Help me not dash my headphones to the ground!

September 13, 2008 5:00 AM

I need headphones for running with. I know there are other headphone questions out there but I have really specific needs: 1. No bluetooth as my MP3 doesn't support it 2. I have really small ear holes so the larger ones don't stay in, I can use the smallest covers for the in-ear ones 3. Do the over-ear hook ones get in the way of one's glasses? Experience on this please! 4. I need a wire that's long enough to get to my waist belt without an extension (with a linker thing that flaps around) 5. I don't want white ones! 6. Available in the UK. Thanks all - hope someone can help!
posted by LyzzyBee to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (16 answers total)

I use the blue over-the-ear hook version made by Sony, because I cannot tolerate the ones that occupy the ear canal. They do not get in the way of glasses as long as you work consistently - first on, first off. If you wear glasses to see, you'll probably have them on when you put the 'phones on. If you wear sunglasses, put them on after the 'phones, and take them off first. You'll learn.
posted by yclipse at 5:05 AM on September 13, 2008

(should have been - "first on, last off")
posted by yclipse at 6:26 AM on September 13, 2008

HeadRoom has a ton of info about zillions of models of headphones, including extensive reviews of sound quality, fit, etc. These sections look like they have some good info for running-appropriate gear:

- "Street Style" headphones -- the kind with the band behind your neck
- Clip on headphones
- Ear canal headphones -- the kind that go in your actual ear canals, not just in your outer ear like normal earbuds.

I have never tried the last type, but I have a friend who swears by them, FWIW.
posted by DLWM at 6:45 AM on September 13, 2008

What's wrong with some in-ear phones? Why do they need to be headphones rather than earphones? You already mention that you can wear earphones - so I assume you have some. Just a pair of Sennheiser CX300's would do the job - cheap, and you can get them in an "Eco" variety that comes entirely packaged in cardboard (well, I was impressed anyway).

The only downside with earphones that I found was that the sound isolation can be potentially dangerous in urban situations but this may not apply to you.
posted by wackybrit at 7:58 AM on September 13, 2008

FWIW, I run several times a week with the Sennheiser CX300s - I've had the same pair for nearly two years now and they're still going strong. They stay in my ear, and reach my waistbelt. I wear them with the cord going down my back.

The sound isolation is not so much as to be dangerous, as long as you keep the volume at an appropriate level.
posted by wayward vagabond at 8:18 AM on September 13, 2008

I use these Sennheiser PMX70's for running, they are fantastic and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. The reviews there may also help you make a decision. I don't wear glasses though, so you'll have to decide whether they may interfere with yours - I can't see it being a huge problem.
posted by fire&wings at 8:29 AM on September 13, 2008

you won't be able to run with in-ear headphones as they will slip out and fall down all the time. the only headphones that will really stick are over-ear.

I wear glasses and use these sony headphones. they are cheap, which is important since you should replace them every few months (swet=ear infections!), do not conflict with my glasses and sound okay, though they lack bass.
posted by krautland at 8:48 AM on September 13, 2008

I would second the Sennheiser PMX70s. I found them through a review site somewhere. They sound fine, stay in place and have held up well.
posted by Crankatator at 9:00 AM on September 13, 2008

Response by poster: Thank you all so far.

Sorry - should have been clearer - I'm OK with earbuds or headphones. Except I have these stupid small ear holes (honestly I have - they run in the family, my Grandma had terrible trouble getting hearing aids to fit!) and they kind of make me gag when I poke them in...
posted by LyzzyBee at 9:04 AM on September 13, 2008

Sony MDR-W24V Vertical In-The-Ear Headphones are what I use. They can go in the ear but I use just sitting barely in and they are comfortable. The sound is good not great but good.
posted by bjgeiger at 12:06 PM on September 13, 2008

I really like the Sennheiser MX-55 ear buds. They are much better sounding than Apple's ear buds, they aren't in ear canal types that shut out other noise like approaching cars, they have a long cord, and they stay in your ears with their twist in system.
posted by caddis at 1:30 PM on September 13, 2008

you won't be able to run with in-ear headphones as they will slip out and fall down all the time.

That would be due to a bad fit (or a rather larger than average ear). They shouldn't be going anywhere. They need to be tight to get the correct bass response in any case.
posted by wackybrit at 2:03 PM on September 13, 2008

That would be due to a bad fit
are we talking about the same kind? like the white ipod earbuds? anyone managing to run without them falling out can't be running very fast or far.
posted by krautland at 6:07 PM on September 13, 2008

Just one more word about the Sennheiser phones that I and Crankatator discussed, they do not fit in you ear canal so the fact that you have a small canal will not matter. They sit just outside of that. If an Apple ear bud works these will too. I don't know about Crankatator's phones, but the ones I have come with real magnets. That is a good thing in speakers. The magnets are so strong that you can feel their effects with the two buds. Apple phones, not at all. Real fidelity only comes with the in ear canal phones but frankly they are just too dangerous for running. You will never hear the car that runs you down. I have tried a bunch of ear buds, the kind that sit just outside your ear canal and still allow you to hear ambient sounds, and the Sennheisers (and I would guess this includes many models in their line) really shine. You won't get that deep bass of the in ear canal phones but everything else shines.
posted by caddis at 6:41 PM on September 13, 2008

As an avid runner, I have to agree with krautland. No matter how well your in ear phones fit, your ears will get sweaty eventually, and the downward force of the headphone cord (it's light, but it does generate downward force as it bobs) will tug out the buds. The best phones i've ever used are these:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-J10-Headphones-Non-Slip-Design/dp/B000092YR6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221359583&sr=1-2

they are 10 bucks or less, stay locked on my ear, and do have a suitably long cord, although i would recommend running with your mp3 player in your hand or on an armband - it's way better than the thing clunking around in your pocket. As running headphones tend to bite it due to sweat soaking them or the jack connection dying, I keep like 2-3 pairs of these things around, and just swap out every 5-6 months or so. Caveat: I am not sure about fidelity - I have horrible hearing - so maybe look on amazon for a review or two.
posted by wuzandfuzz at 7:38 PM on September 13, 2008

I have to agree with both krautland and wuzandfuzz. In addition to the problem with earbuds falling out, when I run with the isolation style earbuds I hear every footfall quite loudly (sort of as a lowend bass drum). Maybe I just pound the pavement more than the average runner, but this really distracts from the sound of the music (and messes up my rhythm). I do not have this problem with over the ear type phones (I wear one's similar to the ones krautland recommends, but I believe they are the higher quality (soundwise) Sony product).
posted by Hutch at 10:04 AM on September 14, 2008