[appar111]

Are there any other decent earbud choices out there besides the Sennheiser MX500 and the Sony MDR-E888's? I'm strictly looking for buds, and not canal phones like the Ety's, Shures or Sony EX70.

I see alot of Aiwa stuff on Audiocubes for real cheap, and the specs look good, but I've also tried buds based on specs and had them sound terrible.

I'm currently using a pair of Sony MDR-E228LP's with the rubber tips taken off and replaced with standard foamies, and they sound great with a portable MD, but I'm trying to look into something different from the two above mentioned buds. If nothing else, I'll go with a couple pairs of MX400s since I don't need the volume control.

Any suggestions?

thanks!
appar111

 

[AndyD_2003]

Quote:

If nothing else, I'll go with a couple pairs of MX400s since I don't need the volume control.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the MX400's sound different to the MX500's - the volume control might not be the only difference.

Do a search on these forums - there's a very good chance I read it here.

Andy.

 

[einolu]

iv heard somewere that those hi-end aiwa buds on audio cubes are good... i have the Aiwa vx100s, and IMO they are very good, and the only reason that i know other people might not like them is the comfort, but they fit me fine. anyway, the mx 500s are the best value outa the lot, and considering that u can get them for about $10 in most places, u can test em out... there arent many good buds out there, but the aiwas seem like a good choice, although i havent had any experiance with them. anyway, good luck with ur choice, and if i remember something, ill post it here...

~EO

 

[ssblood]

Buy a pair of MX500s and try them out. If you don't like them give them to a neighbors kid. Buy the Sony's and try them out, if you don't like them I sure hope you can find someone to buy them from you

 

[heeeraldo]

I would say to buy the Aiwa's first - they *are* cheaper. If you don't like the Sony's, you may want to try one of the various mods available before giving up on them.

Granted, I have none of these, so take this with a (large) grain of salt.

 

[nevermorez]

If you have the budget to buy E888, you should definitely get the MX500 and save the rest of the money for an entry level amp that costs around $100. (JMT Cha 47, cMOY, Altoids, Super Mini AMP V3) Honestly, do a little research here, you will find out that MX500 are pretty close to E888 if not better. Don't even mention the combination of MX500 and an amp. With the budget that a little bit higher than E888, you will definitely get far superior sound. Unltimately, wut can you lose for a cheap phone like MX500.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[kenchi1983]

I dislike the mx400 that i bought for my sister (well its her own money, hahhaa). they are really bad. so im still griping over if the mx500 does sound as good as some of you make it.


mx500 with amp? O_o

 

[Guyferd]

I have tried my friend's ksc-19, and they sound quite good.Comparing them to my sennheiser mx-500, the ksc-19 need slightly more power in order to get to the same volume as the mx500. However, I like the ksc-19 slightly more.. because they seem to have more realistic drum hits, slightly better separation, and also a slightly better soundstage.
The treble is also smoother on the ksc-19.The mx500 sounds a bit muddy in comparison. I believe they are only around $5 more than the mx-500.
they are kinda the earclip type shape though... some people might not like them.
have alook at the koss website.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Just make sure to get one that fits your ears right. IMHO this matters more than even the quality of the buds themselves for earbuds.

 

[TMC]

I've had the MX500 for almost 2 years with a portable MD and now an mp3-player and always thought they were the best value earbuds. But recently I bought a pair of Philips HE555 that I enjoy just as much. The main difference between these two is that the Philips are more easily driven and has a narrower soundstage but better bass. It just depends on what you prefer.

 

[Flasken]

Quote:

Originally posted by AndyD_2003 I seem to remember reading somewhere that the MX400's sound different to the MX500's - the volume control might not be the only difference.

THEY ARE THE SAME. The volume control IS the only difference.

 

[appar111]

Flasken-
Thanks for the clarification on that-- I think I'll go with a couple pairs of the MX400's-- found them for under $9 a pair online. That way I've got an all around pair for gym/portable use, and then a back-up pair in case something happens to them..

I'd use an amp but for me, it takes away a big part of the portable factor, since you've got another cord, another box to take with you... granted, the sound is much better, but I would also be running it out of the headphone out of an MD player (not a recorder where I could switch to "line out") so I wouldn't feel the full benefits of an amp. I'm trying to keep things dead simple.


thanks guys!
appar111

 

[ssblood]

MX500 a good combination with an amp?

 

[lazure]

I really hate to use my first post ever to attempt to correct a 1000+ posts member, but reading this forum has proven to be very addictive as of late, especially as I myself considered a headphone purchase, and notably whether to purchase the MX500 or MX400. The MX400 is readily available in Canada at all RadioShack outlets, while the MX500 has to be ordered from the U.S.

Well, most everything I've read on Head-Fi leads me to believe that although these two seem to be solely different in that there's a volume control on the MX500, it seems that they are a truly different listening experience. See this thread:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...X400+AND+MX500

As well, you may want to do a search for MX500 AND MX400 in the forums search engine for further reading.

I myself am awaiting the arrival of my MX500s, not to mention my Samsung Yepp YP-30sh MP3 player. Oh I'm so happy to be back - at least a little - in the audiophile world...

Jean

 

[rohorn]

There are 3 sets of MX400s between my wife and I. All 3 sound vastly different. They were all bought at the same store, but about 9 months apart. They all pretty much sound the way they came out of the box.

The bottom heavy set still sounds boomy, the even set still sounds great, but the top heavy one has developed some middle age sag (you get the picture, right?).

That should exlpain the "difference" between the MX400 and MX500.

If you want to fix some of the dips in the midrange, get a set of Radio Shack pads and punch a .25 - .3 inch hole in the middle. The volume changes in wide ranging vocals will pretty much disappear. The rolloff of the highs - and the attending lack of definition will become more apparent, however. This mod made my "top heavy" pair much more enjoyable. That hasn't made me stop looking forward to the arrival of my HD497s from HeadRoom...