looking for cheaper-end buds

[totalnewbie]

Well, I think I'm going to spring for the iRiver IHP-140 (maybe... I'm so cautious... and poor) so budget is going to be tight when it comes to actually hearing the music. I think, however, that this won't be a problem, since my current listening equipment consists of some random altec lansing speakers (better than your average computer speaker, pos compared to your equipment, I'm sure), a couple worse buds, my '95 dodge stratus's original speakers ("I drive a Dodge Stratus!" - Will Farrell), and some other random headphones. All in all, nothing that's too spectacular, so anything recommended to me will be an improvement, I'm sure.

More specifically, I'm looking for something in the 50's, a little leeway is fine, but nothing too much. Open to suggestions, though, so don't be shy.

My musical preferences range from very bass-heavy to very... well, there's really no bass at all. So all in all, a good all around sound is important, though I would lean a little bit towards the bass.

I plan on taking them with me when I leave the room, so a good, snug fit is important.

Well, for how much I'm willing to spend, I'm going to guess that my options for a good (for this price range) pair will be limited, so please send me whatever suggestions you have, thanks

 

[Lisa]

Does it have to be earbuds?

I'm not sure but I think the ihp comes with earbuds comparable to the Sennheiser MX300 and those are just a tiny step below the MX400/500. Which are the best under $50.

If you're willing to consider portable headphones or clip-ons I think the Koss ksc-35 (clip-ons, can be ordered from the Koss site only), Koss Porta Pro and Sennheiser PX100 are good options.

I haven't heard the Koss phones myself but I don't think I ever saw someone here saying they didn't like them(soundwise)

Other people are gonna recommend you the Senn PX200, Shure E2c and Ety Er6.
I'm not because the Px200 I don't like and wouldn't recommend to anyone because the sound depends on the fit and I can't possibly know how they'll fit you.
The others are canal phones and over your budget.

 

[LobsterSan]

If you are truly dedicated to earBUDS, then the Sennheiser MX-500 is definitely the way to go. Cheap cheap, they can be found for $19.99 at Amazon (if I remember correctly). However, they sound pretty great for the price. As you enjoy bass, you will probably want to make sure the foamies are on when you try them for the first time. Fit is kind of a mixed bag with them, however, as some ears are a bit small and some are a bit large for them. Fit IS actually pretty important with them for both comfort and sound quality reasons.

Another bud possibility is the Sony MDR-E888LP. These have also gotten mixed ratings from people here. They are a bit over your budget, going by MSRP. But you may be able to find a used pair near the $50 mark. As I've not heard the 888 myself, I am going to decline comment on them. But some have mentioned that the 888's sound quality might deteriorate over time.

If you are interested in non-buds, there's always canalphones. If you don't know what canalphones are, they are basically like earbuds but they fully seal into your ear (like a plug). As a result, bass response is generally much more present and you get a degree of isolation. But like anything that plugs your ears, there's also a degree of cord and body microphonics. My canalphone choice for you would be the Sony MDR-EX70 or EX71. I own the EX70, and they are what I use on my commutes on the Nagasaki streetcar and for trainrides. Many on this site will trash them, but they are convenient, withing your $50 budget, have quite a bit of bass, and they've also got extended highs (some would say piercing) really help these sound good in high-noise atmospheres. To me, they are fun to listen to when I'm on the go.

If you are open to other suggestions, then I would back Lisa's recommendation to try the Koss KSC-35. They are $30 clip-on phones, and while it seems uncomfy, these are some of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. In fact, they are my dedicated summer fall asleep headphones. Sound quality on the Koss KSC-35, to me, is better than the others mentioned above (Sony 888 excluded, as I've not listened to them). When I say better, what I mean is that the bass is impactful, the mids are more luscious, and the highs are extended but smoother than the EX70's.

Oh, and welcome to Head-Fi. Sorry about your wallet.

 

[totalnewbie]

This place is great, I've never had two more insightful answers to anything I've ever posted anywhere... I mean, look, the models are in bold... that's amazing.

Well, that aside, I had never really considered canalphones because, 1, I have never used a pair and 2, the only ones I had seen while looking around were the e2c and er6 (and variants)... well, and those ridiculous $500 ones that made me laugh when I first read the price - until I realized they were really $500, which is the part where I was glad I swallowed my drink before I read it.

Well, with the stock earbuds a decent option, apparently (or, at least, they're not junk, which is what I was most concerned about), maybe I will foray into a wild world of canalphones and see what I've been missing (and whether I'll be glad to have missed it or not). I've yet to see anyone complain about canalphones being canalphones (that is, just feeling strange) so it's doubtful that I'll dislike them in general.

Having said that (and mentioned my inexperience with canalphones (hell I was only even vaguely aware of their existence until venturing here)), I must ask, how are they (in general)? Are they difficult to put in/take out? I have a bad habit of yanking on the cord of my old, pos earbuds (albeit with an outward motion) to remove them, so as you can see, I'm somewhat lazy, hehe. Anything in general about them would be nice, I realize, of course, that the specifics vary with model, etc etc, but I'm sure they all have things in common.

I have realized that, in an attempt to match the tone of these boards, I have become unnecessarily superfluous. Which makes me wonder, is "unnecessarily superfluous" redundant in itself?

 

[Lisa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalnewbie This place is great, I've never had two more insightful answers to anything I've ever posted anywhere... I mean, look, the models are in bold... that's amazing. Well, with the stock earbuds a decent option, apparently (or, at least, they're not junk, which is what I was most concerned about), maybe I will foray into a wild world of canalphones and see what I've been missing (and whether I'll be glad to have missed it or not). I've yet to see anyone complain about canalphones being canalphones (that is, just feeling strange) so it's doubtful that I'll dislike them in general.

If you like I'll listen to the stock earbuds and compare them with my MX300 tonight. (That's European late tonight. It means I'll give you my impressions in 24 hours or so the latest)
I've listened to them for a few seconds so far and figured they were probably close or the same. But I cannot be sure. If they are, some thicker foamies from Radioschack make them sound very close as not the same as MX500.(You have to be listening VERY critical to hear improvements)

 

[redshifter]

i've owned the mx400 and have the mx500. i prefered the mx400, in sound and fit.

 

[totalnewbie]

Well, if you would be so kind, that would be absolutely splendid. Please, if you do decide to take a closer comparison, do it whenever you wish. It is great that you would offer in the first place. This would just serve to give me another excuse to hold off on spending money, anyway. Thank you very much.

 

[Lisa]

redshifter, the MX400 and 500 have exactly the same fit. The MX300 has that fit too.

The iRiver buds I just compared. (I always do that. Plan to do something later on and end up doing it straight away so its done

Should just say I'll do it ASAP. )

Anyway, the results:

The iRiver buds are defenitely made by Sennheiser when sound is concerned. With the foamies on they sound just a tad more harsch than the MX500. Could very well be that they need to be broken in. My iRiver/senn buds are brand new and the MX500 I've had for ages.
My MX300 had no foamies on them and the iRiver/senns sounded better with foamies then the MX300 without.
Even if the sound doesn't change with break in, they are certainly not crap earbuds.
I think if my MX300 and 500 were to break I would put the iriver/senns on a break in period and see how they sound. I think they are close enough to not go out and buy new MX500.

If I were in your position I'd use the iriver/senns till I've saved up some more money for a considerable upgrade.
That is if you get these earbuds with your ihp:

But USE THE FOAMIES!

Or the earlier mentioned Radio Shack foamies which are a bit thicker and many like the fit and sound a bit better with them.

 

[redshifter]

actually lisa, the mx400's stem was better balanced than the mx500. the result being the mx400 stayed in place in my ear, while the mx500 was constantly tilting out of place.

 

[totalnewbie]

Well, thank you very much then, Lisa! I think, perhaps, a new set of canalphones sometime in the fall/winter. Might as well give 'em a try.

I appreciate everyone's input, and especially Lisa's willingness to take time to test those earbuds.

 

[Bolt San]

For earbuds I'd say the audio technica CM-5s don't get enough mention around here.
http://www.audiocubes.com/product_in...58eb75fc9c054e
More detail than the MX500s (haven't heard any in about 3 months so I don't remember too well), mids like the 888lps, and (most important, for me and probably you) the best bass I've heard in earbuds. I found the MX500s to have bass that was just a tiny bit too weak, and the 888s really lacked it.

 

[SunByrne]

If you're keen on buds, you can't go wrong with the MX400s for their price.

But you really, really, REALLY should take seriously the recommendation for the Koss KSC-35. I know they look like awful stupid little clip-on jobbies, but do not be fooled by that: for $30 or $35 or whatever they are now, you won't believe your ears. Of all the recommedations I've gotten on Head-Fi in the last year or so, NOTHING beats these on sonic pleasure per dollar. If they isolated even a little tiny bit, they'd be impossibly good. Yeah, that's high praise--there are certainly better cans out there, but not for $30. I think they sound better than $60 Senn HD497 or Grado SR60s--or at least comparable.