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People say to stay away from Bose, but I like mine. If you're not an audiophile and you have comfort issues with everything else you try, take a look at them. All the other supposedly comfortable solutions get painful for me over extended wear. I recently lost my Bose earbuds, did some research to see what else had come out since I was last in the market, and ended up just buying the updated version of what I had already had.
 
I owned a the klipsch s4is...loved them! Particularly, I really liked the bass on the s4is. However, the cord is *****! After about 5 or 6 months, the point at which the end of the cord enters the jack (not really sure what it is called but it is the part that you plug into the iPhone) began to come undone and, in turn, the remote stopped working. So a few weeks ago I was in the market for a new pair of earbuds. I ended up buying the BW C5s... The build quality is FAR superior to the s4is. Not even close... Additionally, the wires are far less likely to get tangled. Further, the sound of the C5s is simply wonderful. The bass on these headphones is simply thumping. Additionally, the earbuds have clean highs and mids. Simply put, the C5s are the best earbuds I have ever owned and I have owned many a pair (Beats, monster, bose, klipsch).
 
Bose are just not worth it for the price range. If you're looking at that range you're better off with shure, Klipsch, sennheiser, or etymotic. Bowers & Wilkins are in a class of their own. Not just another set of good drivers, but a true re-engineering.

Yeah yeah I know, you get it, I like B&W. =P
 
I owned a the klipsch s4is...loved them! Particularly, I really liked the bass on the s4is. However, the cord is *****! After about 5 or 6 months, the point at which the end of the cord enters the jack (not really sure what it is called but it is the part that you plug into the iPhone) began to come undone and, in turn, the remote stopped working. So a few weeks ago I was in the market for a new pair of earbuds. I ended up buying the BW C5s... The build quality is FAR superior to the s4is. Not even close... Additionally, the wires are far less likely to get tangled. Further, the sound of the C5s is simply wonderful. The bass on these headphones is simply thumping. Additionally, the earbuds have clean highs and mids. Simply put, the C5s are the best earbuds I have ever owned and I have owned many a pair (Beats, monster, bose, klipsch).

thanks for that, i also had the same problem with both my S4is. ( i have a black and also a white pair) Both Klipsch fixed. I have a some gift cards so was looking at upgrading since i'm using my headphones more and more and the c5s look interesting. Might pick them up tomorrow.
 
how do the B&W C5 compare in sound to the p5s? Any one own a pair of S4i and B&W c5s, how do they compare?

The C5s exceed expectations in terms of sound quality. The overall clarity of the sound in all ranges is strong and they handle powerful bass with ease. I have had a pair of Shure in-ear headphones and I think these far surpass them when it comes to sound quality.

That said, they have all of the weaknesses of in-ear phones (not comfortable for everyone, you hear the sound of the phones moving around in your ear, etc.). So you need to be ok with that.

I don't know how other people feel, but I was very disappointed with the P5s. They are actually great for their purpose: they are an over-ear headphone that does block out external sound nicely. The build quality is phenomenal. And the feel of the headphone pads is very nice. And they are beautiful.

I have read customer reviews where people rave about the sound quality, but I don't get it. The sound quality of the P5s doesn't come close to what I think it should be at this price point and doesn't compare well to the C5s.

The way I think of it is that the P5s were purpose-built to be an on-the-go headphone that can block out external noise and look terrific.

Also, if you are interested, I have a pair of the V-Moda Crossfade LPs. I also think they are pretty poor in terms of sound quality. Though they have a nice case and overall fun aesthetics.
 
I don't care what anyone says about Bose I have these and they are the best earphones I've ever owned. I've tried multiple brands, and anything I try to use that aren't the traditional over the ear type headphones fall out of my ears. This model has some proprietary tips that fit on the ear instead of in the ear. They sound great and feel great. I'm sure there might be better sounding brands for the audiophiles out there, but for folks like me what's the point if they aren't comfortable or stationary.

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-326223-0030-Bose%C2%AEMIE2i-mobile-headset/dp/B0043WCH66
 
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The Bose you're talking about are the most popular ones I see on my daily commute, that's for sure. They're also great earphones (I used to own a pair). However, tips are the tiniest part of the whole package as they can be easily replaced. Comply foam tips are outstanding replacements for nearly any IEMs. The part about staying in is also true though; those Bose tips could never stay in my ears where the C5 ear loop works flawlessly and the standard over-ear loop from etymotics and shure also works.

It's really what you feel the most comfortable with. If you want superior sound go for B&W. If you want an all around good package including comfort, you'll have to try them all out because they all have their pros and cons. Except for Beats, they just suck. ;)
 
V-moda, been using them for years, with every iPhone that was made. I find their sound to be well rounded and very dynamic.
 
I got the klipsh s4is and am *fairly* happy with them. Having trouble getting a really secure fit, but the sound quality is pretty high. How am I suppose to replace the rubber parts; Ive seen people saying they tear easily...

Im wondering if the C5s are worth the extra $80.
 
I got the klipsh s4is and am *fairly* happy with them. Having trouble getting a really secure fit, but the sound quality is pretty high. How am I suppose to replace the rubber parts; Ive seen people saying they tear easily...

Im wondering if the C5s are worth the extra $80.

You know I'm biased and will say yes. So yes.

However, maybe all you need are some replacement tips. Comply foam is one choice, Monster makes a decent variety pack too.
 
You know I'm biased and will say yes. So yes.

However, maybe all you need are some replacement tips. Comply foam is one choice, Monster makes a decent variety pack too.

heh you don't work for apple do you? Trying to sell high value accessories? :cool:

I got the c5s. Sound quality seems pretty high (although I am no expert) -- meaning I can hear all the elements that are soft and in the background pretty well. I am kind of surprised

1 the C5s dont have alternate rubber insert dealies,
2 or a clip to attach the cord to your clothes.
3 Also, you can't adjust where the wire splits.
4 Finally, the controls, while slick looking, are kind of hard to interpret by touch, which could just take some getting used to.
 
heh you don't work for apple do you? Trying to sell high value accessories? :cool:

I got the c5s. Sound quality seems pretty high (although I am no expert) -- meaning I can hear all the elements that are soft and in the background pretty well. I am kind of surprised

1 the C5s dont have alternate rubber insert dealies,
2 or a clip to attach the cord to your clothes.
3 Also, you can't adjust where the wire splits.
4 Finally, the controls, while slick looking, are kind of hard to interpret by touch, which could just take some getting used to.

I stay as far from corporate sales as possible, so no. ;)

Yours didn't come with additional tips? Mine came with small medium and large, but I ended up replacing them with Comply TX-400 foam tips.

The lack of clip and wire unruliness can be a pain, but the sound is well worth it to me.
 
I stay as far from corporate sales as possible, so no. ;)

Yours didn't come with additional tips? Mine came with small medium and large, but I ended up replacing them with Comply TX-400 foam tips.

The lack of clip and wire unruliness can be a pain, but the sound is well worth it to me.

ah they did - they were in the carrying case. how tightly do these things stay in your ears? You were right about the build quality -- they seem extremely tough....
 
ah they did - they were in the carrying case. how tightly do these things stay in your ears? You were right about the build quality -- they seem extremely tough....

The mediums were a good seal and stayed decently for me, but I got the comply tips since they have memory foam. I wanted to squeeze and insert for the best fit.

It's generally best to use the tips just a little too big to shove in manually, then put them in by pulling the top of your ear with your other hand.

That loop will make sure it doesn't come out though!
 
Noise Isolating

I currently own the V-Modas, and am happy with the sound. Mostly listen to spoken word at work. Also I like the over the ear and the clip. I need noise isolation because my work environment is VERY loud. What I don't like about them is the cord. The insulation is always splitting, and I'm very careful about using them.
I'm looking at the C5's, and wondering how they are for isolation? I can always use the clip from my VM's I guess. Read the reviews, and they are very appealing to me.
What do you guys think about it?
Thanks!
 
I've said a lot on the C5s and they are great for isolation, especially with Comply TX-400 foams. Truly outstanding IEMs.
 
BOSE MIE2i....

I didn't want to spend $130.00 for a headset for my iphone, but I bit my lip and spent twice as much for these than I have ever spent for any other!....Wore them for the 1st 3 hours I had them and fell in love with them. I was able to carry on conversations without removing them. The set that came with the phone hurt my ears and would not stay in. (BTW: Time for Apple to step up and include a half decent pair with the phone!)
Some say the sound is too basey...I don't agree. There are many adjustments to the sound I can make in settings and haven't had time to go through them yet, but I have no complants as to the sound quality of these. I like the inline controls and Siri compatable mic.

So far I love these and the quality looks to be great!...Time will tell and I will report back.....:D
 
I spent 3 months looking for the perfect <$200 pair of headphones and tried every single pair and finally settled on the B&W C5's. They are heavier then most other headphones but the sound is just leagues ahead of any other pair of headphones I've ever tried on.

I tried to look at the flaws each pair had and found that the C5's had the least amount of flaw. The acclaimed S4i's had a very weird pitch during certain notes that drove me insane sometimes. I found myself looking for the noise instead of listening to my music. The Bose were great for sound but not sufficient for passive noise cancellation. When on the train I had to listen at full volume to enjoy the music so it was a quick no for me. The other contenders like the beats (too bass heavy) and Vmoda's (not crisp sound) seemed lacking in one way or another. I have $20 Sony headphones that performed better than most of the headphones that I tried out but at the end I finally settled on the C5's. I had gripes with the way they pinch you ear sometimes but its a small price to pay for the sound quality they produce. I'm happy with my purchase and I encourage anyone looking to buy some high quality headphones to skip my 3 month testing phase and go for the C5's.
 
I've had a few in ear headphones both cheap and expensive and the difference wasn't massive. Having said that today I've used my Christmas money pushed the boat out and bought some Klipsch X10i's I can't compare them to anything I've had before because I've had nothing close to these. 2 things to consider which I didn't at first 1, I have a Element Vapor Pro case on my iPhone and the jack plug hole doesn't fit all headphone jacks so be careful if you have a case on your iPhone, and 2, comfort the X10i's are tiny and light you can wear them all day with no discomfort if you have the money these are the boys.
 
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