Earphones

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

I'm not sure where's the best place to put this but here seems "somewhat" relevant.

I lost my IPod by some perfidious reason that still eludes me, so I'm now looking to replace it, along with my earphones. I might get an IPhone, or just another IPod Classic, or something else that works just as well.

I used to use Sennheiser CX-300 and got pretty OK sound out of it, but I'm open to other choices. I see that the Sennheiser CX400 MK II is a slight upgrade over my older pair but not sure if the price justifies the upgrade.

Also, if I get the IPhone, I might get the Sennheiser MM50 for the IPhone. Anyone used that or have better alternatives?

Personally, I prefer in-ear earphones for the portability sake, and Sennheiser has traditionally been pretty durable. ARe there other good choices and equally durable as well?

[Zixinus]

AKG is a pretty good competitor.

[YT300000]

I use the Shure SCL2 in-ear phones for both portable music and recording. Their isolation isn't as good as the more expensive SCL3's, but I never use monitors on stage so this isn't a concern for me; in any case they block more than enough sound for use on public transit. The sound quality is quite good, and for $100 I'd definitely recommend them.

[Ypoknons]

I use the Shure E530 and triple.fi pro... Both quite durable, but of course they need to be at their price range My experience and philosophy in audio is that small incremental upgrades aren't worth it, if you upgrade jump to the next price class. You can get a line-in microphone from Audio Technica or Shure IIRC if your IEM doesn't have one.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

What is good for Audio Technica actually that's comparable to the Sennheiser CX line? I'm not too familiar with their product lines.

[Phantasee]

Hope you don't mind, Fingolfin, but I'm interested in getting some recommendations for in-ear headphones that have the in-line mic for use with my iPhone. I'm not looking for anything high-end, cheaper is better (but not so cheap I'm buying a new pair every 6 months or year).

[JointStrikeFighter]

I use the Shure SCL2 in-ear phones for both portable music and recording. Their isolation isn't as good as the more expensive SCL3's, but I never use monitors on stage so this isn't a concern for me; in any case they block more than enough sound for use on public transit. The sound quality is quite good, and for $100 I'd definitely recommend them.

I used to have the SCL3s and they were damned good. Untill the cable broke

[adamalexandru]

I am using MM80 and it really good one for me. I do suggest you to have one Superb Sennheiser sound and Detachable microphone. It seems to be bit costly but I truly love to listen music.

[Tolya]

I recently bought my wife a pair of AKG's K317 and she is very satisfied with them. I checked them out - clear sound, nice bass and treble (a review said it is somewhat lacking midrange but I doubt anyone who isn't a professional could tell).

I guess if you used Sennheisers then AKG wouldn't really be much of an improvement in quality since both companies make top shelf consumer audio equipment.

[Ypoknons]

What is good for Audio Technica actually that's comparable to the Sennheiser CX line? I'm not too familiar with their product lines.

I really don't know, I just meant that you can get a in-line mic for iPhone use whichever IEM you use. I understand there's good AT models, but I don't give recommendations unless I have personal experience (just pointers). My only recommendation is unless you reach a certain point, don't sidegrade, if you want new IEMs go to a new price/performance class. I think this holds true until you get to the IE8/W3/triple.fi/e-q7 level.

[Soontir C'boath]

I took a chance on a relatively new company and bought a pair of MEElectronics M6 earphones and they sound pretty damn good at the under $50 range. I'd say it's close in quality but has a farther sound-stage than the Shure SCL4 that I've been using the past three years which says a lot as I paid $180 for it originally. I also really like the memory wire it has to let you bend and fit the cable around the ear comfortably.

If you live in a cold location, I'd advise not to buy Shure's SCL series. I live in NY and the cold weather made the insulation on the cable crack every winter. I've had to replace them every single damn year until now since the 2-year warranty has expired.

[YT300000]

I took a chance on a relatively new company and bought a pair of MEElectronics M6 earphones and they sound pretty damn good at the under $50 range. I'd say it's close in quality but has a farther sound-stage than the Shure SCL4 that I've been using the past three years which says a lot as I paid $180 for it originally. I also really like the copper (now steel) memory wire it has to let you bend and fit the cable around the ear comfortably.

If you live in a cold location, I'd advise not to buy Shure's SCL series. I live in NY and the cold weather made the insulation on the cable crack every winter. I've had to replace them every single damn year until now since the 2-year warranty has expired.

To be fair, I've found that can happen with many headphone cords. That's why for the last few years, I've been keeping the cord under my coat. My SCL2's got through last winter without any damage, and Calgary is a fair bit colder than New York.

[JointStrikeFighter]

The shure wire cracking has apparently been fixed.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Hmm.. never had that sort of problems with my Sennheiser CX300, and Michigan temps tend to plunge to -24 degrees Celsius at the height of Winter.

[Admiral Valdemar]

My Sennheiser MX90s recently lost a bit that keeps one of the buds in my ear, so I decided to fork out for some new earphones my brother found recommended in T3. I can say that the Sony MDR-EX500LP set I got are awesome. iPod headphones and most standard sets with players have always been cheap shit, but these are really quite spiffy. Decent case, cabling, and they look and sound amazing for sub-£100 earphones (and really, I'd not pay more for something I'd walk around with in public).

Whatever you do, DON'T get them from a Sony store. Amazon had them for around 30% less than the Sony store or any department store did.

[Ypoknons]

I guess if you used Sennheisers then AKG wouldn't really be much of an improvement in quality since both companies make top shelf consumer audio equipment.

Trying to compare products based on what that company can produce at the high end in a related category is really not a great idea. Even if the same skills were applicable (and some canalphones use balanced armature drivers instead of the dynamic drivers on most large headphones), a brandname with excellent, prestigious high-end products might not be willing to give you the best for the buck in the value product line. And why should they, if they can charge a brand name premium? The RE0, and if what C'boath says about MEElectronics is right, are good examples of this - IEMs which are great bang for the buck versus the Goliath brands... Smaller companies may also benefit from specialization, though with all the big company muscle in the IEM market these days I'm not sure that's a real advantage...

Sorry Fingolfin_Noldor, couldn't help commenting even if I can't help you directly. Also, FWIW, my none of my IEMs cracked in the NYC winter either.