Thank you both so much for trying to help me, I really appreciate it. I sometimes get a lot of rude people mocking me for claiming to be sensitive to electrical fields - they think I'm a nut, or making it up. But believe me there's no way I would make this up. I hate the idea of having a problem with my new earbuds - I WANT them to be great!
I've mentioned the Monk Plus earbuds, but I want to clarify that I don't intend to use the Monks. They were the first replacement I bought when my old ones broke (following a recommendation here on this forum), but I was extremely disappointed with them and I will not be using them again.
I had all kinds of problems with the Monks' sound quality, but the biggest was the non-existent stereo detail (they almost sounded mono to me). They also have a horrible echo in the buds, which muddies all the sound. So given that I adored my old Sennheisers, the next pair I decided to try was the Sennheiser MX365, for only £17, and the difference from the Monks was like night and day. The sound is perfect - it's just the 'feeling' I don't like.
Anyway, let me answer a few questions…
Yes, I meant the headphone jack on my motherboard. (Sorry about the confusion.) I mean the standard green port at the back - which my motherboard's manual says is for headphones.
All the earbuds I've used seem to fit fine, though I don't mind it being a little on the loose side - I've tried IEMs and find them really creepy and horrible. I don't like things shoved into my ear.
None, as far as I know. Good idea though.
The reason I haven't tried headphones is because it would mean me buying some headphones, and I don't have much money and don't even like headphones! I suppose I could find a really cheap pair to test, but since I don't even want to use headphones it seems pointless.
If you mean foam covers, I never use them and don't like them. I like nice solid plastic.
I always start on a low volume then turn it up gradually as my ears warm up. I often end up with it quite loud, but I am very cautious about how I treat my body, and I know what my ears can take. For example, if a motorcycle drives past me on the street, I always put my fingers in my ears because the sudden loud noise is too much for me. I am very familiar with all the volume settings on my software, I know what levels are acceptable, and I don't allow any sudden spikes in volume. In 15 years of using my old earbuds, I never had any incident of feeling I'd listened too loudly, they always seemed "mild" even at high volumes
I only ever listen sitting at my desk. I'm a part-time music producer (on a budget) so I need to hear clearly for the work that I do. It's rare that I listen to other people's music for pleasure, I'm mostly just listening to my own music while composing and mixing the tracks. I know that ear buds are pretty unconventional for music production, but I just love them and don't want anything else. (It has to be open buds too so I can hear myself singing, playing instruments etc.) I sometimes listen on my big monitors too, but most the time I've got my earbuds in.
That is absolutely fascinating and could well be my problem! Though I really don't know anything about electronics, current, impedance, etc.
Is there any way to test what kind of current is coming out of my headphone jack, or out of the extension cable? And what exactly do you mean by "grounded"? How might I go about grounding my earbuds?
Thank you both - that's really interesting, and something I hadn't even thought of!
My extension cable is a really cheap one I bought for a few pounds and I can't even remember where!
At first I thought the extension cable couldn't possibly have anything to do with this, because I've always used the same extension cable, even when I was happy with my earbuds. But perhaps the problem could be caused by the cable and earbuds in TANDEM? The cheap cable might be letting too much current through, and my new earbuds are taking more current than the old earbuds did? To be honest, I don't even know what "current" means but I feel this is some kind of electrical problem.
It would be interesting to have some statistics on how much current various models of earbuds take! Perhaps it might turn out that the MX400s take a lot less than the MX365s?
I will also have to try and test my earbuds sometime soon
without the extension cable, but it's not too easy as my PC is situated a little distance from my desk (to keep noise to a minimum).
@James H,
Being sensitive to electric fields is a very real thing & there is enough documentation, case studies, etc which support this, most people tend not to bother with research, etc regarding all manner of subjects but I digress...
Before we get into anything further, I would suggest addressing some points regarding the following statements :
Point 1
That is absolutely fascinating and could well be my problem! Though I really don't know anything about electronics, current, impedance, etc.
Please read any basic GSC textbook on Electronic Theory before you go any further in what you are doing with the earbuds as you may harm yourself or others in the process otherwise.
Point 2
At first I thought the extension cable couldn't possibly have anything to do with this, because I've always used the same extension cable, even when I was happy with my earbuds. But perhaps the problem could be caused by the cable and earbuds in TANDEM? The cheap cable might be letting too much current through, and my new earbuds are taking more current than the old earbuds did? To be honest, I don't even know what "current" means but I feel this is some kind of electrical problem.
Please refer to my answer to Point 1.
Point 3
Is there any way to test what kind of current is coming out of my headphone jack, or out of the extension cable? And what exactly do you mean by "grounded"? How might I go about grounding my earbuds?
Yes, to test electrical currents &/or voltage, there are such things called a voltage tester or multimeter exists, go find one.
Point 4
I always start on a low volume then turn it up gradually as my ears warm up. I often end up with it quite loud, but I am very cautious about how I treat my body, and I know what my ears can take. For example, if a motorcycle drives past me on the street, I always put my fingers in my ears because the sudden loud noise is too much for me. I am very familiar with all the volume settings on my software, I know what levels are acceptable, and I don't allow any sudden spikes in volume. In 15 years of using my old earbuds, I never had any incident of feeling I'd listened too loudly, they always seemed "mild" even at high volumes
Honestly, this does not make any sense, your ears are not a vehicle & should not be treated as such so there is no need to 'idle the engine', there is no such thing as what you describe & you are actually doing more harm than good.
This tells me a few things about your hearing practices, the most important being you have no idea what your listening level is.
You should have at least a rough idea how many decibels you listen at, especially if you say your part time gig is a music producer.
Good Sound Levels are essential in your work & I would be curious to find out what you find 'acceptable'.
Also, how do you control volume spikes?
A DB Meter will help with all this & I suggest you get this as well if you want to continue in this line.
Also, when you say ''mild' even at high volumes' essentially, this means you are potentially making yourself deaf over time, if you haven't already.
How long do you spend listening to whatever you're listening to in a given period, is it more than than 3 to 4 hours at a stretch?
If so, I repeat, you are causing yourself SERIOUS HARM.
General hearing health guidelines state if a sound is more than 80 db for more than 3 hours then harm is being done to your hearing.
I would suggest looking for these guidelines to get a better idea.
Point 5
My extension cable is a really cheap one I bought for a few pounds and I can't even remember where!
Cheap cables often do more harm than good, I suggest looking into a better cable if you persist with this.
Inexpensive cables on the other hand, should generally work better, get something decent from any pro audio shop & you should be fine, average you should have to spend more than £ 10 off the shelf.
Pro Audio brands to look into are Hosa or Canare cables with Neutrik connectors.
Belkin is the only consumer brand which comes to mind which is inexpensive & decent.
Point 6
It would be interesting to have some statistics on how much current various models of earbuds take! Perhaps it might turn out that the MX400s take a lot less than the MX365s?
These 'statistics' as you call them exist, they are called Specifications, ALL PRODUCTS have them.
Point 7
without the extension cable, but it's not too easy as my PC is situated a little distance from my desk (to keep noise to a minimum).
What is this noise you speak of you need to keep to a minimum?
Point 8
Yes, I meant the headphone jack on my motherboard. (Sorry about the confusion.) I mean the standard green port at the back - which my motherboard's manual says is for headphones.
Okay, I figured as much but regarding the headphone jack on your motherboard or with such head jacks in general, it is well documented motherboard headphone jacks are not a good option for conveying any sound, let alone any good sound, period.
This is due to Electromagnetic Interference, grounding issues, etc.
I mentioned general electrical interference which goes through motherboards & this will definitely be picked up with onboard sound.
To alleviate this or remove it, usually a dedicated sound card or my preference & what most music professionals would choose is something like a USB Computer Interface such as Lexicon Alpha or any of the Scarlett Series.
Of course, there are countless others but these the two brands I mentioned are the most value for money.
I would suggest looking into these to help at least alleviate your issues with electric fields especially if you are taking music production seriously.
This way, you would also remove the need for an extension cable for your earphones as the headphone jacks on any of these will help provide the best audio output.
While on the top of music production, I'm curious, what DAW do you use?
Reaper? Audacity? Pro Tools? Steinberg?
Any of these music production software has specific requirements & limitations, what happens when you encounter an issue.
Point 9
I've mentioned the Monk Plus earbuds, but I want to clarify that I don't intend to use the Monks. They were the first replacement I bought when my old ones broke (following a recommendation here on this forum), but I was extremely disappointed with them and I will not be using them again.
I had all kinds of problems with the Monks' sound quality, but the biggest was the non-existent stereo detail (they almost sounded mono to me). They also have a horrible echo in the buds, which muddies all the sound.
As stated before in my intial reply, due to tuning & other specs, VE Monks fit & serve a specific case which we now established isn't yours & also specifically requires a good source (not yours with onboard sound & the electrical interference from said board) to sound their best which I get is also personal & subjective.
This is why there is a 'horrible echo'.
Also, VE recommends a 'burn in' period of up to 100 hours, whether you believe in burn in or not is largely irrelevant as normal usage at reasonable volume should help the drivers 'settle'.
But then, generally, earbuds are not known for having stereo detail as a general rule but there are exceptions & would only sound mono mainly due to your source & electrical interference being some cause to this as well as how good the channel separation & articulation of the mixes are between left & right channel, not to mention SNR & THD, etc
Honestly, I am not aware of many, if any music production professionals, who use earbuds to do their mixes, etc
If they do, it is only for testing, not actual mixing, producing, mastering, etc so you may very well be a unique case & I would be curious to hear any work you've done so far or been a part of, please provide links if you can.
Point 10
All the earbuds I've used seem to fit fine, though I don't mind it being a little on the loose side - I've tried IEMs and find them really creepy and horrible. I don't like things shoved into my ear.
Where fit is concerned, this seems to be a problem many experience with various head gear, be it earbuds, IEMs, headphones, a good comforrtable fit in important first & foremost before anything else, even before sound quality which is highly subjective & highly personal. If something is loose, doesn't matter what it is, even let's say, of topic, shoes or trousers, depending on your preferences and use, it is not necessarily a good thing...
Anyway, loose fit head gear, will not convey said head gear to the best of its ability, whether you like it or not is most certainly a factor but if it doesn't fit well in the first place, it's really not much point.
For example, IEMs are similar in that regard, a good seal is important, fine you don't like things in your ears for the very reason you stated, there are people who feel the same.
That's the problem most people have with IEMs &/or earbuds as the general concensus is to 'shove them in your ear', this DEFINITELY DO NOT DO as you are also potentially causing damage to your ear canal if you apply unnecessary force.
This is among many reasons why companies provide so many eartips of different materials as well as aftermarket ear tips being available, etc.
The important thing is to get the right size for your ear, (it may be bigger, smaller or even odd size, one ear using a different size to the other) gently place them in there until there is a comfortable seal & that's basically it.
As long as it stays there without being 'intrusive' in the sense of being uncomfortable then it should be a good match.
That is even before listening to any sound.
There are some people who have, after trial & error, especially after good advice have found they actually enjoy IEMs more than headphones for various reasons but that's another story...
Point 11
If you don't want to get headphones, fine, no one is making you get them but I suggest as in my intial answer, to see if the same effect is replicated, go to any store which do audio gear demos & try it there.
If there is an issue regarding the electrical field, at least you know.
Point 12
I hate the idea of having a problem with my new earbuds - I WANT them to be great!
This statement is a problem, there are too many people on headfi who say this exact same thing for different reasons & honestly, often have unrealistic unexpectations with regards to whatever gear they may have &/or interested in.
To avoid any misunderstanding, I would be curious to find out your requirements regarding your listening needs &/or preferences in greater detail in a point by point list as from what I gathered to this point is by far the complete picture.
Let me give you some criteria to help you break it down clearly.
- Budget
- Use
- Listening Preferences
- Listening Area Conditions
- Any miscellaneous issues which do not fit into the first four criteria
Hope this clarifies some more things for you, be curious on what your answers may be.
