Looking for some portable headphones that don't go deep into the ear canal.

[Onetwothree]

It seems most portable earphones these days are isolating iem's that go deep into the ear canal. I'm not looking for isolation though and I don't want something that is going to go into my ear canal, I've tried it and it's too uncomfortable for me.

I already have a pair of nice portable full-size cans (as portable as those go anyways) and of course I have the ubiquitous apple earbuds which are very portable, decent, and comfortable.

From my research, earbuds don't have very good sound quality, but are there any good earphones that don't require you to go into the ear canal? I tried the bose in-earphones and they were super comfortable, they sounded like garbage though.

 

[Ntropic]

How deep is deep? Tri-flange deep? Regular IEM deep?

You can look at clip-ons.

 

[3X0]

Shallowest I've ever had without being an earbud (shallower than canalphone fits, too) were the IE 8.

 

[Onetwothree]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ntropic /img/forum/go_quote.gif How deep is deep? Tri-flange deep? Regular IEM deep? You can look at clip-ons.

I tried some clip ons before and they make me feel like dumbo, so definitely not looking at clip-ons.

And how deep is deep? That's a good question. I think I'd like some that don't go deeper than 1mm in. So perhaps just enough to form a slight seal although I'm not particularly looking at isolation.

 

[3X0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onetwothree /img/forum/go_quote.gif So perhaps just enough to form a slight seal although I'm not particularly looking at isolation.

Absolutely describes the IE 8, and is the way to get the best sound out of it.

 

[Gbjerke]

Seems,you could kinda look into the SR - 001, for portability, i mean, they're earbuds. High end earbuds, but then again, ur prolly gonna be walking around with the amp they come with, and a battery pack for it to last more than 3-4 hours. And of course, you cant care about leak. They look awesome 2 ++

 

[ZARIM]

image S4, JVC FXC70 and Cresyn 750E...........

 

[chud]

what about the Yuin's?

Yuin PK1 @ HeadRoom

 

[mvw2]

Buds are definitely an option if you don't need isolation, and Yuin is basically king. Their PK1 and OK1 are outstanding, and even their mid and budget level products are quite good.

If you do need isolate, you require sealing off the outside world, and that means sticking something in your ear. Now the tips of course can vary, and some times are more comfy then others. Soft, foam tips are generally the most well liked and isolate the most. However a simple single flange tip can be surprisingly comfortable (although may not seal or isolate as well).

Phonak PFEs are not that intrusive. They run a very soft foam, and are over the ear, so they are supported rather then hang out of the ear.

However, since you don't care about isolation, a good bud or clip-on type earphone might be perfection. Yuin also makes a couple of these clip-on type phones that just have a hook that goes over your ear. You get the benefit of a large earphone without the band over the head.

 

[Onetwothree]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvw2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Buds are definitely an option if you don't need isolation, and Yuin is basically king. Their PK1 and OK1 are outstanding, and even their mid and budget level products are quite good. If you do need isolate, you require sealing off the outside world, and that means sticking something in your ear. Now the tips of course can vary, and some times are more comfy then others. Soft, foam tips are generally the most well liked and isolate the most. However a simple single flange tip can be surprisingly comfortable (although may not seal or isolate as well). Phonak PFEs are not that intrusive. They run a very soft foam, and are over the ear, so they are supported rather then hang out of the ear. However, since you don't care about isolation, a good bud or clip-on type earphone might be perfection. Yuin also makes a couple of these clip-on type phones that just have a hook that goes over your ear. You get the benefit of a large earphone without the band over the head.

I forgot to list my budge oops

I looked at the yuin's and they seem a tad too expensive. These headphones aren't going to see a ton of use, just some occasional use and I really enjoy headphones with a big soundstage. So it seems the ath-cm700's fit this.

My only problem is I can't find a single place that sells the ath-cm700s. Actually I did find a few places but they are all in hong kong and I am very wary of fakes.

Can anyone recommend a place to buy ath-cm700s? My preference would be the brown but silver is fine too.

 

[mvw2]

What was your budget?

The PK1 and OK1 were on the top end, but they also have much more affordable 2 and 3 versions that are much cheaper but still great sounding. I mean, are you looking for some $10 cheapy hear or what?

Head Direct sells the Yuin stuff, regarded as some of the top stuff on the market when it comes to buds. I can't say where your ideal of poor sound quality for buds came from, but Yuin is quite good. I guess it simply depends on what your history of products were.

Old thread:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/7...in-pk2-243576/

I kind of wish the chart would get updated more. You can see where the cm700 ends up in terms of sound as well as the PK1. The OK1 is up around the PK1 but on the lean side of neutral. The more affordable PK2 is listed as well. The OK2 and OK3 are considered more refined versions of the PK2 type sound. There's a big thread detailing out all the PK and OK series buds too.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/r...series-329311/

Frankly, a lot of the info you need is on this site. You just need to search for it more. It's a big site though, so it's time involved to thoroughly do so. I know folks find it daunting, but it's quite rewarding if you do (read fills the brain with knowledge).

Amazon has the Audio Technica CM700TI:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...1262761&sr=1-1