Hello,

I run a lot and I find that ear buds are best for this. Better than the clip-ons because quicker to put on, more durable, and don't flop around. And the in-ear-plug type suffers from microphonics (wire sounds).

However ear buds seem the be the crummiest of all types. Which is probably why no one discusses them here, reviews are hard to find, and MP3 companies add them to the package as obvious throw aways.

So I'm wondering, DOES anyone make a good sounding bud? I'm looking for something that's better than the crap that comes with our MP3 players and the typical Sony $15 atrocities.

I see that Radio Shack has a new Koss White Earbud P15. But it's only 15 dollars, so that kind of worries me. Anyone own a pair?

Thanks if anyone can help in my pitiful quest.

Frip

Theres always the sennheiser MX500...

Audio Technica CM7ti and Sony MDR-e888. Don't know if either one is sturdy enough for exercise use.

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they sound nice, but if he's going to be jogging i'd go against earbuds in general. recently i just replaced the foamies of my MX500 to the Radio Shack foamies and though at first they had a nice seal, they seem to fall out quite easily, and even more so when i'm doing strenuous activity.

so if you are going to be running, i'd not suggest the MX500's or earbuds in general...but that's just me

I nicely fitted PX100 seems like it'd do great here.

The Sennheiser MX500 though if you want the best ear bud, that's all that comes to mind.

The CM7 is by far the sturdiest earbud I've come across, and the best sounding. However, it's about $140 and might fall out of your ears because it's heavier (all that sturdy metal...). I think the MX500 is a good choice. The sound isn't as good as the CM7, of course, but it's pretty well balanced and, imo, enjoyable. I've had no problems with them falling out.

MX500's are great earbuds. They represent a solid step up from iBuds IMO, but durability is what you would expect from cheap 'buds. I used mine daily for about 2 years before they developed a terrible grattle.

how about those portable headphones that go behind the neck, those work well if you're going to be running/jogging, or do you want to solely stick with ear buds?

if you solely want to stick with ear-buds then i'll throw my hat in for the MX-500's, but you may want to change the foamies

The MX500 is OK, but it just pales in comparison to other headphones of other sizes in that pricerange. KSC-75? I know they're different sizes and types... but the MX500 REALLY lacks any kind of impact.

Why, Stax SR-001, of course.

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He says he prefers earbuds. It just depends on your ears, their form/size. Earbuds will never fall out of my ears!

The newer/better sennheisers are MX450, MX550.

My cm7ti's arrive in 1-2 weeks time =) If you can wait, i'll give you my opinion on them. i can't believe i've actually spent more than 1200AUD since visiting this site.

Are earbuds and earphones different? I can use the generic type that you get with a sony PSP and iPod withotu them falling out, but any sort of shure or etymotic or ultimate will never work for me, they always are uncomfertable and fall out.

I'd recommend the MX500s, because...

They're cheap - I wouldn't want to spend a lot of money (eg on E888s or CM7s) on earbuds that I use primarily for running because 1) you don't really notice the sound quality difference much while exercising and 2) they'll probably get knocked around a bit.

They have an inline volume control - this is probably normally a con, but I find that it's more convenient than adjusting the player's volume control while exercising.

They're still better than cheap/crappy bundled earbuds.

You can adjust the fit/sound by changing the foamies (or removing them completely). A lot of people advocate the radioshack foamies, but I found that they made the buds too big for my ear. In any case, they're pretty cheap so you can try them out and not feel too bad if you don't like them (it's not like buying grado flats or something )

Also, I wouldn't recommend the MX450/550s (the newer models)... I really didn't like the sound (though some people do). There are several threads around here on the differences between the MX500s and MX550s, so you should probably check them out. It's a noticeable difference (even while running!)

I'm disappointed by the MX400. They don't fit as well as the Ipod earbuds and they don't sound as refined. The Apple buds fit well, have a pleasant if very rolled-off sound, and they are built nicely with a small plug and sliding thing that lets you change where the "y" splits.

Some say they're the same as the 500.