[Deckard1979]

Hi folks.
 
I love headphones.  I spend good money on them, and plenty on audio equipment in general.
 
Thing is, earphones plugged into my smartphone that I use walking to/from work... they break.  A lot. In fact, I've now destroyed two pairs in approximately 4 months.
 
I can't afford to waste money on expensive earphones which'll end up knackered quickly.  However, I also want something which sounds pretty good.
 
Can you therefore do the impossible, and recommend me a pair of earphones/IEMs for 20 pounds (UK) or under, which sound pretty good?

 

[50an6xy06r6n]

Well, I mean one solution is to stop breaking them. 

 One way to do that is to just make sure to put them away nicely, rather than just wrapping them around your phone. One solution to that could be to get a pair that comes with some kind of case, to make it easier for you to remember to take care of them. For around $30 you could check out some of the Brainwavz headphones, like the Beta or Pro-Alpha, or MEElectronics IEMs like the M6 or M9.

 

[Deckard1979]

I'm not sure why they break, as I don't subject them to any particular amount of stress. It seems to be something to do with the weight of my phone (Samsung Galaxy S2), which goes in the breast pocket of my coat.  Somehow there must be some kind of pressure on around the headphone jack area, as this is where they always end up broken.
 
Thing is, with earphone cables they're always so flimsy that they are nigh on impossible to repair.
 
Thanks for the suggestions though - I'll have a look...

 

[michael4321]

Ultimate Ears 200

 

[50an6xy06r6n]

Quote:

I'm not sure why they break, as I don't subject them to any particular amount of stress. It seems to be something to do with the weight of my phone (Samsung Galaxy S2), which goes in the breast pocket of my coat.  Somehow there must be some kind of pressure on around the headphone jack area, as this is where they always end up broken.
 
Thing is, with earphone cables they're always so flimsy that they are nigh on impossible to repair.
 
Thanks for the suggestions though - I'll have a look...

I used to have that exact same problem, where wear on the jack kept killing my IEMs. When I got into better gear however, i learned to at least unplug them before I put them away, which only takes a couple seconds, but greatly increases the life of the headphones. Also, I just make sure not to subject it to too much repetitive wear and stress, which is really just a simple shift in mindset. 
 

 

[Nagasaki_Kid]

You could go wireless but I can't think of anything wireless that is decent for under $30

 

[JK1]

The Radiopaq Jazz at 10 quid is dirt cheap.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/593553/radiopaq-iems-are-dirt-cheap-amazon-uk

 

[Deckard1979]

Actually, I do unplug them the moment I am done with them. It's an odd one - there's obviously something going on.  It may be that the heavy phone is simply shifting its weight in my pocket, and putting regular pressure on the jack area.
 
It's quite infuriating - I'd get a good pair, but if they broke soon after it would be a horrendous waste of money.
 
The Radiopaq Jazz did look quite interesting, but has some awful reviews in addition to the good ones.  In the end I went for the Klipsch Image X1s, for 17 quid... as those seem to have a fair bit of praise at that price.

 

[BotByte]

Quote:

Actually, I do unplug them the moment I am done with them. It's an odd one - there's obviously something going on.  It may be that the heavy phone is simply shifting its weight in my pocket, and putting regular pressure on the jack area.
 

Never had that problem. 
I would think that if it's the phone's problem, the jack would break on the phone, not the plug.
The only moment of me breaking a plug is to my Portapro's and pulling at the plug like a half-brained monkey. It broke.
 
Check out Meelectronics in the multi-IEM universal review thread. Most, I think, have 90degree plugs which would relieve the strain. The M6-BK is my fav, I bought several pairs for my mother. (she loses them)

 

[50an6xy06r6n]

Quote:

Actually, I do unplug them the moment I am done with them. It's an odd one - there's obviously something going on.  It may be that the heavy phone is simply shifting its weight in my pocket, and putting regular pressure on the jack area.
 
It's quite infuriating - I'd get a good pair, but if they broke soon after it would be a horrendous waste of money.
 
The Radiopaq Jazz did look quite interesting, but has some awful reviews in addition to the good ones.  In the end I went for the Klipsch Image X1s, for 17 quid... as those seem to have a fair bit of praise at that price.

Maybe it has something to do with how you treat the plug while they're plugged in? Regardless, hope you enjoy your purchase.
 

 

[Deckard1979]

Quote:

Maybe it has something to do with how you treat the plug while they're plugged in? Regardless, hope you enjoy your purchase.
 

Thanks man.  Well, they're not going to be anything amazing at that price.  Just hoping for something reasonable.  As for how the plug is treated when plugged in - yes, think it has to be this.  Didn't have this problem back when I owned a Zune/Cowon and both are lighter devices.  Reckon the Galaxy S2 just moves in my pocket and the jack ends up bouncing off my side while walking, or something.

 

[mark2410]

Quote:

Actually, I do unplug them the moment I am done with them. It's an odd one - there's obviously something going on.  It may be that the heavy phone is simply shifting its weight in my pocket, and putting regular pressure on the jack area.
 
It's quite infuriating - I'd get a good pair, but if they broke soon after it would be a horrendous waste of money.
 
The Radiopaq Jazz did look quite interesting, but has some awful reviews in addition to the good ones.  In the end I went for the Klipsch Image X1s, for 17 quid... as those seem to have a fair bit of praise at that price.

ignore the crap reviews on amazon, they are clearly written by utter morons.  the jazz are astounding for a tenner

 

[Deckard1979]

Bought the Klipsch on the basis of good reviews here, for £17 delivered.  My thoughts are here.