How leaky are the stock iPod buds?

[Zorander]

A friend of mine listens to her iPod ridiculously loud. Apparently she was asked to turn down the volume by someone sitting some 5-6 tables away in the library (quoted as excessively loud). I had always thought all earphones (or earbuds) are inherently closed and have some sort of isolation, but it does not look like the case with the iBuds.

 

[zChan]

I think all earphones except the American canal phones (UE, Shure, Ety, etc.) has some sort of opening in the back that leaks sound.

 

[Sparky191]

I hope you told her she runs a strong risk of damaging her hearing doing that. Get her to buy better ear phones that she doesn't have to crank so hard. My MX500's are not that leaky for earbuds. Obviously a canal type earphone is better.

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky191 I hope you told her she runs a strong risk of damaging her hearing doing that. Get her to buy better ear phones that she doesn't have to crank so hard. My MX500's are not that leaky for earbuds. Obviously a canal type earphone is better.

There was one time I lent her my SR-80 to play with her Nano in the living room. I was in my bedroom (some 10m/30feet away) and I could clearly hear what she was playing. I know how much Grados let in/out sound but this definitely opened up a whole new concept on leakage. She soon returned the Grados to me saying they are too big and that she prefers the iBuds anyway; I was happy to spare the phones any more torture.

Also given that she just likes cranking the volume, I don't see how any better phones will help her preserve her hearing. She will definitely need a serious warning on this.

 

[Sparky191]

I was of the opinion that IEM's allow you get isolation with out the same volume.

 

[Bob_McBob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky191 I was of the opinion that IEM's allow you get isolation with out the same volume.

I agree, the sound isolation allows a much lower listening level, especially in noisy environments. Of course, if someone is intent on cranking the volume, they're going to do it either way. It's their hearing...

 

[CamelBackCinema]

Sound leakage is so annoying especially when the girl loves punk rock and stands next to the computers doing homework while everyone around her just stares at her.

 

[LaBreaHead]

No leakage from reasonably priced Sony, JVC, Panasonic, Sharp/Creative in-ear 'phones. And certainly none from true IEMs. The problem with bundled earbuds is that they just perch in the exterior of the ear -- sound leaks both ways (plus the things tend to fall out of some people's ears constantly).

 

[Sparky191]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamelBackCinema Sound leakage is so annoying especially when the girl loves punk rock and stands next to the computers doing homework while everyone around her just stares at her.

Ask her once only to buy less leaky phones. After that, a pair of pilers or nips will get the message across. When she demands you fix them. Hand her the cheapest IEM's you can buy.

 

[J Tran]

Very leaky... but somehow, it seems the iPod Nano is a lot quiter than the Mini. I was in class and my friend had his Nano with his stock buds on. I told him to turn it down since it was leaking sound. But I tried his Nano one day and found it if I put it at half, it isn't as loud as the Mini is at half volume. Is it just me?

 

[mitchjordan]

'J' my brother told me the mini is louder for the volume too. Iv never tried it.

 

[J Tran]

Thanks for the info.

 

[CookieFactory]

It seems the 5G is quieter than the 4G as well.