Suggestions for earbuds/headphones?

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mrphil

424 posts

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#73761 21-Dec-2010 16:46

Hi all

i'm wanting to upgrade the factory earbuds you get with the iphone to something thats better sounding.

i'm looking for a set that good for RnB/Rap music and also has a mic for the hands free

i liked the Beats by Dr.Dre
http://store.apple.com/nz/product/TX120LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1MA&mco=MTM3NTk4ODg
but seems like they fall apart very easily and not built very well

any recommendations? oh i'm in chch so if you have a shop you could recommend that would be awesome

Cheers

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#420093 21-Dec-2010 19:21

The Beats headphones are widely regarded as a style over substance product, however for the particular style of music you're into the colourful and inauthentic sound reproduction may be a lot more tolerable than it would be for some people.

I recently purchased the new Panasonic RP-HC700 and they are fantastic for the price. Unfortunately they seem to be very difficult to source, but I was fortunate enough to eventually find them in stock at JB Hifi in Wellington. Failing that anything from Sennheiser should give you good results.

JayADee

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#420223 22-Dec-2010 05:48

Can't help with better sounding as I listen to books but for longevity I went with Phillips in ear from Dick Smith after wearing out two sets of Apples. Same controls and so far have lasted far beyond Apples! Cost about the same.

mrphil

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

#420231 22-Dec-2010 06:51

thanks for the replies.

After doing a few searches it seems like there are so many options and everyone has a different opinion

Sennheiser MM 70 iP, Klipsch Image S4i and Bose MIE2i are now on my list lol

i think i will just have to find a shop that sells these and see how i like them

geekiegeek

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#420241 22-Dec-2010 08:11

I think most shops have these in sealed boxes so you cant try them ( I may be corrected on this)

I would have to push Sennheiser as all of my headphones are Sennheiser. They wont cost ypou the earth and will be a masive improvement on the apple standard buds (but pretty much anything will be an improvement).

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=10658

MM50 iPhone. $119

Or for a higher end sound,

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=13432

MM70 iPhone, $199

Nety

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#420262 22-Dec-2010 08:48

I left my Sony headphones at work the other week and pulled out the apple headphones to stand in. I have to say I was absolutely blown away by just how terrible they are. What I now find amazing is that many people use them (including my wife).

As to the OP's question I have Sony in ear noise cancelling head phones which are good but not fantastic. I got them primarily for use on flights and they are very good in that regard. However I think the options you are looking at should have better sound and have a mic which the Sony set does not.

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bobmeister

106 posts

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#420271 22-Dec-2010 08:58

I have worn out many Earbuds and as such have tried a number of models.

The Sennheiser cx300/400s and mm50's sound great, but in my experience do not last long.

I have had some Bose ones, but they were very uncomfortable, but good quality and sound.

I tried the cheap Disk Smith ones, whcih surprising sound good (great bass), but last only a couple of months. (You can my multiple pairs as they are only $20.

I currently have a set of Logitech Ultimate Ears MetroFi 170i and the 220vi (with microphone for iPhone). So far these are great sound quality and look to have a fairly robust build. They cost between $60 and $120, but I think they are worth it.

freitasm

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#420313 22-Dec-2010 10:41

I really like Blackbox (www.blackboxonline.com) but I have received a couple of Jays for review and they are really good (mac-gear.co.nz/brands.html).

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morrisk

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#420634 22-Dec-2010 20:48

I have had Etymotic ear buds for a year or so and recommend them highly. They are in the ear type and may not be comfortable for everyone but they block out almost all external noise and are much more effective in this regard than any noise canceling ear phones that I have had including Bose. You can buy directly from their website. They are based in the USA

TheLastLemming

99 posts

Master Geek

#420653 22-Dec-2010 21:19

ATH ES7 and these are definately the best headphones I've ever had. They don't come with a mic but I just thought it doesn't hurt to contribute. Anyways, here is an image I found googling

http://www.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/audio-technica-ath-es7-mirror-head-phones.jpg

Sound wise, its got extremely good clarity especially in the mid - high range tones. Sound isolation is also top end.

michaelmurfy

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#420664 22-Dec-2010 21:37

Go with the Sennheisers.

I have 2x pairs of them, and they both work well 4 years later after buying them. Even still - nothing compares to the sound quality I experience from the Sennheisers.

You do pay a bit more for them, but assuming you look after them (I recommend putting them in a small bag or something) you will be fine, and they will last.

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gingofthesouth

42 posts

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#420677 22-Dec-2010 21:56

I use the Sony MDR V700 DJ Headphones
http://www.playderecord.com/Sony-MDR-V700-DJ-Headphones.html

I am not an audiophile and they are surely ugly headphones but I mostly listen to R&B and Hip Hop and the bass and mid reproduction is really nice. They aalso block out most external noise hich makes them perfect for loud households or flats.

mrphil

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

#420775 23-Dec-2010 06:37

thanks guys

after abit of reading Sennheisers seems to be very popular

i think i'll go with the Sennheisers MM 70

alasta

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#420900 23-Dec-2010 10:48

michaelmurfy: Go with the Sennheisers.

I have 2x pairs of them, and they both work well 4 years later after buying them. Even still - nothing compares to the sound quality I experience from the Sennheisers.

You do pay a bit more for them, but assuming you look after them (I recommend putting them in a small bag or something) you will be fine, and they will last.

Whilst I've always been quite fond of Sennheiser headphones, I'm not convinced that they're always necessarily better than cheaper Japanese alternatives. For example I have used both the Sennheiser PXC250 and the Panasonic RP-HC101 and found that whilst the PXC250s are more sonically pure they have quite a harsh treble end and weak bass end. The HC101, on the other hand has a punchier low end without being offensively bass heavy and still offer a good level of detail compared with the PXC250, although I would concede that the PXC250 has better build quality.

The real deal maker is that the HC101 is available for less than half the price of the PXC-250.

As mentioned above I'm currently using the affordable Panasonic RP-HC700, and I'd be surprised if anything better is available for the same price.

gingofthesouth

42 posts

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#420902 23-Dec-2010 10:52

mrphil: thanks guys

after abit of reading Sennheisers seems to be very popular

i think i'll go with the Sennheisers MM 70

Remember to tes them out first with some nice bass heavey hip hop since that is what you will mostly listening to. Check for adequate bass and mid replication as thats where hip hop really shines.

mrphil

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

#421049 23-Dec-2010 17:02

gingofthesouth:
mrphil: thanks guys

after abit of reading Sennheisers seems to be very popular

i think i'll go with the Sennheisers MM 70

Remember to tes them out first with some nice bass heavey hip hop since that is what you will mostly listening to. Check for adequate bass and mid replication as thats where hip hop really shines.

i'm going to hong kong at the start of the year and i'll get them over there....apple store hong kong sells them for only $135 when they are $230 over here!

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