Ask Engadget: Which are the best earbuds?

It's Ask Engadget time, which means we've got another conundrum for the collective wisdom of our learned readership (that'd be you):

"What should we stick in our ears? Apple's earbuds aren't cutting it, and most other DAP manufacturers are shipping headphones that are just as bad. We don't want to buy any old replacement set, but high-end earbuds can get ridiculously expensive real fast, and we'd like to avoid that if possible. Anything decent in the $99 range? Anything worth paying a lot more than that?"

We're sure there's somebody out there with an opinion on this, so let's see what you've got. Oh, and we're sorry for running our own staff-submitted questions a couple weeks in a row. We've been getting some great questions sent in to ask at engadget dawt com, but unfortunately most of the topics have been touched on recently or aren't quite relevant enough to dive into. Keep 'em coming and we'll get your name up in lights before you know it.

[André @ Jan 30th 2008 4:53AM]

The Sony MDR-EX71 have great value for money imho.

André

[Mike @ Mar 5th 2008 9:03PM]

I love the audio of the Shure E2c earbuds, but I've had some problems with them in the past. I bought a pair about 2.5 years ago and about a year later, I started losing the signal in my right earbud. A connection was screwed up somewhere, and I think it was at the bud itself because of the awkward wrap-around-your-ear design. Either way, Shure had a great 2-year warranty on the earbuds, so I got a new pair for free. Well, the same thing is happening with my new pair as well, but Shure doesn't replace earbuds if they have already been replaced. They used to have a policy where they would replace them within 2 years of the manufacture date, which they can see from a stamp on the plug. Anyways, they don't do that anymore, so I'm kinda screwed here. They'll replace them for $50, but I only paid $57 for them.

So yeah.

[Nate @ Dec 6th 2007 10:09PM]

dees

[Nate @ Dec 6th 2007 10:09PM]

dees nuts

[Ray Brevton @ Dec 6th 2007 10:10PM]

aww, man... why's it gotta be earbuds?

try listening to the supra-aural Grado SR60's. You'll die from listening to them; they're THAT good.

[Chris @ Dec 6th 2007 10:15PM]

Yeah, those Grado SR60s are great for $70. But for buds, I like V-Modas for around $100, or for cheapos, Griffin makes a really decent pair for $40 with nice bass (lacks a little in the high-end dept, though).

[Sam Zebian @ Dec 6th 2007 10:42PM]

@ Chris-
Don't get V-moda's, they're cheap, I went through my first pair in 3 months and the second pair in 4 months. After that, I got a pair of Shure e4c's, and they're really good. Right now though, I'm using the 80GB Zune's included earbuds, I'm just comparing them with my e4c's, and they're actually really good headphones, especially for $40!

[DaMan09 @ Dec 6th 2007 11:04PM]

I got the black V-Moda Bass Fréq earphones, they rock out, but break easy. Lucky for me, they have a great warrenty and quickly shipped me a new pair. Highly recommend them.

[Derek Gourlay @ Dec 6th 2007 11:48PM]

Problem with those grado's is that EVERYONE around you can hear your music just as loud as you can with the open back design. Plus they aren't sold in canada.

[Mark @ Dec 7th 2007 12:14AM]

haha, i was just about to post a comment saying the exact same thing. Forget Shure, Boss, Sennheiser, Beyer or any other brand you many know these things outclass everything this side of $500. Bargain of the decade.

[Elaine @ Dec 7th 2007 12:34AM]

You're forgetting about the Alessandro MS1! Supra-aural, and really amazing sound quality..

But anyways, earbuds (in-ears fall in the category) are the most convenient, most portable..
And in-ears have the capability of blocking out sound (not active noise canceling).
Basically, they're in this year. Or as Head-Fi would say, it's the year of the IEM.

[huh @ Dec 7th 2007 10:38AM]

Derek Gourlay, they are (or were) sold at Bay Bloor Radio in Toronto. I have some from a few years ago and they do sound great. The bass comes from nowhere. But they leak sound like mad. Worse, the foam comes apart. Really comes apart. I left them in a drawer for a while and when I pulled them out foam bits were everywhere, made a real mess. Have to wonder if this is a consumer product. Or maybe they've fixed this.

[dave @ Dec 7th 2007 1:18PM]

SR60's sound 'very good' but uncomfortable enough to the point that i just couldnt get em. After 15minutes I was done.
If the SR60s are an 8/10 in sound reproduction, the sennheiser PX100s are a 7.8/10, not to mention half the price, way more portable, collapsable and extremely comfortable.
Regardless, we are talking about earbuds, and in that case unless you plan on spending $100+, the sennheiser mx400s are about the best you can get and come in at $12

[yul @ Dec 7th 2007 2:55PM]

ditto!

[David Hamby @ Dec 8th 2007 6:17AM]

I think the Vmoda bass freq in-earphones are very good with a warm clean sound and a frequency response down to 8Hz to prove it. Unless you want to spend hundreds for a Shure earphone you would be hard pressed to find a better designed ear cushion that is going to last and for less than $50. These earphones also come a in a variety of colors.

[MarkZ @ Dec 6th 2007 10:11PM]

Shure E3Cs. Not cheap, but definitely not extremely pricey if you know where to look (ebay). Great performance for the dollar.

[Nick Catalano @ Dec 7th 2007 1:38AM]

I am going to have to agree here. The E3Cs are wonderful. The other Shure-brand stuff is good but the E4C seems like overkill to me (expensive and heavy) and E2C seems like a 'well, if you are spending this much money already' device. E3Cs are the way to go.

Although word to the wise: Skip the plastic earbuds and go with the squishy foam ones. And GET YOUR REPLACEMENT YELLOW FOAM EARPIECES ON THE INTERNET!!! DO NOT BUY THEM IN STORE!!!

[MannyV @ Dec 7th 2007 2:25AM]

Another vote for E3Cs. They're discontinued, but still available online.

The big problem with them right now is using them with the Shure iPhone adapter the cord length is really awkward.

Don't lose the ear-wax cleaning tool!

[Ryan @ Dec 7th 2007 6:03PM]

Above all, I recommend Shure. I have been using since the E-1's (not the ones you could buy from Shure but the ones that came with the Personal Monitor Pack for stage use... the tan ones). I then used E2's and then E3's. Never been let down.

I'm a musician (drummer) and need a certain quality out of my headphones. Shure offers the sleeves and sound quality that I need with a name to back it. There is a reason why you see so many stage performers using their microphones and in ear monitors.

[Adrian @ Dec 6th 2007 10:12PM]

I've been through 3 DAPs 2 of which have been iPods and all three had bad earphones. So I bought a pair of sennheiser MX350s. Nothing particularly special norr expensive. Cost me about $25 at the time (about 1 1/2 years ago) and they still work great today. I also hate those in-ear earphones, theyre really uncomfortable which isn't worth it for the slight sound quality increase... the ipod headphones arent TOO bad , they just break easy....

[ogvor @ Dec 7th 2007 12:15AM]

The in-ear headphone design is a matter of preference. While you may find them uncomfortable and instead prefer the sort of iPod ear bud design, me and many others feel completly different. The iPod style ear buds chaffe my ears constantly, and barely stay in my ear at that. The in ear head phones stay put and with the 3 different sized silicon or gel caps they come with, it's easy to find a comfort zone. After a couple minutes I can barely even tell they are their. I will agree on you choice of company though. I picked up the Sennheiser CX 300's for 40$ and they were fantastic. I don't have Shure or Ultimate Ears to compare them to, but they sounded better than my father's big expensive speakers. Unfortunatly mine broke after 2 years, though only becuase of what I put them through (I think they accidently went through the washing machine about 3 times) and even then only one of the buds stopped working. I'm now using "Skullcandy" ear buds and the lower quality is instantly noticable. It's hard to find them for 40$ any more, but if you see them on sale or less than 50$, I highly recommend them.

[jamma @ Dec 7th 2007 1:47PM]

i agree with ovgor, in-ear headphones are great, you just need get them to fit. I also have the CX 300s and the sound quality is awesome, compared to the iPod's headphones. I didn't think that it would make a difference as all my music is compressed to AAC at only 48kbps.

As long as you get the proper ones, not fakes off eBay, the CX 300's are brilliant, maybe not the best ever, but for under $40 (on Amazon at least) they are perfect for the day to day user

iPod Touch 8GB, CX300's, AAC 48kbps if you're interested

[Greg @ Dec 9th 2007 11:14PM]

Creative Ep-630 are likely the same as the cx-300s. They are cheaper and probably easier to find online

[blueadept1 @ Dec 6th 2007 10:12PM]

To echo the above comment, Shure E*2*C's: http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Earphones/ESeries/us_pa_E2c_content ... $109.

I have a pair of Panasonic something-or-others that I got for $40 that are quite nice, as well.

[witsend @ Dec 6th 2007 10:26PM]

I like the e2c as well and they can be had for a lot less than $109. Mine have had a few problems over time, but Shure always sends a new pair fairly quickly.

[Josh @ Dec 6th 2007 10:30PM]

i think my next pair will probably be sure's

but i am still living on 3 pairs of 40 or 50$ sony's that i have been pleased with, one has shown some wear in the wires and i have to yank on them to get sound out of the left ear piece but they are also 6 years old. For the money though, they are definitely winners.

[Danny @ Dec 6th 2007 10:41PM]

E2Cs here too. Get them from Amazon for $49.

[Noc @ Dec 6th 2007 11:14PM]

i found E2c's @ a brick n' mortar place 4 $89. didnt have the money at the time

[Brad @ Dec 6th 2007 11:28PM]

Another vote for the Shure (either E3c or E2c), when I got mine I noticed things in my music that I hadn't heard before. Plus the external noise reduction that comes on these headphones as well as others now can't be beat! It allows you to listen at a lower volume but still hear everything plus more. And both Shure's that are listed can be found for much less than the MSRP with a little looking. Both can be found at or near $100 easily.

[jburkett07 @ Dec 6th 2007 11:32PM]

I got my e2c's off Amazon's Gold Box for $39 about two months ago... I'm sure you can find some competitively priced on ebay or just watch http://www.techbargains.com/ and http://slickdeals.net/

[Andrew @ Dec 6th 2007 11:44PM]

i got the same e2c deal and i cringe when i listen to any other earbuds. i love being in silence when i'm listening too and they do it so well.

[Dragoneye @ Dec 7th 2007 12:46AM]

I have a pair of Panasonic RP-HNJ50 that I picked up mainly because they were on sale for like $40 and I had to buy them at the one place since I was returning something. I have been quite happy with them, they are comfortable, sound millions of times better than included headphones.
Also looking over here, I'm quite surprised no-one has mentioned Creative EP-630 for cheap good-quality earbuds.

[David @ Dec 7th 2007 8:35PM]

Creative 630's are wonderful!! They block out sound great and provide a bass so beautiful, I just can't believe I am hearing it from such a small device. These babies rock!

[Cakes @ Dec 11th 2007 8:26PM]

I love my E2C's but they die after a year. I've gone through 3 pair. I'm too lazy to follow the manual and clean the cable housing that wraps over my ear so they deteriorate and crack at some point. My next pair will probably be ety's.

[chilicoke @ Dec 6th 2007 10:12PM]

Huge headphone enthusiasts here, If your looking for accurate sound, Etymotic ER-4P/S (P are for portable use and requires less power to drive, the S are meant for either portable devices with high headphone output such as vintage Sony Discmans, or used with a headphone amp) are definitely a pair to consider.

[Whoknows @ Dec 7th 2007 10:24AM]

The ER-4's are flat out awesome. I've got a pair of ER-6's that have been used in the most abusive environments and still crank out the tunes. I don't think you can go wrong. I've not listened to the Shure buds, but the Ety's are typically a lot smaller.

[Cathal @ Dec 7th 2007 12:19AM]

I have the Etymotic ER-4P's as well, really happy with them, in-ear is not really uncomfortable and the isolation is great. I also have a pair of Sennheiser px-100 cans, probably the best value for money headphones you can get.

[scymrmn @ Dec 6th 2007 11:55PM]

I love my etymotics. For sub 150 range I'd look into seniheiser. and while i'm on the topic if anyone else cared i'm in love with my audio-technica quietpoint ATH-ANC7 noise-cancelling headphones. although they arnt earbuds imho best bang for the buck that you are going to get in terms of listening quality.

[akatsuki @ Dec 7th 2007 1:04AM]

ER-4Ps are nice, but the idiocy of putting that damn weight and clip on the cord really still kills me, it is not an acceptable solution really. Also they were a bit better when they were color coded so it was obvious which side was which...

Haven't heard the new Shure series, but I know the top end ones get great reviews. Heard good things about the Alessandros. Skip the Grados, they are open design and really not that comfortable.

[Ethan @ Dec 6th 2007 10:13PM]

For really cheap ones, I'd go with seinheiser. Then I'd say shure.

[Curtis McHenry @ Dec 6th 2007 10:14PM]

Best headphones for when you have a cat that chews through wires:
http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/40493/tdk-bp100-ear-bud-headphones-5-w-free-shipping/

[UltraDagger @ Dec 6th 2007 10:16PM]

SuperFi 5 Pros.

Very comfortable with the triple flange tips. I also like the moldable memory wire that goes over the ear. They don't fall out.

[LordFarkward @ Dec 6th 2007 10:38PM]

w00t! another love for the 5pro's from me

they provide the best bang for the buck, imo, especially if you listen to a huge range of music. they're a bit weak on the high range, but mid range and low range are both AWESOME (5EB's are too much in the bass department, imo). if u want vocals, go for E4C, but if you like to listen to instruments too, nothing beats the 5pro's (for the semi-budget minded, at least).

[mik @ Dec 6th 2007 10:17PM]

JVC marshmallows, hard to beat something that sounds as good as these for $20 - especially with the filter mod which tightens the bass quite a bit. find mylself listening to them more on the go then my shure and ety's which i use at home(not too often tho cause my cans of choice are Ultrasone HFI650's)

[seoultrain @ Dec 7th 2007 3:01AM]

circuit city had these for $8 last week. picked up 2 more (already have a pair and love them). for performance/price, there is nothing better than JVC Marshmallows for in-ear and Koss KSC75 for otherwise.

[Andy @ Dec 7th 2007 4:47PM]

I've had the JVC Marshmallows for over a year.

More comfortable than the Sony "rubber tip" earbuds (and anyone's "rubber tip" earbuds) at a fraction of the price. They sound better than the pair of $50-60 Sonys I used before them too.

You can also put a pair of circumaural noise cancelling headphones such as the dirt cheap Philips HN100/HN110 series over them on airplanes for insane noise reduction (passive isolation from the Marshys for highs and active noise reduction for the bass drone of a turboprop aircraft engine. Either solution alone is not sufficient on a turboprop puddlejumper flight.)

[Mayank @ Dec 6th 2007 11:19PM]

I have the Shure E2Cs and just got some Ultimate Ears super.fi3 buds. The Shure's have a great fit, but tend to be a little more "muddy" than the Ultimate Ears. I would recommend just trying out different buds since everyone has their own preferences (and budget).

[Penguin Warlord @ Dec 6th 2007 10:20PM]

I would have to reccomend SkullCandy Smokin Buds. About $40 Canadian and sound great. Plus they have a lifetime warranty if they fail on their own and Skullcandy will replace them at half the price you paid for them if you break them.

[Brian f @ Dec 6th 2007 11:32PM]

I second your comment on the skullcandy buds. I've had these for about 1 1/2 years for my psp and now recently for my $90 brown zune I got on black friday. These buds have served me well in this time and the sound quality is great. The only thing I don't like is that they slowly slide out of my ears. I tried all 3 sizes of covers they came with. Its more a problem with ear buds in general for me. The buds that came with the psp were terrible. They are hard plastic and left my ears feeling bruised after 10 minutes, plus the audio quality was bad.

[joe @ Dec 7th 2007 5:34PM]

The Skullcandy smokin' ink'd buds are really awesome for the price. The bass is awesome and you can get them from $10 to $20 (Circuit City has them for $20).