Bluetooth active noise cancelling "earphones" that don't fall out.
May 18, 2022 3:39 PM Subscribe
I've using and enjoying these cheap headphones that have a little "wing" that helps lock them into your ear. I can't find any more of them, I need a replacement.
I used to use a pair of Bose QC-20 that have a similar design, but the self-noise of the noise-cancelling is way to loud for me, so I hear a constant hiss when they're on. The Taotronics are a perfect mix: aggressive enough to wear in the grocery store, but not aggressive enough to have such loud self-noise.
Price isn't really an issue. Earbuds that somehow magically stay in are fine, but I use headphones a *lot* and I think I've benefitted from the long battery life the necklace design offers.
I have tried many many earbuds, none have ever stayed in. I also tried the successor to this model, but the change to a "spring" rather than a "wing" doesn't work nearly as well.
I used to use a pair of Bose QC-20 that have a similar design, but the self-noise of the noise-cancelling is way to loud for me, so I hear a constant hiss when they're on. The Taotronics are a perfect mix: aggressive enough to wear in the grocery store, but not aggressive enough to have such loud self-noise.
Price isn't really an issue. Earbuds that somehow magically stay in are fine, but I use headphones a *lot* and I think I've benefitted from the long battery life the necklace design offers.
I have tried many many earbuds, none have ever stayed in. I also tried the successor to this model, but the change to a "spring" rather than a "wing" doesn't work nearly as well.
Best answer: Perhaps get some open box ones on eBay?
posted by eschatfische at 4:12 PM on May 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by eschatfische at 4:12 PM on May 18, 2022 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Samsung Galaxy Buds + have a wing. Pro do not. + stayed in my ears great and then I upgraded to Pro and regretted it.
I then switched to Nothing Ear One, which do not have a wing, but are designed in a way to stay in. They're the best fit I've ever had in a wireless headphone and they do not fall out.
posted by dobbs at 4:34 PM on May 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
I then switched to Nothing Ear One, which do not have a wing, but are designed in a way to stay in. They're the best fit I've ever had in a wireless headphone and they do not fall out.
posted by dobbs at 4:34 PM on May 18, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: @eschatfische Thanks for the lead, different model, but looks similar enough to give a shot, ordered.
Just as an FWIW for all reading, I found in researching the WF-1000XM4 that some companies make aftermarket wings to fit various models, which feels absolutely liberating.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 4:49 PM on May 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
Just as an FWIW for all reading, I found in researching the WF-1000XM4 that some companies make aftermarket wings to fit various models, which feels absolutely liberating.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 4:49 PM on May 18, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have ears that won’t hold buds and Beats Fit Pro mostly don’t fall out for me. Minuses: Beats overemphasis on bass frequencies isn’t my favorite, and the case is smooth and slippery so I’ve dropped it on concrete or asphalt so many times; pluses: Apple W1 wireless chip means they connect to iPhones really well, and they honestly stay in my ears better than I expected.
NB: you should be able to take any earbuds to an audiologist for custom tips, but I think the going rate for that is about $150 in my metro area (dunno about yours). I paid about $130 in credit card points for my Beats so I haven’t yet gone to that extra expense.
posted by fedward at 6:33 PM on May 18, 2022
NB: you should be able to take any earbuds to an audiologist for custom tips, but I think the going rate for that is about $150 in my metro area (dunno about yours). I paid about $130 in credit card points for my Beats so I haven’t yet gone to that extra expense.
posted by fedward at 6:33 PM on May 18, 2022
@Jack Karaoke I just got the WF-1000XM4 and am having trouble with them falling out of one ear. (Apparently my ears are not symmetrical!) If you have any luck with those aftermarket wingtips, please share!
posted by platinum at 7:21 PM on May 18, 2022
posted by platinum at 7:21 PM on May 18, 2022
Best answer: If you want to try, Snugs will custom make a set of moldings that actually custom fits your ear.
https://snugs.com/product/snugsgo/
posted by kschang at 1:57 AM on May 19, 2022
https://snugs.com/product/snugsgo/
posted by kschang at 1:57 AM on May 19, 2022
You can buy silicone wings that slips onto your earphones.
AirPods never stayed in my ears until I bought memory foam tips (from Comply, though there are clones now). Same for my two daughters, though their brothers and my wife have no problem. *shrug* Buying the pack with three sizes meant that I can put a Large on one and a Medium on the other one, because my head is basically a misshapen potato.
Have you looked at Jabra earphones? I use their regular ones 9-5/M-F, but the earbuds come highly reviewed (e.g., by Wirecutter) for people who prefer that formfactor.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:55 AM on May 19, 2022
AirPods never stayed in my ears until I bought memory foam tips (from Comply, though there are clones now). Same for my two daughters, though their brothers and my wife have no problem. *shrug* Buying the pack with three sizes meant that I can put a Large on one and a Medium on the other one, because my head is basically a misshapen potato.
Have you looked at Jabra earphones? I use their regular ones 9-5/M-F, but the earbuds come highly reviewed (e.g., by Wirecutter) for people who prefer that formfactor.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:55 AM on May 19, 2022
I really like my Anker Liberty Pro 3. They have the wing; you put the ear plug in and then rotate it about 60 degrees to lock it in place. The kit comes with different size wings, once I found the right size for me they stay in place pretty well. Retail price is $170 but they are often on sale.
There's a variety of earphones marketed to exercise and athletics. Don't know much about them but I suspect they've put more thought into staying in place.
posted by Nelson at 6:30 AM on May 20, 2022
There's a variety of earphones marketed to exercise and athletics. Don't know much about them but I suspect they've put more thought into staying in place.
posted by Nelson at 6:30 AM on May 20, 2022
Memory foam tips that actually conform to your ear instead of relying on ear geometry. Bonus: extra passive noise canceling and blocking out some of the annoying active noise cancelling hiss.
I have loved the Comply tips, they have options for all kinds of brands so finding one that fits yours should be possible: https://www.complyfoam.com/#fit-finder-init
posted by Ahniya at 10:12 PM on May 20, 2022
I have loved the Comply tips, they have options for all kinds of brands so finding one that fits yours should be possible: https://www.complyfoam.com/#fit-finder-init
posted by Ahniya at 10:12 PM on May 20, 2022
Response by poster: I ended up getting the different model # TaoTronics as mentioned upthread, and taking a chance on the Nothing model as mentioned, because I'm a sucker for Teenage Engineering stuff and they're pretty affordable. They're ok fitwise, because of their design (the buds are shaped such that they kinda rest on the lower cartilage vs levering in against upper cartilage. I'm guessing AirPods Pro and other popular buds might follow a similar design principle.
I didn't try aftermarket tips or foam because that would mean I'd have to find ANC I like, from a major brand that's specifically indicated for compatibility, and that's a battle in itself. i.e. even the ANC on the nothings is kind of annoying: Not huge self-noise, but some noticeable artifacts in the noise gating. They're ok. Thanks all.
In conclusion, the world of earbuds is a wonderful mess.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 3:11 PM on May 23, 2022
I didn't try aftermarket tips or foam because that would mean I'd have to find ANC I like, from a major brand that's specifically indicated for compatibility, and that's a battle in itself. i.e. even the ANC on the nothings is kind of annoying: Not huge self-noise, but some noticeable artifacts in the noise gating. They're ok. Thanks all.
In conclusion, the world of earbuds is a wonderful mess.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 3:11 PM on May 23, 2022
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