earbuds for the iPod

[DenTing]

Wanted to hear some reviews on some of earbuds that sounds best with the iPods. Here are some that I have been looking at:

Sony MDR-EX71SL
Sony MDR-EX71SL
Shure E2c
Koss the Plug
Sharp HP-MD33

Cheapter the better, but I'm willing to fork out the money to invest in some decent earbuds. I like how my grados sound but they're pretty inconvenient to carry around. Just looking for a similar sound in my earbuds. Thanks.

-p

 

[fr4c]

i would say md33s. i dont like the way the ex71s sound, bit much treble for me in my opinion.

 

[skitlets]

I'd take the e2 over the md-33. But for me, its personal preference over a slightly rolled-off treble to a slightly pronounced one. That, and a bit of a mid-bass bloat in the md-33. If you can eq it down just a little, they'd be great.

 

[commando]

I've owned the E3 and EX71s, as well as cheap sony earbuds. I hate the E3s and returned them, love the EX71s, and would probably suggest MD33s unless you need the isolation of Ety or Shures.

If you're considering EX71s, also consider EX51s which are virtually identical, except for slight styling differences and the cord.

 

[Max Minimum]

The only thing I have to offer is to warn you away from the Plugs. I'd rather listen to Fran Dresher laugh for 14 hrs straight than listen to one song with these. Listen to a good home stereo. Then do the same having stuffed your ears full of mud. Now you know what the Plugs sound like. And they're uncomfortable to boot.

 

[DenTing]

I'm hearing a lot of good stuff about the md33s and since they're a bit cheaper than the shures, i'd probably go with those unless I hear any major downsides on the md33s.

I read that the md33 uses a 4 pole plug. I know that it comes with a 3 plug converter but seems pretty long that it could get tangled up pretty easily. I believe my ipod accepts only the 3 plug. What do you guys think?

Also, what do you mean by rolled-off treble? sorry, new to the game here.

I'm replacing these with my grados when I'm out with my ipod, so comfort is definitely key. I listen to most everything but would like these buds to complement my underground hip hop (doom, j, tribe, atmosphere). I guess what I mean by that is I'm not big on all that rattling bass from a car stereo playing Lil Jon. I prefer clarity over mudded bass.

Thanks in advance.

-p

 

[stuman]

my personal preference would be Sony e888's i feel these are the best buds by Sony, the ex71's are nice just lack detail compared, however you lose the bass depth, this doesn’t bother me as i wasn't watching DVD’s wearing them. Also 888's are a rare site and its great when you can tell people you had to get them imported from Japan.
i broke my first pair pretty quickly, yes they are fragile. However more than make up for it in style and sound quality.

my opinion.

stu

 

[acg2424]

Sennheiser MX500

 

[Rodent]

you can mod the sharp's to make the plug a standard 3-pole.
it's not hard but involves soldering. it's very easy soldering though.

 

[Max Minimum]

The Senn MX500 and Sony E888 would be good additions to your list as would the Audio Technica CM7 (if you're willing to get up in a higher price range - $138 US). The MX500, in particular, is a good value ($20 from newegg.com when I got it - maybe less now).