Non-earbud earphones?

guitargeek62

I'm in the market for an upgrade from the bog-standard Apple Earpods; I really like the fit of these, and the sound is fine for general use but if I'm going to buy something then they may as well be a step up.

Considerations:

- the typical earbuds in multi-sizes won't work. I have very narrow ear canals and have never found a brand/model that fits. Earpod and/or Bose soundsport/soundtrue style should be fine.

- I don't want them to be noise-cancelling, I like having an idea of what's going on around me, and don't play at inconsiderate volumes on the tube or in the office.

- budget: whatever works.

- on-ears may be an option, but would very much prefer to stay with in-ear for office use.



Currently toying with these for £80:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0117RFOEG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1471198540&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=bose+soundsport&dpPl=1&dpID=413RqwTHQXL&ref=plSrch

octatonic

The best sounding headphone type things I have are some Read Audio In Ear Monitors.
They are flat out amazing- I've heard new detail in records that I know very, very well.
They fit perfectly and I can wear them for hours.

Downside- they are £600.

If that isn't an option then check out the Flare Audio R2's.

markblack

I tried a few, I'm with you I couldn't get them to stay in ear.

Had the Bose and the stay in well and are comfy with the over ear loop.

But Shures for the money are soooo much better. Personally I think the 215's.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shure-SE215-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B004U9NH3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471199442&sr=8-1&keywords=shure

Maybe not as good as £600+ pair but they sound great, feet really well with the over the ear idea, and the foam tips in three sizes give good base. and if you loose them you will be pissed, but not as pissed.

You can replace the cables - mine wore out after a year and half of daily use, and I don't abuse them, but they get used.

markblack

bit cheaper here

http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Shure-SE215-Sound-Isolation-Earphones-Clear/PD2?gclid=CjwKEAjwrcC9BRC2v5rjyvSbhWASJACKkjDz8dvsgGl49e3lb5bJfZTU91vpfZ8o9fpJb9DRgeuzBBoCMojw_wcB

chrispy108

Love my Shure SE215s.

Night and day compared to the Apple rubbish ones.

stickyfiddle

chrispy108 said:

Love my Shure SE215s.

Night and day compared to the Apple rubbish ones.

Came to suggest these. They come with so many different fittings I'd be surprised if none work. I use mix & match set of medium and large foam ones for each ear and they're brilliant. 

duotone

chrispy108 said:

Love my Shure SE215s.

Night and day compared to the Apple rubbish ones.

Had them for about 4 months & the left side headphones volume has decided to cut it's volume down to 25% of the right hand side headphones volume, which makes using them now sound unbalanced.  So I have had to go back to using an old pair of headphones.

They were good while they lasted though.

holnrew

I wear out earphones so quickly I'd never spend more than a tenner. 

TTony

duotone said:

chrispy108 said:

Love my Shure SE215s.

Night and day compared to the Apple rubbish ones.

Had them for about 4 months & the left side headphones volume has decided to cut it's volume down to 25% of the right hand side headphones volume, which makes using them now sound unbalanced.  

If they've gone wrong after 4mths, they should still be under guarantee @duotone

Another vote for Shure from me.  

guitargeek62

Cheersall, will give the 215s a try after that amount of votes. Hope they fit!

guitargeek62

holnrew said:

I wear out earphones so quickly I'd never spend more than a tenner. 

Two things:

1: how?
2: sounds like false economy!

holnrew

guitargeek62 said:

holnrew said:

I wear out earphones so quickly I'd never spend more than a tenner. 

Two things:

1: how?
2: sounds like false economy!

1: By using them. The cable gets all stiff and the connections loose, and wax builds up inside.
2: Possibly, but I don't want to take the risk, and posh ones would still get gummed up anyway.

Bowks

Try some comply ear tips too. Love mine and good for isolation

guitargeek62

Dammit - just realised the Shures don't have an inline remote or mic, might return them and go for the Bose after all.

olafgarten

Try some B&O H3's not the best earphones for the money but they sound good and are really comfortable. Also, they come with some really small buds. 

If you want lots of choice in terms of Earbuds,  RHA send a piece of aluminium with loads of buds on it. 

Hertz32

Marshall do the Marshall Minors?

Theyre ear pods like the apple ones, but I've found my Marshall Majors sounded brilliant and were bombproof

guitargeek62

I had the Minors when they came out (freebie in a comp!) but couldn't get them to fit.

Managed to try a pair of the Bose ones today and they sound much like my older on-ear pair that have now died. Pair arriving tomorrow alongside the Shures..

chrispy108

Ugh. Bose stuff all sounds like Bose stuff. Fake and shiny.

RobDavies

I tried some efforts by Bose and B&W in John Lewis a little while ago.... both were distinctly average.

scrumhalf

chrispy108 said:

Ugh. Bose stuff all sounds like Bose stuff. Fake and shiny.

Buy Other Sound Equipment.

stickyfiddle

I don't mind the "Bose sound". Much better than Beats, at least. What makes me sad is that the extra pressure feeling you get with noise cancelling headphones makes me uncomfortable.