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Best in class *earbuds* that let sound in? Odd request?!

post #1 of 11
10/9/09 at 7:12pm
Thread Starter 
I am in the market for some earbuds for work. I need them to be earbuds and not IEM's because I cannot stand things in my ear canal.

I find earbuds are better at letting sound in from the outside world vs IEM as well. This is important because I listen at somewhat low volume from my Cowon S9/Laptop and need to hear communication going on in the office.

I'm looking for the best candidates that can work with the following requirements ranked in order of importance:
  1. Must let plenty of outside sound IN!
  2. Real world price USD $150 or less.
  3. Comfortable but easy to take in and out of ears several times per day.
  4. Outstanding with heavy metal and speed metal (speed and detail is important)
  5. Fantastic with hard rock (good mids and bass for crunchyness)
  6. Great with jazz (great treble detail and quality)
  7. Good with alternative rock (311 or Incubus for example)
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post #2 of 11
10/9/09 at 7:38pm
Many of the attributes that you list, including openness to outside sounds, will be found in the best Audio Technica Earbuds. The one detail that I think you wont find in them is "good [. . .] bass for crunchyness." They can have very fine snapping, clacking, smacking, impactful upper-bass after they've been burned in, and they have very fine mids, but they'll always be bass-shy. Ath-CM7, CM700, CM700TI

There are some remarkably good Sony earbuds as well that have something of the AT-airiness but more bass. And that is merely my opinion; I'm not an expert, and have limited experience of the many flavors of in-ears.
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post #3 of 11
10/9/09 at 10:12pm
Head Direct OK2 are very detailed with wide soundstage and good bass........
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post #4 of 11
10/9/09 at 10:54pm
Try Sony Ex500. They are IEMs but let a lot of sound in. They don't really isolate unless you turn the music on. It's also within your budget.
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post #5 of 11
10/9/09 at 11:05pm
I love my Yuin PK1's! No problem hearing what's going on outside, great sound with good attack speed (I listen to a lot of thrash, hardcore, death and they have no trouble with double bass, everything is crisp) and you can get them new for around $150. I've seen them for sale on head-fi for around $110.
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post #6 of 11
10/10/09 at 6:09am
speed....
it`s ath cm700
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post #7 of 11
10/10/09 at 12:17pm
Thread Starter 
First I want to say thank you for all the responses.

It is coming down to the following earbuds:
  • ATH-CM7 SV Aluminum
  • ATH-CM700ti Titanium
  • Sony MDR-EX500LP

It appears that the CM7 and EX500 are both warm sounding, while the 700ti focuses on detail. I may lean towards the 700ti considering I will be listening at low volume.

One area I do appreciate is the cord on the CM7. It looks nearly bombproof, and I do wonder how well the 700ti's cord will hold up.

I also like how the Audio Technica earbuds just rest in your ears, while the Sony seems to insert a little deeper into the ear.
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post #8 of 11
10/10/09 at 12:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wantmyf1 View Post
I love my Yuin PK1's! No problem hearing what's going on outside, great sound with good attack speed (I listen to a lot of thrash, hardcore, death and they have no trouble with double bass, everything is crisp) and you can get them new for around $150. I've seen them for sale on head-fi for around $110.
I really appreciate the Yuin PK1, but the whole idea of needing to amp them is turning me off. If these were my full-size cans that I'd be using at home it wouldn't bother me much, but I specifically plan to use the earbuds with portables and laptops. A shame I suppose considering the great value to be had in the PK1's sound quality.
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post #9 of 11
10/10/09 at 1:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RagingForces View Post
I really appreciate the Yuin PK1, but the whole idea of needing to amp them is turning me off. If these were my full-size cans that I'd be using at home it wouldn't bother me much, but I specifically plan to use the earbuds with portables and laptops. A shame I suppose considering the great value to be had in the PK1's sound quality.
Then go with the PK2.
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post #10 of 11
10/10/09 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RagingForces View Post
I really appreciate the Yuin PK1, but the whole idea of needing to amp them is turning me off. If these were my full-size cans that I'd be using at home it wouldn't bother me much, but I specifically plan to use the earbuds with portables and laptops. A shame I suppose considering the great value to be had in the PK1's sound quality.
PK2 has really wide soundstage, they don't need AMPs help for more volume and they shows rich details in music.
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post #11 of 11
10/16/09 at 5:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ibis99 View Post
Then go with the PK2.
x2. Or the OK2, it shouldn't need an amp either.
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