Inexpensive canalphones, but not the normal question

[tempest993]

I have decided to pick up a pair of canalphones but I need a little help deciding which. Right now I am looking at the Sony 51/71s and the Sharp HP-MD33S. From what I understand the Sharps sound a bit better than the Sonys. My question is, do any of these phones have equal length cords to both the left and right bud? I CANNOT stand the damn odd lengths! My secondary question is, which of these has less noise transmitted via the cord rubbing against clothing? I've read that the Sharps transmit a fair ammount, but I have not heard anything about the Sonys. Most of the time I will be useing these is walking about, so that is important to me.

Thanks

 

[commando]

1) No. Get used to them.
2) They'll be very similar.

When you're walking around cord noise will be the least of your worries: the noise of your foot hitting the ground will drown any cord noise out. You get used to it pretty quickly either way.

 

[BowerR64]

i dont like the odd lengths either but it does make finding left and right easier.

 

[tempest993]

Bummer! I guess I'll just have to learn to live with it. In other news, I think I decided on the 51s over the Sharps, as I can pick them up off amazon for a little more than half the price of the Sharps. The Sharps may be better, but I doubt they are $23 better...
Also, I go through headphones faster than most people, so replacing $50 cans once a year or more hits the wallet pretty hard.

 

[commando]

$23 is nothing here on head-fi, we'll help you get to the point where you need $800 canalphones

Get out. Get out now, while you can, before it's too late!

 

[tempest993]

Unfortunately, I've noticed that... The more I read here the more I've gone: "Well, I'm already spending $xx, whats $xx more to get better sound?!" If not for my very limited funds, and my actual need to purchase other things (such as gas, food, etc etc) I would be doing that all the more often.

 

[bLue_oNioN]

That's so weird -- I actually prefer unequal cord lengths!

 

[commando]

Unequal cord lengths are great once you figure out how to use them. I'd never go back to equal lengths.

 

[tempest993]

How exactly do you use them? Do you put the shorter one in first, then go around the back of your neck with the other one? If thats how it works, that doesnt seem TOO bad...

In other news head-fi is already taking effect. I am now quite torn between getting the $28 51s and eating, or getting the $50 Sharps and living off peanut butter and crackers for a week or two.

 

[ReDVsion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tempest993 How exactly do you use them? Do you put the shorter one in first, then go around the back of your neck with the other one?

Jeez, and it took me YEARS to figure that out. Good job.

Edit: no, seriously. I had no frickin' clue why the cords were different lengths.

 

[PodMan]

one advantage I find unequal cord lengths is that the earphones can rest on your shoulders when you are not using them or if you are taking them off temporarily. This is great with canalphones since you can't hear the outside world very well with them on and for those occassions when you need them off for a few minutes they can just rest on your shoulders.

 

[guppi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PodMan one advantage I find unequal cord lengths is that the earphones can rest on your shoulders when you are not using them or if you are taking them off temporarily. This is great with canalphones since you can't hear the outside world very well with them on and for those occassions when you need them off for a few minutes they can just rest on your shoulders.

I totally agree. I have my Sharps dangle from my neck most of the time. Love those unequal cords. Regarding the original post: Cable noise is worse with the Sharps. The cable is quite a bit stiffer than the Sony one. But what I found really helps with that is to wear the cable under my sweater (to connect to the IPod in my pocket).

 

[Ojjorz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PodMan one advantage I find unequal cord lengths is that the earphones can rest on your shoulders when you are not using them or if you are taking them off temporarily. This is great with canalphones since you can't hear the outside world very well with them on and for those occassions when you need them off for a few minutes they can just rest on your shoulders.

I agree, second is that I find the earphones tend to pull less because of it's weight. The EX-71's from Sony, Ohw I hate these things, have a rather large and heavy connector in the middle of the cord. This pulls the earphones out of your ears if you don't wear them with the long cord around the neck.

 

[dura]

Quote:

Unequal cord lengths are great once you figure out how to use them. I'd never go back to equal lengths.

Absolutely! One of my constant irritations with my equal length e2's is then when I put them of they often come lose and I almost tripped on them a few times.
Sometimes i'm considering chancing the cable.
Neckcords are great!

 

[commando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ojjorz I agree, second is that I find the earphones tend to pull less because of it's weight. The EX-71's from Sony, Ohw I hate these things, have a rather large and heavy connector in the middle of the cord. This pulls the earphones out of your ears if you don't wear them with the long cord around the neck.

So what you're saying is if you wear them incorrectly they're comfortable?

The long part of the cord goes around the back of your neck. That plug is annoying though, I think the EX51 would be better, as they don't have it.