Quality earphones with the feel of iPod stock earphones?

April 22, 2007 2:21 PM

I like the feel of the stock iPod nano earphones, but I want better bass and overall sound quality than they give me. Any suggestions?

I've tried in-ear earphones before, namely the Zune Premium Earphones, and they weren't comfortable at all. They feel very intrusive compared to the 2nd gen iPod nano earphones, so I'd like the feel of the iPod earphones with better quality. Is this possible? Am I going to have to stick with the stock earphones or should I try in-ear earphones again? Thanks.

P.S. I know, I've said 'earphones' a lot.

posted by CliffDiving44 to technology (15 comments total)

Check out V-Moda Remix m-class

http://www.v-moda.com/collection/modaphones/remix%20mclass.aspx

Or look to the ilounge for earbud recommendations.
posted by hannahq at 2:51 PM on April 22, 2007

The Sony MDR-EX81LP earphones are nice, and they come with a couple different size buds, so you can find the one you like best.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 3:37 PM on April 22, 2007

I've never used the iPod Nano headphones, so this may be totally off-base, and you have said you don't care for in-hear headphones, but I have used Shure headphones for years now and love them, as does everyone I've told them about.

They have several models, E2C, E3C, E4C, E5C, starting at around $75(?) for the E2C and going all the way up to around $400(?) for the E5C. These are, bar none, the best headphones I've ever used (save for around-the-ear phones, which are in a category all to themselves). They do go in your ear but the buds that Shure provides are very comfortable, and the sound quality and noise-canceling effect is second to none. I'd highly recommend at least giving them a shot, maybe buy from a place you can return if you don't like them.

I initially balked at spending around $200 for a pair of in-ear headphones but they're awesome.
posted by jckll at 4:03 PM on April 22, 2007

Based on the reviews at iLounge, and Amazon's lower than expected price, I just picked up a set of Etymotic ER6is. They are light, sound very good, and after about 5 minutes I couldn't tell they were in my ear. I haven't even tried the (supposedly better) foam tips or the alternate rubber tips.

The best thing I can say about the ER6i is that after plugging them in, I could turn the volume down and still hear quite a bit of detail.
posted by b1tr0t at 4:08 PM on April 22, 2007

I think you're looking for earbuds that don't actually insert into the ear canal, correct? I think the stock headphones that come with iPods are these type (but I never used the phones that came with my Nano). In this case, definitely don't get the Shures recommended above, since they're very intrusive into the ear canals. The Sony's are a little bit better, but still require "insertion".

You should try out some of the Sennheiser earbuds, possibly the MX400 series. I've had these for a while, and they're sonically superior to the Apple ones. They are kind of large and may not fit in your ear too well, but they're cheap.

People are recommending in-ear-phones because, in general, earbuds can't provide a very good sound. Their drivers are small. They have non-existent isolation, so any external noise will interfere with your hearing enjoyment. In-ear-phones isolate (like a earplug) so they overcome both deficiencies.
posted by meowzilla at 4:16 PM on April 22, 2007

I, too, had never found a pair of in-ear headphones that I found comfortable. The stock iPod headphones were particularly painful to me.

If you're willing to try in-ear headphones again, I'd second the recommendation for the Sony Fontopia headphones. The 81s linked above would be nice if you like the plastic ear-attacher, but I've always used the 51s and have just loved them. They come with different size buds (as the previous poster mentioned), so it might be easier to find a size that fits you more comfortably. For me, they fit snug in my ear, blocking out ambient noise almost completely and providing a rich, suprisingly deep sound that I've never experienced with such cheap headphones. They don't deliver the best sound you can get, but I think they're the best for the price range.
posted by soonertbone at 4:24 PM on April 22, 2007

These are the best deal going. They are re-marked Sennheiser MX300s, for a third of the price. I wish I had known about them before I bought my Sennheisers (which I love).
posted by Benny Andajetz at 4:40 PM on April 22, 2007

Sorry, they are re-marked CX300s. They come with three sets of ear adapters for a good fit, and sound great.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 4:45 PM on April 22, 2007

Alright, thanks everyone. I think I will try the Sony MDR-EX51LP Fontopia earphones, because they're cheap enough so if I don't like them I won't feel *too* guilty.
posted by CliffDiving44 at 4:58 PM on April 22, 2007

the E2C and going all the way up to around $400(?) for the E5C.

Careful. The E5s are not just a better-sounding version of the same thing, like the others in the series. They are a different shape and less comfortable, and the wire is stiffer.

The only way I would use those over the E4s is with a custom-fitted earpiece.
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:33 PM on April 22, 2007

The Shure earbuds do have kickbutt sound. My pair of $100 earbuds would make a wonderful gift for someone who has a much larger ear canal than I have. They are currently in a box in the closet as I can't walk around town holding them in my ears as I need my hands to carry stuff.
posted by Foam Pants at 5:44 PM on April 22, 2007

If you're looking for some earbuds that don't go into the ear canal, take a look at the Sony MDR-ED21LP. They just have a soft "flap" that matches the flap in front of your ear canal, instead of the whole nuclear reactor thing that you have to shove in your ear. They sound crisp with a decent amount of bass.

Whatever you do, don't buy the Phillips "surround sound" earbuds that retail for about $20. They sounded like I was listening to music under water, and they made my ears itch.
posted by found dog one eye at 8:04 PM on April 22, 2007

DITTO on the Phillips buds. Awful, awful.
posted by spitbull at 7:29 AM on April 23, 2007

Very happy owner of Etymotic's ER-4P ear-canal headphones. They do an amazing job of sealing out external noise, so you can keep them down at a low volume and still get great sound. They're expensive - $300 list - and ear-canal headphones are either love 'em or hate 'em.

If you decide to try them, buy them from a place like Headroom that has a no-questions-asked return policy (on review, Headroom no longer carries Etymotics, but they have many others).
posted by zippy at 3:18 PM on April 23, 2007

Sigh, I bought those Phillips earbuds at the airport and didn't try them out until I got on the plane. Promptly threw them away as soon as I got home.
posted by junesix at 3:35 PM on April 24, 2007