iPod Headphone question...

[munckee]

Well, I've got my Sony EX-81's packed up to ship back for circuit city's replacement plan since the wire insulation separated from the headphone unit (as I expected from reading other's experiences).

CC is supposed to send me a store credit for the original purchase price that can be used toward a replacement pair or any other pair of headphones. So, can anyone point me toward something else to try?

I never minded the sound of the Sony units, but I couldn't get the left one to fit quite right no matter which fit piece I had on them. I've also tried the apple in-ear units which didn't fit at all as well as the normal ones that come with the ipod. I'm considering a pair of Shure E2c's, but wanted to see if there were any other possibilities worth considering. I want in-ear buds rather than something bulkier.

 

[Killyp]

How much were the Sonys?

The best in-ears IMHO are the B&O A8s. I've used Shures, Sennheisers and even a pair of Rhedeko (apparently!?!?) earphones, once in a studio situation, and the A8s have sounded just as good as the others IMO.

They fit like a dream too and they look über-cool...

 

[munckee]

How much were the Sonys?

The best in-ears IMHO are the B&O A8s. I've used Shures, Sennheisers and even a pair of Rhedeko (apparently!?!?) earphones, once in a studio situation, and the A8s have sounded just as good as the others IMO.

They fit like a dream too and they look über-cool...

The Sony ones ran me ~$55 at CC after tax (which is what I'll be getting back). The Shure's are $99 which is really the most I'd like to spend.

 

[tomjleeds]

I had four pairs of Sonys do the same - it's a shame, they used to use decent rubber for the insulation but after one of the drivers in my first pair broke I was left with having to return them once a month.

I know you say you don't want anything bulkier, but I'd still recommend the Sennheiser PX200s. They're extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear, plus they fold up and are pretty sturdy. Some people have had trouble getting them to fit their ears but I have average-ish ears and have no problems. I certainly wouldn't go back to in-ears unless canalphones become a lot cheaper

 

[puckhead193]

The Sony ones ran me ~$55 at CC after tax (which is what I'll be getting back). The Shure's are $99 which is really the most I'd like to spend.

I would spend the extra $50 and get the shure e2c. I have them and managed to switch all my friends to them... they have no complaints about them either.

 

[Sesshi]

I find in summer any headphone including mini ones like PX200 becomes really stuffy. As much as I like the PX200 it stays in its case at home in the heat. Sony EXanything sucks. Shure is good but you're trading some treble response for the high noise blocking it gives you.

If you feel flush I guess you could check out the Etymotic ER-6i. It's very bright and feels very crisp sounding after the cruddiness of the Sony and is even more noise blocking than the E2c. If that's too much then I think the Sennheiser CX300 sounds slightly better than the Sony and is better built as well for the same-ish price.

If you shop around you should be able to get the Shures/Etymotics for less. Try here: http://www.earphonesolutions.com/
(Oh sorry, I didn't read the bit about store credit. Oh well I'll keep this in anyway)