[acerola]

I just got a 3rd gen 10 GB ipod today. The general idea everyone has on the earbuds they come with is that they suck. What exactly is wrong with them? People are probably going to call me an idiot but I don't think they sound too bad. What kind of headphone are they anyways? I have the kcs-35's and the sr-60. Both of those have way more detail but they leak waayyyyy too much for use and school. Anyone got some opinions?

 

[lindrone]

The iPod headphones are really, really colored. They artificially enhance the bass in those tiny earbuds to make them sound like they have better sound quality than they really do. When it comes down to it, majority of the population associate bass with good sound. There's a lot more to good sound than just bass. (Not to mention how the bass sounds pretty "hollow" anyway... like really low trebles banging at your ear.. grr). Lastly, the earbuds are very uncomfortable.. you can't wear it for more than a hour, at most.

Good suggestion.. if you want another earbud type of headphone to replace what you've got there. Look into getting one of the Sennheiser MX series... I don't know what's the general recommendation of people towards the MX series is around here (there's 4 of them to pick from.. don't know which one is optimal, or how much they cost).

Or, if you want an isolation type of earphone.. consider the low-end Etymotics or Shure E2c... My personal preference leans towards the Shure E2c over the low-end Ety's.. I just found them more comfortable.

Right now I use a Shure E5c with my iPod.

 

[SunByrne]

My understanding is that the MX300, MX400, and MX500 are all basically the same thing. The MX400 adds a spindle case, and the MX500 adds that plus an in-line volume control.

All are quite affordable; I got my MX400s for like $11 + shipping from djmart.com.

 

[troublemaker]

buy some ETY ER4's if you want to hear why the new iPod phones suck.

you will realise FAST what they lack

 

[Dunbar]

I don't think the stock Ipod are that bad sound-wise, especially considering they are free. However, they aren't very comfortable and block exactly zero external noise. That makes them useless during my commute. At work I'll use them where other headphones are uncomfortable to put on/take off constantly.

All this coming from a Shure E2 and Ety ER-4 owner

 

[Loud_TIGER]

i don't think the mx300s are the same as the mx400s and mx500s. the only difference between the mx400 and mx500s is the in-line volume control.

 

[HappySoggyBagel]

Quote:

Originally posted by lindrone Or, if you want an isolation type of earphone.. consider the low-end Etymotics or Shure E2c... My personal preference leans towards the Shure E2c over the low-end Ety's.. I just found them more comfortable.

I haven't tried any of the Etys, but I've been using the Shure e2c with the foam tips, and they're incredibly comfortable. Much more so than the EX-71s my cat ate.