Featured Sponsor Listings

Philips earbuds/vertical headphones

Mar 23, 2002 at 10:22 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 10
violeta88

violeta88

500+ Head-Fier
Joined
Dec 30, 2001
Posts
673
Likes
11
Location
Spokane, WA, USA Area
I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with Philips earbuds or vertical headphones. I'm trying to find a cheap headphone to make it through until I get my JVC's in a couple of weeks.
 
Mar 24, 2002 at 2:36 AM Post #2 of 10
Look, I really do need some help here. I'm going shopping for some cheap headphones, $15 or under and I need a pair that are going to sound good. Earbuds and clip-ons are out. Earbuds fall out of my ears, and with clip-ons one earpiece tends to be loud while the other tends to be soft, due to the difference in size of my two ears and the fact that I have hearing loss in the ear that the driver doesn't fit well on. Verticals work well for me, as I am able to get a perfect fit, and supra-aurals are fine as long as they sound good. Are there any suggestions for headphones that sound good that you know of? I will be shopping in Circuit City, Target, or CompUSA (they carry Labtec headphones). Will someone please help so I am not left going unguided through cheap headphone hell.
 
Mar 24, 2002 at 2:59 AM Post #3 of 10
Are you sure you're going to a Dung Hut or a Crap Shack, and buy the horrible-sounding poop that's out there?
eek.gif


Seriously, there is NOTHING under $15 that's sold at those "mass-market superstores" that sounds anywhere near decent - or even worth buying.
 
Mar 24, 2002 at 3:10 AM Post #4 of 10
If nobody gives me advice otherwise, I'll be forced to. I'm clueless right now. The only cheap headphones I have owned were a pair of Aiwa Swoops, which were surprisingly decent. Otherwise, I haven't owned anything cheap. But, I have to get something and I only have had experience with headphones in the $40-100 price range. And the Aiwa line is hard to find anymore. And most of their headphones are mediocre at best. So, what do I do? I can't go without music.
 
Mar 24, 2002 at 4:18 AM Post #5 of 10
Both Strawberry's Records and Coconuts carry the Labtec 840's at $19.99. They are a bit big but if you buy the "special edition" packaging you get a pair of Labtec clip-ons for free too!

When I saw these in the store I was amazed at the construction quality alone of these cans. The materials alone must cost more than that. It caused me to go back and read MacDEF's review of these. Maybe you can try them out and resurrect that thread?

Hmmmh, now that I mention it, maybe I will too
wink.gif
 
Mar 24, 2002 at 4:33 AM Post #6 of 10
Hey, I still have those Labtecs; they've been sitting in a closet, sealed in their original box since the review
wink.gif


If anyone wants them, for $15 they're yours
biggrin.gif
 
Mar 25, 2002 at 3:58 AM Post #7 of 10
I've heard just about every <$15 headphone currently on the market, and all of the supraural ones that sell for that low of a price are craptacular in sound quality. The verticals - though better - still sound poopy. And as you said, violeta88, conventional earbuds are out (they often fall out of your ears).
 
Mar 25, 2002 at 5:28 AM Post #8 of 10
Hmm, given the huge limitations here, I'll say try the Koss KTX Pros. Supraaural, not too hateful, $20 or less. Try Rat Shack, where they are called the Pro 35s. (Normal list at the Shack is $30, but they are on sale every other week (literallly!) for $20. You can also order em from Amazon or Koss. You will never listen to em again after you get better phones, but they will tide you over.

Another option, Senn MX500s are bigger than the average earbud and tend to stay in even pretty big ears well, They go for $18, and can be found in Virgin Megastores, and from headphone.com. (Maybe Rat Shacks in your area also...) Due to their nice sound and portability, you'll probably use em even after the JVCs arrive.

Final option: get the Koss Plugs and modify em. Get em from the Shack (under their own brand name) for $20, or from Kmart. Bestbuy sells em for $25, which is too much. The mod is simple, cheap and even kind of fun. Look over in Headwize for info....Let me know if you can't find details and I'll scout em up. The Plug is a set of cheapo canal phones, and sounds pretty OK with the mod, though rotten without it. Again, when you get better phones, these'll go in a drawer somewhere. The MX500s are your only bet if you want interim phones that may be good enough to coexist with other more expensive cans...

hang in there!!
wink.gif
 
Mar 25, 2002 at 6:47 AM Post #9 of 10
I have good news: the JVC's arrived to the retailer from Japan early and will be shipping out Priority Mail on Monday. And, chych has been slow at getting the payment sent out and expects to ship it out on Monday via. Priority Mail also. So, they will be in a race to get to my house. And the good thing: I'll even do a brief comparison between the JVC (unbroken-in) and the 497 before I ship the 497 out. Sorry chych, but I have to take advantage of this. I gave you a few more days than I should have, so you can give me a day or two. Anyways, I'll have a decent headphone to compare the JVC's to. And I won't have to go through $20 headphone hell!!! I'm so happy.
biggrin.gif
 
Mar 25, 2002 at 9:11 AM Post #10 of 10
That is good news violeta. Your review of the JVCs is one I'm looking forward to since I'm also considering a step up from the 497 as well. I'd also like to hear what delanda est Sony thinks of the 590 vs the 497 and 280 but I'm going to give him a little burn in time before I ask. (delanda, if you're reading this I'll check with you mid-week and put it on one of the 590 threads.)

(HBZ)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top