Good headphones that will handle sweat?

[Get_Zwole]

Hey guys looking for a decent set of IEM's for use at the track and for the gym. Im a very heavy sweater, specially when doing sprint work etc. I refuse to use my w3's during anything strenuous. Is there a Iem that is better suited for water resistance? I would like decent isolation to drown out the rod stewert type of music they play at my gym. thanks for any help.

 

[thisbenjamin]

Most any IEM will provide the type of seal you're looking for. Just make sure it's not a vented design and you'll be ok. I had a pair of Shure EC3 "back in the day" that I used and it worked great for workouts.

 

[Get_Zwole]

Ok not vented thanks for the tip. Im thinking some ety er6i's would be pretty good being so small and lightweight.

 

[RAQemUP]

Also try not to get a headphone with a translucent cable. Your sweat will overtime turn the once see through outer skin into a funky green or similar color.

 

[Get_Zwole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAQemUP /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also try not to get a headphone with a translucent cable. Your sweat will overtime turn the once see through outer skin into a funky green or similar color.

Ok cool definitely dont want a green cable lol.

 

[ABathingApe]

I use Sennheiser CX 300-B's at the gym and I don't have any problems. I used to use iBuds until I sweat into them. That and I prefer to listen to trance or rap when I'm working out. They seal pretty well with medium tips for me, no sweat issues.

 

[Berlioz]

Picking up a cheap pair of Shures might be an option. I'm not sure if you want to pay that much for headphones that are guaranteed to be abused, but the Shures have a few features that you might like:

1) Foam eartips for great isolation and a tight fit. They also keep out sweat and moisture.
2) Heavy duty cable that can take a lot of punishment. Also they use a dual cable design, one attached to your IEMs, and then one going from that one to your portable source. I used to use them all the time at the gym, and they'd get caught on equipment every now and then. It would separate in the middle, instead of tugging on either the earphones or the jack connected to the source, thus protecting the most important components.
3)Completely closed, non vented design.

The only caveat you might have is that the combined cable is a little long. That depends on how tall you are. I can say for a fact, that they work admirably in the gym, and on some of my longer runs. Sweat, rain, mud, you name it, they still sound as good as when I got them.

 

[Get_Zwole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berlioz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Picking up a cheap pair of Shures might be an option. I'm not sure if you want to pay that much for headphones that are guaranteed to be abused, but the Shures have a few features that you might like: 1) Foam eartips for great isolation and a tight fit. They also keep out sweat and moisture. 2) Heavy duty cable that can take a lot of punishment. Also they use a dual cable design, one attached to your IEMs, and then one going from that one to your portable source. I used to use them all the time at the gym, and they'd get caught on equipment every now and then. It would separate in the middle, instead of tugging on either the earphones or the jack connected to the source, thus protecting the most important components. 3)Completely closed, non vented design. The only caveat you might have is that the combined cable is a little long. That depends on how tall you are. I can say for a fact, that they work admirably in the gym, and on some of my longer runs. Sweat, rain, mud, you name it, they still sound as good as when I got them.

i thought about the shures but i always heard the cheapest models didnt sound too great. I want decent sound and clarity just doesnt have to be spectacular. I may look and see if theres any cheap shures or ety's for sale in the classifieds.I think the foam tips would be bad just because they would soak up the sweat and get logged.

 

[Berlioz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Get_Zwole /img/forum/go_quote.gif i thought about the shures but i always heard the cheapest models didnt sound too great. I want decent sound and clarity just doesnt have to be spectacular. I may look and see if theres any cheap shures or ety's for sale in the classifieds.I think the foam tips would be bad just because they would soak up the sweat and get logged.

You're right, the cheapest models don't sound great. To be completely honest, I wouldn't recommend them in their own price range. As for the foam tips, they handle sweat pretty well. It comes down finding a pair of IEM's that don't soak up sweat, but are looser, versus a pair that have a tight fit, but will smell a little funky after a while.

Considering that my SE110's have been relegated to gym usage only, I don't really mind. The exterior definitely looks beaten up, but they work well enough.

 

[koven]

just get something cheap/easily replaceable

 

[DeusEx]

I just ordered a pair of Sennheiser MX760 from eBay, they're earbuds, since I need a pair for non-isolation situations, and they were called "the most underrated earbud" by a few here. I think IEMs aren't ideal for exercising, because you're bouncing all around (at least I am when I'm jogging/cycling, and my CX300 sound horrible with all the microphonics), but I don't go to the gym, so your scenario might be different...plus I need to be able to hear so I won't be hit by a car or something if I'm not paying attention..

......

!!!

 

[Get_Zwole]

thanks for the insights guys im still debating. ^^ yeah i want iems because buds start hurting my ears after a while they just wont fit in them well for some reason. Interesting on the foams not soaking up sweat i definitely like the sound of that. Im gonna check and see what is up for sale in the classifieds maybe find a deal going on in there.

 

[mistertomlinson]

I have learned that if you're looking for the most workout appropriate headphones, you're gonna have to sacrifice sound quality, which frankly, doesn't bother me at all. After my first mile of running, I'm covered in sweat and panting like a dog, I really couldn't care less about how accurately my headphones produce sound. I have ruined so many pairs of headphones to sweat that I realized I needed something specifically designed for exercising.

I've been through 3 different sweat resistant, sport headphones and have thus far settled on the Sennheiser PMX80. They are entirely sweat proof and can be held under running water, unscathed. They aren't "buds," but actually have a low profile headband that runs around the back of your head. I was a bit skeptical of wearing them as my past "sport" headphones were either buds or ear clips, but so far these have surpassed the others by far. Even when running or bending over to stretch, the headphones stay perfectly positioned and never require readjusting. Also, the other buds I've used eventually succumb to the sweat becoming temporarily clogged and muffled. The PMX80s have never done so. They make it my entire run without slipping out, requiring readjusting or becoming compromised by excessive sweating.

The audio quality is great for the purpose of working out, but obviously no comparison to a higher-end $100+ IEM, but again, that's not my concern when I'm working out.

I would definitely recommend them.

 

[Get_Zwole]

^^ thanks alot ill look into them for sure.

See my problem is when really cutting down i do alot of long duration cardio that doesnt just soak me but i really like some good sounding music for me to enjoy while doin it. I dont jog much so its either incline walking or sprint work for me. On the close to 2 hour days of cardio i just want something better then these crappy sony clip ons ive been using. Thanks for the tips im gonna check out the pmx80's.

 

[RASeymour]

While I ultimately stopped using them, the Ety4s held up very well at the Y. I must have used them three or four times a week, two hours at a crack for two or three years.

Unlike with some other cords, they Ety cord never got stiff from the sweat and I threaded it under the front of my shirt. The design keeps the earphone from touching your ear, unlike buds or most IEM's.

My problem with them ultimately was that they didn't sound very good with the rock music I listened to at the Y, they work much better with classical or jazz, but who wants to work out to Bach?