Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with earbuds

My wife doesn't like the cord on her earbuds...

judomadonna — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:24:09 -0800

...so can anyone recommend a pair of earbuds with a cord that looks like a capital y (Y), not a lowercase y (y)?

Earphones for a person with sensitive skin who travels on a bus

Anonymous — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:50:49 -0800

How can I keep listening to music on the bus without exacerbating my easily irritable skin with earbuds, or causing hearing loss? The skin in the bowl of my ear and ear canal is easily irritable, which leads to flaking and ear infections. I had this under control, and then I got an iPod Shuffle. Being able to listen to music on my many bus trips makes me much happier, but it is surely irritating my skin. Also, trying to keep the music audible on a loud bus means I have to turn the volume up probably more than is healthy.

I'm planning to get a iPod Shuffle remote-replacement dongle so that I can replace the earbuds. I have some Sennheiser PXC-250 noise-canceling supraural earphones that work pretty well. They avoid the skin irritation that earbuds cause and the noise cancellation means I don't have to turn them up too loud. But they only work when I have a bag with me to store them in. One of the key advantages of the iPod Shuffle was that I could just put them in my jeans pocket and use them even when I didn't have a bag with me. So I'm looking for something more compact if possible. Even if I can't fit them in my pants, something I could more easily fit in my jacket pocket would be good. Something inexpensive would also be ideal I you can't always keep my jacket within view and expensive stuff might get stolen.

I've heard of bone conduction headphones (Outi, Audio Bone), but they seem to get poor reviews, and are apparently loud enough for others nearby to hear (not so great on the bus).

Thus far I have avoided canalphones (which seem apppealing for their noise-isolating characteristics) for fear that they will irritate my skin further, much as earplugs do.

Anonymous because, hey, not everyone needs to identify me with my health issues.

Sing Me To Sleep

xingcat — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:48:49 -0800

What kinds of earphones/earbuds can I wear to bed? I like to listen to music and podcasts as I'm falling asleep. I don't like to have speakers on, as that would disturb people in adjoining rooms, so I wear my iPod earbuds. They're okay as long as I'm lying on my back, but I tend to fall asleep better if I'm lying on my side.

The problem is that earbuds dig into my ears when I lie on my side, and headphones press too hard against my head and the pillow. I sometimes take one earbud out, but that means it's harder to hear, plus I turn over quite often.

Is there a product that would work better to help me listen and snooze?

"Seasoning" headphones?

rwhe — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:17:39 -0800

Is the practice of "seasoning" headphones just supersition? In the Amazon reviews for a pair of earbuds I'm buying, I came across the claim that they sounded awful unless they were "seasoned" first by hooking them up to a constant audio source with a wide frequency range overnight or even for a few days. I googled "seasoning headphones" and came across this claim for some other headphones and earbuds, although it's not widespread.

To me this sounds like either (1) rank audiophile supersition, or (2) someone pulling the reader's leg. That's why I'm coming to AskMeFi. Opinions, please. Better, facts.

Cheers!

Problems with earbuds

graventy — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:56:57 -0800

Help me stop destroying my iPod headphones! I listen to a lot of music/audiobooks/podcasts using an iPod, and a pair of earbuds. About every 6 weeks or so, if not sooner, the earbuds start to fail, and need to be replaced. It always seems to be a wire problem at the area near the jack.

Is there an easy way to fix these old sets of earbuds, or something I can do to prevent further breakage? Or, can you recommend a good set of earbuds that'd stand up to lots of abuse and use.

Make Apple in-ear phones work better with T-Mobile G1?

Mo Nickels — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:32:14 -0800

How can I get my Apple iPhone/iPod/iTouch in-ear headphones to work easily with my T-Mobile G1 phone? The headphones are great--the best in-ear headphones I've used, except for ones I cobbled together using parts of two different models.

The problem is that when they're plugged into any of the four adapters I have for my T-Mobile G1 phone, they don't work properly. I have to pull the plug out a little bit, to just the right spot, to have full audio in both ears. This is probably due to the nonstandard, four-part nature of the plug: there are four metal places on it that probably don't line up well and my G1 doesn't/can't use the ones for the volume or the microphone.

Does anyone have an adapter that they know for certain works with these earphones? Or a simple hack or trick for making them work easily?

Help me choose some good earbuds!

nafrance — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:55:19 -0800

Help me choose some good earbuds! I need a new pair of earbuds for my iPhone. I would like some new earbuds. I seem to go through almost two pairs a year, no matter how much I spend or research!
I do have a couple of special requests, which I hope the HiveMind can help with...

* iPhone-compatible mic & track-change clicker
* If at all possible NO rubber-tip things. I know they have their advantages, and all my last few pairs have had them - except they regularly get lost, replacements are a pain.
* Strong / reinforced plug. I keep my iPhone in my pocket, and find some plugs end up getting cable damage. A right-angled plug might be better.

My 'earbud history':
UltimateEars Super.Fi 4 - very nice, but the rubber bits don't seem to stay on well enough. Cable near the plug seems to be damaged after ~6mo. use.
Bose Triports - awesome sound, rubber parts stay on. Just a little large to fit in ears, plus no iPhone clicker.
Sony MDR-EX somethings - nice buds, rubber parts again don't seem to stay on too well! No clicker again.
Apples iPhone buds - didn't mind them too much, except they break easily for me.
V-Moda Vibes - again with the rubber parts! Loved the rope-style cable, although it eventually broke at the plug :(

Etymotics? Some other UE? Another make? How are the Apple in-ear buds?

Help!

Headphones for gym

mccarty.tim — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:04:47 -0800

My iPod's headphones wore out, but I'm not mourning them. What's a good replacement under $35 or so? I like to listen to my iPod at my campus gym, and since my other headphones (a pair of cheap Sony canal phones) wore out, I've been using the earbuds that came in the box with the iPod. I know they're not great, but they were what was around, and I'm not that much of an audiophile.

Anyway, the little rubber thingy around the edge wore out so they now feel kind of sharp in my ears. I tried borrowing my roommate's "over the ear" Philips headphones, but I'm not really a fan because they hurt the cartilage of my ears after about 30 minutes or so. Headphones, earbuds, and canal phones seem to be my best option.

Another thing to note: the gym I exercise in tends to be loud at times, since the people running it put on the radio really loud. It's annoying, and I've written them about it a day or so ago, but I'm not 100% expecting them to change. I'd like something with some decent isolation, but I know my general price range is too low for noise-canceling headphones. A short cord is also useful, since I'm going to be on gym equipment.

$35 is the range I'm hoping to spend. I could go up to $50 if you make a good enough case for headphones that cost that much. If it matters, they're for an iPod nano, 2nd generation.

New earbuds near Times Square please!

BillBishop — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:19:52 -0800

Where's the best place to buy good quality noise-reducing earbuds for my first-gen iPhone in the Times Square NYC vicinity? Help! Left side of my fancy noise-reducing earbuds/mic kicked out on the way to work this morning. I can't stomach the idea of riding home tonight and having to listen to my fellow commuters. I work in the Times Square area, so I'm looking for recommendations on where I can purchase on a new pair this evening. Thank you!

Can you help me replace my lost earbud piece?

Sheppagus — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:14:45 -0800

I lost part of my headphones. Must I replace my beloved earbuds, or can I just replace the lost part? I have some noise cancelling earbud headphones (similar to these) but somehow lost the squishy noise cancelling earbud thingie - the part that goes over the end of the earbud and into the ear. Searching for noise cancelling earbud thingie has not brought up the best results. Does anyone know if I can just buy and replace the missing part, or do I have to get new headphones? Does anyone know what this piece is actually called? I love these headphones and don't want to replace them if at all possible.

Those little white jobbies aren't cutting it anymore

wordsmith — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 07:29:41 -0800

What are the best iPhone-compatible, in-ear headphones one can buy for around $50? By iPhone-compatible I mean they have a little mic on the cord so that I can talk hands free. Call/iPod controls on the cord would be nice, too, but not 100% necessary. I'd sacrifice those features for so for better sound. I listen to a lot of rap and electronic music, so something that can handle deeper bass better than the standard headphones would be supreme. Of course, something with all these features that matches my price range would be great too.

Running without headphone cord SMACKSMACKSMACK

chesty_a_arthur — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:29:07 -0800

Help me solve my ipod earphone problem (specifically, the cord smacksmacksmack while running.) I run with an ipod. I have a couple different sets of relatively inexpensive headphones, which are fine; I am a total Philistine when it comes to sound quality. But I am a delicate flower, and the smacksmacksmack of the headphone cord on my arm or neck drives me so crazy that I sometimes wind up stopping just to mess around with it. I know about wireless Bluetooth headphones, which I would like, but cannot justify the expense right now. Has anyone come up with an awesome solution to this problem?

I know there are various cord-winding solutions available that seem like they'd make sense for a device in a coat pocket, but my device is in its foam-rubber arm sleeve (which incidentally has an elastic loop that is maybe to secure headphones but damned if I can figure out how) on my arm, and I'm running. I don't want to hold anything in my hands.

Not another earbud question.

doift — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:34:05 -0800

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. I bought these Sony earbuds (or another very similar model), the kind with the different sizes of plastic sleeves that stick directly into your ear and make a sort of seal, to use with my iPod about two years ago, and they've served me well. They're small and light, and they're cheap so I don't worry too much about losing them. The best thing about them is that they block exactly the right amount of sound for riding the subway- I can still hear enough outside sound that I'm aware of what's happening around me, but not so much that I have to turn up the volume to painful levels in order to to hear the music.

However, I'm becoming more and more convinced that the earbuds are at least partially responsible for the continuous blocked and popping ears that I've been experiencing for the past year or so. I had an ear infection the winter before last, and now I occasionally have days where it's like my ears never fully recovered. I know I'm using the correct size plastic sleeve for my ears, and I know I'm wearing them right, I clean them regularly, and they're comfortable when I wear them. so I think it's just that something about this type of earbud irritates my ear. Maybe it's the plastic, maybe it's the way they seal, I'm not sure. And if testing that hypothesis means an excuse for a headphone upgrade, so much the better.

Basically, I need small, light headphones that don't stick into my ear like those Sonys (I'm open to other ways of sticking into my ear that are less likely to be irritating) and block a moderate amount of outside sound. My budget is under $100. I could be convinced to spend more, but it would take some hard-core convincing.

Stop noise bleeds before they start

nitsuj — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:14:30 -0800

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? I almost bought a pair of Etymotic ER-4Ps, but waited in hopes of finding this magical pair of earbud headphones that do a good job of cancelling out outside noises, reproducing sound, minimizing noise bleed, and are comfortable to boot. Do they exist?

I need catproof earbuds

jenfu — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:28:03 -0800

Does anyone have any suggestions for catproof earbuds? My cat seems to find the tender plastic to be extremely succulent. She's eaten more than ten pairs. My boyfriend needs small earbuds because he can't sleep without listening to music and I'm hoping that some strong alternative to common earbuds exists. Last night she actually snuck up and ate them while he was asleep instead of waiting to find them since we've become clever about hiding them when not in use.

Lend me your earbuds

bove — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:36:58 -0800

I just bought my first MP3 player and I need some advice on earbuds and song selection. I just bought a Sansa e280 and I like it fine. However, now that I am starting to use it there are two issues that I am unable to figure out.

Earbuds: I don't like the included earbuds because they don't feel good in my ears (they feel too big). I have looked at prior threads on what good earbuds there are, but how will I know which ones will fit right in my ears without putting them in my ears? Stores don't let you try them out do they? Seems like a costly trial and error process to buy lots of pairs to find ones that fit right?

Song selection: I read in the NYTimes that listening to music at a specific tempo has been found to help people exercise longer and more intensely. The article mentioned that music that was 125-150 bpm was the most effective. I know which songs I have that are generally uptempo, but is there any way to actually view the specific tempo of a song?

Comfy earbuds?

Cosine — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:20:17 -0800

Best earbuds for little ears? My wife has small (and oh so cute) ears, she finds the earbuds that came with her ipod uncomfortable. We've found several pairs that look like they might be more comfortable but am wondering if any small-eared mefites might have some suggestions, the links below are the three my wife likes: Sony, Centrios, and JVC

Can I use my iPhone earbuds on my MacBook Pro, with the microphone part working as well?

lodev — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:01:08 -0800

Can I use my iPhone earbuds as MacBook Pro headset, probably with an adapter? Contrary to some, I actually quite like my iPhone earbuds. In fact, I use them in combination with my MacBook Pro whilst at work.
Since I use voip applications like Skype quite often, I'm becoming annoyed with the built-in microphone of my laptop.

Is it possible to use the microphone part of the headset on my laptop? I guess I need some kind of splitter adapter to split the line-in and line-out to the specific ports on my laptop. Do these exist? Or can I built it myself? I'd need a jack that accepts the 4 parts of the earbud plug so I can keep stereo sound and the mic working. Where can I find this?

What are some more rugged earbuds?

mmascolino — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:45:35 -0800

Recommendations for earbuds that can take some abuse. I seem to be horribly rough on earbuds. I've gone thru about 4 pairs of earbuds within the last couple of years. All of them suffered the fate of what is most likely a broken wire leading to the bud or the minijack. At first it will cut out intermittently and then it will die completely. I've checked the previous earbud posts but they are more focused on people with incompatiable ear canel geometries.

I know that these thing vary wildly in price (I've typically bought in the $8-$15 range). I'm hesistant to spending more if I am going to have to buy another pair in a few months.

PS: I'll gladly take ear/headphone recommendations :-D

mittenedsex — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:30:31 -0800

iPod + which eaphones/headphones = least hearing loss? I'm looking to "invest" in a good pair of earphones for use at the computer & with my ipod but am a little concerned about hearing loss. I know that it's ultimately about lowest tolerable volume & limiting myself to an hour or so of headphone use per day, but my Q is more about the equipment involved.

A lot of reviews I've read claim that canalphones & IEMs are better for your ears, because they block off outside noises, therefore enabling you to listen to your music at a safer, lower volume. I've tried googling for more info, but most of the sites I've visited say some variation of the above statement without really answering my question:

Wouldn't feeding sound/noise directly into your ear make it worse for you? Or is the assumption that you really WILL end up lowering the volume by THAT significant of an amount that you'll end up "saving" your ear in the long run? (Which leads to my related side question: will the ipod volume go "low" enough for safe use w/ IEMs? I currently use Koss's "The Plug" and it is unbelievably loud even at the LOWEST volume. It's set at a HAIR above no sound!)

Regardless, "normal" earbuds seem to have the worst rep in terms of hearing loss. I'm assuming this is because of its inability to block off outside noises & thus requiring louder playback volumes?

Please, I'm not looking for snarky answers like "If you really love your ears, don't listen to music on the go; all earphones/headphones will damage your hearing; you're best off walking around with earplugs on." I love listening to music on the go regardless of how antisocial people think it is, and I want to go about it in the least damaging way possible.

Keep the foam thingies on my earbuds?

callmejay — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 08:06:52 -0800

Is there a trick to keep the foam thingies from falling off my earbuds? I've used both the standard ipod buds and some cheap sony ones and the black foam things are constantly falling off and getting lost. I'm not sure glue is a good idea. What is?

Want to buy earbuds for running

Juicylicious — Wed, 03 May 2006 19:22:49 -0800

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.

How can I coil up my iPod headphones cord so that it doesn't tangle?

event — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 11:32:59 -0800

How can I coil up my iPod headphones cord so that it doesn't tangle? I carry my iPod in my coat pocket. When I'm not listening, I take the earbuds out, hold them in my hand, loop the cord around my palm a bunch of times, and stick it all in my pocket. When I go to take it out, it's always a mess.

I'm looking for a better way that is fast to wrap, fast to unwrap, and if possible, doesn't require digging the iPod out of my pocket.

How to keep in-ear headphones in my ear?

jazon — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 06:12:33 -0800

I recently picked up a set of Apple's in-ear headphones and for the life of me I can't keep them in my ears. What am I doing wrong? I'm not sure if I'm inserting them incorrectly or if my ear canal is just wacky. I've used the small and medium inserts so far. The mediums weren't very comfortable and popped out very quickly. The smalls slipped in easier but after a few minutes my left earbud had slipped a little and the right earbud fell completely out. Is there a trick to inserting the buds, or am I just one of those folks whom the in-ear headphones just won't work?

And if that's the case, what's the best way to clean them before I try to give them to someone else or sell them on ebay?

The Sennheiser earbuds that came with my MP3 player are uncomfortable.

PinkStainlessTail — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 15:05:35 -0800

My MP3 player came with a pair of earbuds, the kind that basically look like tiny headphones with foam covers and sit in the cleft of the ear right in front of the canal. The sound is terrific, but I find them uncomfortable for periods of time over 40 minutes or so, and usually end up switching to a more comfortable pair of overear phones that don't get quite as good sound. Do you have any tips for making these more comfortable? Are my ears just the wrong shape?