Best headphones for iPod (actual experiences?)

[Jon L]

My iPod will be here next week and I need better headphones.
I listened at Apple Store, and the stock earbuds sounded horrible. Apple Store's big Bose headphones (closed headphones) sounded better, but not good enough of course.

I've done a search here, but can't find much actual personal experience comparing different headphones.

I need to spend less than what I paid for iPod, but I'm difficult to please since my home headphone system includes AKG K1000(modded). I will be running uncompressed digital files only. Who has done comparisons of the "usual suspects"?

Shure E5C (2, 3?)
Etymotic (4P vs 4S?)
Some cheaper alternatives?

 

[blessingx]

Run compressed, just lossless.

After trying a few solutions, the only ones that worked for me were the Ety ER4P/S (~$220) and Koss KSC35s/PortaPros. (~$35-50). Never tried the ER6s (or coming soon for the iPod, ER6i) though and my time with the Shures were very limited. If you're a detail freak, you may want to start with the Etys.

 

[plainsong]

My absolute favs are the ms-1 w/ the Grado flat pads from Todd.. then you add the Sik Din and mint vibe and it just gets even better.

But that's not really portable is it? I'm currently using er4s from the same mint vibe, but have some er6i's preordered to see how they are. I'll sell whichever I like least for ipod use.

I also got some ksc-35's again for portable open use. I had some before I didn't have anything bad to say about them, except that they were a bit big for my ears. It's just they didn't get much use. We'll see how it goes this time.

Hey, why is everyone looking at me? I know I had them before, but I got some money from granny, ok?? Really! I know it's strange to buy the same pair of headphones again, but if it's a gift, why not treat yourself? I'm not a bad person... honest.

 

[pnrgi]

i really like my portapros. Its hard to get over how cheap they look, and feel. But once you put them on, and walk around outside, you couldnt be more happy. Personally i dont like the earbuds, and i dont want something, like the e2c's where a bus could be bearing down on it and i wouldnt hear it.

The Portapros are nice becasue they arent so cheap that they sound like crap, but they are cheap enough that you dont have to baby them. I acutully about to go mow the lawn with mine. ortaprosmile: (where are all the good smiles)

 

[dstyslpr]

The Koss KSC55 is a rocking phone. Open and uncomfy, but they are punchy and fun. Not the best build quality, but they have a lifetime warranty to make up for it.

Worth a listen if you want to try some sub $20 phones.

 

[psyco1]

The Zen's close enough for me to chime in.

I've had good luck with the ER-4p in portability, sound quality and ease of use in conjunction with the zen, but it doesn't sound exactly like the ipod, so ymmv a bit.

The ksc-35 sound better than 30$ phones should, but the clip is a pain in the rear IMO, and they need a clip on the cord so you can let them hang while not listening.

 

[bangraman]

With the exception of high summer, the Sennheiser HD25-1 have consistently been the most heavily used phone with the iPod in my ownership experience. I've gone around plenty of others, but I keep coming back to the 25. The PX100/200 also gets a regular workout, not because of their sound quality (which is adequate given their level) but because they're so handy and portable (fits into a jacket pocket without a bulge), while being easy to put on and remove.


I use the Shure E5 and as a secondary the Ety 4S when I'll be out but less mobile (i.e. when I'm sitting down a lot more... long train/plane journeys, etc).

 

[SilentServices]

At the risk of not being taken seriously ... i will again put my vote for the Yamaha RH-5ma headphones that i currently use with my iPod.
They are the more neutral, natural, dynamic headphones around... they perform very well and can play loud on the iPod and even better on higher equipment.
Bass is tuneful and shine trough any music style ( since i listen to EVERYTHING i know what i am saying ) imaging is incredible.... highs are extended and totally neutral. I had the chance to compare them directly with the Bose Triport cans and it was not even funny how HARDLY the yams kill them... its just a shame that Bose are selling them at this price!!!! 20$ would be more like it...

Plus the Yamaha are lightweight comfortable... incredibly solid and durable. I used mine since 2000 everyday inside like outside... in the rain and even during winter ( Quebec, Canada.... ) they still play perfectly! They dont leak too much sound, and isolate from outside noise considerably ( not like a closed cans... but almost ) They are semi-open design and i think thats maybe why they sound so good... they are 100% free from resonance or cups effects ( which i just cant stand )

So people will say they are not Bassy enough... but those people are the type of people that like the entry level Senheiser that are Bass Boosted like hell... with muddy and crappy highs...

But believe me... if you want something that really respect music... these are for you! IMPOSSIBLE to beat at their price point and even for 200$ or less... you will have a hard time finding something better... i still haven't

some good reviews:

http://www.audioreview.com/Headphone...7_2750crx.aspx

 

[Spankypoo]

Glad you're timed right for a 4G - my girlfriend got a 3G 20 gig for her birthday - 4 weeks ago. Ouch.

My config: My preference is the Ety ER-4S, though I sometimes use the P if I want a bit more mid-bass, though I'm getting to the point where I enjoy the S so much more the P isn't really that useful.

If I want to be able to pop 'em in and out, hear background noise, etc., it's either the Sennheiser MX400 or MX500 - depends on whether or not I want the volume control. (Ha, ha.) I use the Apple remote sometimes, so when I do I pair it with the 400s. Otherwise, the 500.

Yeah, yeah, I know - stupidly OCD. But I thought I lost my 400s and couldn't find 'em for weeks, so I ordered a pair of 500s to try them out again. (My first pair were 500s and they were stolen. But the volume control wasn't even between the left and right channels, so I opted for the 400 - this time it's even.) Then I found the 400s.

The moral is: Even though I have my Etys, I missed my $12 Sennheisers that much.

As big a fan as I can be of over-the-ear cans (e.g.,

), I use it portably too much, and get sick of the heat and sweat they can cause.

And, to throw something into the mix, I have a pair of Sony EX70s, which I use when I'm just in a silly, way-too-much-bass mood and want old 1970s punk recordings to sound halfway full-bodied. And they have a mild isolation factor, which can be nice at times.

But you'll find the main debate here for in-ear 'phones centers primarily between the Shures and the Etymotics, and it probably has more to do with your budget and whether you're more concerned with strong bass, or sharp, clear highs. (Though each camp would argue their 'phone has both. Ha, ha.)

Good luck to ya'.

 

[SilentServices]

sorry...

 

[insomniac]

Another vote for the KSC-35's. I use them with my 3rd Gen iPod daily. They sound great from the iPod, they're cheap, they're small, and they're comfortable (though some have mixed feelings about clip-ons in general). I appreciate them more each day. At their price point, it's really a low-risk proposition. Try a pair out.

 

[Kenny12]

SilentServices why are you posting reviews and pimping ur yamaha phones, in quite a few threads when noone even asked?

your not even contributing something new... at least do more than just copy and paste!

 

[jacopo]

I'm using:
shure E2C
senn PX-100
koss KSC-35
alex|grado MS-1

I mainly use E2C outdoor or on train for the good isolation and for I really got used to their sound; while I use the MS-1 at home (in bed before sleeping)

I dont find ksc-35 confortable for portable use, but as PX-100 they have a really nice sound for the price

jacopi|!

 

[commando]

I think it's appropriate to mention http://www.ipodlounge.com/ too. They might have a few ideas, most likely they're iPod fanatics

 

[PeterR]

You might want to take a look at the Audiotechnica clip-ons, I use EM-9rs with my iPod. The sound is detailed, perhaps a little on the bright side. They're also not exactly bass monsters, but considering they're clip-ons it's quite good. If you're using K1000s at home I think you might like them.