones work pretty well. The ones with the multiple ear pieces.

calamarichris

I like to wear these while nodding and smiling at the people who say it's idiotic.


But it's still a good idea to pluck one out when riding in traffic, and to keep in mind that if anything happens while you're wearing them that you will be most likely considered at fault, no matter how drunk the texting, purse-diving minivan driver was when she hit you.

Seriously, the sound quality is so good, I hear new aspects of songs & pieces that I've been listening to since the 80's.

ak_cowboy

I use skullcandy. Whatever the cheap ones ($19.99) are, and let one dangle. It lets me hear everything around me and makes my commute enjoyable. They're also cheap enough that it doesn't matter if I ruin them lol

guadzilla

Oh FFS, not everyone rides in the same conditions as you. Give it a frigging rest already - this sanctimonious bs gets quite tedious after a while. Seriously. I managed to reach adulthood and do reasonably well for myself without being constantly told the obvious.

Anyhoo, I ended up ordering a second pair of earphones - Koss something-or-the-others, also quite well rated by headphone.com. These are clip-ons. Between this and the iMetals, I should have something to work with. I came very close to the Etymotics HF2, but for the heat and sweat of Oman in the summer, think I'll stick to something cheaper.

kyakdiver - thanks for the tip on the upgraded iPhone headphones. Did check them out and after a bunch of reviews, went with the Maximos. I may yet get the Sennheisers MX-85s recommended above as well - they're cheap enough to give them a go.

Btw, any of you guys who are serious about music on headphones - also check out www.headphone.com for some pretty good options.

Cheers,
V.