Good Around The Ear Earphones.

[dipin]

Hi this is only my second post so please bear with me, still new at this.

I currently have a big pair of headphones, (a Sennheiser EH-2200) and would like to get a pair of: around the ear, clip on’s, in ear or any thing small that doesn’t suspend off my ear alone. (BUT NO IN EAR CANALS PLEASE. EX: Shure, Etymotic.)

The reason I want a pair of earphones is because my headphones aren't very portable. When ever I go to a friend’s house I only listen to the music on the way there, and then put my music away. I just don't want to lug around my headphones the whole time while we are hanging out.

So I need your help to recommend me a good pair of earphones. I know you guys are smart and great at this that’s why I though I’d come to you.

My budget is not too big, not more than $100. Lower would be better but don’t want to sacrifice quality for price.

Thanks a lot for all your help.

Oh and no earphones with headbands please.

 

[c.you]

I recommend the Senns MXxxx (notably 550(with volume control)/450(without volume controle) Senn px100/200, Koss portapros, koss ksc75, maybe even some grado sr60's, and thats all I can think of. You can check headphone.com and check their budget selection. Its pretty good.

 

[catscratch]

I think the Koss KSC-75 is a good place to start. Inexpensive and good sounding - and you can abuse them without a guilty conscience. Also, have you ever actually tried canalphones? I'm just asking since I know people who claimed that they couldn't stand them, but once I showed them how to wear canalphones properly, actually thought they were quite comfortable! You can try the Future Sonics EM3, if you do decide to brave it and enter the world of canalphones. It's not the most stylish, but it gives you both a strong bass and a clear high end, and costs $100 direct from Future Sonics.

You could also try a pair of quality earbuds: Sony MDR-e888 or Audio-Technica ATH-CM7. I haven't heard either lol

but these tend to be quite well received.

For me personally, though, portable means canalphones, so I can't advise you all that well on non-canalphone solutions.

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by catscratch I think the Koss KSC-75 is a good place to start... <snip>... You could also try a pair of quality earbuds: Sony MDR-e888 or Audio-Technica ATH-CM7.

Welcome to Head-Fi, and sorry about your wallet, as they say around here. If you stick around long enough, you'll figure out the meaning of the greeting.

Sounds like you want either earbuds or clip-on's.

There's been a lot of KSC75 love lately and for good reason. These clip-on's can be had for $15 online, $20 BM, and they sound like much more expensive cans. If you want clip-on's, there's not much reason to look beyond KSC75 as they are simply the best sub-$100 clip-on's available (I haven't heard any other clip-on's but this is the prevailing sentiment here). KSC75 is what I mainly listen to when I'm in my office.

As for earbuds, Sony MDR-E888LP are the best sub-$100 earbuds that I've heard. Probably the next step up from the Sony is the CM7, but unless you buy used, the ATH-CM7 is out of your price range as they cost more than $120 new.

My suggestion is for you to try the Koss KSC75 first as they are very inexpensive but offer sound quality comparable to earphones in the $50-90 range. If you don't like 'em, you're out less than $20, so I see very little risk and a lot of potential benefit to starting with KSC75.

Also, if you use a headphone amp with them, they improve very noticeably. So if you get the KSC75 and a headphone amp in the $50-80 range, you can get yourself a headphone and amp combo for under $100.

 

[dipin]

I just want to say thanks a lot everyone for trying, and so far after reading everything, I am leaning towards the Koss KSC-75, but still not sure.

The reason I don't want an ear bud or anything that is directly suspended off my ear is because I have one of those rare ears lol. Anytime I put any ear buds on, they either loosely stay on, or the keep slipping off. And that drives me crazy. Ex: when I walk, every couple of seconds is would have to push the ear buds back into my ear with my fingers so I can actually hear my music. Imagine going that every 10 or 15 steps. WHOA THAT WOULD DRIVE ME CRAZY, LOL.

And, what do you guys think of the Sony MDR-EX81LP? I like it because it looks nice, but don’t know if it sounds good or not. Please let me know what you guys think and keep the suggestions coming.

And I just want to say once again, thank everyone for trying.

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dipin And, what do you guys think of the Sony MDR-EX81LP?

I thought you didn't want anything in your ear? But if you want semi-canalphones, that's cool. I suggest you do a forum search for EX81 as the EX81 is talked about often. I have no experience with them.

I have problems with my CM7 falling out or moving when I move around, but I found that the MDR-E888LP stay in place well.

The KSC75 are comfortable and stay on well. I sometimes walk around the office with them and have had no problems.

 

[Max Minimum]

The EX81's will be more expensive than the KSC75's, but I don't know how the sound/comfort/stability compares between the EX81's and the KSC75's - maybe it's worth it - anybody know?

 

[12thgear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Minimum The EX81's will be more expensive than the KSC75's, but I don't know how the sound/comfort/stability compares between the EX81's and the KSC75's - maybe it's worth it - anybody know?

For headphones I went from Sony EX71, to Alessandro MS-1, the added the Koss KSC75.

I have not heard the EX81, but the EX71 are related so I'll give you my impressions based on that. The EX71 is much better than stock earbuds that come with my iPod and stayed in my ear. Meatier bass and the mids were prominent. Compared to the KSC75, I think the EX71 are really lacking. The KSC75 gives you the full sound, especially the mids. With headphones that cheap, I expected nearly nonexistent mids, but I was really shocked that they performed so well.

The KSC75, once adjusted to taste, is more comfortable to me and it's easier to forget it's being worn, even with glasses. It also feels a lot more secure. The EX71 is still pretty comfy, and though it feels less secure, it has never fallen out on me.

 

[Max Minimum]

Thanks 12th!