question about in-ear buds

[waynesun]

I'm planning to purchase some for my audio device sometime soon. However, the subject of becoming deaf haunts me about "in ear" buds that cancel outside noise.

I'm considering the following:
Panasonic RP-HJE50
Sony MDR-EX81

I've only done research on these two earbuds so far, both of them have received positive reviews. However, there's one problem. I'm on a strict budget of 40 dollars, and I can't differentiate the performance between spec sheets. Being that this is a "Digital Audio" forum, i thought it'd be useful to get some help from the pros who use noise-cancelling headphones for a living. Any suggestions other than these two earbuds?

 

[e-clipse]

Earbuds are handy in size and appeal to many portable playback device users.

Earbuds are awfully close to your ear drums. That alone can lead to significant risk of ear damage, temporary and permanent. They magnify the sound signal by as much as six to nine decibels. Headphones that rest on your ears are safer. Think about how the headphones cup your ear. If the pads don't allow air to pass through to the outside, you are building up sound pressure as well. Loose and comfortable is best in my book.

Noise Cancelling Headphones $50.00
Sony MDR-NC6 Noise Canceling Headphones 50.00

Headphones I would pick ($40 and below)
AKG K 66 Dynamic Headphones 39.99

(main)
AKG M 70 Headphones 29.99

Sony MDR-7502 Headphones 39.99

Yamaha RH3C Professional Stereo Headphones 39.99

PS--Cool Designs on Deviant Art!

 

[zimv20]

the subject of becoming deaf haunts me

earbuds are dangerous in that regard, as eclipse noted. i rarely use them (and when i do, at low volume) and i use headphones for a short period, as well.

my normal listening environment is through my monitors, usually between 65-70 dB (A weighted).

 

[Dreamkatcha]

I'd never considered the affects of pressure build-up using earbuds until now. I was lead to believe that they are better for your ears than looser fitting head/ear phones because you tend to use them at a lower volume when you no longer have to compete with traffic/other environmental noise.

I've been using the Panasonic RP-HJE50 earbuds exclusively for the last six months or so and am reasonably happy with them. I have very narrow ear canals so if I want to cut out environmental noise I really have to jam the things in my ears and jig them about until an air-tight seal is made. They cut out a lot of high-pitched noise, but by no means silence the outside world. You may have better luck getting one of the three differently sized sets of silicon ear pieces to fit your anatomy. For me, small isn't small enough.

Sound quality seems pretty good to me and they're much cheaper than the pluck-a-crazy-figure-out-of-thin-air Etymolic or Shure varieties. I doubt very much that these latter brands are more durable than any other earbuds so I'd rather buy 10 pairs of Panasonics and keep them as backups.

The cables are quite annoying (you get a short length and an extension cable). The shorter piece is only any use if you're going to put your MP3 player in your shirt pocket or have it dangling around your neck to goad muggers or demonstrate to passers by how hip you are.

If you plug the short cable into the extension socket you can keep your MP3 player in your trouser pocket, but then you've got far too much excess wire. Also because the socket is very heavy relative to ordinary wire, the force of it swishing about often pulls the earbuds out of your lugholes unless you clip it to your clothes somehow.

What I'd like to know is how to clean the wax off the mesh-like material covering the speakers without tearing a whole in it. Sooner or later build-up there is going to muffle the sound.

 

[e-clipse]

Many articles I have read about ear damage from earbuds mentioned easrbuds to be safe at half the maximum listening level for less than an hour a day. The lower volume use listen at, equals a longer listening time. I personally like the Sony MDR-NC6 headphones, because they have earpads that are breathable and
also have noise canceling. If you use your iPod for jogging outdoors in busy areas with vehicles and strangers around you, noise canceling can become dangerous.

 

[waynesun]

The Sony MDR-NC6 seems like a great buy, but it doesn't suit my needs. I'd take one of those in a heartbeat if i didn't have to stuff my audio player in my backpack during school days. I'm looking for something in between the earbuds and the MDR-NC6's.. like those behind-the-neck external earphones. Mainly, something that provides portability and style. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your replies.

 

[e-clipse]

Yeah...I feel ya completely. Nobody really wants to lug those big headphones around the campus. In behind the neck headphones, the Sony MDR G74SL have been ranked the best buy, for sound and comfort. Plus, they are in your price range. This Sony website shows more options avaliable.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=dYfCySIeITvDLmYSzr3Iwm0TQN3975GE7uM=?CategoryName=pa_Headphones_StreetStyle&Dept=audio

 

[thumper]

Sony Headphones are Poo Poo

the Sony ones are garbage. they break REALLY easy.
you always see noob DJ's with those silver ones with
tape all over them holding them together. they look cool
and fold up nice but thats about it..

the best headphones i would have to say would be the
Fostex T20. these are tried tested and proved.
almost every studio ive been to uses these. infact.. its
kinda like my "Trust Factor" when i enter a new studio.
If i see these on the live floor and in the studio i know these
guys only care about one thing... Quality.
if i enter a studio and see some silver futuristic looking sony ones.. i know
ill be in for a night of troubleshooting and broken down gear... never fails.

these Fostex headphones are pretty much the standard for mixing/mastering studios.
they are famous for reference just like the NS-10's.

Please read some of the reviews about Sonys Headphones
http://www.zzounds.com/productreview--SNYMDRV700DJ

People easily fall for looks... and they do look nice.
but they break and just dont sound as good as others.

here are some Quotes.

Quality:
There are literally hundreds of different dj decks/players to choose from...And we get, what, 3-4 decent dj headphones to select from? WHEN WILL A MANUFACTURER MAKE A PAIR OF DJ HEADPHONES CONSTRUCTED FROM METAL INSTEAD OF THIS "DURABLE" PLASTIC CRAP THAT CRACKS WITHIN A YEAR??? If i pay a hundred+ bucks for cans, they better not crack. EVER. Period.

Quality:
Well Sony certainly made THE look for headphones. Magazine ads, sexy photo spreads, and lots and lots of djs have made this style chic and now copied. Design is the key problem. They spent the money on artistic design and marketing rather than engineers. At least I hope an engineer didn't approve of the swivel and some of the other questionable areas. These headphones are built to make nice product shots and be wonderful until the warranty runs out. Be warned, if you buy these headphones look after them or you will break them in a year.

I have heard TOO many people say the same thing about these headphones.
so don't fall for that OLD GIMMIC of "Well they look so cool!!!"

Your best bet for shopping audio and sound stuff
is to look at the Equipment page on a well known recording studios website.
look at what they use. these people use this stuff almost 24/7 and they only
want whats best.

h**p://www.thefactorystudios.com/menu.htm

Ive actually been to one studio where they had 4 of those nice
silver sony ones.. but they told me.. "those are just for display,
we only use the fostex ones cuz they take a beating and still
sound good."

 

[Flyinace2000]

You can also try some Grado SR60/80 for $65/95. I think i will be buying a pair of these for myself once my tax refund comes in. They get great reviews. Only problem is that you can't really use them in public due to their open air design.