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
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
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
Looking for recommendations for a portable AM radio and earbuds.
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posted by futz
on Jun 8, 2012 -
8 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
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
Looking for molded/custom bluetooth capable earbuds to use for music listening while operating my tractor...
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posted by docpops
on Apr 6, 2012 -
4 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
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
What were the brand and model of the earphones I left in a muddy field three months ago?
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posted by metaBugs
on Aug 30, 2011 -
7 answers
My Klipsch S2 earbuds are worn out. Any suggestions for a replacement that has the best bang for your buck? I'm using them with an iPod Nano 6th Gen.
posted by antgly
on Jul 24, 2011 -
10 answers
Noise-canceling headphones, or noise-cancelling earbuds, or earmuffs, or earplugs, or some combination? I need to protect my ears from both subway noise and loud co-workers.
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posted by Chicken Boolean
on Jun 6, 2011 -
17 answers
As a test, when I have music on loud, I take my earbuds out, hold them a few feet away from myself, and I can't hear it.
Yet, I can clearly hear the words in the songs of people wearing headphones 20 feet away from me in the subway. Do their headphones have terrible leakage? Do they have their music on earsplitting levels?
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posted by Jagz-Mario
on Feb 18, 2011 -
15 answers
So I had a pair of Shure E4c-n I really liked that got destroyed. I am thinking about buying a pair of Shure SE425s. Are there any comparable earbuds I should be checking out? A couple other things inside.
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posted by bytewrite
on Sep 21, 2010 -
6 answers
I want to buy a new pair of noise-blocking earphones ... but I know nothing about noise-blocking earphones. Or earphones in general. Help?
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posted by Xany
on Jun 3, 2010 -
13 answers
I'm looking for headphones I can use while walking around town. Ideally, they will allow some noise to filter in (i.e., if I'm about to be run over by a bus!) but still allow me to hear podcasts and audiobooks clearly. Also, it would be great if they were compatible with an iPhone (mic and controls). I have trouble with two styles: earbuds (they are
very uncomfortable) and over the ear loops, because they interfere with my eyeglasses. So far, I've not found anything remotely useful because I'm so picky. Thanks for any thoughts!
posted by scottso17
on Mar 16, 2010 -
11 answers
...so can anyone recommend a pair of earbuds with a cord that looks like a capital y (Y), not a lowercase y (y)?
posted by judomadonna
on Dec 3, 2009 -
17 answers
How can I keep listening to music on the bus without exacerbating my easily irritable skin with earbuds, or causing hearing loss?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 8, 2009 -
6 answers
My iPod's headphones wore out, but I'm not mourning them. What's a good replacement under $35 or so?
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posted by mccarty.tim
on Jan 25, 2009 -
16 answers
Where's the best place to buy good quality noise-reducing earbuds for my first-gen iPhone in the Times Square NYC vicinity?
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posted by BillBishop
on Nov 20, 2008 -
12 answers
I lost part of my headphones. Must I replace my beloved earbuds, or can I just replace the lost part?
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posted by Sheppagus
on Oct 30, 2008 -
10 answers
Recommend-some-earbuds-that-meet-my-bizarrely-specific-criteria-filter: I like everything about my current earbuds except the fact that they're making my ears pop.
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posted by doift
on Jun 4, 2008 -
6 answers
I like to listen to my music loud, but out of respect to others I'd like to keep the noise bleed to a minimum. (Think: riding in the subway.) Are their headphones that are built specifically to reduce the amount of noise pollution given off?
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posted by nitsuj
on May 27, 2008 -
11 answers
Does anyone have any suggestions for catproof earbuds? My cat seems to find the tender plastic to be extremely succulent.
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posted by jenfu
on Feb 24, 2008 -
11 answers
I just bought my first MP3 player and I need some advice on earbuds and song selection.
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posted by bove
on Feb 13, 2008 -
25 answers
Can I use my iPhone earbuds as MacBook Pro headset, probably with an adapter?
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posted by lodev
on Oct 3, 2007 -
1 answer
I'm looking for earbuds that offer superior sound quality and that I can wear while running. My over the ear Ravemp buds finally gave out. I haven't been able to find any decent sounding replacements that don't fall out of my ears after a few minutes of running. Price range < $75. Must be available on the internet.
posted by Juicylicious
on May 3, 2006 -
13 answers
