[jarros]

I've got some Sennheiser HD 202 headphones (which I love), but I'm looking for something more portable, like earbuds. I'm looking at the lower end of earbuds (under $30 US), and the Sennheiser MX500's have cought my attention. I've been happy with the Sennheiser name and these buds look like a good solution. However, my brother has an iPod, and the buds that come with those things sound great. Has anyone listened to both of these buds? Which pair sound better? Are there any other in-ear headphones that I should be looking at? Thanks for your help.

 

[darkfusion]

IMO the MX500's sound better than the iPod stocks. I can't think of any other earbuds that match the quality of the MX500's for the price, however if you don't mind "clip-on" style headphones, the Koss KSC-35's are excellent for the price and sound better than the MX500's.

 

[stupid_girl_says]

I have not listened to the mx500's but the earbuds that come with the iPod absolutely suck. Mine became so distorted within a week that I had to go buy new ones.

From what I have read, the mx500's are not a bad buy.

Although these are just a little bit over your budget, it is well worth it. The Sony MDR-EX71 or the MDR-EX51. Those are both great. The msrp for the EX71 is around $50 but you can find it on amazon for around $35 + shipping. The EX51's are msrp of $40 but you can find them on the internet for around $30.

If you are on a strict budget, I would get the senn's. But if at all possible, and you are willing to spend that extra $10, for the EX71, you will never regret it.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by stupid_girl_says I have not listened to the mx500's but the earbuds that come with the iPod absolutely suck. Mine became so distorted within a week that I had to go buy new ones. Although these are just a little bit over your budget, it is well worth it. The Sony MDR-EX71 or the MDR-EX51. Those are both great. The msrp for the EX71 is around $50 but you can find it on amazon for around $35 + shipping. The EX51's are msrp of $40 but you can find them on the internet for around $30. If you are on a strict budget, I would get the senn's. But if at all possible, and you are willing to spend that extra $10, for the EX71, you will never regret it.

I can't disagree more with the above post

First, the newer iPod buds aren't that bad -- they sound much better than the older ones. In fact, they sound as good, IMO, as the EX51 and EX71 unless you like bloated bass.

The MX 500 are much, much better than the EX71 and EX51 in terms of good, balanced sound. Again, the only thing that really stands out about about the EX series, to me, is the bloated bass. So I'd save a good amount of cash annd go with the MX 500.

That being said, the MX 500 are better than the newer iPod earbuds, but not a whole lot. Unless you have an older iPod with the really bad earbuds, I'd rather spend $30 on some KSC-35, which are IMO significantly better than any of the models discussed here, than spend $20 on the MX 500. I just don't think the MX 500 offer you sound that is that much better than the newer iPod buds. The KSC-35 are still very portable (they're earclips without a headband) and sound awesome.

Finally, the one advantage the Sony EX series has is that they block out a bit of external noise. But at that price, I'd say forget about in-ear-canal models and get the Sennheiser PX 200 (around $35 right now) which block some external noise and sound way better. They also fold up nicely for portability.

 

[carlin]

do not pay ANY attention to what stupid_girl says, I have been around the ex71sl block and let me tell you that they are the worst sounding things i have ever listened to. they have a muddy sound, screechy treble, and i returned them after about 48 hours of burn in adn they are terrible still. the mx500 and mx400s are way way better, and they are like 1/4 of the price, get those. I am now onto my 7506s and i like them, they are pretty interesting and sound and are way more comfortable then the 280s.

 

[stupid_girl_says]

I was heard the EX71 and it did not sound bad at all. I used them for about a month and then upgraded to noise canceling ones. While I used them, they sounded great.

 

[darkfusion]

Quote:

Originally posted by stupid_girl_says I was heard the EX71 and it did not sound bad at all. I used them for about a month and then upgraded to noise canceling ones. While I used them, they sounded great.

Did you upgrade to the MDRNC11 noise canceling earphones? Man, they sound even worse than the EX71's

 

[jarros]

Thanks for all your input guys. Looks like I'll be going with the MX500's. They appear to be the best value for earbud headphones.