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In-Ear Headphones: Still Waiting

Arran said:
Fly a lot too. I bought a $300 pair of Shures a few years ago, but could never get a good seal to block external noise. They also sounded very tinny but, again, that was due to a poor seal. Other people love them however, so I think I just have odd-shaped ear canals.

For now, I'm still with my old sony MDR-NC11's. I hate the heavy inline battery holder, but at least they're pocketable. The huge Bose noise canceling 'cans' that I see a lot on flights are great (sound-wise) but I'm not keen on the "Princess Leia" look! :)
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I'd give the Etymotics a try. I have both -- a pair of Shure SE530's and Etymotic HF2. While there's a difference in sound between both (Shure's are more bass/boomy, Etymotic are more clear/less bass), they're both sound very good. The Etymotic, though, is much easier to fit in and get a good seal. The Shures actually seal pretty well when the triple flanges are used, but still not as well as the Etys.
 
SkippyThorson said:
Bose hands down takes all other sound equipment behind the local bankrupt Circuit City and puts them on their knees. Bose kills all else. ... Contradicting arguments are unnecessary and false, simple as that. I love Bose speakers, and those that hate them say so in envy, because they don't or can't get them for themselves - by whatever means in whatever context."
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About that... you might want to read the following article, but I'll quote the highlights.

"Bose has a long history of not disclosing specifications of any type; This reluctance to publish information is due to Bose's rejection of these measurements in favour of 'more meaningful measurement and evaluation procedures.'"
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However...

"A test of Bose's Acoustimass system's cubes showed by far the worst frequency response I have ever seen: 280 Hz to 13.3 kHz at? 10.5 dB"
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"Only Bose truly knows the true reasons it does not publish specifications, but given how ridiculous it would look if it did ... [this columnist] thinks it is hiding something."
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The fact of the matter is Bose products are no better (often worse) than the no-name brands you can buy for nothing at Costco. They simply slap "BOSE" on them and charge twice as much. Read on - http://www.smarthouse.com.au

EDIT: If it makes a difference, the LE Ultimate Ears Triple.fi 10vi are most likely the finest quality iPhone headphones available - I say that as a professional audio producer/engineer.

EDIT 2: I see now that my point has been made several times over already... oops.
 
SkippyThorson said:
Bose hands down takes all other sound equipment behind the local bankrupt Circuit City and puts them on their knees. Bose kills all else. ... Contradicting arguments are unnecessary and false, simple as that. I love Bose speakers, and those that hate them say so in envy, because they don't or can't get them for themselves - by whatever means in whatever context."
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OMG! Another typical ignorant consumer blinded by the Bose bullshpit.
 
I use a set of Shure's. Sound quality kills the Apple headphones, but every time I use them I miss the playback controls on the iPhone headphones....that, and the fact that the Apple headphones have a super slim cable which I like compared to the big bulky one on the Shure's.

So I'm kind of interested in how the sound quality will turn out on these.
 
Call me a Noob, but I just picked up some Maxell squishy in ear plugs for like $12 and I'm really happy with them. They don't come out and they don't hurt my ears which were the two biggest problems I had with Apple's 'phones.

Does that mean I won't jump on Apple's new 'phones? Nope, I'll be all over them especially if they work with my iPhone.

I'm one of those guys who have wanted to be blown away with Bose, but every time I try them on, use them or borrow them I just come away being underwhelmed. My father in law had an expensive pair of Bose cans, after he passed away I got them. I didn't really like them much and gave them to my nephew. I've really wanted to be blown away by Bose so I could rationalize the expense - even more so the for their "Wave systems". Maybe I'm not sensitive enough to appreciate the nuances. I can live with that.

To each his or her own.

Coachingguy
 
SkippyThorson said:
These had better be Bose quality.
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As a professional audio technician I laugh when people say this. Bose is nothing but consumer hype, if you want good quality headphones get the MDR7505. or a good pair of sehnheizer. The only nice thing about bose is the noise cancelation and comfort level, sound quality though is a joke. Save you $300 and but a pair of pro studio speakers to get a good spectrum of quality sound.
 
yadmonkey said:
I find the anti-Bose sentiment to contain a hint of irony... overpriced, overhyped, you can do better for less. All of these arguments are used by people who bash those of us who choose to pay the Mac premium.

It can also be argued that when you're buying a Mac, you're paying a premium for design and marketing... just like with Bose. Did I pay more for fancy design and marketing? Yes, but I own Macs too.
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There's a big difference between the two. I don't have a choice for me to use Mac OS other than to stick with Apple and pay a premium. I would gladly use a Dell or other cheaper generic computers if they would run OS X decently. I'm not a techie person thus won't buy into a Psystar but I do hope Psystar wins and maybe opening up a new market of cheaper computers running Leopard (heck, even Tiger) natively without modifications. As for the Bose, I do have a choice and need not be sucked in to pay the premium. I'm not saying Bose is crap but we have to stop putting it up in a pedestal, like it's the end of the line for the audio world. There are better and far cheaper alternatives out there if people are willing to explore (I know you did).

As for the Apple IEM's, I was planning to buy Ultimate Ears for my iPhone the day Steve announced those new headphones and decided to wait for a review about this new puppies. I have been waiting for quite sometime now and my patience is wearing thin. A statement from Apple that it was gonna be delayed or if the project is still being pushed through would have been greatly appreciated.
 
why design the new in-ear's to specifically not be compatible with the iphone? what is that all about?
 
nanvinnie said:
why design the new in-ear's to specifically not be compatible with the iphone? what is that all about?
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I think speculation is that the reason it's taking so long to release the headphones is that they're making the iPhone compatible and waiting for the 2.2 software. I hope so - seems kind of silly to target this towards only iPod users when the number one market for it would likely be iPhone users, considering the microphone.
 
Okay, so in terms of headset brand, you can't go wrong with either Shure or Sennheiser rite? Or is there some model we need to stay away from?
 
Nothing wrong with Bose, they have good quality stuff, sure there is cheaper stuff out there but why should it concern you what others do with their money and they also have good design. Some people say Apple is kind of like Bose, there are cheaper options than Apple's stuff but people still keeping buying em'. :p
 
i dun think buying Bose is a waste of money. its just that the money is going to the design, not the sound thats all.
 
oyebto said:
i dun think buying Bose is a waste of money. its just that the money is going to the design, not the sound thats all.
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The only design they do is how to make the word "BOSE" bigger and stand out in their headphones so that everybody in the whole room could read them. That makes the wearer appear cool and richer than others.:D
 
thanks, cause I'm thinking of getting one of them. I am currently waiting for Apple in-ear's and I will be waiting for its review (hopefully it lives up to its expectation), but if its not out by this month, then I'm getting either Shure or Senn.
 
NewSc2 said:
I'd give the Etymotics a try. I have both -- a pair of Shure SE530's and Etymotic HF2. While there's a difference in sound between both (Shure's are more bass/boomy, Etymotic are more clear/less bass), they're both sound very good. The Etymotic, though, is much easier to fit in and get a good seal. The Shures actually seal pretty well when the triple flanges are used, but still not as well as the Etys.
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Did you open the Fit Kit at all? There are much better-fitting foams inside.

fr33 loader said:
The only design they do is how to make the word "BOSE" bigger and stand out in their headphones so that everybody in the whole room could read them. That makes the wearer appear cool and richer than others.:D
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And this from an Apple user. I'm LMFAO. I use Bose, there are limited situations where it works better for me than some others despite it's compromises, even if I do use stuff a heck of a lot better under most other situations. Much like a certain computer maker.
 
Sesshi said:
And this from an Apple user. I'm LMFAO. I use Bose, there are limited situations where it works better for me than some others despite it's compromises, even if I do use stuff a heck of a lot better under most other situations. Much like a certain computer maker.
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I use Apple because Dell, HP or Gateway won't give me cheaper computer with OS X installed on it. :(Let me know if you have a cheaper alternative that are not hacks and I'll buy it. I could give you a lot of alternatives for your Bose headphones though that can sound equal or even better at a lesser pricepoint.:rolleyes:
 
fr33 loader said:
I use Apple because Dell, HP or Gateway won't give me cheaper computer with OS X installed on it. :(Let me know if you have a cheaper alternative that are not hacks and I'll buy it. I could give you a lot of alternatives for your Bose headphones though that can sound equal or even better at a lesser pricepoint.:rolleyes:
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I'll take you up on it:

Let's not pile on the pressure with 'lots' - I'd like just two examples which weigh in the same class, provide the same or better level of isolation, the same level of compactness, similar levels of efficiency, the same level of circumaural comfort and better sound quality than the Bose Triport AE - for cheaper. It's something I've been looking for. Short or convertible cables would be nice - the Bose is annoying in that respect.
 
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