WANTED: Recommendations for noise-cancelling earbuds with inline mic

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › WANTED: Recommendations for noise-cancelling earbuds with inline mic

magu

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#85767 24-Jun-2011 15:35

Hi there!

I'm trying to decide on some earbuds to replace the ones that came with my Android phone (HTC Desire HD). The HTC earbuds have an in-line mic with some controls, but the controls are plasticky and the sound is not very deep.

I had my mind set on Blackbox's C14 (now replaced by C18), but they have a downside of not having any in-line controls/mic.

Perusing the JB Hi-Fi website I've found Sennheiser's MM70I which seem to have what I want, but I have yet to listen to their in-ear range (I know their studio gear is good).

I know I can get cheaper (and better) ones without noise-cancelling, but I'll be taking a long flight to Brazil and back (15 hours each way) soon, and I want to enjoy some media on the plane as well.

So does anyone have any recommendations on similar earbuds with good sound and sub-$250 price tag?

(If I could find those $99 Blackbox C14 deals anywhere, I'd take them)

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#485571 24-Jun-2011 17:45

I have No experience with models with inline mics, But I have a pair of Sennheiser cx300-II and they sound mint. Just as good as their studio gear

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#486503 27-Jun-2011 16:58

OK, you can bin this reply but with a $250 budget I would go for this:

http://www.sony.co.nz/product/nwz-s754/sku/nwz-s754_bm+e

Or the 16GB version for $300

Yeah, I know you said ear buds but hear me out.

The main reason you are getting noise cancelling ear buds is for flights.

When you are on the plane you can't use your phone as a phone, basically it is music player.

If you get this then you get the noise cancellation when you'er flying and when you get to Brazil you phone still has battery power.

And you have a music player if you want sounds at times when you don't want your phone with you.

As far as music players go these ones from Sony have a very good rep.

Well, that was my 2 cents worth of opinion.

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magu

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#486508 27-Jun-2011 17:09

That's a good point. However, I also want to plug the same earbuds into other devices I might take with me on the plane. Not only that, I want to be able to use them instead of the airline-supplied cans for in-flight movies.

As it is now, I'm downgrading from noise-cancelling to noise-isolating, and this is the best one I've found based on reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Ultimate-600vi-Noise-Isolating-Headset/dp/B003YKG2UK/ref=wl_it_dp_o?i...

Might still stop by JB Hi-Fi to check out Blackbox's.

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#486512 27-Jun-2011 17:16

In that case I have used Logitech buds before and they are great.

I am waiting for Dick Smith or somebody to put the 200s on sale for $50.

BTW some of the Sony music players have adapters so you can use them, with the noise cancelling tech, when connected to the in flight on planes.

I'm not sure if the noise cancelling tech works when it is not plugged into the player however.

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#486513 27-Jun-2011 17:23

It seems some NC tech works passively, and others actively. The thing that put me off NC was the suggestion (by more than one reviewer/forum poster) that hiss could be introduced into the audio by active NC tech.

The big problem in finding suitable replacements for HTC's own headset is that pretty much everyone does a "Made for iPhone" set, but no one does any checking to see if they also work with other phones.

Luckily, I've found out that HTC uses the same protocol/pinouts as Apple, so the Apple headsets work fine with my phone (single/double/triple click stuff). Drawing from this I'm assuming these Logitech ones will also work. I'm also basing this off other posters in an HTC forum.

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#486515 27-Jun-2011 17:33

magu: It seems some NC tech works passively, and others actively. The thing that put me off NC was the suggestion (by more than one reviewer/forum poster) that hiss could be introduced into the audio by active NC tech.

The big problem in finding suitable replacements for HTC's own headset is that pretty much everyone does a "Made for iPhone" set, but no one does any checking to see if they also work with other phones.

Luckily, I've found out that HTC uses the same protocol/pinouts as Apple, so the Apple headsets work fine with my phone (single/double/triple click stuff). Drawing from this I'm assuming these Logitech ones will also work. I'm also basing this off other posters in an HTC forum.

I think you'll find the "Made for iPhone" is marketing hype, more than likely normal ear buds in a flash packet with the "Made for iPhone" labelling on it, priced accordingly of course.

Any ear buds will work. I bought some non noise cancelling for my Nokia 5800. One nice thing Nokia do is supply the inline mic and music controls on a cord that plugs into the phone the fitting at the end of the cord with the mic and controls has a socket where you can plug in the Nokia supplied ear buds or any other headset of your choice, you still have the mic for calls and the controls for the music player.

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magu

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#486564 27-Jun-2011 20:08

Although the actual Made for iPhone label is marketing, there is a certification process behind it as well (for the good stuff, not the fakes).

From what I can gather, the volume up/down buttons on iPhone-ready headphones don't work in other devices, but the single button play/pause/skip stuff works regardless.

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#486566 27-Jun-2011 20:11

IME, the ones with mics on them seldom work on other devices without some adapter cable.

I got one off DX that broke a 4pole plug out into a stereo and a mic plug, but it broke pretty soon after starting to use it.

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#486567 27-Jun-2011 20:15

richms: IME, the ones with mics on them seldom work on other devices without some adapter cable.

I got one off DX that broke a 4pole plug out into a stereo and a mic plug, but it broke pretty soon after starting to use it.

A few posts on forums over the web confirmed that at least the microphone and play buttons work in this Logitech.

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#486571 27-Jun-2011 20:24

I just purchased m first and probably not last set of UE from Logitech sound is great but no mic so not really the answer you were looking for but for quality of sound I have found them to be great.

If only I could find a pair of headphones that last more than a few months before I have to return them due to a loss of sound (or level of sound) output from one ear that would be even better. The best I have had lasted about 6 months so far which at the prices some have retailed for is ridiculous.

Good luck and I am keen to hear the result of this as intend to maybe upgrade either my cellphone or my mp3 player (by generic definition) for xmas.

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#486587 27-Jun-2011 20:54

I run www.headphonreviews.org so i've heard a fair few headphones. I've never tried noise cancelling in ear, I think they'd only be much good on a plane. In ear generally block plenty out without active NC. Ultimate Ears used to be great, I have the US5 EB, haven't tried the Logitech versions. Altec Lansing in-ear phones suck.

My day to day headphones are Beats by Dr Dre noise cancelling, they work great on a plane and to fight air con noise at work. They do nothing for anything other than low frequencies. They're not worth what they charge for 'em but I got 'em free. I have sensitive ears, I wear foam ear plugs underneath them on planes and turn 'em up, works great. I can't hear anything other than my music or movie :)

JTB how do you break them? Only headphones i've broken are Senn 280s, they're known for it though.

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#486604 27-Jun-2011 21:47

timmmay: JTB how do you break them? Only headphones i've broken are Senn 280s, they're known for it though.

A lot of the very cheap Japanese headphones are prone to cable shearing and failure of cable joints. Fortunately once you spend over $100 the build quality, as a very general rule, seems to improve markedly. My $130 Sony studio monitor headphones appear to have bullet proof cabling whereas some of the cheaper options are inclined to fail after only six months of frequent usage.

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#486625 27-Jun-2011 22:28

Well the above answer sounds like a pretty good potential reason to me and honestly as for how I could not really pinpoint anything other than what I would consider general use. for at max most days no more than a hour sometimes less sometimes more.

After use they are gently wrapped around the player. My most expensive pair so far was a sony one with a rrp of $100 but they lasted only a few months. The UE ones I have just bought have great sound but the first pair latest only a few weeks and I replaced them weekend just gone.

For me I find it hard to justify paying $100 + when they have all been prone to breaking so quick. Maybe i need to test the above theory the next time they break and look between the $100 - $200 range before i discount the above as being what I honestly would expect in $20 or less not some of which that are sub $100 when there is such a huge range of options around that price range. I am hoping to get a Cowon media player this year and obviously want to get the best out of it.

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#486628 27-Jun-2011 22:36

are you winding around the player when they are still plugged in? If so, stop it.

Richard rich.ms

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#486630 27-Jun-2011 22:38

My UE ones have replaceable cables, which is nice. Bending cords too near the buds or the plug will break them quickly.

Headphones in NZ are expensive, you get sod all for $100. Nice ones start more like $200+ if you can get them at all.

I have some of these that were sent for review, they're awesome! US$975 though, they should be! That cable would be tough to break, and it's replaceable! I rarely use them though, I have decent speakers that don't restrict my movement.

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