The Gang of Five

Beyond the Mysterious Beyond => The Arts => Sound Off! => Topic started by: raga on December 06, 2009, 07:12:05 PM

Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: raga on December 06, 2009, 07:12:05 PM
Okay I'm really getting sick of this, yet another pair of my earbud headphones is toast.  I've decided to stop wasting money on these crappy $20 skullcandys and finally invest on a good pair that will last a while.  And I know on-ear or over-ear headphones are best, but I want earbud, I have my reasons.  Anybody have any suggestions?
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: landbeforetimelover on December 06, 2009, 07:47:35 PM
Bose or Shure.  If you want some decent earbud headphones for $99, go with these:

http://www.target.com/Bose-In-Ear-Headphon...k%3Abose&page=1 (http://www.target.com/Bose-In-Ear-Headphones/dp/B000UVM0ES/sr=1-1/qid=1260143107/ref=sr_1_1/183-4522610-9436223?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Abose&page=1)
(they're $99 in-store)

But you'd be MUCH happier with these trust me:

http://www.target.com/Bose-On-Ear-Headphones/dp/B000HWRBG2 (http://www.target.com/Bose-On-Ear-Headphones/dp/B000HWRBG2)

I bought the buds, over-ear, and on-ear headphones to find out which one's the best, and these on-ear are the BEST.  The in-ear are crap compared to the on-ear.  The on-ear are $199 but go on sale for $179 pretty frequently.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: Amaranthine on December 07, 2009, 12:50:44 AM
^ I agree.

I get ear infections and a lot of wax WAY too easily, so I really can't and don't want to have those plug in things INSIDE my ear. :x I remember even saying this in 8th grade science saying, "The more my generation hears these things, just the ear buds and no headphones going over the ear, they are more likely to get ear infections and a lot of people will end up deaf."

Some people looked at me like I was crazy. Well I was different in my thinking, maybe I dramatized it a bit, that's what I observed.

Anyway, enough of my rambling, I would say that you should get a pair of head phones like Austin suggestioned, the bottom link he showed I mean.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: Cancerian Tiger on December 07, 2009, 01:24:19 AM
There may be a truth in the connection between earbuds and ear infections, but you've also gotta question the hygiene of the user.  How many folks clean their ears, really?  I mean, give their ears a really good clean on a daily basis :rolleyes:?  I've been told I pay far too much attention to my hygiene (I even wash my hands after I've taken a shower :p), but poor hygiene is a major pet peeve to me :crazy.  I started using earbuds several months ago, and I must say I like 'em.  The sound quality is better in my opinion :yes.  I clean both my ears and my earbuds very well, and I have not had problems thus far.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: landbeforetimelover on December 07, 2009, 02:12:12 AM
People seem to confuse quality with "loudness."  If you've ever heard a REAL pair of headphones before, you'd be able to tell the difference.  Those bottom Bose will blow your socks off.  The ear buds.....not so much.  I know buds are more convenient, but the on-ears sound SO MUCH BETTER and they actually block outside noise.  You'll get used to them, I promise.  I used to be an all buds kinda guy until I realized how much better the on-ear designs can be.  But this does NOT apply to cheap crap $50 headphones.  If you're gonna spend so little on headphones you might as well get the buds.  This is not the case with better quality headphones.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: Petrie. on December 07, 2009, 07:48:03 AM
If you don't want to spend $200 on headphones (personally I never would) you could get some Sennheiser MX-660s for $33.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-MX-Earbud...60186370&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-MX-Earbuds-Control-Winder/dp/B000Z74J2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260186370&sr=8-1)

I've used their earbuds in the past and have been pleased.  I stick to over the ear phones anymore, but these were the best of the buds I found. :)
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: raga on December 07, 2009, 12:23:20 PM
I realize earbuds are the best sound quality wise but I'm more concerned with convince then quality.  I need to be able to just stick my headphones into my pocket and be on my way.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: Littlefoot Fan on December 07, 2009, 12:34:05 PM
I agree that skullcandy sucks, but they look sooo cool :p mine died on me in like a couple of months though lol

I have a nice pair of ear buds that when I put them into my ears, it feels like somebody is sticking knives into both of my ears. That would probably be the only way to describe the pain and discomfort. I know why though. These things have no cushion at all. It's just a hard piece of plastic that gets jammed into your ear.

I don't know a lot about the whole becoming deaf ordeal, but I do know that I always make sure my music is never really loud. I can always tell when one of my songs are too high in volume because it hurts slightly to listen to it. Not a physical pain of course, but, well...you know...that certain way your ears tell you "this is kinda loud" :p
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: Lillefot on December 07, 2009, 02:48:26 PM
Koss Porta Pro. Exelent sound, very comfty and easy to fix if they break.
I've used them for years.
Strongly recommended.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: Petrie. on December 07, 2009, 07:29:48 PM
Quote from: Lillefot,Dec 7 2009 on  01:48 PM
Koss Porta Pro. Exelent sound, very comfty and easy to fix if they break.
I've used them for years.
Strongly recommended.
Agreed, that would be an option, but he wants earbuds and I've yet to see anyone try and stuff those in your ears. :lol:

Quote
I need to be able to just stick my headphones into my pocket and be on my way.

If that's how you feel, $200 Shures aren't for you because you need to fiddle with them for good sound (they're like earplugs).  My suggestion of the $33 Sennheisers are. ;)  Buy a pair and enjoy the music on the go.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: landbeforetimelover on December 07, 2009, 11:22:08 PM
He wants better quality headphones Petrie.  Frankly, you have to spend at least $100 to get anything close to decent.....even in earbuds.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: Petrie. on December 08, 2009, 05:55:40 PM
I would almost guarantee my suggestion is of higher quality than what he was using, otherwise he wouldn't ask. ;)  When I was in college I couldn't afford $200 earbuds so I suspect unless raga comes from a family with a lot of moolah he won't be looking at Shures.
Title: Grrrrr... Headphones...
Post by: Daddytops2009 on December 09, 2009, 03:09:26 PM
I'm looking for new ones too to my CD player, but the stores are mostly selling headphones to PC and mobile phones nowadays.