I replaced my earbud headphones for the third time in six months yesterday. I'm not particularly rough on them (I don't think), yet after three months, inevitably one of the ears will get all static-y and then completely die about a day later. I'm buying pretty mid-range headphones and while they're not amazing, they should bloody last longer than three months.
So what is it that I am doing that's apparently so beyond the wear and tear expected of these headphones? Is it how I'm wrapping the cord? Where I'm keeping them? Gah!
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posted by Nelsormensch
on Apr 18, 2013 -
17 answers
I'm looking to find out whether any brand of in-ear headphones also carry a noise reduction rating (NRR). I'm not so much shopping for headphones as for earplugs with a headphone feature.
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posted by tirade
on Apr 10, 2013 -
9 answers
I am looking to purchase an over-the-ear headphone under $100 for daily techno and deep house music listening. Which headphone would you recommend?
posted by likeapen
on Apr 4, 2013 -
15 answers
I'm looking for an under $60 set of headphones with a detachable cord/cable. Every corded headset I've bought has failed because of the cord, so being able to replace it is important.
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posted by shoyu
on Mar 23, 2013 -
16 answers
I need replacement cables for my TripleFi 10 earphones. Problem is, the default ones by Logitech are kind of crappy, and the
only alternative I see online looks even worse. Are there any durable, modestly-priced cables I can get that'll fit my TripleFis? (I'm hoping for something in the $30-40 range if possible – I have no idea if it's too much to hope for cables that cheap that won't also break.)
posted by Rory Marinich
on Mar 11, 2013 -
2 answers
I was at some live classical music the other night (Philip Glass, if it matters) and the experiencing was life-changing. I've got the music from iTunes but it doesn't sound that great over my normal cheapo headphones. I have never cared about audio quality before and it's not something I'm likely to get seriously into. But say I had up to 250 euro or so to spend on getting the sounds that's closest to what I heard in the concert hall - what should I buy or do?
posted by StephenF
on Feb 19, 2013 -
22 answers
So I love my Etymotic hf2 headphones. The sound is crisp, lush, and only just a little light in the bass. The problem is cord noise. Is there another brand or model of in-ear phones that doesn't have this problem?
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posted by seanmpuckett
on Jan 29, 2013 -
8 answers
Where can I find tech-friendly fashion that looks good? E.g. sweaters or hoodies that help you with headphone cables, storage for gadgets etc. Shouldn't be too exclusive or pricey.
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posted by lord_yo
on Dec 28, 2012 -
6 answers
I have a pair of
Monster Inspiration. I'm trying to play
Madness by Muse but if I plug the headphones completely into the iPod or computer, I can't hear the vocal parts at all. If the jack isn't completely in, then I can hear it perfectly. Why is this happening??
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posted by cyml
on Dec 27, 2012 -
5 answers
How can I get headphones to work with my hearing aids? The noise leaking out of them is making my fellow commuters (and me) unhappy.
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posted by Lescha
on Dec 5, 2012 -
11 answers
Is there such a thing as a wireless headphone amp (wireless headphones without the headphone)?
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posted by primethyme
on Nov 19, 2012 -
2 answers
If you take off a pair of headphones and lay them down somewhere, the music sounds like it's in a different pitch than when they're on your head. Why?
posted by facetious
on Oct 30, 2012 -
7 answers
These earbuds are basically the best headphones I've ever used. However, their cord is way too thin, and I've broken at least half a dozen pairs of these over the last few years, usually by having the wire tear straight off of the plug. I've never broken any other kind of headphones this consistently.
These are my back-up pair, and are tough and sound okay, but I'd really like ones as durable as the Skullcandies and as crisp and rich as the Thinksounds. The 30-50 dollar price range is preferable. Any suggestions?
posted by cthuljew
on Oct 29, 2012 -
18 answers
I'm looking for non-sealing earbuds with iPhone controls that aren't white, and I can't find them. Do you have any recommendations?
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posted by unsound
on Sep 28, 2012 -
19 answers
I'm looking for iPhone headphones that will hold up to daily use while walking. Every pair I've owned has problems with the 1/8" connector after a few months, or less, of use (while walking, usually in a pocket, but often getting taken out to check an email, respond to a text, etc...). More details inside.
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posted by jeffch
on Sep 5, 2012 -
9 answers
Looking for Bluetooth headphone recommendation to replace Motorola S305 which don't work with Windows 7
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posted by hokie409
on Aug 15, 2012 -
0 answers
Help me figure out what's wrong with my headphones (Sennheiser HD 280 pros) and how to fix them, or decide on a replacement pair.
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posted by Lutoslawski
on Aug 6, 2012 -
10 answers
What headphones should I buy for running and the gym? Wish list: Sounds better, and doesn't fall out as easily as the Apple earbuds; lets more ambient sound through than those in-ear headphones with silicone tips; includes an inline microphone and controls that actually work with an Android phone.
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posted by schmod
on Jul 16, 2012 -
10 answers
I'm looking to spend about $100 on headphones that deliver excellent music, and with superb passive noise isolation. I will mainly be using this at home, for music and movies. But I'd also like to take them on long-haul flights, to block out engine roar. Difficulty: must be comfortable, no in-ears, and no active noise-cancellation. Argh! Do these headphones even exist?
posted by Xere
on Jul 9, 2012 -
21 answers
I want to prevent my new headphones from fraying near the plug. Can you give me tips to prevent this from happening like it always does?
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posted by GlassHeart
on Jul 8, 2012 -
18 answers
The sound of my coworker typing is driving me crazy. I'm not permitted to wear headphones. How can I deal with the noise?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 13, 2012 -
20 answers
You're on a crowded bus, street car or subway. Someone has on headphones with the music so loud that you, and everyone in a 7-foot radius can hear it. Do you politely ask that person to turn their music down?
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posted by althanis
on May 20, 2012 -
53 answers
All iPhone / mobile headphone reviews go into (sometimes) excruciating detail about the sound qualities and quality of the headset, but I've found very few that actually talk about the mic quality.
So I ask: are there candidates for "best mic"?
posted by theNonsuch
on May 15, 2012 -
3 answers
Audiophilia-on-a-budget advice needed: I want to upgrade my desktop listening experience for around $200 or less. Currently reasonably happy using Sennheiser HD-280 plugged straight into my Mac Pro, but borrowing a friend's Total BitHead has inspired me to look further.
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posted by supercres
on May 4, 2012 -
11 answers
Please recommend your favourite in-ear/earbud noise-cancelling headphones with an iPod/iPhone control and mic.
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posted by ellieBOA
on May 1, 2012 -
7 answers
My new Motorola S9 HD bluetooth headphones are paired with my HP Elitebook 8440p laptop (Windows 7 32-bit) - yay! But no sound comes through. The laptop has A2DP technology, according to the downloadable manual. Both are "on" - headset & computer BT transmitter. Clues?
posted by IAmBroom
on Apr 12, 2012 -
6 answers
YAHQ (yet another headphone question) -- what's the best all-around pair, good for running *and* working?
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posted by sesquipedalia
on Mar 15, 2012 -
7 answers
Audio filter: My beloved Sennheiser HD 202 desk headphones died last weekend. What should I replace them with?
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posted by koucha
on Mar 2, 2012 -
11 answers
Any idea how I can get the broken off tip of a stereo headphone out of my phone's audio out jack?
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posted by RustyBrooks
on Feb 29, 2012 -
25 answers
I'm looking for recommendations on great over-ear headphones I can use with my iPhone. I've been using Klipsch earbuds, but they don't stay in my ear that well, and I'm concerned about hearing loss, so I'd like to keep a small distance from my sound source.
I've seen in previous questions that the Sennheiser HD-280 and Sony MDR-V6 have been recommended for general use. I'm not sure about the viability of a hugely long cord for using these while walking around, however, nor do I know if the iPhone could drive these cans. I'm looking for accurate sound reproduction (no pumped-up bass, please) and comfortable wear. I'll be using them both outside and indoors, but they don't need to be sound-canceling.
posted by the sobsister
on Feb 20, 2012 -
13 answers
What are the best in-ear, iPhone4s comparable, headphones
with a cloth/braided cord cover?
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posted by strixus
on Jan 25, 2012 -
12 answers
Any experiences or recommendations for Bluetooth audio transmitters (3.5mm to Bluetooth)?
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posted by JMOZ
on Jan 14, 2012 -
3 answers
I need high-quality headphones with good isolation and good sound quality, for use in a cube farm with an annoying air handler hum. Any recommendations?
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posted by Alterscape
on Jan 12, 2012 -
9 answers
A few years ago I heard a popular scientist on the radio discussing the effects of listening to music via earbud headphones. He said that if someone can hear the music I'm listening to, I am doing permanent damage to my ears. Is this true?
I would appreciate reference to any peer-reviewed scientific research on this topic, if available.
posted by paleyellowwithorange
on Jan 3, 2012 -
10 answers
I have
these Audio-Technica headphones. You can see in
this picture that the connector has a spring which serves as strain relief on the cable. Only my spring has come out of its housing
like so. How can I get it back in?
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posted by mumblingmynah
on Dec 19, 2011 -
4 answers
Looking for suggestions for stereo headphones. They need to be optimal for Bach and Monteverde first, late 19th century and early twentieth century classical second and 1940s and early 1950s jazz third. They need to be sturdy, preferably with a replaceable cord. Not necessarily noise cancelling, as they will be used in a quiet room. No earbuds. Price in the low three figures max.
posted by Raybun
on Dec 7, 2011 -
17 answers
I've had enough of all of my Shure in-ear isolating earbuds dying on one side. My right bud died suddenly, and this is the third pair in a row. I've had this pair for less than 6 months. Could you recommend a durable pair of isolating/noise cancelling earbuds/headphones with a few requirements?
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posted by flibbertigibbet
on Nov 28, 2011 -
32 answers
