Recommendation for good earbuds

[T_BEAR]

I just bought a 60gb ipod and I love it. I get into my music and like to listen to it with top notch equipment. I want to replace the standard ipod earbuds with better ones. I don’t want the in-ear buds such as the er-6i because I need to hear my co-workers. I also don’t want cans because they are too bulky and I don’t want to carry them around the college campus. Right now I am considering the sen mx500, sen mx550, and the ATH-CM7 series by audio technica. I wish I could try them out for like a week, but the world doesn’t work that way. =/ I’m looking for earbuds that have balanced sound WITH good bass also they must be comfortable. (I wear my ear buds for more than 5 hours a day.) I have been looking online and reading reviews of earbuds but I keep getting mixed reviews. I was hoping you guys could help since everyone here are audiophiles. I don’t care if they are black or white either.

On a side note the stickies about lithium ion batteries and “burn in” are quite useful. I’m so glad there is a community audiophiles like this

T_BEAR

 

[hekoman]

Even if you are set on getting a pair of earbud instead of nothing else, I have to recommend the Koss KSC-75. These are over the ear clip-on headphones and they are very comfortable. They have nice impactful bass and clear highs. You really can't go wrong since you can usaully find them for around $20 or less.

You really will be much happier with these than any of the earbuds. And for $20, if you don't like them then it is no big loss.

 

[jrosenth]

I've never really heard an earbud with base. I own the CM7ti and love them but no bass (use a boost on a Xin amp). If its bass that your after you'll probably do better with the Koss clip ons. Good luck.

 

[Jazper]

I'd recommend the sony MDR-E888LP earbuds, they're a nice good listening earbud.

 

[Loftprojection]

Do you wear the CM7ti with foamies? I was tempted to order them because they are supposed to be quite nice and I really like the Audio Technica sound signature. However, I just can't stand my pair of Sony earbuds for more than an hour if I wear them naked. If I put foamies then they are ok but they sound like crap, not bass and big loss of details.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrosenth I've never really heard an earbud with base. I own the CM7ti and love them but no base (use a boost on a Xin amp). If its base that your after you'll probably do better with the Koss clip ons. Good luck.

 

[Max Minimum]

The CM7's sound excellent for an earbud, but I find the MX500's to be more comfortable and stable in my ear. For shorter term concentrated listening, the CM7's are much better, for long term listening it's a toss-up. If you have smaller ears openings you may prefer the CM7. If you have average to large ear openings you'll probably find the MX500's more comfortable. I guess you have to decide what you care about more, too - comfort or sound... Supposedly the Sony E888's are good, too, though I've never heard them and don't know how they compare sonically (most seem to think they're a notch below the CM7's, though) or comfort-wise.

Oh, and since foamies were mention, I'll tell you that I think foamies, which are included, are absolutely necessary for both the CM7's and MX500's.

P.S.
The MX500's are so cheap (and very good sounding at that price!) I'd recommend getting them even if you end up getting the CM7's or someting else.

 

[jrosenth]

I don't use the foamies, partially because they don't fit in my ears. I needed a small earbud and the CM7 are pretty small, definately smaller than the CM5 or CM3 (no extra plastic flange on the CM7 or ti); with the foamies they are just too big for me.

I prefer the sound without foamies - maybe I'm missing something or maybe it's just preference. There's been some threads recently describing modding these (and the sonys) by taking them apart and removing the screen covering the driver. People just rave about the improvment in clarity. While I haven't gathered the nerve to do it (it's one the to play with Grado, but these things are tiny) the theory behind removing the screen makes sense and so putting an extra layer of foam between the driver and my ear raises some questions.

With that said I definately prefered having a layer of foam between my ear and phones such as the Grado SR60; which helped tame those highs. I think the CM7ti have a smooth enough sound not to need that, however, I'm listening with an amp and changing their impedence, which really smooths them out.

Haven't hear the CM7 but the CM7ti is great, especially for an earbud. Using and amp and changing the impedence (Xin amp or his $25 dongle) make put them on par IMHO with some great phones. A couple reviews have even described them favorably against well-respected IEMs. For me they work well becuase they provide isolation and yet allow one to hear some external sounds. I will say they CM5 and the CM7ti have differnet sound signatures with the CM7ti having great highs and clarity and the CM5 sounding more fun with great mids (sort of Grado-esque).

Hope that helps.

 

[T_BEAR]

Has anyone heard all three of these CM7,888, mx 500? How would you rate the comfort and sound of each earbud? Are the mx 500's crappy? ( they are so damn cheap comapred to the 888 and CM7.) Also I don't knowwhat type of ears I have... all I know is that the standard ipod earbuds fit snugly.