Since I don't like wires I have a pair of Bluetooth headphones. I have a pair of these:
They have been discontinued, but are still on line for around $60. The battery lasts about 7 hours.
They also make an earbud style.
I also have a pair that came with my iPhone as a backup. The one from the 5s and 6 aren't bad for ones that came with the phone.
On edit: I forgot to say these are Plantronics 906/903 Backbeat.
dj06482 wrote: On the same topic, has anyone found earbuds with a decent quality microphone? I spend a lot of time on phone calls where a quality mic would be a huge help.
My Coloud Pop buds have a mic, and I'm told that I sound pretty good through them. While that doesn't sound like high praise, it's the first time I've had a pair of mic-on-cord buds where people didn't ask me what was wrong with my phone.
www.headphone.com
Pick a set of Grado's and call it a day.
It's all because of Dr. Dre's Beats. They've driven up the price of all headphones for reasons that are hard to understand or explain.
Sennheiser!
I got a smoking deal for a set of OCX 880 a few years ago, they were a "Shell Shocker" on Newegg. I LOVED them, the over the ear/ear bud hybrid design was great. They come with 3 different size buds for different sized ear canals, they form to your ear canal like a ear plug, and are great at blocking ambient noise with out any "fancy technology" that Bose tries to sell you on.
Sadly I left them on a plane somewhere between St. Louis & Columbus. I searched and searched, but couldn't find any where close to as good of a deal as I originally bought them for, there's no way I was going to pay the $110+ for another set I'd potentially leave on another airplane.
Eventually I got the Sennheiser CX 280, they were about $30, don't have the over the ear design, but have the same style, multi sized ear buds, and I've managed to keep up with them for about 4 years now.
I got SWMBO a similar pair of Sennheisers, without volume control, to replace her iCrap buds. She usually doesn't notice/care about those kinds of things, but even she said they sound so much better.
Lee
I used to be a Sennheiser fan until they were caught selling a sabotaged set of higher-end headphones as lower-end headphones...they do make good stuff but their brand really took a hit IMO after I saw that.
Honestly, sound quality is so subjective. Make sure you TRY before you buy.
I hate earbuds. I hate how they completely cancel ALL noise and I hate how they have to go "in" my ear.
Foxtrapper mentioned bose, I have bought three pairs of bose IE2's over the years and love them. They sit "outside" the ear canal and you actually forget they are on. They block noise, but still allow loud sounds or voices to come through. They are extremely "warm" sounding. They are not crisp on the highs, but I like that. They have newer versions now, but they also have built in mic's if you are using them with a phone.
I tried everything, even senheissower (too lazy to spell it properly haha) and always found them too "tin-ny" sounding which drives me nuts. And the price/performance ratio at $100 is perfect!
Good thread. I need a set for working out.
z31maniac wrote: www.headphone.com Pick a set of Grado's and call it a day.
dat link tho. Gangsta.
GameboyRMH wrote: It's all because of Dr. Dre's Beats. They've driven up the price of all headphones for reasons that are hard to understand or explain.
Dre's marketers somehow created a market of ultra-premium headphone consumers that didn't exist before. When they first came out I thought it was the dumbest thing ever, then they caught fire. EVERYONE needed a pair. Subsequently other headphone manufacturers realized that if they overdrove the E36 M3 out of the sets to make it clubby sounding, painted them stupid colors, and charged an arm and a leg for them, the masses would automatically think they were made of polished whale vagina or something, and demand them en masse. Brilliant strategy, really- force a need for something no one had before.
http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=108&cp_id=10823
These are actually highly rated (beat BEATS (crap) in tests) http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082302&p_id=8323&seq=1&format=2
mndsm wrote:GameboyRMH wrote: It's all because of Dr. Dre's Beats. They've driven up the price of all headphones for reasons that are hard to understand or explain.Dre's marketers somehow created a market of ultra-premium headphone consumers that didn't exist before. When they first came out I thought it was the dumbest thing ever, then they caught fire. EVERYONE needed a pair. Subsequently other headphone manufacturers realized that if they overdrove the E36 M3 out of the sets to make it clubby sounding, painted them stupid colors, and charged an arm and a leg for them, the masses would automatically think they were made of polished whale vagina or something, and demand them en masse. Brilliant strategy, really- force a need for something no one had before.
There have been ultra-premium headphone consumers for much longer than Beats by DRE or whatever.
Only audiophiles were buying them though. I think the headphone amp sitting on my desk is 6+ years old.
I recently bought these for my wife
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003S3RFIQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They're pretty awesome. But then again, I usually buy the $10 earbuds because I lose them too fast, so ymmv...
mndsm wrote:GameboyRMH wrote: It's all because of Dr. Dre's Beats. They've driven up the price of all headphones for reasons that are hard to understand or explain.Dre's marketers somehow created a market of ultra-premium headphone consumers that didn't exist before. When they first came out I thought it was the dumbest thing ever, then they caught fire. EVERYONE needed a pair. Subsequently other headphone manufacturers realized that if they overdrove the E36 M3 out of the sets to make it clubby sounding, painted them stupid colors, and charged an arm and a leg for them, the masses would automatically think they were made of polished whale vagina or something, and demand them en masse. Brilliant strategy, really- force a need for something no one had before.
No, Dre's marketers treated them as a fashion accessory instead of appealing to audiophiles. They gave a few to rappers and basketball players and E36 M3 and the retarded followers of trends ate that E36 M3 up. It doesn't matter that they sound like refried garbage or that they're exactly the same as dirt cheap models, nobody listens to them anyway. They just hang around peoples necks all the time for everyone to see.
It's the same as Monster audio/video stuff, it doesn't work any better than anything else, but everyone thinks it does so that's all that matters.
E: although re reading what you wrote, it seems like we're saying exactly the same thing.
The story behind Beats by Dre is fascinating. You should read it on the interwebs, I don't have a link, but essentially the quality is ok and the creator of them got screwed over big time.
For quality sound, I use Etymotic Research ER6i or ER6 - I have two sets. They're isolating, so they're not good if you want ambient sound to bleed in. If you fit them right, they're comfortable for all-day use. I think they've been discontinued, but I'll bet ER has an equivalent model these days.
For running, I've got a set of Yurbuds. They're tough and they stay in place. They'll let in more ambient noise so I don't become a smear on the road.
I have a couple of sets of over ear Sennheisers which I love.
Klipsch makes a really nice set of earbuds that I've never regretted buying. I forget what model they are though and I don't have them in front of me.
I'm still waiting for Earin or something similar to come to market because I really dislike cords when I work out.
Do you have Radio Shack nearby? I heard they are having a sale.
Mike wrote:dj06482 wrote: On the same topic, has anyone found earbuds with a decent quality microphone? I spend a lot of time on phone calls where a quality mic would be a huge help.My Coloud Pop buds have a mic, and I'm told that I sound pretty good through them. While that doesn't sound like high praise, it's the first time I've had a pair of mic-on-cord buds where people didn't ask me what was wrong with my phone.
Thank you - that's exactly what I was looking for!
slowride wrote: Do you have Radio Shack nearby? I heard they are having a sale.
Tried that. Ours are all gone already.
Grizz wrote:mndsm wrote:No, Dre's marketers treated them as a fashion accessory instead of appealing to audiophiles. They gave a few to rappers and basketball players and E36 M3 and the retarded followers of trends ate that E36 M3 up. It doesn't matter that they sound like refried garbage or that they're exactly the same as dirt cheap models, nobody listens to them anyway. They just hang around peoples necks all the time for everyone to see. It's the same as Monster audio/video stuff, it doesn't work any better than anything else, but everyone thinks it does so that's all that matters. E: although re reading what you wrote, it seems like we're saying exactly the same thing.GameboyRMH wrote: It's all because of Dr. Dre's Beats. They've driven up the price of all headphones for reasons that are hard to understand or explain.Dre's marketers somehow created a market of ultra-premium headphone consumers that didn't exist before. When they first came out I thought it was the dumbest thing ever, then they caught fire. EVERYONE needed a pair. Subsequently other headphone manufacturers realized that if they overdrove the E36 M3 out of the sets to make it clubby sounding, painted them stupid colors, and charged an arm and a leg for them, the masses would automatically think they were made of polished whale vagina or something, and demand them en masse. Brilliant strategy, really- force a need for something no one had before.
Exactly why I said "Consumer" instead of "audiophile". It's forcing the market down, and forcing the consumer up, all at the same time.
Grado igi or shure se215...... Decisions decisions. I'm glad I started reading sennueiser revirwa, theyd have been to sharp for me.
white_fly wrote: If you want to spend more money, spend it on these: http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Ears-Isolating-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B000Y8Y8FG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1427344945&sr=8-5&keywords=ultimate+ears I had a pair that lasted for years and sounded very, VERY good. I've listened to some really good in ear and over ear monitors and I just wasn't able to tell a difference. These are better than the MP3's you're listening to and probably better than your ears.
Any idea if these stay in place and last when exercising?
They look like they might, but I saw something the other day with regards to wearing ear buds that was positively mind blowing..... 
seems like that would make a difference.
Yep, that's the correct way to wear earbuds. They stay in a lot better, and you don't get any extraneous noise caused by the cord bouncing around.
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