New Buds
March 15th, 2008I’ve been meaning to talk about how much of a moron I am, but was afraid. I am not afraid now, because snow is falling and I’ve been given clearance. From god.
I left my V-MODA vibe duo headphones (with microphone for iPhone usage) somewhere between here and San Diego. So I’m facing a conundrum. I replaced these yesterday with the Shure SE110 earbud/earphone, thinking that I was going to get a tad better made product (not that I hate on the vibe duo as a headphone). I’m trying to find a suitable sound isolating/noise cancelling solution that doesn’t cost $400 US. The SE110 was the right price, but damn, there is no bottom end. And I like my bottom end. I do love the squishy foam earpieces on the SE110’s as they seal out sound in a great way, but once the seal is made, no richness like I expected.
I’m thinking about the Shure SE210, as some reviews say it has more bass than the 110s. However, I’m not entirely sold on this model as reviews are mixed in terms of low end. Some people say they have great bass response, others not so much. I’m kind of done reading reviews online about audio. With these kinds of headphones, the shape of the ear and the subjectivity that is rampant when it comes to interpretation leaves a lot to be desired. I did read this review on iLounge, which was helpful. I just don’t know if there is a better alternative.
I’m looking for suggestions, as the SE110s are headed back to the store for exchange. My requirements:
- Small, earbud style
- Great sound, especially low end
- Must isolate or noise cancel excellently
- Must work with an iPhone
- Must be sturdy and well-made
- When I talk about low end, I’m not talking about double bass in Mozart’s Requiem, I’m talking about bass as in anything mixed after 1991. So while I’d like to pretend to be all hoity about audio, I want something that is going to drown out plane engines, screaming kids, a puppy and occasionally my wife.
Any recomendations? o
UPDATE: Bought the SE210s. Marked improvement. WORTH IT. Review and reasoning tomorrow…
Tags: audio, earphones, headphones, iphone, SE110, SE210, V-Moda vibe duo
March 15th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I have been really happy with the Shure E2c’s, but it looks like those were discontinued in favor of the ones you’re returning. The E2c provided plenty of bottom end, imo, but only if you got the seal in place. People not used to that real in-ear feeling might get ‘em in part way and wonder where the bass is.
Maybe they’re still in stock somewhere? Certainly in your price range. Good luck.
March 15th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I know nothing about music, but I’ve had a pair of Etymotic ER-6 ear buds for something like five years and I like them a lot. To me, their low end is pretty good — the bass at the start of “So What” on “Kind of Blue” comes through very well. They seal off great, but they’re a little awkward to put in. They are pretty tough, and the one time I had a problem with them Etymotics replaced them.
They do go all the way into the ear, which some might find uncomfortable and maybe a little tacky.
I don’t know if they even make these anymore, but they were about $100 or so when I got them.
March 15th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I agree with “parenthetical”.
I’ve used several sets of headphones with my iPhone and honestly got to really liking the V-Moda’s. Unfortunately the left ear bud stopped putting out sound and I narrowed the problem down to the jack that plugs into the phone. I haven’t gotten around to getting another set, but I sure miss the bass response of those buds.
When I worked for Apple, the V-Moda’s flew off the shelves. I will say that the E2C’s were killer on the low end, too. Shure provided us with a “Demo Case” of E2C - E5. When I left the company I was given a set of E2Cs but since they were from the demo bin they were pretty beat up and eventually broke. Now I’m left with a whole can of replacement rubber buds. Anyway, you can still find them NIB on eBay for around 60 dollars.
Also, I have a set of B&O A8’s. While they’re great for Jazz and Classical music, low end chunky bass doesn’t exist with them. Not sure that is relevant but still, don’t spend your money or consider those an option.
P.S. It was great meeting you, and I’m glad you guys enjoyed those bloody marys ; ]
March 15th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I’m crazy about my Etymotics. I’ve got the 6i set, and find the audio pretty much as good as I’ve ever heard from headphones, and the isolation is really stellar. They keep me safe from seatmates, babies, and plane engines with great regularity.
March 15th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
For parenthetical’s (and everyone else’s) info, I had the e2c’s, and when I sent them in for warranty repair, they sent back SCL2’s–so the SE110’s don’t replace the e2cs. SCL2 is the same form factor as the e2c’s as well.
I will say that when I first got them, the e2c’s seemed a bit lacking on low-end, but I think that’s only because they were both not in properly, and I was used to the overweening bass from some griffin earjams. I actually think that, properly inserted (read: twisted a bit), the balance and sound are exceelent.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I would recommend the skullcandy inked smoking buds. they have great bass response and good isolation if you get them in all the way. they come with three different size ear pieces and are 10$ to 30$ depending on where you get them
March 16th, 2008 at 12:29 am
I don’t know much about audio stuff. I only know that I don’t like to spend much money on earbuds since my cat’s have a knack for getting them out of any bag/purse/drawer I put them in and playing with them until the cords are shredded. One pair didn’t even make it 24 hours before they had chewed one of the earbuds off. So if you think Coco might have a tendency to chew them up, remember to put them away (unless you do that already).
Now I just have a pair of $50 Sony’s (my THIRD pair so far). They’re decent enough for me (for my taste I get enough bass if they’re twisted in right) and the buds are small enough to fit in my ears. At least this pair came with a hard case to store them in.
March 16th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Bose. Bose. Bose.
March 16th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I have these http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.aspx and they are AWESOME. They have several different attachments, one of which is like an earplug so even without the noise cancelling it just shuts out all the noise (except that which you may be putting in) out. They are amazing. And while expensive, they aren’t file for bankruptcy expensive.
I have had them for over a year (mine are white, unlike the picture thought) and they still work great.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I do audio transcription for a living, all kinds of voice files, and I have a puppy, who ate my last set of ear buds … and I’ve tried the wireless headsets, but there is always “gap” when I’m transcribing, plus I walk around my home office and I feel like an air traffic controller when I go up to get a cup of coffe and I still have the “headless wire set” on my head … anyways, I read this, and I was drooling … when you find that perfect set of earbuds I want the same set that drowns out everything, except what is necessary! I’m glad you are doing the footwork (oops earwork on this one).
March 16th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I second the Skull Candy vote, on top of the great sound and great price they have a fantastic warranty!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:24 am
#8: Bose are drastically overpriced, and are typically outperformed by Shure, Ety, Ultimate Ear, etc. Try ‘em out, but don’t buy without listening to other brands if at all possible, and definitely don’t buy ‘em blind. “No highs? No lows? Must be Bose.”
March 16th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Ah, and in re: noise-cancelling or not, as mentioned in #9, in-ear-canal phones like the Etys actually provide _more_ db of isolation than the active phones from folks like Bose. What this means in English is that the user of Etymotic phones will hear less airplane noice than the guy wearing the whole-ear Bose active phones.
If you block sound physically, there’s no need to do any fancy processing that’s potentially damaging to the original signal.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
drown out your wife hmmm… seems easier said than done…. a big fan of the both of you
March 16th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
This may not be what you are looking for in terms of price range, but I am sold on Koss Sparkplugs. I just bought my SECOND pair. They are inexpensive and sound great. Koss also makes another model with noise cancelling but I ‘ve found there’s plenty with the Sparkplugs.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
http://www.westone.com/content/216.html
Or if you REALLY want isolation:
http://www.westone.com/content/136.html
I use a set of Westone ES2 custom moulded monitors when I do mixing for personal monitors. They rock my world, and provide about 25 db of ambient noise reduction. Bottom line is you only hear the music.
Drawbacks are you only hear the music, and you can’t just pop them out like a set of universal-fit earbuds.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hey Jon,
I hear you man. (Did I just say that?)
Anyway, I have tried many buds including the Shure and the v-modas. Believe it or not, I strongly recommend the koss sparkplug. For $15, you just can’t beat what you get. There is no way I am going to be able to sell you this, so I won’t try. It’s on you. You can pick them up just about anywhere, (I’m local to SLC) I get mine at the Smiths Marketplace electronics dept… Follow the instructions with the packaging and enjoy.
Same rules apply to all “tune-out” ear buds though… mind the safety factor, once in place, you wouldn’t hear that semi run your ass over.
March 17th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Jon,
How about a pair of these http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/502494 (Sennheiser MX W1) truly wireless but a touch pricey at $600……
March 17th, 2008 at 8:42 am
You could use the ear buds that came with your iPod and put the money you would have spent towards credit card debit or college saving for Leta. I know its a snarky comment, but consumer culture seems to be getting out of hand.
March 17th, 2008 at 8:52 am
michael, we don’t have a single penny of credit card debit [sic]. but maybe we could loan you the money for some therapy.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:59 am
The reviews at http://www.headphone.com/ are accurate and unbiased. I have been satisfied on my purchases with them as well.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:01 am
that is so funny. i JUST, yesterday, returned my pair of SE110’s because of the same issues you had. i must have small ear canals because even the smallest earpiece still hurt. I also found that the chords are heavy and you can hear them while walking - rubbing against your shirt or jacket.
i am going to be interested in reading the other comments on here. There has got to be a pair that have lightweight cords, good bass, and reasonable price ( less than $150)
thanks for pulling this out in a post.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I don’t know much about the specs, but I love my Skullcandy earbuds. I know a couple others have recommended them so I won’t go into specs, but they have great sound and a good volume range. They fit really well (and comfortably) in your ears and have drown out an office full of people on loud phone calls on many occasions. Oh, and they are very reasonably priced.
March 17th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Good for you Heather! I read Michael’s comment(with my mouth hanging wide open) and then saw your comment and laughed! Way to stand by your man
March 18th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
So I’m reading what I wrote yesterday and I’m thinking, “What??? I wrote that???” Sorry about that. I don’t think I need therapy yet, since I’ve come to my senses today.