iPod Headphone Recommendations?

on 10.10.06, 09:30pm in gadgets • Comments (9)

Say I have $100 to spend on some new headphones for the iPod. Anyone have any recommendations?

Update: Sorry, I should have mentioned that I’m looking for earbuds :) 

9 Comments

    Josh Bancroft (October 10, 2006 @ 9:50 pm)

    I recommend the Sony MDR-EX51 in-ear headphones. Super comfortable (I can wear them for hours and forget they’re there), great sound (and bass, since they’re in ear isolation-style phones), and they’re only about $25 (I got mine from Amazon, but the Apple store has them, too).

    I went through three pairs of the more expensive MDR-EX71s, which came highly recommended from iLounge.com. After a couple of months, the insulation came off of the wires - they basically fell apart.

    I got the supposedly “next step down” EX51s, and I’ve had them for a couple of years with no problems. Just as comfortable, sound just as good, cheaper, and they don’t fall apart.

    If you’re really set on spending the $100, most people recommend the Shure e3c’s or the Etymotic er6i’s. But I’m happy as a clam with my $25 Sonys.

    MikeyP (October 10, 2006 @ 10:33 pm)

    You didn’t mention whether you preferred earbuds, open headphones, or closed headphones. On the earbud front, the Etymotic ER6i’s are excellent, though you have to wear them like earplugs (which, in my opinion, is a noise-reducing benefit). For closed headphones, the Sennheiser HD280 pro’s are quite a bargain, and work well in an office environment where you have to listen quietly and comfortably (and sometimes constantly!) take the phones on and off when someone tries to talk to you.

    But honestly, some of the best sounding phones I’ve heard with an iPod are the inexpensive folding Sennheiser PX100’s. They are open headphones, and the bass response is amazing along with a very natural warm sound. Pretty sure they go for less than $50.

    Randy Charles Morin (October 10, 2006 @ 11:47 pm)

    Hit the dollar store, then use the other $99 to take out the wife/girlfriend/boyfriend or hit the bar to find one. Leave the iPod at home.

    DLF (October 11, 2006 @ 9:20 am)

    I’ve had a pair of the aforementioned MDR-EX71SL buds for 3 years now without any incidents, and I also paid $25 for them from Amazon.com, but I’ve heard others say they hated them, so I guess YMMV on those.

    Newer earbud choices include the Creative EP-630 and Sennheiser CX 300.

    TIm Marman (October 11, 2006 @ 6:02 pm)

    I would highly recommend the Ultimate Ears super.fi 3.

    jacobyte (October 12, 2006 @ 2:00 am)

    I’d avoid superfi earphones.
    The cable on my superfi pro. 5’s fell apart after 2 months - luckily it’s replaceable.

    After 3 months, whilst taking the right earpiece out, it fell apart in my hands.

    Whilst the sound from these is amazing, they’re just not sturdy enough for everyday use.

    gdkzen (October 12, 2006 @ 11:38 am)

    I’m very biased towards Shure products, primarily because of their long term reputation in pro-audio. I believe E2’s are within or close to the price range you’re targeting here.

    You can add another $100 for every upgrade from there. E3’s (the ones that I use) are about $200 and E4’s are about $300. Only E3’s and E4’s can be paired with custom molded earpieces, but those earpieces will cost you a trip to an audiologist or otolaryngologist for a fitting and then you have to pay for the manufacturing.

    A friend of mine has E4’s and swears by the flanged earpieces for isolation(you can get ‘em at Shure.com)

    Anonymous (October 16, 2006 @ 10:59 am)

    http://www.headphone.com/products/

    Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 10:55 am)

    I second the shure products. The E2G’s are great noise-blocking earbuds. Come in handy on overnight flights when there are 12 screaming kids, constant announcements from the cockpit, and all you want is some shut-eye… They’re about $70 and well worth it.

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