Looking for some good earphones

[Sparda]

I need some good canal earphones and was wondering waht people use and like. Price range is anything under $100. And yes i did see the sticky for headphones, but they didn't compare canal earphones to each other. Im thinking of these: sony mdr-ex81lp, sony mdr-nx1a and the panasonic rp-je50. I need some insight and suggestions.

ps i meant $100 canadian.

Edited September 11, 2006 by Sparda

[A440]

Sorry, but I'm going to offer you more choices, not less.

Are you talking about canalphones, which go way in and seal off the outside world, or earbuds?

The thing about canalphones is that how they will sound and feel to you is extremely dependent on the shape of your inner ear, which is very individual.

One place to look for comparisons is here:

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-headphon...r-monitor-type/

(There's also an earbud page.)

I haven't tried them, but many people here are fans of the Panasonics. I did try the Sony ex81 and thought they were pathetic.

You should add Shure E2 or E2c (one's gray, one's Ipod-white) to your list. Those provide a lot of isolation from the outside world. You can find them for around $75 US, which should still be within your budget. I have used and enjoyed the next steps up, the very good Shure E3 and the excellent Shure E4, though not the E2. I use E4 now, but they're about twice your budget.

The Etymotic ER-6i is also in that price range. Some people are totally sold on Etymotic, but I have no love for them, from their weird, fragile, noisy twisted-pair cord to their lack of bass.

There are fans here of the Sennheiser MX450--earbuds, not canalphones.

And headroom likes the Ultimate Ears, which are within your budget too.

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-applicat...tudio-white.php

[pata2001]

I have both Sony EX71 and Panasonic RP-HJE50. I prefer the sound signature of the panasonic better (more balanced), but the EX71 has better isolation. I feel the cable on the EX71 to be "better" than the plastic thin panasonic, although there are many users said the cable of the EX71 doesn't last long enough. Another plus for both of them is that both are short cord, even for US version.

[heathenmagic]

Forgive me as I am novice when it comes to earphones. I am willing to spend around £100 ($180) on some. I think in ear canal for isolation might be my best bet, but after trying my friends, I didn't like the way you can hear your footsteps or other noises. Are there any that do reduce outside noise, without the side effects I described? Thanks

[pata2001]

Forgive me as I am novice when it comes to earphones. I am willing to spend around £100 ($180) on some. I think in ear canal for isolation might be my best bet, but after trying my friends, I didn't like the way you can hear your footsteps or other noises. Are there any that do reduce outside noise, without the side effects I described? Thanks

Unfortunately not. In-canal earphones is like plugging you ears with your fingers. You won't hear outside noise, but you'll still hear the noise conducted by your body (mouth moving, walking, etc). No way around that, it's the law of physics. I don't know about noise cancelling earbuds though. Another option is a closed headphone.

[atrain]

Forgive me as I am novice when it comes to earphones. I am willing to spend around £100 ($180) on some. I think in ear canal for isolation might be my best bet, but after trying my friends, I didn't like the way you can hear your footsteps or other noises. Are there any that do reduce outside noise, without the side effects I described? Thanks

what you need is a closed headphone, next you need to decide what size you are after... so what's the intended use?

[heathenmagic]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah, for casual listening while commuting, but then also when reviewing band rehearsal sessions. I saw some Sennheiser fold up headphones, they look quite nice, but not sure if they have closed versions. We use Shure equipment in the studio, so I am guessing their headphones are top notch also.

[KrazyIvan]

Unfortunately not. In-canal earphones is like plugging you ears with your fingers. You won't hear outside noise, but you'll still hear the noise conducted by your body (mouth moving, walking, etc). No way around that, it's the law of physics. I don't know about noise cancelling earbuds though. Another option is a closed headphone.

I don't agree. I just bought some UE Super.Fi 3 Studios and was amazed that there was a lack of microphonics. The Sony EX71/Pana HJE50/Senn CX300/Fuji E3220/JVC FX55 (which I own or have owned) all suffer from microphnics. When I tried the Super.Fi's I was floored.

[A440]

Maybe In from the Storm was using Etymotics, which ought to be renamed Microphonics--it's like they're designed to amplify the inevitable microphonic effects.

The Shure E3 and E4 are made to loop over the top of your ears before going down to the player, and they also have a stiff cord. Both tricks cut down on microphonics. I walk around with my E4s all the time, and I'm not bothered by cord noise--or the horns of cars heading toward me bent on my destruction. You don't want to have the cord bouncing against anything, but if you have the MD unit on your belt or in your pocket there's no problem.

Have a friend in the USA? You can get the E4, which are wonderful, for $183 from http://www.dbuys.com . The E3 aren't bad, but after the E4 I couldn't go back. E3c and E4c are Ipod-white, E3 and E4 are dark gray.

[blazer78]

Audio Technica CK7

[festus]

Sorry, but I'm going to offer you more choices, not less.

Are you talking about canalphones, which go way in and seal off the outside world, or earbuds?

The thing about canalphones is that how they will sound and feel to you is extremely dependent on the shape of your inner ear, which is very individual.

One place to look for comparisons is here:

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-headphon...r-monitor-type/

(There's also an earbud page.)

I haven't tried them, but many people here are fans of the Panasonics. I did try the Sony ex81 and thought they were pathetic.

You should add Shure E2 or E2c (one's gray, one's Ipod-white) to your list. Those provide a lot of isolation from the outside world. You can find them for around $75 US, which should still be within your budget. I have used and enjoyed the next steps up, the very good Shure E3 and the excellent Shure E4, though not the E2. I use E4 now, but they're about twice your budget.

The Etymotic ER-6i is also in that price range. Some people are totally sold on Etymotic, but I have no love for them, from their weird, fragile, noisy twisted-pair cord to their lack of bass.

There are fans here of the Sennheiser MX450--earbuds, not canalphones.

And headroom likes the Ultimate Ears, which are within your budget too.

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-applicat...tudio-white.php

Thanks for this; it's a great source of exactly the info tht I've been looking for.

Just out of interest, what is the score with the Sony EX90SLs? good? bad? or out of their depth in this esteemed company?

[Sparda]

Is it just me or has my thread been hi-jacked..... I have also considered the EX90SL but thought they were just an over rated version of the ex71. They are also way to expensive. Anyways the ex71 is like a love hate relationship, so what makes them better or worse compared to variable x? And even better i want the ex80s, heard good things about them......