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View Full Version : What are the best ear-bud headphones under $50?



dferigmu
Sep 23, 2005, 06:44 PM
I’m going to Europe for about a year and (of course) taking my iPod with me. The problem is, Apple’s ear-buds that come with the iPod get pretty uncomfortable after about an hour. I’m looking for a pair of ear-buds headphones that are good quality, provide good sound, are comfortable, but aren’t too expensive.

The main two that I have been looking at are the Koss "Plug" portable headphones and the Sony Fontopia headphones. Does anyone have any other suggestions or are one of these good?


davidcb13
Sep 23, 2005, 07:00 PM
I’m going to Europe for about a year and (of course) taking my iPod with me. The problem is, Apple’s ear-buds that come with the iPod get pretty uncomfortable after about an hour. I’m looking for a pair of ear-buds headphones that are good quality, provide good sound, are comfortable, but aren’t too expensive.

The main two that I have been looking at are the Koss "Plug" portable headphones and the Sony Fontopia headphones. Does anyone have any other suggestions or are one of these good?

I have a pair very similar to these and I like them alot. Took a while to get used to but now I cant live without them. I tried to go back to the apples and the sound was nothing like these.

i forgot the link http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6825297&type=product&id=1091101528169
hayduke
Sep 23, 2005, 07:00 PM
I haven't used too many different kinds of earbuds, but I stopped shopping around after I got my Fontopia MDR-EX51. They are very comfortable and the sound is good. They do tangle a bit easily so I somtimes wish the wire casing was a bit stiffer and more rubbery. On the otherhand they are very durable. I have had them for ~18months (longer?) and have inadvertently tugged on them very hard a number of times. Needless to say they are still working well.
PlaceofDis
Sep 23, 2005, 07:03 PM
i have a pair of Fontopias as well... i like them, very comfortable and durable, i would definitely recommend them.
Vader
Sep 23, 2005, 07:16 PM
How are the Apple in ear?
I haven't used them, but they look nice.
hayduke
Sep 23, 2005, 07:23 PM
How are the Apple in ear?
I haven't used them, but they look nice.

FYI the Fontopia earbuds can be found in white.
PlaceofDis
Sep 23, 2005, 07:28 PM
How are the Apple in ear?
I haven't used them, but they look nice.

they use a more cone-shaped plug for your ear, which causes them to slide out of place very easily, the sony's at least are rounded and fit better for more people and are also more comfortable, i had a pair of the Apple, but couldnt stand them.
homerjward
Sep 23, 2005, 07:29 PM
i like my pair of koss "the plugs." 20 bucks and they sound great--the inner ear kind. the left driver broke a couple weeks ago and i haven't gotten around to getting a new pair yet tho :p
drbrog
Sep 23, 2005, 07:40 PM
The Fontopia's are terrific
DaftUnion
Sep 23, 2005, 07:42 PM
I think this says it all...I have them myself, fantastic sound improvment over the traditional pack-ins. :D

The writing isn't very readable unless you save the image first to your hard drive and then look at it.
DaftUnion
Sep 23, 2005, 07:42 PM
$33 on Amazon.com
crazydreaming
Sep 23, 2005, 07:49 PM
Would about the Shure E2C's? I know they are probably more, but I'm not sure what you can get them for now.

Something worth checking out.
Project
Sep 24, 2005, 02:30 AM
I second the white fontopias... theyre amazing for the price....

where in europe will you be staying?
slimflem
Sep 24, 2005, 02:34 AM
Seriously, forget the rest and go with the best. I've had these for over 2 years now and they are awesome! Still like brand new and now much cheaper.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=2Z63AWW1no-3AiaBKra9Ciq4NaNxIdaWAdw=?ProductSKU=MDRED21LP&Dept=audio&CategoryName=pa_Headphones_FontopiaEarbud
katie ta achoo
Sep 24, 2005, 02:41 AM
The main two that I have been looking at are the Koss "Plug" portable headphones and the Sony Fontopia headphones. Does anyone have any other suggestions or are one of these good?



the Koss plug ones.. just.. ew.

I had them, but had to return them-- they were just horrific. I would NOT recommend them. I hated them to the max. (they were the last thing I ever got from a best buy-- the return process was SO HORRIBLE I vowed to never step foot in one again.)
chucknorris
Sep 24, 2005, 03:39 AM
the Koss plug ones.. just.. ew.

I had them, but had to return them-- they were just horrific. I would NOT recommend them. I hated them to the max. (they were the last thing I ever got from a best buy-- the return process was SO HORRIBLE I vowed to never step foot in one again.)

Hey Katie! Your avatar caused me to let out a serious giggle...thank you.
dferigmu
Sep 24, 2005, 07:44 AM
I second the white fontopias... theyre amazing for the price....

where in europe will you be staying?

I'll be living in Hungary for about 9 months and then traveling for about a month.
katie ta achoo
Sep 24, 2005, 01:43 PM
Hey Katie! Your avatar caused me to let out a serious giggle...thank you.


Aww, you love the president of the New York Federal Reserve, too?

Timothy Geithner! Huzzah! :)


but.. seriously.. don't get the koss ones. they are suxxorz ;)
Chrispy
Sep 24, 2005, 02:28 PM
I have a pair very similar to these and I like them alot. Took a while to get used to but now I cant live without them. I tried to go back to the apples and the sound was nothing like these.

i forgot the link http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6825297&type=product&id=1091101528169

I have the very headphones in this link. They sound great, come with three in-ear cone sizes and they are white to match my ipod :) I love mine and they wound WAY better than the ones Apple sends with the ipod.