I want new headphones [updated]
I am looking into getting some new headphones–upgrading from the Apple In-Ear headphones. I want another pair of in-ear, because I can’t tote around something big. Anyone have a suggestion? Where can I go to hear different pairs? I am thinking about the Shure E3C’s.
I listen to music off my laptop for several hours a day while working, then time with the iPod. I figure the money will be well spent.
Update: If you haven’t done so already, check out the comments. Some real great stuff. I think I’ll place an order for a pair of Etymotic ER6i’s once Jeanne has moved through.
Anything by Sure is great. Expensive, but great. Go for it!
Yea, the Sure’s aren’t cheap ($150 or so) but they have a 30-day money back deal which is really nice.
I feel like my Fontopia earbuds work great for this type of listening. For $179, I expect a molded fit to my ear canal. Those earbuds cost more than my iPod did (yay for refurbs!) Wow.
Jon,
I can give you some advice, based on my long-time lurking over at Head-Fi, which is undoubtedly one of the best forums when it comes to audio equipment. This is simply my very hasty and highly-likely-to-contain-some-errors (there are so many headphones, and so many opinions to keep track of them all!) sum up of reviews, and forum postings I’ve read there.
The Shure E3Cs (there’s an “h” in the name), I’m a bit worried by the slightly big amount of bad feedback on these (not as bad as in the E2c’s case, but still).
Bonus points:
1. good on the bass department
2. comfortable for canalphones; the tips included in the box are said to be very, very good
Drawbacks:
1. the critics say they sound “muddy”, and can the overall result can tiring
If we were talking about canalphones to use with the iPod alone, I’d say go with the Etymotics ER6i. Etymotics built these with the iPod in mind; they’re based on their ER6 model, but come with enhancements on the bass department (to cover iPod’s claimed bass deficiency), and I think there are some improvements on the sound department overall (you may want to check this last one, can’t recall correctly). Head-Fi users seem to like these a lot, and they’re a good -how do you say this in the US?- “bang for the buck” at less than $150. (Actually, if the offer still goes, they can be found for ~$110 IIRC – email me if you decide to go for them.)
Bonus points:
1. very accurate perfomance (up to the Ety standards)
2. good on the bass department
Drawbacks:
1. IIRC, they seem to luck an easy grip to pull them off easily
2. some found the included tips uncomfortable; someone though just cut off the last flange (from the tri-flange), and the result seems to work nicely
3. (possibly) with their enhanced performance on the bass department, I don’t know how’d they sound when in use with your laptop (e.g. they may sound too bassy, which is a bad thing). I can’t bring to mind any reviews on the ER6i’s with non-iPod sources (that’s not to say they don’t exist at Head-Fi; I’m not there all the time, just lurking every now and then). But I’ll venture a guess –and this is only me speaking without any proof at all– they can’t sound more bassy than the E3c’s. E3c’s are probably the bassiest of all canalphones, after the E5 (which have a dead-accurate bass for canalphones –the best around?–, but cost –what?– $500 or something).
There’s also the Etymotics’ ER4p’s, but I don’t think they’re for you.
Bonus points:
1. claimed by many to be the best canalphones around – amazingly accurate phones
Drawbacks:
1. some possible discomfort when putting them in your ear; but if you’re used to canalphones, you may not notice it. And there are many tips (and mods?) to choose from, so you’ll most likely work things out.
2. they’re in the $210-$250 department
3. somewhat lacking in bass
The thing is: their sound is “clinical” (also referred to, as “the trademark Ety sound”), they give tremendous emphasis on each note, and the amount of detail they reveal is, well, revealing. Note that I didn’t know whether to list this as a bonus point, or a drawback; it all comes up to the kind of music you listen to, and they way you listen to it.
Which brings me to my conclusion.
If you’re into the type of music you recommended last time (Jimmy Eat World, etc.) then the ER4p’s are probably not for you (too analytical). The 3Ec’s are said to be nice with rock music, but judging from the kinda worrying amount of bad reviews out there, I’d advise to proceed with care. I’d probably go for the ER6i’s which are a perfect match to the iPod and give you Ety’s accurate sound without being as analytical as the ER4p’s (although, they’re probably a bit analytical too, be warned — and check this too). And as I said, their possible disadvantage of sounding too bassy with your laptop, is probably also there with the E3c’s.
You’ve noticed the many “probably”, “maybe”, etc. in my writing. And if I missed it in some sentences, assume they’re all under “IIRC, IMHO, etc.”; sound preferences are always subjective, and when there are tons of user reviews out there, it’s hard to tell the truth, specially if you own none of these phones (as is the case with me). Also, add the fact that I’m writing this in a hurry, and I don’t claim to be the guy who reads every Head-Fi thread out there, and you can see my point here.
Maybe what I’ve written will act as food for thought, and at least gives you some things to look out for. My advice is to browse the “Headphones” forums at Head-Fi, and read some of the reviews there. This last paragraph sums up nicely why I decided to write this. Hope I was of some help.
Thanks so much Konstantinos, I was actually at the ER6 page when I got alerted of this comment. C|NET has a nice review of them (Editor’s Choice even):
http://reviews.cnet.com/Etymotic_ER_6_Isolator/4505-6468_7-30684099.html
The i’s aren’t too much different, so I’m sure they are solid.
You’re welcome.
And actually, the 6i’s are an improvement over the 6’s, so they’re definitely better (this is a fact – no maybes here!).
They’re normally sold for $150, but they can be found for $125.