I've purchased 5 new pairs of earphones this summer with prices for being between $60-$130 per pair. Below are my reviews for all 5 pairs. Some are noise blocking and some are not. Some are good for exercising while others are good for travel. Some are great for if you love heavy bass music and some are good for listening to talk-radio or podcasts. All of them are in-ear style earphones. I consider myself somewhat of an audiophile, and over the past 5-6 years I've cycled through countless different brand and models of earphones.

V-Moda Vibrato ~$130 : Sound quality is not good enough for this price, bass levels are a little too high and drown out other sounds, and V-moda has a reputation for their cords breaking at the ends and from the buds within a very short amount of time. I previously had the Vibe first and second generations, and although they look stylish, they had these design flaws and the cord broke within a couple months. They won't block outside noise. Don't buy V-moda earphones. There are far better brands out there and you can get much better quality for less money. 6/10 - this rating is quite generous but its because their lower end earphones are much worse.

Klipsch S4 ~$65 : For the price, these are a good pair of earphones. I use them for traveling because they won't be too much trouble to replace if something bad happens to them. They are nice-looking from a design perspective, and they will block a good amount of outside noise. The sound quality is pretty good for their relatively cheap price, and the bass levels are high, but its never going to overpower the other tones. The cord seems a bit thin and flimsy, but I've had no issues with that so far. These are also great for exercising, and can be worn in two ways on the ear: the normal way or you can flip them up and wrap the cord over and around the back of the ear for a more secure fit. I really like that aspect about these, and the only other pair that I'm reviewing that has this options are the Shure SE215's (see below). They also come with a nice selection of tips and a good carrying case. 8/10.

Etymotic MC5 ~$60 : I had heard and read a lot of great things about this company, so I decided to grab one of their pairs. They are known for their 3-flange tips. For me, these type of tips are nothing special. Actually, the small and medium tips didn't even fit in my ear (with every other company the small or medium tips fit me best) and their large ones barely fit. Thankfully they came with some foam tips that did fit but they are not smooth and are rather coarse and uncomfortable. There was only one pair of tips that worked well in my ears out of the 3 types of tips, and there was only one pair of the style that worked for me, while the others had 3-5 pairs. Anyway, with any type of their tips, the earbuds stick out farther than any other earphones I've had, so I didn't like the way they sat or looked when I wore them. Sadly, I was also disappointed with the sound they produced. There was almost no bass levels whatsoever, and their volume level is the lowest I've ever experienced... you need to have the mp3 player probably 30% louder with the Etymotic earphones compared to any others to have the same noise level. The only reason I kept them is because with seemingly nonexistent bass, they are good for talk-show podcasts and when I listen to NPR. The cord seems decent and sturdy enough, and they come with a nice case. Maybe their higher-end earphones don't have these issues, but for me, they were a huge disappointment. 4/10

Bose IE2 ~$100 : These earphones are perfect for not blocking all outside noise. I use them for exercising and running outside, and at work so I can listen to music or the radio while still being able to hear if someone is talking to me. These are their second generation and a design improvement on the tips makes them stay really secure in your ears while doing any activity. The sound quality is quite crisp with a nice range of tones and good bass levels too. They've got a stylish design and a unique black-and-white striped cord. They stay comfortable and secure in your ears for long periods of time are are well worth their price. The cord is durable and they come with a good selection of different sizes and styles of tips and include a nice carrying case. I think these are the best non-noise cancelling earphones available for a $100 budget. I'm very impressed by these. 9/10

Shure SE215 ~$100 : Saving the best for last. These are the nicest earphones in terms of sound quality, durability, and for blocking outside noise. These are perfect for any situation where you don't want or need to hear anything outside your music. Great for airplanes, long car rides, loud public places, studying, etc. I'll even use them to fall asleep when my roommates are still partying or being loud when I'm going to bed. When exercising, you can wear them pointed up, and have the cord wrap over and around the backside of the ear for a more secure fit. I like to use the foam tips: they're like the earplugs that you squeeze and put in your ears, and then they expand to the shape of your ear canal and block outside noise. As a company, Shure supply's almost every big name musician and performer at large large venue shows with both their high quality earphones and microphone equipment. They far exceed every other brand in terms of sound quality produced. For noise blocking earphones on a $100 budget, there's no reason to get anything other than the SE215's. They'll even replace them for free if you keep a receipt, and they've done this for me and other people I know with their earphones that have broken long after a 2-year period. I had the first generation model for a while and the cord malfunctioned and they upgraded me to the newer model at no cost. With this current model they've deigned the earphones so that the cord detaches from the buds at the base of your ear, so that if and when the cord breaks, you don't need to go buy a whole new pair, just replace the cord. This is also great for if and when you want to upgrade to their higher end models like the SE315, SE425, and SE535 (each higher number is about $100 more than the previous) because the cord works for all of the current SE series earphones, just swap out the buds on the same cord. Once you try any model of Shure's earphones, you will never want to buy another company's earphones. They come with a few styles of different tips, each in small, medium, and large, and their carrying case is quite nice. Ask anyone you know with Shure earphones and they will gladly tell how how awesome the earphones are. 10/10

TL;DR: for the best earphones on a $100 budget, either get the Shure SE215 earphones (blocks outside noise) or the Bose IE2 earphones (does NOT block outside noise).

Budget ~150-200$

Source - Pixel 2 / Macbook Pro

Requirements for Isolation - Some. Not a huge priority, but nice to have for public transit.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? Yes

Preferred Type of Headphone - IEMS or portable over-ear. Possibly bluetooth if there are good options.

Past headphones - MEE audio M6 PRO Liked the sound quality, but they didn’t fit very nicely in my ears, despite trying all of the tips that came with the box.


Brainwavz Delta Black IEM
Again, liked the sound quality, but the buds themselves seemed to be too fat to fit into my ears, even with trying all the tips they gave me.

[Panasonic RP-TCM125-K] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4LGVUO/ref=psdc_172541_t1_B00L2459ZO) Really liked the fit for these. If possible I’d love to find something similar to these in fit, but perhaps a higher quality build or sound quality.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Cs-Headphone/dp/B01JP436TS Also really like these, but I’ve found that they are too bulky for general portable use.

Preferred Music - Wide range. A lot of quiet female vocalist indie music, as well as a lot of fast and loud ska/punk music. I also listen to a fair amount of spoken audio, such as podcasts and audiobooks. I listen to hip-hop as well, but not as much as the above.

What would you like to improve - As stated in the past headphones section, I am looking to improve the fit of the IEMs that I get. The panasonic ones fit so well compared to the other IEMs I’ve had in the past, so I am looking to get something with a similar fit, but with a better sound stage. Also, I’m looking to try Bluetooth IEMs if anything comes to mind with these requirements, but if not, regular IEMs / over-ears are fine for me.

____

I’ve been eying these: https://www.amazon.com/Jaybird-Bluetooth-Headset-iPhone-Android/dp/B01M7NCT5O and these: https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Bluetooth-Headphones-Controller-RP-HJE120B-W/dp/B071R6VX9Q for bluetooth iem options, but as far as I can tell the reviews for them do not seem completely stellar.

I was also looking into ATH-M40Xs as a portable over ear option, but I’m not sure if I want to sacrifice having a microphone on my main pair of portable headphones.

Sorry for the dust :)

Starting from the top left.

OnePlus Dash Charger (Normally I would be carrying a battery pack but since the fast charging on the OP is extremely fast there's no need, it normally get's me through the entire day with no charge)

KZ ATE Wrap around earphones Very cheap and sounds amazing

Moto 360 Gen 1 Great watch, if I'm not wearing I opt for a lighter smaller Casio

Sony X Type Battery, Can't say much more. I get about 120 photos out of it.

SanDisk Extreme 32gb, Very fast SD card, reliable, I stand by SanDisk, products are amazing.

OnePlus 3 Great phone with flagship specs, had to import it through a third party since they don't sell it in Australia

Surface 3 Get's the job done, has more port selection than the new MacBook in half the size so can't complain. Keyboard case is a bit expensive but it becomes a great portable laptop/ tablet.

Pilot G2 and Pilot Progrex , Great pen and mechanical pencil

RX100IV Amazing camera, it's a bit expensive but the photos it produces can rival DSLRs. It's one of the best camers I have owned and I've used a few, sensor is massive and it's very fast, it's also durable and packed with features (NFC, Control ring, EVF, Rotatable Screen, Flexible flash and more). Worth it.

Card tool, has philipps, bottle cap opener, saw, ruler, knife built in and is very portable as it fits into my wallet like the cards. Can be found for <$5 (Got this one for $1!) Great purchase just to stick into your wallet.

Bank cards and public transport card

A durable USB, HP branded iirc but the logos have been shaved off, 64gb.

SanDisk Ultra Fit 32gb, Tiny USB that is very fast, I normally leave it in the port of the Surface as if I leave it around I lose it lol, already lost one...

Yeah, active noise cancelling headphones cost a bit more than other consumer grade headphones since it's a pretty big Back of the Box feature. The very best in isolation is going to be in the form of IEMs. I can understand not wanting to have things jammed in your ears all day at work, but if you find a pair with a good fit for you, they can block out everything, especially with a comfortable foam tip. Maybe check out the Mee 6 Pros and pick up some Comply foam tips if the silicone tips are uncomfortable for you. Really, a good tip can make a big difference on any IEM. I have a preference for foam, but those have to be replaced a bit more often.

If you'd rather a full sized pair, there are a few options, but since you don't care too much about sound, the important thing to look for is clamp force and the pad material. Clamp force is pretty obvious, you want tighter for more isolation. As for pad material, leather/pleather with soft foam or memory foam inside is gonna be the best for blocking out outside noises.

As for recommendations, I would probably look at the Audio Technica ATH-M40X, though the ATH-M50X do go on sale for $99 occasionally. I only mention that because I've read more opinions on the M50Xs because they're a bit more popular around here.

Now, as a disclaimer, my recommendations are largely just based on things that are spoken of positively around here, but since you don't care too much about sound, the important thing is fit and comfort which can potentially be found on an off-brand headphone for cheaper, but not knowing how your ears and head are shaped, that's something you'll have to figure out as you go. At least Amazon has a pretty forgiving return policy.

I hope that helps and feel free to ask anything else you might be wondering about.

IEMS ONLY

Budget - $10-$50 (Lower the better, sales too) $51-$75 is really pushing it

Source - Phone(iPhone6), laptop, PS4 controller

Requirements for Isolation - Moderate or full isolation, Plan to use outdoors, indoors, home, public transpiration(NYC transit is loud)

Preferred Type of Headphone - Comfy IEMs, Mic, long lasting

Preferred tonal balance - Balanced, clear/crisp and a bit towards the bass side

Past headphones - Top earphones I've used from the past from best to worst.

1)I can't find the exact model but [These] (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-II-Precision-Enhanced-Earbuds/dp/B001EZYMF4/ref=pd_sim_23_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=31F3zlJecaL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0ZC2CA08ZMJG2XXZ138J) The one I had a volume slider. It was one of the best I've ever used Handsdown. The sound was so rich with the perfect amount of bass Felt good(sliped a couple of times), great sound, Volume slider. | Bad wire, lacks mic and button(s)

2) [JVC Marshmellow] (http://www.amazon.com/JVC-HAFX32B-Marshmallow-Earbuds-Black/dp/B00DVH265G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1463378188&sr=1-1&keywords=jvc+marshmallow+earbuds) Good overall sound, felt great in the ear, rarely fell off | Cheap, lack of mic and buttons

3)JBL J33 Good sound, great bass w/o compromising the clarity, mic.,good wire | big af, heavy, not comfy at all.

4) Skull candies. Hate em.

Preferred Music - I listen to a wide range of music. Rap/hip-hop (Kanye, Future,Chance, Drake) Electronica (Crystal Castles), classical, and relax/chill Something to keep my head bumping (Bass)
Some Links, enjoy!

Affection

Saint Pablo

Aloha

At Home

What would you like to improve on from your set-up
Something that feels good in the ear (can listen to music for hours without my ears or head hurting is a must), has a mic/button(preferred) . Something similar or better than the ones I used before. Crisp rich sound with moderate or medium high bass

I was thinking

Klipsch X4i,MEE Audio M6 PRO,Zero Audio,Etymotic Research MC5





Thank you.

Hi and welcome to /r/headphones!

Glad to see that you want to make the step towards trying something new, although hopefully you don't fall into the rabbit hole like many of us have in this hobby :-)

The IE2 is an okay IEM from my memory, definitely not worth the retail price ($100~ i believe?) but ok at $49 in terms of sound. For your budget, the RHA MA750 is a very solid pair, especially if you're looking for a deeper audio profile. RHA's customer service team is very good and their 3 year warranty is quite sound; along with their actual sound too!

>if better options will cost me double the price of the replacement, but not double the quality.

How about something that's less the price of the replacement, but with better quality? The RHA S500 is a fantastic relatively new IEM that's extremely good value right now. It boasts a clear and detailed sound and a small form factor, in contrast to its larger sibling the MA750 (which has a warmer and more bassy sound).

The Meelec M6 PRO is also a great IEM at a low price. Detachable cables means that "replacing" them when they break is a lot cheaper and more simple, as the cable is the most common breakpoint in IEMs.

Hope that helps!

not to bash bose (they're unparalleled in comfort), but my personal preference are sony's mx1000 NC headphones. slightly less comfortable, but small features to turn NC off/on or to pick-up on ambient noise. imo, they also sport a fuller sound, but to each their own.

w/ respect to messenger bags, it's sorta dependent on what you carry. For undergrad, I used a north face recon and absolutely loved it. starting med school, I only carried a laptop, iPad, headphones, water bottle, and other knick knacks like glasses or pens; in essence, my EDC was much lighter, hence enabling a messenger bag (if I were still an undergrad, no way would a messenger work). I also started commuting to school via bus, so having on-the-fly access to my wallet and keys was easier to manage w/ a messenger bag than a backpack.

I too was leaning towards a messenger for aesthetic reasons (fit in better in the hospital, looks better in professional dress), but so many residents and other med students use backpacks in both scenarios that the aesthetic benefits aren't all that convincing.

In short, messengers are certainly doable if you're not hauling textbooks but your choice of messengers over backpacks is purely subjective; if you want it, get it and if not, a backpack will do just fine.

lastly, if you're looking for suggestions, my mission workshop bag has served me EXTREMELY well and they're a very trusted company w/ amazing customer service. 10/10 would recommend, as they manage heavier loads much better than the typical satchel/shoulder bag.

https://missionworkshop.com/collections/messenger-bags

An overview of all submitted deals will be collected in this sticky comment. If you find that one of the deal has run out please let me know. Off-topic top level comments asking what to buy will be removed, deals that are missing some of the info will not make it to the list. I have changed the the suggested sorting to "new".

Official Manufacturer Sales

CIEMS

• 64Audio: 20% discount on selected custom In Ear Monitor models with code "BF2017"
  
• Alclair: 20% discount on (C)IEMs with the discount code "BLACKISBACK17"
  
• Cleartune: 20% discount on universal & custom In-Ears
  
• Empire Ears: 20% discount on all custom and universal IEMs
  
• InEarz: 25% discount on Custom In Ear Monitors with code "BF2017"
  
• Noble: 15% off all Custom IEMs
  
  Headphones
  
  
• hifiman: He400i for $219 and several other options
  
• beyerdynamic (GER/AU/CHE only): DT880/990 Manufaktur for the price of regular models 199EUR and several other options
  
• Status-Audio: 30% discount on the CB-1 with code "PREBLACKFRIDAY", Amazon.com deal with similar price
  
• V-Moda: Crossfade Wireless for $180
  
• Monoprice: Monolith M560 for $150 and Monolith M1060 for $250
  
• Audeze: Selling off B-Stock, all deals are 2nd hand factory refurbished units
  
• 1MORE: 30% discount on all models with code "HEARMORE30"
  
  Amplifiers and other peripherals
  
  
• FiiO: Special deals on selected DAPs and portable Amps
  
• Violectric / Lake People: 12% discount now 25% on headphone amplifiers with code "BLACK-25"
  
• Plussound: 20% discount BT cables on Massdrop and on everything from their store
  
• Bottlehead: Everything but parts, gift certificates and repair service will be on sale at 15% off on Friday, November 24th. Forum Announcment
  
• JDS LABS: Discounts on the entire line up of DACs and amps.
  
• WOO Audio: 10% Discount on all Audio Electronics and free shipping within CONUS
  
• Mayflower Electronics: 10-25% discount on all items
  
  

  Audio Stores
  

  
  

• Romania: AV Store 10-30% off of headphones, speakers and amps
  
• USA: Musictek 10%+ discount on various Shanling DAPs and high-end universal IEMs
  
• China:Shenzen Audio Black Friday 2017 tons of deals...FLC-8S for $269 and much more
  
• China: Taobao: Boeing 747 for $24000000 (only one left) self pick-up only.
  
• USA ALO audio: B-Stock sales of Campfire Audio universal models
  
• USA MusicDirect: Audioquest Nighthawk for $300
  
• Singapore: NullAudio has discount on cables and AAW universal IEMs.
  
• Canada: Hivemind Cables ZMF Atticus for $899(USD) and deals on all ear-pads and cables
  
• Ireland: Hifi Hut: Open Box Hifiman HE400S / He400i and He560 -50%
  
• Sweden: Inet has the Plantronics Backbeat Pro for 899kr
  
• China: Penon Audio tons of deals
  
  

  Online / Retailer
  

  
  USA
  
  

• Amazon: Brainwavz HM5 ear pads in various colors for $13
  
• BestBuy: Jaybird Freedom F5 for $50
  
• Various: Sennheiser HD4.40 for $99 at Amazon and for $99 at BestBuy
  
• NewEgg: beyerdynamic DT990 Limited Edition for $125
  
• BestBuy: Audio Technica DSR7BT for $130
  
• Amazon: Audio Technica ATH MSR7 for $149
  
• ebay (buydig): beyerdynamic DT990 (600 Ohm) Chrome Edition for $140
  
• buydig: beyerdynamic DT880 (600 Ohm) Chrome Edition for $150
  
• Amazon: Sennheiser HD1 (different versions) for ~$250
  
• Various: Sennheiser PXC550 for $300 at BestBuy, B&H Photo, Amazon
  
• Amazon: Sony MDR1000X for $228 and WH1000XM2 for $298
  
• Adorama: Shure SE535 Clear for $299 and Shure SE535 Red for $349
  
• Amazon: beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro for $499
  
• Adorama: Audeze LCD2 variants for $650
  
• Amazon: NAD Viso HP50 for $170
  
• Amazon: Beyerdynamic A20 for $299
  
• Amazon: Sony MDR-1A for $198
  
  CA
  
  
• NewEgg: Philips SHP9500S for $60
  
• BestBuy: Sennheiser HD4.40 for $100 see page 41 for all headphone deals
  
• Amazon: Sony MDR100AAP (black) for $126
  
• Amazon: NAD Viso HP50 (white/red) for $198
  
• NewEgg: Hifiman He400i for $282
  
• Amazon: Sony MDR1000X for $330
  
  GB
  
  
• Amazon Status Audio CB-1 for £42
  
• Amazon: Meze99 Classics (Maple) for £199
  
• Amazon: Sony MDR1000X for £250 now down to £190
  
• Amazon: Sennheiser PXC550 for £290
  
• Amazon: Audio Technica ATH M50X (gunmetal grey) for £99
  
• Amazon: Sennheiser HD579 for £70
  
  GER
  
  
• Amazon: Bose QC25 for 170€
  
• Amazon: Anker Sound-Buds (BL) for 15€
  
• Amazon: Audio Technica ATH M50X (gun metal) for 119€
  
• Amazon: Sony WH1000xm2 PREORDER for 299€ item will ship on Jan. 18th, 2018
  
• MediaMarkt: Sony WH1000XM2 for 299€
  
  ES
  
  
• Amazon: Sennheiser HD1 (Momentum 2) for 155€
  

I'm not a serious audiophile, but I've been loving my recent purchase, the RHA MA750i's ($130). They seem to be pretty close to what you're looking for. The bass isn't terribly punchy, but it's nice and controlled. The mids are very well defined and seem to have some emphasis in the higher end. The treble is nice and crisp, but never sibilant. I wouldn't say they're a bright pair of headphones, definitely neutral, bordering on warmer, but the treble isn't lacking at all either. The soundstage is pretty good. Not super open, but not constricting. They have good isolation when you find the right set of tips. Plus, the MA750i's (not the regular MA750's) do have iPhone controls.

Also, I feel I have to mention the build quality. The cables are very thick (not great for storing in a pocket, but they prevent tangles and extreme bending very well), all the major parts (housings, mic/controls, splitter, and jack) are stainless steel, and there's a metal spring that's used as tension relief around the jack that I just think is ingenious. Plus, they have a 3 year warranty that, from all accounts, RHA seem to be very generous with what they'll cover.

Bonus pic

The $50 Klipsch IMAGE S4 are great for the price. I used mine for over 2 years before they broke. They won't be as durable as some IEMs but if you take care of them they're great.

These $55 VSONIC R02 IEMs are apparently pretty great, but I haven't tried them.

These $30 Monoprice over-ear headphones are supposedly great for their price. I've never listened to them though.

And there are always the $11-17 Monoprice earbuds. They sound awesome for how cheap they are, but they would benefit from better tips.

Those are just some of your options though!

Budget - $100-$150 (although my max is $200 if they're that good)

Source - iPhone 5s

Isolation - Sound can't leak because I'll be using them in school. They're going to be my go-to for being in public so this is pretty important.

Type - IEM

Past Headphones - NAD Viso HP50. Love these headphones but I need something I can use in public since they look a little silly. Sound wise the're great although I'd like it if they were a little warmer. I also have the apple ear buds but they're extremely uncomfortable and always pop out of my ears when walking. Also, they don't sound that great.

Preferred music - I'm really into hip hop right now (Kendrick, Kanye). I like alternative music as well and some rock when I'm feeling it.

Additional Info - After checking around on reddit and innerfidelity I've narrowed it down to the Shure SE215 and the RHA MA750. I like that the 215 has such good isolation and base (plus they look cool) but the 750's seem to have better sq overall. The build quality is important too since I can guarantee they'll be seeing some abuse. I'm really looking for a fun IEM so if there are any better ones in my price range please comment and let me know. Thanks for the help!

That's okay. Haha yeah IEMs are In Ear Monitors, where the tips are inserted into the ear canals unlike earbuds where they sit outside.

ATH doesn't make great IEMs and you'd be better off with other brands/models.

If you're a massive basshead, I'd recommend the Rock Zircon. Some of the most comfortable IEMs I've used under $800, great build quality and sound that performances above it's price.

If you want something more balanced sounding I'd recommend the Dzat DF-10.

If you liked over the ear IEMs, you can pick between the Mee 6 Pro or the Tennmak Pro.

Many people enjoy fun sounding signatures instead of balanced tones. A V shaped sound signature boosts the bass and highs slightly which can make it more dynamic or fun. The 1More Single Driver/Double Driver and Xiaomi Hybrid are some of the best for that budget.

If they're company sponsored or you have the funds, check out the Sony WH1000XM2. It's an atrocious name, but the best noise-cancelling headphones in the market, not to mention it absolutely wipes the floor with the Bose QC35s for sound quality.

If you're more into the ease of pairing between multiple devices (and are allowed to use your personal iCloud credentials on a work machine) check out the Beats Studio Wireless 3 for easy pairing and switching between devices.

Other than that there really isn't anything comparable in the noise cancelling department. However, if you're prefer having closed-back headphones, definitely look at the ATH-M50x and the Beyerdynamics 770DT Pros. They're both excellent headphones with amazing sound quality, definitely the best bang for buck.

I think it depends on your budget and audio sensitivity. The bose headphones you linked have a fuller audio and excellent bass, something some people would consider worth the extra money. I am personally more into a neutral sound profile since I don't listen to a lot of heavy bass music so to me I would rather go for the same set of headphone but opt out on the extra cost on bass. If you are like me you can check out Jabra's Coach series, Jaybird's X3, or Jaybird's freedom. They all have the same neckband set up but are lighter because they don't have bose's bulky bass enhancing earpiece. If you can deal with the weight and love the bass then bose would be a good idea for you. The three sports headphone I recommended are all sweat-proof and have decent sound quality, bass aside. Jabra also has the Pulse, which is similar to the Bose soundsport pulse if heart monitor and a fitness app is important to you, also at a considerably cheaper price point ($100 cheaper I think compared to Bose Soundsport Pulse on amazon). If you are looking for a truly wireless sporty in ear headphone I would recommend Jabra's Sport Elite, but do be aware that like most other TWS they have a short battery life of 3 hours.

Budget - $100 - $150

Source - iPhone 5 primary and PC (schiit vali+modi).

Isolation is preferred

On the go headphones

Location - Arizona USA

More interested in universal IEM's.

Past headphones - ATH M50. They sound okay. I would like them to have more deeper bass. DT 990 Pro. Overall sound is great. Sharp highs and mid. Bass is accurate present but not deep. Soundstage is great.

Indie rock, indie pop, electronic music, EDM, deep house, hip-hop, alternative rock, technical heavy metal.

Preferred tonal balance - Warm and clean sounds. Present and somewhat deeper bass. (Not overpowering bass like beats tour) Do not like sharp highs.

Headphones I've discovered so far that might help fit my profile.

Shure Clear SE215 CL The clear body looks awesome but not completely necessary.

RHA MA750i The microphone is a plus.

Hey Guys! I think I've narrowed down my choice in wired IEM to these two.
Sennheiser Mometum IEM vs Shure SE215. I'd love to hear your opinions! Information about what I'd like below. Also, if you know of a better option than these two that fits my needs I'd love to hear it! Thanks!

Budget - Below $200 (The two I'm deciding between are ~$130)

Source - iPhone X

Requirements for Isolation - Some, to a lot. Using in gym/university, decently loud areas.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - Yep.

Preferred Type of Headphone - IEM (see above)

Preferred tonal balance - I wouldn't go as far to say I'm a basshead but I like my metal to hit hard and my hip hop beats to feel deep.

Past headphones - I had a pair of Senn IEM's for like. 8 years. Loved them. Cable broke. Don't know the model, but paid like $80 for em.

Preferred Music - Metal/Hiphop/Prog/Everything else. (sorry, this is no help)

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I just have to imagine that a bit more in spending + 8 years in technology changes means I have to be getting a better sound with these, no? That and I'd love it they last as long as my last pair.

Currently rocking some of these sennheisers and they're pretty sick. Only complaint is the cords is SO long. I catch it on fucking everything. Like when I bend over to tie my shoe or some shit the cord will catch on my knee when I stand back up. They sound great though. You can also get them in black/silver if you don't want that metallic red (I went with the black).

I used to have these Bose ones and dude, they are honestly the best headphones I ever had. Unfortunately mine got stolen and now that exact model isn't made anymore. The ones they sell now are the same headphones plus cellphone functionality and they're like $30 more or so.

I know people talk so much shit on Bose and how they're a rip off and I believe some of it (hence why I went with the often praised Sennheisers for my next pair), but honestly those Bose were the best 'phones I ever had. Maybe they just fit my ear perfectly but they had amazing bass, very clear sound, they were so comfy I would forget I had them on and that rubber wing looking design keeps them in your ears no matter fucking what. You think it will look stupid but that whole thing is invisible inside your ear so they look fine. You can run/jump/dance/anything with them in and they won't go anywhere. Very happy with my Senns but I will never not miss those Bose ones I had.

EDIT: I now understand you were looking for proper closed headphones, not in-ear. I prefer in-ear myself and if you ever want a good pair around the $100 range, check those 2 out^^

Shit is getting expensive here. I managed to buy my pair of m50x for 120 not that long ago on amazon.ca. But I doubt you will be able to find them for that price now.

I can list a few options for you based on popular products.

Closed headphones:

Sennheiser HD 280 PRO
They are 112 right now, so a good deal. The only thing with them is that they are super analytical, so they have a very flat response.


Audio Technica ATH-M40X
The little borther to the m50x. Still a good pair of cans. A little less bass but still have the same sound stage as the m50x. Going for 130.

Open Headphones:

Audio Technica ATH-AD500x
These are a no brainier if you want them for gaming. Open sound stage really makes for good location accuracy. Still great sound quality for other uses. They are super open, so they won't be good for walking around. 130.

In Ear:

RHA MA750
No one will argue with these. They sound amazing, come with all the tips you could want. Have a great sound stage for in ears. A little pricey at 150 but so worth it.

Shure SE215
I loved these. I used them until they fell apart, then I upgraded to the MA750. Warm mid forward sound. I would recommend getting some comply tips for them. They go for 125.

I've actually bought probably idek like 5-10 pairs of these Monoprice ones and they seem pretty solid for $10. Worth giving them a shot if you're looking for cheap but fair quality. Recently I got VSonic GR07 Bass Editions and I really like them. Feel pretty balanced but it's really hard to tell since I haven't experienced a wide variety of headphone/earphones. I know these are a good sound for their price because the wire got messed up pretty easily. So I knew that's why they must be cheaper than they sounded they probably spent more focus on the sound quality and less on the physical quality. Which I'll take. It's cheaper and I even got a replacement pair for free.

EDIT: I used this IEM Review Table as a starting point and reference when looking in depth for good earbuds. Maybe it can help you.

Type: Wireless in-ear

Budget: around $100

Source: Nintendo switch (via bluetooth adapter), PC, phone

Requirements for Isolation: it would be nice but not critical

Will you be using these Headphones in Public: yes, public transportation and such.

Preferred tonal balance: balanced, a little bit of bass wouldn't hurt.

Past headphones: in-ear cheap skull candy wired did the job

I've been looking over a few options and i've stumbled upon these:

$37 SENSO Bluetooth Headphones - great reviews

$130 Jaybird X3 - recommended by a friend, quite pricey

$80 ADV Sound Model 3 - hardly any info online though

I'd love to hear your opinions and other recommendations :)

Thanks!

It sounds like you have not actually ordered yet, so here's a suggestion for Bluetooth earbuds:

Anker Soundbuds Slim are very similar to the ones you are looking at, but they support aptX HD (So they will sound better and have lower latency) and are cheaper. I have the Soundbuds Curve which feature a slightly different design. They are super comfortable and sound great, so I expect the Slims will work just as well. Lots of people recommend both styles in any thread asking for Bluetooth suggestions.


I really like this wall charger. Bluetooth headphones that charge via USB-C are basically non-existent, so this lets me charge the accessories while also charging my phone at full speed.

The Whitestone Dome is good, but they have awful customer service if you have any issues. Especially since you are going through a forwarder, taking weeks to get a resolution if you have an issue might be a deal breaker for you.

Im a youtube reviewer so Ive owned all the major noise cancelling headphones such as the Bose QC 35, Sony, Bowers & willkins, H9i and so on. Of them all the QC35 II had the best feeling on my head and this goes for all bose headphones ive owned. Thats what they excel at.

I did not like the Sony at all, I actually hated it, didnt like the look, comfort was eh, everyone was getting it, plus I didnt like the sound. Treble is rolled off heavy so it sounds muffled, yea it has more bass (everyone loves to brag about this) but the bass isnt clean, you can hear the slight tingy nature almost like its compressed. And its a vshape signature so nothing about it is superb.

Not to mention the multitude of cracking issues that it has.

Couldn't justify it, Plastic everywhere, leather looks great from afar but looks ugly up close

First thing people will tell you is that the sony has amazing features an all these things that would be awesome. Most are gimmicks. You dont need a barometric sensor on a noise cancelling headset thats stupid, I know cause im a pilot and I use noise cancelling headphones that cost 1000+

Also in order to enable the equalizer you need to disable high quality mode but they wont tell you that in the commercials.

***

Full transparency I didnt go with either, I went for the H9i for the replacable battery. since you cant replace the battery on either so in 5-6 years time you will have to throw away the bose and the sony, I guess thats life tho.

to be honest the bose has its downsides but I think its a better overall package that sounds better as well, but headphones are highly subjective so take other peoples reviews in account.

Heres a link to the LG Tone Active Stereo Bluetooth Headset - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KIPIZSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Jb8VAb9332VHC (right now theyre $60 instead of $117)
Ive been using a pair of these for almost 3 years now. The active sits firmer around your neck, so its been great for the gym and such. If you want a looser fit just go on amazon and search "lg tone" or go to their website to get the full run down on the differences, then buy them on amazon. Theyre good middle of the road headsets, but naturally what you pay for is what you get. They have higher quality models that sound good for iems. Through personal expierience there hasnt been a single second of lag on these babies when im watching or listening to anything. They also have an app that allows texts and such to be read out to you while your phone is in your pocket. Theyre a pretty solid pick.

If you arent into the neckband thing (i thought it was odd at first but grew to love it because its easier to just retract the buds but still be able to feel that you have the headphones) Another option with good marks is the Jaybird x3 for about $130 Jaybird X3 In-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Sports Headphones – Sweat-Proof – Universal Fit – 8 Hours Battery Life – Blackout https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7NCT5O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wo8VAb2M4Q7PT
My dad has a set of these and enjoys them.. mostly. Its easier to lose because the headphone wire is all that connects them. Also my dad had a pair of x2's die rather quickly. The customer service reps were nice but they went on to send him the wrong replacements twice. As a sorry though, they sent him a pair of the updated x3's for free so take that as you will.

Morning /r/Headphones. I'm trying to get some bluetooth headphones for travel and general use with my tablet with a tight budget. Here are my requirements:

Budget: 50$

Source: tablet/laptop (microsoft surface pro 3)

Isolation: The more the better. I'll be using these headphones for outside work and school. However, i know that $50 isn't much, so I'll take what I can get.

Prefered type:Full sized

Tonal Balance: I honestly don't know, since my knowledge on this matter is zero. I guess general balance would be good?

Past headphones: ATH M30, loved it. Logitech G230, loved it as well. I had others, like skullcandy IEMs. Never had a bluetooth headphone before however.

Prefered Music: Rock (like linkin park, within temptation, icon for hire), Kitaro, Dubstep (along the lines of Butterfly by bassnectar), a lot of celtic (Loreena Mckennitt, gaelic storm), Chanting-like songs (such as anything sang by Gregorian Chants), etc. I have a wide range of tastes.

I would also like them to be comfortable, since i'll be using them a lot.

A quick amazon searched showed be these two headphones. The only thing I know about them is that they're the right price, and people like them. That's really about it; I don't understand what they mean by driver size and wattage output in real-word performance.

1. http://www.amazon.com/Photive-Bluetooth-Headphones-Battery-Includes/dp/B00HTPHK5W/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1407604700&sr=8-10&keywords=bluetooth+headphones
   
   
2. http://www.amazon.com/August-Bluetooth-Wireless-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00F54Y6GU/ref=sr_1_43?ie=UTF8&qid=1407604996&sr=8-43&keywords=bluetooth+headphones
   
   Any suggestions?

Hmm. If you were in the NY area, you could stop by the Head-Fi meet next Saturday.

Looks like you just missed a recent Head-Fi meet in Ohio. Keep an eye out for meets near you.

Other than that, I would say try out good cheap headphones (and IEMs), and if you end up enjoying any of their qualities, there are always logical upgrades.

For example:
1.) If you purchase the Koss PortaPro and enjoy the warm tilt and thick bass, the HD 650, LCD-2 and ZMF Omni are logical upgrades.

2.) If the RE-400's or Carbo Tenore's neutrality floats your boat, give the HD 600 (smoother with less sub-bass) and HE-400i (brighter with more sub-bass) a spin.

Learning to read measurements is a great help as well. Lots of great stuff available for cheap (especially with IEMs), if you look around. =)

If you really do grow to love this hobby, you can make a habit out of buying and selling headphones, amps and dacs used to keep things fresh. /r/AVexchange and Head-Fi's classified section are reputable places to do this, although I have no experience with them.

Two different types.

kz ate at less than 13. these were top 10 best ear buds of 2015/2016. HiFi audio subs love them

brainwavz Delta are fantastic, although a bit more money. I'd say they're both really comparable.

here's a thread of audio freaks talking about the Delta's and calling them one of the best you can get for the price, and spending more money is only nitpicky marginal better results

Keep in mind the Delta's and KZ ate's have the premium foam ear buds. These foam buds are worth 10-30 alone. That legit conform to your ear canal. These aren't cheap ass squishy plastic bullshit that you find in 200 dollar ear buds. These foam pads are like memory foam. And literally conform to your canal.

Probably one of the best money you could buy, at 9 dollars,these Panasonic's



No diss to the jaybirds(which are decent, especially good choice for BT since the options are slim still), or perhaps whatever Google is planning on using...but these 3 buds trump something like beats or the airpods or the BS LG pairs with it's super HiFi quad dac phones (ironic to inckude sub par earbuds with your phones, heh). When you're comparing 15-30 vs 140-250 ear buds, and the difference is nearly non existent, or leaning with the cheaper option you realize how hard you bend over for these companies. Oh yeah, also, the first 2 buds have mic support/volume control, and the cords don't tangle or make horrible noise in your ear when you move.

Iris may have been slower but it is useful when you cant pickup the phone (i.e. like cooking). If you had your phone on a stand next to your desk, it's much easier.

As for bluetooth headphones, I just want 12+ hours of bluetooth time. The battery life is getting better but it's like they artificially restrict the gains they can make.

I am not a fan of the buds or pods style. I like having a cable that connects the ear pieces like these:

SoundPEATS Magnetic Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074THH5Q2/

BUT I like having the headphone Jack cuz sometimes when traveling I forget to charge my bluetooth. And its annoying to have to charge another day each day already. Nothing wrong with options.

As for the Fingerpront sensor, I got used to it. I like being able to unlock it easily when picking it up.

Budget - $150 - $200 CAD, $250 MAX

Source - I phone 5 SE and computer

Requirements for Isolation - Yes prefer Isolation. Using while traveling on bus, walking, at school (can get noisy sometimes). Using while studying

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over ear preferred unless IEM is very comfortable.

Preferred tonal balance - I like Bass but for studying it can get annoying, so balanced I suppose?

Past headphones - cheap OEM earbuds (Samsung, apple) and KZ Zs3

Preferred Music - Deep House, [Rap]
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmRXzrbZ89Y)

Location -Canada

Other relevant info - slightly bigger ears. Lol

Current Black Friday Opportunities

Sony MDRXB950B1 - CDN$ 123.00

Bose QuietComfort 25 - CDN$ 229.00

Sennheiser PXC 480 - CDN$ 199.95

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO - CDN$ 232.45

Sennheiser HD 598 Cs - CDN$ 158.95

ATH M50X - CDN$ 168.00

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus - CDN$ 184.37

Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headphones - CDN$ 89.99

Shure SRH440 - CDN$ 109.00

I would love to hear your experiences with either of these and which one you recommend given my situation. Or even other ones not from this list you suggest. I would love to purchase one this weekend. So your advice is much appreciated.

Thanks everyone

I would recommend a good pair of in-ear headphones. The Etymotic MC5 and HF5 can be found for under $100. Both offer good isolation across most of the frequencies you'd run into, in-flight (engine noise, cabin conversations and acoustics, etc). Here is a comparison graph of the isolation offered by both. Both offer great sound, as well.

If you want cheaper (and slightly less noticeable by people around you), I'm going to recommend what I consider to be the best in-ear headphones, sub-$50: The MEElectronics M6. They're cheap, come with a range of silicone tips to ensure a good fit, comfortable, isolate well, and have wrap-around style memory-wire which not only keeps them securely in your ears, but prevents microphonics (noise caused by the cord moving or rubbing on things). Of all the in-ear headphones I have used, they're my favorite for everything from airline travel to jogging, to casual use. And they sound pretty damn good.

Ah yes, good ol' misophonia. I think it's a little hard to understand for people that don't have it. My housemates are not particularly well-educated on mental health issues, nor do they seem to bother empathizing much, so I have to deal with this for the moment.

When others are in the house or awake, I have to wear in-canal earplugs. You can buy them at any store in the drugs aisle; look for rounded foam roll-up kind with at around 30dB of noise reduction, be sure to clean your ears well, and insert the plugs deeply. They're somewhat uncomfortable at first but the boon to your sanity is probably worth it. I even go to sleep with these in.

For noisier moments or for something less conspicuous, I use in-ear earphones with noise-reducing tips, like these. Get extra cylinder foam tips since those are probably the most comfortable and noise-isolating. You can use these as earplugs, and you can also play music as an extra noise barrier.

I don't wear these around them much, of course, since that might come across as a bit rude. But having more quiet moments to myself helps me tolerate them better in general.

As for meals, I would recommend just asking to eat by yourself in your room or something. You may still want to consider bringing it up with your doctor, and if they don't take it seriously, find someone who does. It's easy for this to spiral into progressive anti-social behavior, especially if you have other issues.

These Phillips buds are the most durable, and best sounding ones I have used. I am really hard on them, so I buy them every 2-3 months or so, but with care would last much longer. They are pretty indestructible, and sound great for under $10. For studio or podcast work I use expensive sonys, but these have great range for the cost.

Good to see some love for Etys. I have the lower-end MC5's and really enjoy them. One of my favorite features is a strong, thick chord that is pretty much tangle-proof. The amount of frustration saved from not dealing with a rat's nest everytime I pull them out is great. The clip, fit, and SQ are too.

these, and these, and these, and these and these and these are probably the only your budget options, with the best being the last 3. The stuff I listed usually applies for people below 100 dollars but I am not aware of any great options apart maybe from the hd 4.50 that are between those prices. I think the best sounding headphones are hd 4.40, atleast according to people at r/headphones and reviewers, but their earcups, if you have above average ears, will be over ear and there won't be much comfort. The other pick would be the wh ch700n, I actually tested those and really liked them, they were a nice budget pair. If you have any chance to try them out yourself, I highly suggest you to do so

People tend to prefer wireless when it comes to pairing with a phone and wireless tends to not worry about sound quality whereas IEM manufacturers are focused on sound and convenience isn't a worry.

I suppose you could consider this one? I haven't tried this version so I can't really say anything about it but it's also made by Lunashops.

Your second best bet would probably be the RHA MA750i (haven't heard) and if you are willing to forget about something balanced the Klipsch x11i has a pretty nice microphone.

My final choice has shoddy build quality but the RE-400i has great clarity and hits above its price range - if only it was more durable.

I can't speak for any of the brands you mentioned, but I highly recommend taking a look at SoundPEATS. Affordable, and have been pretty damn awesome so far. I just recently bought a 2nd pair because I liked them so much. Great sound, great fit.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074THH5Q2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These Anker headphonesare hands down the best headphones I've ever had for 27 dollars. The sound good (not like my Shure but come on) and the battery lasts a good 10 hours of over 50% volume. They are super comfortable in the ear buds but they have an extra piece that holds them to your ear. Very comfortable and they come in multiple sizes for both pieces and a carrying case. I don't know how they sell these so cheap.

I've had these for almost a year and they work pretty well. The sound quality is good, not amazing but they stay put while working out and running. I wish the battery life was a little better, I get maybe 2-3 hours. Definitely a good budget option, but I wouldn't say that they're the best. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753GRNQZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The automated purchase assistant suggested the RHA MA750s. Definitely a great start to what I want, but I'm looking for a few different aspects.

Pros of RHA MA750s: Solid construction, built in mic, over-ear design (I don't mind a straight if it's built well, my ear canals just get very sensitive when the monitor and cable are being supported by silicone and friction instead of using the pinna to help support)

Looking for: Extreme durability - can take moderate abuse, especially humidity and being quickly coiled up and shoved in a pocket. Choice of housing color - Brass/Gold or Wood preferred. Willing to take a decent hit in quality for the above.

TL;DR I'm really looking for a $25-$75 EDC over-ear IEM that can handle some tough love while maintaining better quality sound than a $15 pair of Skullcandy from Walmart. Don't worry, I'm coming back in a month or two to ask about real high-quality Over-Ears

Edit to fill out template

Budget: $50 +/- $25

Source: Mostly Galaxy S7, rarely desktop with decent but still on-board audio driver

Isolation: As much as possible preferred but not a dealbreaker

Public: Yes, ~75% of their use

Type: IEM over-ear, IEM straight only if they're well-known for being very comfortable

Balance: V or Bass (I think, see below)

Past: Only "real" IEMs I've had before this are Marshall Minors (discontinued recently, current ones falling apart, looking to upgrade a bit and not be paying $20, $30 for brand name). Current desktop over-ears: Logitech G930 (I fell for the wireless meme, pls forgive me, I regret my decision)

Music: Pretty much anything where vocals are nonexistent, extremely clear, or secondary to the instrumentals - Classical (especially Baroque), Dubstep/EDM, Rap before Drake and mumbling, mellow classic rock (later Beatles, Pink Floyd, Eagles, Grateful Dead, etc), occasionally select 2000s pop for nostalgia reasons.

Location: USA, Amazon Prime

I currently use these which I got on sale for 20 bucks, I think. Battery is pretty solid. They usually last me at least 4-5h. Battery status shows up in the android quick settings, sound is decent. At full volume the high end is a bit sharp so I turned that down a bit in Spotify EQ, but other than that they sound really nice. Not too bass heavy (which is often an issue with cheaper headphones). Also a good fit and they came with a nice little pouch for the headphones and a small charging cable. I can honestly recommend them.

Budget - $20 flexible

Source - Phone, laptop

Requirements for Isolation - None, will almost always be using them indoors. Either at home or at college.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Earhook earphones. [This type of style.] (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gHG9AnyhL._SL1000_.jpg)

Preferred tonal balance - Overall balanced pair

Past headphones - I'm not sure the exact model, but they are panasonic earhook earphones. I liked the sound quality, but I was hoping for something that lasts longer. (The left earphone wire got frayed.)

Preferred Music - Everything except for country. Will be using them mostly for watching youtube videos and gaming though.

I liked my last earphones, but I just wished they lasted longer. Any earphones with strong cables around the aux or around the ear buds would be greatly appreciated. I saw [these] (https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHS3200BK-37-Flexible-Headphones/dp/B003CJTR82/ref=pd_sim_23_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003CJTR82&pd_rd_r=PRZAKHQ73558WM6520Y9&pd_rd_w=xsBBq&pd_rd_wg=q6qMa&psc=1&refRID=PRZAKHQ73558WM6520Y9) on amazon and they looked alright. For only $9 I'm wondering about the sound quality and durability though.

Sounds like the Klipsch S4 would be good on the less expensive end of your range, and the HiFiMan RE-400 would be good on the upper end of your range. I also think highly of the Etymotic MC5, MC3, or HF5. Then there's the trusty Shure SE215, but I don't think it'd go as well as some of the others according to your music taste.

Of all of those in your price range, I'd recommend the RE-400s or HF5s. Both are great IEMs. The RE-400 is highly recommended around this subreddit.

If you're willing to stretch your budget, there are also the Rock-it R-50s, which have great mids and highs, which I recommend for rock/metal/indie/classical.

• Budget - Around 200 bucks Canadian ( Maybe a little more)
  
• Source - My desktop and my Fiio E17K
  
• Isolation - None needed, less isolation is a bonus because I want to be able to hear others, but it doesn't matter that much.
  
• Public? No, purely for home use.
  
• Preferred type I prefer over-ear, but am open minded for on-ears
  
• Tonal Balance Emphasis on mids or highs, don't care too much about bass. Also want to avoid reference/ neutral headphones.
  
• Past Headphones I use these for gaming [ATH-AD900X]
  (https://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD900X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S331VU)
  and these for travel and school Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear. I like them both for their purpose, but I'm not particularly fond of the Sennheisers shrill highs, and I feel the Audio Technicas are a little too neutral for my music.
  
• Music I listen to a good amount of nu-metal bands like Slipknot, Avatar, Korn, Ghost, System of a Down, and Megadeth + plus a little bit of jazz like John Coltrane
  
• What would I like to improve I'm just looking for headphones that are a bit more specialized for jazz and metal, unlike my current audio gear.
  
• Location I live in Canada, so prices in Canadian would be appreciated. Thanks.
  
  I've also been looking for headphones myself but am stuck between the Motorhead Iron Fist, the ATH-M50X, and the Grado sr80e, any new suggestions are welcome, though.
  

Budget - 150$

Source - Laptop mostly

Requirements for Isolation - A must have. Will be using at home when it's really loud most of the time.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Conflicted between IEM and full-size right now. I want the portability and isolation of the IEMs but I feel like I can get so much more from regular headphones at the same price point.

Preferred tonal balance - Nothing really preferred since I'm new to all this

Past headphones - Cheap 20$ hand-me-down from a friend

Preferred Music - All sorts

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I want something durable that'll last for a good while. Need isolation above all else though.

I've been looking at the Shure 215 and the RE400 as my top picks so far. But I can get the ATH m40x for the same price as the 215s. Any advice?

Edit: The m6 pros look like a nice cheaper alternative too.

This might be slightly more headphone oriented but I'm looking at getting a blue-tooth audio RX/TX so I can listen to TV/Music late at night without bothering my housemate through our thin shitty walls.

The only experience I have with blue-tooth audio is with the Sony MW600 that uses Bluetooth 3.0. I've found it has a very noticeable impact on audio quality even through Samsungs Oem headphones and my cars stock system.

Was bluetooth 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 a big jump in audio quality?

4.0 RX/TX for $24 Lacks Pass through charging so not extremely interested but still an option

4.1 RX/TX for $34 This supports pass through charging so I'm leaning towards this.

My Galaxy S7 has bluetooth 4.2 and my desktop has 4.0.

As I understand it 4.2 adds a big jump in transfer speeds but I'd imagine that my mostly 320kbps library with a few flacs, Spotify premium and the stereo output from my TV is is well under the transfer speed of even 4.0.

I'm not listening through super high end gear. Wired will be the cheap yet awesome Beteran KZ ATE w/ Mic and an inexpensive pair of in-ear bluetooth headphones like these or a also cheap but good over ear set. I need to do a little more research into bluetooth headphones but right now I'm focused on which bluetooth TX/RX to buy. Leaning towards in-ears since their more portable.

___
/r/headphones seems to recommend these $70 over ear bluetooth headphones or these $27 in ear bluetooth headphones. As far as I can tell most of those ~$25 in ear headphones are pretty much all clones of each other with mostly the same internals and user interfaces.
__
Not looking for the best bluetooth set up I don't have the money for it. But I don't want to notice and regret the drop in audio quality every time I go wireless over a 3.5mm cable as I do with the MW600.

I would recommend:

• Thinksound Ts03 (+mic)
  
  Pros:
  For bassheads, eco friendly, earbud design, look pretty damn good, inline button + mic, durable cable, perfect for the gym (sweat resistant design), good customer service (1 year warranty), silicon ear tips and decent noise isolation.
  
  Cons:
  For bassheads only so it may not sound as good as others on here, not as popular as others on here, mic is not best, cable tangles, can't find it on UK Amazon website.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Thinksound-ts03-mic-Isolating-Microphone/dp/B073PG7X22
  
  
• Shure SE215
  Best overall, in my opinion.
  
  Pros:
  Easily the most durable so long as you aren't being dumb and using it with excercise. Should last several years with care (4+, some have lasted 8 years without issue for those who take care of them), only a few months (or weeks) if you are using them while working out (same applies with the rest).
  Great sound (imo), very comfortable (needs a getting used to due to design), fantastic isolation, great customer service with two year warranty, has foam tips + silicone sleeves, are a classic, nice case and with a great durable, detachable cable.
  
  Cons:
  No inline mic, goes over your ear (needs some getting used to), prep time takes a while (doing it in a rush can damage your ears), might not be the most stylish, horrible for excercise and there are plenty of Chinese ripoffs on the market.
  (By the way, Shure foam tips are better than Complys, they last much longer but are more expensive. They don't fit all IEMs though.)
  
  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shure-SE215-Sound-Isolating-Earphones-Clear/dp/B004U9NH3E/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1551201627&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=shure+se215&dpPl=1&dpID=41F-1OOxxdL&ref=plSrch
  
  
• Sennheiser Momentum In Ear
  
  Pros:
  Good sound (V shape), nice case, have an earbud design (prep time is easy and short), two year warranty with good customer service, easy to move around with, inline control with mic, flat cable, good reputation, look stylish (to some, at least) and several tips.
  
  Cons:
  They are a pain to put away in the case (still recommended to do so), not the best isolation, not sure if they are compatible with Comply foam tips, no detachable cables.
  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-Momentum-Ear-Android-version/dp/B00N3RFFV6
  
  
  
  
• Tin T3
  
  Pros:
  
• Good sound (with warm sound), close design to the Shure, foam tips and silicone sleeves (comply tips compatible), new model, cheaper than the rest, decent isolation, earbud design, and 1 year warranty.
  
  Cons:
  Horrible cable quality (it was the case for all the previous versions and I am not convinced that these are better), questionable to bad customer service, durability has some issues.
  
  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Premium-Earphones-CNC-machined-detachable-gold-plated-Gold/dp/B07NQ8H77N/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1551201955&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Tin+T3&dpPl=1&dpID=31TPpd8-IBL&ref=plSrch
  
  In that order.

That’s a great resource, I’m not super familiar with Bluetooth because being wireless is not a personal concern of mine but I recommended the Jaybird X3 further down in this post and they are the best Bluetooth earbuds around that price point for sure. For over-ear headphones I would think that the new Sennheiser HD 4.4 or 4.5 are probably your best bet, but you’ll be better off doing your own research rather than taking my word for it

Hey,

Bit late here, but I want to make a suggestion. I have the same issue as you - I hate when they need readjusting, or when they fall out. I even went with over-the-head headphones for 2 years to avoid the problem, but recently went back for better sound quality (and so I don't screw my hair up wearing headphones all the time). I originally thought the issue was type or size of earphones themselves, so I bought some RHA ma750i earphones. They sound fantastic and they are very well made (3 year warranty, too). Actually found out about them on the audiophile subreddit.

What I discovered, though, is that in-ear do not lend themselves well to sweat/fitness and people with small ears (mine are very small). They slid out a lot in the gym. I was about to return them when I read about Comply foam tips. I cannot recommend them enough. You buy them on Amazon, or their site, and replace the one's RHA gives you (or whatever you decide to go with). Then you roll them in your fingers before you put them in each time to make them small/pointy, and then shove 'em in. They reform within your ear canal and fit VERY snug.

I use them in the gym, at work, all over. They are noise canceling and isolate very well. They take a serious tug to get them to fall out. The only issue is that it does take an extra 10-15 seconds per earphone to get them in (rolling and inserting), so it's a bit annoying when you take one to talk to someone for a second.

The only caveat is that they are a bit pricey ($12-18 or so for 3 pairs [6 total]). They also get a bit waxy and I've found them to last 4-6 months each.

End of the day, I cannot recommend the tips enough. Once you find the earphones you want to buy, check out the Comply website and pick up a size that fits the earphones you bought. They come in different sizes, shapes, etc., so you need to be sure you buy the right one. They are exactly what you're looking for, I think.

http://www.amazon.com/Comply-T-400-Isolation-Earphone-Platinum/dp/B001DXGBII for some info.

(This sounds a lot like a sales pitch, but I'm not associated with them in any way haha. I just really love the product.)

I would personally recommend the Hifiman RE-400, a great all around headphone tat should work with most genres. Very easy to listen to, decent isolation, and currently on sale for $80. I personally use them to walk to class on a daily basis. The microphonics (cable noise) can be pretty annoying depending on what I am wearing, but they can be eliminated by over ear wear. They are also super comfortable and light.

If you have you mind set on the MA750s, Newegg is currently selling them for $80 as well.

Enjoy your headphones!

Etymotic Research MC5 have been a life saver for me. They cancel out a good amount of background noise, so I can just hear my set but then also hear my guitarists feed through loud and clear. These also work great with just plugging them into a laptop or a mp3 player and playing along. I can't even begin to tell you how long I have been looking for the perfect in ear monitor for me, but these are about as good as they get for my personal taste.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003S3RFIQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

What do you mean by "to be able to control audio output using a knob". Do you mean volume? For that you could also get something like this to put in between your PC and headphones or speakers...

___



>Audioengine D1 Premium 24-bit DAC

>Audioengine D1 Premium 24-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter) allows you to bypass your computer's soundcard or headphone output and send audio through USB or optical. D1 is the perfect digital interface between your computer and music system and will improve the sound of ALL your music.

>Versatile

>The D1 accepts inputs from both USB and optical and has outputs for any audio system or headphones. The D1 DAC is the perfect way to get great-sounding music not only from your computer but also from your TV, Apple TV, DVD/BluRay player or CD player. And since it's powered by USB, D1 is also a high-quality portable computer headphone amplifier.

>Designed for the Computer Audiophile

>D1 will process digital audio at any bit depth up to 24 bits and any sample rate to 192KHz. With it's high signal-to-noise ratio and low distortion the D1 delivers sound quality generally heard only in more expensive DACs. The high-performance headphone output was designed for a wide range of headphones and will satisfy even the most demanding headphone enthusiasts.

>Easy Setup

>Setup is easy and no special software is needed, making D1 a true plug-and-play solution. The D1 outputs connect to any audio system or powered speakers, such as the Audioengine A5+ or A2. Power for the D1 is provided via the USB bus so there is no external power supply to connect.

Well it's supposed to be a high quality external soundcard (can't tell if their claim is true). It supports up to 10k Ohms headphones, whereas on-board sound cards usually struggle with 200 Ohms.

The Monoprice 108323 runs for <30$ both from their own site and other retailers like Amazon, likewise with the Tascam TH-02.

If you're willing to stretch the budget, the AKG K72 and ATH-M20X are also both great bang-for-the-buck options, they're probably some of your best options before you get into or near the $200 and higher range already.

If you're willing to go in-ear, the KZ brand that sells primarily through Amazon has some of the absolute best budget drivers like the ATE and the ZST -- they actually have several options under $20.

Sennheiser has good inexpensive headphone options for $20-30. Try either the CX300 in-ear headphones or HD202 DJ headphones. I've owned a set of HD202s and they are a great value for $20, and I've heard great things about the CX300 as well. They make more expensive models too that are great as well (currently I use a set of $100 HD555s).

This is the one, as far as I know.

People say they're neutral, but I think they are super bassy. They're fun, but get ready to feel like your brain is being scrambled.

Like other have said, don't bike with these though. Come on man.

Here in this sticky comment you will find an overview of the deals posted in this thread for your benefit. If you find that one of the deals has run out please let me know. Off-topic top level comments asking what to buy will be removed, deals that are missing some of the info will not make it to the list. Also I've changed suggested sorting to "New".

Official Manufacturer Sales

CIEM

• Empire Ears 15% discount store wide with code "BFsale15"
  
• 64 Audio 15-20% off on most Universals and Customs starting Friday
  
• JH Audio 10-20% off using code "BLACKFRIDAY2018"
  
• Noble Audio 15% off CIEM 20% off UIEM
  
• Inearz 35% off CIEM's with ADEL modules
  
• Alclair up to 30% off on CIEMs
  
• Cleartune Monitors 20% off on CIEM's, cables and BT cables
  
• Jomo Audio 15% off both customs and universals
  
• Custom Art new FIBAE Black, launch price from €369 til' end of year. Regular price from €450
  
• Earsonics Various codes on their website, 50% off on refurbs + discounts on CIEM/UIEM.
  
  

  Headphones
  

• Master & Dynamic 20% off under $500 code "BFD20" 30% off $500+ code "BFD30"
  
• Brainwavz Various deals including B400 for $159.50, Earpads 25% discount and more.
  
• Audeze B-stock sale on LCD2-C, iSine, Sine and El-8.
  
• Campfire Audio Vega 36% off, Jupiter 15% off as well as free/discounted cables with some purchases.
  
• Campfire Audio also has a big B stock sale, products generally go quick.
  
• KEF M500 for $100
  
• Monoprice Headphones and speaker related items for sale. M1060 $200 and more.
  
• Koss 50-67% of Porta pros and more
  
• 1More Various promotions incl. 1More triple driver $149.99
  
  
  

  DACs and Amplifiers and other peripherals
  

  
  

• ALO Audio Big deals on portable amps, only 6 units in total at the moment of writing!
  
• Bottlehead Audio DIY amp kits are off by 15%.
  
• Linum Cables Notable discounts on very discreet thin cables for inears.
  
• Sonarworks True-fi software 40% off
  
  

  Audio Store
  

  
  

• Shenzhenaudio Headphones, inears, earbuds, amps, dacs you name it
  
• Musicteck UM, Cayin, Pioneer SE-M5, AAW and much more
  
• Moon Audio Deals on Hifiman, Focal etc.
  
• LSR-Direct on Amazon Additional 15% 5% coupon code "LINSOUL2018" Stackable with existing coupons that are clippable by the Amazon store.
  
• Lendmeurears Promotions on Dunu, TFZ, Onkyo + alot more.
  
• Hifiheadphones UK Big deals on Campfire, Westone, Beyerdynamic, Shanling etc.
  
• Massdrop Audio Technica A & AD line of cans
  
  
  

  Online / Retailer
  

  
  

  USA
  

  
  

• Bestbuy Sony XM2 $199
  
• Amazon Sony XM2 $198 Can also be shipped from Focus Camera if you so wish.
  
• Guitar Center 15% off using code "THANKS" Audeze, Fostex, Beyerdynamic etc
  
• Amazon Monoprice Monolith Dac/amp $66 down from $94
  
• Rakuten has 20% off sitewide with the code BF20 (max $60 discount).
  
• eBay Sennheiser PXC 480 59% off $119.99
  
• Amazon Sennheiser PXC550 $199.99
  
• Amazon Etymotic ER4XR $299
  
• Amazon Sennheiser HD1 Wireless $199.95
  
• Amazon Hiby R3 Black $149
  
• Amazon Koss porta pro black $29.99
  
• Amazon Creative Aruvana Live! $40
  
• Shopmyexchange Sony XM3 $220 no tax for US military/Veterans only Price shown on login
  
• Amazon Topping D30 $89
  
  

  UK
  

  
  

• Scan Refurb AKG K702 £78
  
• RHA Limited selection, MA750 BT 25% off with a few more models discounted
  
  

  Sweden
  

  
  

• Komplett.se Sony Z1R 10990kr
  
• Hifi-punkten Focal Clear 12990kr
  
• CDON 30% off Beyerdynamic consumer line
  
  

  Finland
  

  
  

• Verkkokauppa AKG K550 MK3 €99
  
  

  Australia
  

  
  

• Minidisc Discounts of Focal, 64 Audio, Empire Ears, Campfire, Fostex, and specials on demo gear with much more.
  
  

  Canada
  

  
  

• Amazon Sennheiser HD4.5 $150
  
• Amazon Sennheiser HD1 $270
  

I've only recently found my favorite running headphones. I've gone through probably 6 different wired headphones and 2 Bluetooth headphones. I've been running with the Plantronics BackBeat Fit for about 3 or 4 months now and think I finally found my favorite. I run about 2 or 3 times a week and also wear them when cleaning around the house. They can go a full week without charging them. I also love the fact that they don't actually go into my ear and more hover over. Another great feature is when you put then on and power them up, a voice will tell you that they successfully connected to your phone and the remaining hours of battery left on them.

 

Edit: I also want to mention that you don't have to worry about these slipping out of your ear. I sweat big time when I run and I never had to mess around with them or have them slip out of my ear.

Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear (Android version), 506244 - Black Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3RFFV6/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_qB6nxbXJSJ2GE

I've used these religiously over the past year. They are a little pricey, but the quality is outstanding and the controls that you mention work great. Great for music and conference calls.

Haven't used them myself, but they seem to have gotten high marks from users on "head-fi".

http://www.head-fi.org/t/733283/new-sennheiser-momentum-in-ear/390

On Amazon they're currently selling for $99.95 so they'd be cheaper than the three I mentioned, esp. the SE315.

Some notes (sorry if you've found out this stuff about them already):

• As you can see, you can get a version with a remote that works specifically with an Android phone like your HTC.
  
  
• This review grades their noise-isolation ability 3.5/5, whereas from personal experience I'd rate both the SE315 and HF5 about 4.5/5 in this area.
  
  
• They don't come with a detachable cable like the Shure SE315.
  
  
• If you like the detachable-cable feature but find the SE315 a little expensive, the lower model SE215 is selling for about $89.00. They have good sound and noise-isolation ability too.
  
  
  

Okay, here's my very awkward roundabout manner of connecting to games online (Super Smash, I presume?):

I have a USB to ethernet adapter that I bought to connect my Wii U (big Nintendo fan) to Yale's internet. The adapter has its own MAC address. I contacted Yale's IT department and asked them if they could route it through a public network (i.e., not through Yale's firewall), and they did.

Now for the interesting part. I hook my laptop up to the internet with the ethernet adapter (silly I know), and then run the program mHotspot. There may be other programs that can utilize your computer's wireless adapter to provide a network, but that's the one I use. I then set up a network with mHotspot, connect to my 3DS, and I'm able to play online just fine!

I was having similar issues to you with Mario Kart 8 before doing this. The matchmaking servers that Nintendo uses are apparently blocked by Yale's firewall. I assume that they use a similar system for Super Smash and other games. Good luck!

It really depends on the level of complexity you want to get into.

Want something that will take you 4 minutes to put together? Here's what you need:

• Official Raspberry Pi screen
  
• Raspberry Pi screen and board case - There's 2 major options here. Option 1 or Option 2
  
• A portable battery pack - This one is just an example, there's so many to choose from with size and weight being the biggest factors.
  
  Again, this is hassle-free and the quickest route to go. What you'll still need:
  
  
• Bluetooth controller
  
• Headphones
  
  I can go into more detail if you're interested in something like this.
  
  ----------------------------------------
  
  EDIT: Sounds like there's some interest, so here's my additional notes.
  
  First off, let me say that I do not take any credit for this idea. I was pushed-over-the-top by this Reddit post. With that said, I can add my personal experience onto things.
  
  ----------------------------------------
  
  About the case - Like I mentioned earlier, there's 2 major options for the case, both with pros and cons. In no particular order ...
  
  Option 1: LoveRPi Premium Black Case for Official Raspberry Pi 7" Touch Screen Display and Camera
  
  
• Pro - The case is very compact. There's room to affix a small battery onto the backside of it.
  
• Pro - The case comes with shortened cables (when compared to what's bundled with the Official Screen). This keeps the wire clutter down to a minimum.
  
• Neutral - Upon installation, the screen needs to be flipped (sudo nano /boot/config.txt ... add "display_rotate=2" to it). This isn't a deal breaker, but it was necessary for the case's functional design.
  
• Neutral - There's no easy way to have the HDMI port become the active visual output upon cable connection. There's no simple toggle for this.
  
• Con - The viewing angle is very difficult at times. With most portable consoles, you adjust the screen to meet your head's angle. Although possible, it's not easy.
  
  Option 2: Case for the Official Raspberry Pi 7" Touchscreen Display - Adjustable angle
  
  
• Pro - The case allows for 3 major viewing angles. Although it's not 100 adjustable, it's better than nothing.
  
• Neutral - There's no easy way to have the HDMI port become the active visual output upon cable connection. There's no simple toggle for this.
  
• Con - For 100% portable gaming users, the solution isn't fully enclosed. You can poke the ribbon cable. You can touch a GPIO pin.
  
• Con - Size. It's bit bigger than the other case and there's no room to flush mount a battery pack.
  
  ----------------------------------------
  
  About the audio output - The 3.5mm headphone jack becomes your primary audio output. There's a way to control the volume output on the RetroPie's menu screens. Unless you have in-line volume controls on your headphones, you may need something like this..
  
  ----------------------------------------
  
  Personally, I went with the LoveRPi Premium Black Case, Aukey battery, a shortened power cable, and the Koss VC20 Volume control.
  
  I don't have pictures with me, but the setup is pretty efficient. I didn't have to solder, cut any cables, or anything crazy. Connect the bits, tuck the cables, and go.
  

In-ears plus over-ear protection is a good combo, but over-ear protection attenuates different frequencies by different amounts, muffling the highs too much and making the lows "boomy" and unnatural-sounding in my experience.

Most USB mics are not going to have the needed range to handle the volume of a drum set without clipping.

The setup I used was as follows:

Etymotic MC5s which give a good balance of isolation, sound quality, and cost-effectiveness.

A used Shure SM58 for the overhead mic. SM58s are legendary mics, basically indestructible, and an industry standard. They're also plentiful so finding an affordable one shouldn't be too hard.

A Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer. Quality on these is just average, but they're affordable (again, buy used if you can). You'll want one with at least two XLR mic inputs for reasons I'll explain in a bit. You'll also need something like this to plug an audio source into the mixer.

I was mostly happy with the above but wanted more bass drum (owing to the "boominess" I mentioned earlier). I ended up getting a dedicated bass drum mic, though there are cheaper bass drum mics out there, and another SM58 would probably work just fine. Your son might not end up needing it, but I recommended getting a mixer with 2 inputs just in case. You won't spend much more for a mixer with the additional input.

For great ear plugs I use these Etymotics. I use them at concerts and when I was working in a Machinist Shop. You can get them on Amazon as well.

I have been using the Jaybird X3 earbuds for about 4 months now and am very please with the noise cancellation. They are an easier hit on the pocket than the Bose and sound pretty great.

Hello all, wall of text approaching.


Budget - $100-$150 MAX

Source - Retina Macbook Pro, Iphone 4s. No amps here.

Requirements for Isolation - Moderate to High Isolation. I'll use these at work with one headphone in.

Preferred Type of Headphone - IEMs,

Preferred tonal balance - Balanced with a lot of bass/sub bass. (not really balanced I know, but the rest of the tonal range is important to me)

Past headphones - Meelectronics M6P's these have nice bass, but not the best over-all sound quality. Astrotec AX-35. Picked these guys up on a recent Massdrop.The bass is a little flat on these guys, but everything sounds really nice, IMO.

Preferred Music - EDM, Rap, Alternative, Rock, etc. A lot of bass-heavy stuff.


I'm leaning toward the Shure SE215's and the RHA MA750i's. I know I'm looking for clear bass and sub-bass. But mids and highs are important to me too. Some of the pairs I've had in the past will either put bass center stage leaving the mids/highs muddy or distant, or visa versa. I like everything sounding clear with a lot of bass presence.
RHA's warranty is a big plus to me. And I know that the SE215's have been known to fail.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

These RHA MA750i's are what I bought my girlfriend for christmas after researching (mostly on reddit) for good quality, not crazy expensive earbuds. The shape is unique but she loves them and they sound great, better than my Bose MIE2i's. She's only had them a month now, but when I've handled them, they felt well-built.

Headset or buds? The i edition of the RHA MA750s I linked above should be pretty great if head-fi is to be believed. You should definitely check out the table too if you're looking for IEMs.


EDIT: Some table usage tips: narrow by budget first, then look for a high average rating. If you don't know what criteria you're looking for, leave them blank and try to find a good balance. I personally don't care much about accessories or microphonics, so I look for high average values despite those things since that means everything else must be super high to compensate. In your case, microphonics might be more impactful so you could keep that high.

Posted this question a couple of weeks back, but it got buried so I wanted to ask one more time...

I've currently got my U-Turn Orbit Plus hooked up to a Rolls VP29 Preamp and I'm trying to figure out the best way to use headphones to listen to it. The preamp has a headphone output jack which is great, but there is no way to control the volume so when I hook up my headphones it's blasting at max volume. Would something like this help with that? https://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1490622169&sr=1-1&keywords=headphone+volume+control
I'd like to be able to use headphones without having to purchase a headphone amp or a receiver if possible. I'll probably end up getting a receiver in the future, but I was wondering if this would be a cheap way to make this work right now.

Budget - 25$

Source - phone/pc with 3.5mm jack

Requirements for Isolation - Yes please. I tend to be in locations of excessive noise.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - yes

Preferred Type of Headphone - in ear earbuds, must have the little gel thingies. Cannot be over-ear unless they can fit in a small pocket.

Preferred tonal balance - I'm not a huge basshead, but I do love bass.

Past headphones - Skullcandy ink'd 2. Stupidly weak bass. They are quiet comfortable tho, and the gels aren't too loose. They are, however, very poor in durability. One accidental tug and the buds stop working. Even the little mesh is fixed with weak glue.

Preferred Music - General electronic music, particularly hardcore. Deadmau5 is a good example of highs and lows, I listen to his stuff a lot.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Better overall sound. I want to minimize the use of an equalizer.

I'm looking at a couple of promising earbuds. Anybody recommend one of these?: HC-RET, KZ ATE, Panasonic ErgoFit.

I'll prob get some flack for this, but I SWEAR by these Monoprice earbuds I use them with my Electronic drumset, and they sound fantastic! Excellent bass, and great isolation. I actually prefer these to my $50 over the ear audiotechnica headphones I originally bought to use for the drumset. You won't find anything better for the price. In my opinion to get better, you'd need to spend 5-10x more.

I got a pair off Amazon for ~$34, and they are going on 5 months without any problems. Surprisingly good audio and build quality, and apparently really good customer support (ie. if they break, the company will replace them).

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0721MP41Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also noticed costco has some for ~$80. If I was buying now, i'd go with them, just because costco has really great customer support.

So, I'm hoping to pick up a pair of fairly premium workout bluetooth earbuds. (USA)

This is fairly targeted, but wondering if it's a good deal - I've previously had jaybirds and think they're ok, but not sure if I should hold out for the Bose ones maybe? Not sure if they'll go on sale though!

It's 20% back for amazon card holders (instead of the regular 5%), and the Jaybird X3 is right at $100, which would go down to $80 with the 20% back. Link below for all the 20% back items that are currently listed, as well as the headphone. According to CamelCamelCamel, these haven't gone below $99.99 before.

Feedback appreciated!

Current 20% back


Jaybird X3


Bose Soundsport Wireless

Anker Soundbuds Curve.
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-SoundBuds-Headphones-Bluetooth-Cancellation/dp/B0721MP41Q

After having paid like $180 x 2 on Jaybird Bluebuds X, and used $200 on Bose Soundsport, I realized the difference in quality is really minor.

The Anker Soundbuds Curve has great long-lasting play time, same connection range as the expensive ones, and just as importantly they sound almost the same, all for a tiny fraction of the price. So cheap, that I could break/lose these earbuds like SIX times over any length of time for the same cost as ONE of the expensive ones. That is a level of functional "durability" that these expensive earbuds can never hope to match.

At the end of the day, ask yourself, "What is really inside these wireless headphones"? The reality is that the majority of it is just the same cheaply manufactured chinese electronics components, encased in shiny nice-looking plastic, then marked up and marketed at a big margin. Look at wired earbud market, everyone knows that there are multiple very cheap headphones/earbuds that sound just as good or better than expensive competitors because price often doesn't signal performance in the consumer-grade audio market.

I got these, tore the headset and ear pieces apart to get only the wires and speaker, threw the speaker in my Red Mutiny helmet, routed the wire out and plugged into a volume control extension and keep that dangling out of my pocket. Works like a charm. The extension is a cheap piece of shit, so I'll have to replace it every season, but considering it's only $5, it's not bad. Sound quality is pretty good, but will never beat riding with Bose IE2 like I used to (I prefer the convenience and comfort of having speakers in my helmet as compared to having separate ear buds).

http://www.amazon.com/MDRZX100-Series-Stereo-Headphones-White/dp/B004RKQM8I

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH

I think there's a tutorial online somewhere on how to properly deconstruct these headphones.

The Wirecutter has good run down on the options: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wireless-exercise-headphones/

I went with Plantronics BackBeat Fit and love them. More of my time is spent walking/cycling/running than in the gym, so open-air headphones were a must. I like having situation awareness. I get that I give up some bass and audio quality, but I've got high quality studio monitors for when I'm listening to music on purpose.

These are comfortable, stay in even while running or exercising intensely, have a great battery life, and intuitive controls.

Budget: $50 (Amazon only)

Source: Moto Z

Type of Headphone: IEM. Already Bluetooth or can be converted.

Music: Most everything. I listen to a lot. I do like bass though.

What I need are some Bluetooth IEMs. I have some already picked out but figured I'd ask here to help narrow it down. Here is what I have so far:

Already Bluetooth

• soundPEATS Q12
  
  
• Anker Curve
  
  
• TaoTronics BH16
  
  Can be converted
  
  
• KZ ZST
  
  
• KZ ZS3
  
  
• KZ ZS5
  
  
• Tannmak Pro
  
  Would be converted with one of these cable, although I don't know which is best
  
  
• KZ Cable
  
  
• Braided Cable
  
  
• Sport Cable
  
  I guess overall my questions are:
  
  Should I go with some that are already Bluetooth, or some iems that I can swap out the cable for a Bluetooth one?
  
  If I go for one where I can convert it, which should I choose? I like good all around sound quality with an emphasis on bass that is clear but you can feel.
  
  Which Bluetooth cable do I choose? There's about 3 different ones and they are all different.

Don't ride with crap $10 earbuds.

Get something from Etymotic and you will love it. LOVE IT. You won't go back.

I can't find the model I have because I got my pair years ago (still working perfect) for about $80. But here is a link to what I'm taking about just as an example Please note the triple flange eartips that provide excellent outside noise insulation.

I've been looking into Bluetooth headphones lately as well. From what I've gathered from reviews the Photive BTH3 are probably going to be your best bet under $70. You can check out this positive video review from [HiFi Heaven] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWXk9xKsjSs) but there are plenty of positive reviews out there. I haven't tested them yet myself but they're on my wish list for a good toss around pair.

I've always used affordable off brand one off Amazon. I've tried Anker, Tao Tronics, and SoundPEATS. Tao Tronics batteries died within a year. Anker has some quality models, as well as Aukey. The SoundPEATS have been my favorites. Sound quality is above average. Battery life is about 8 hrs. The magnetic clasp is now required for me. So convenient to keep around the neck.

A model of Jaybirds we're on sale for $50 on Black Friday at Best Buy. Maybe just buy a cheeper pair until a deal comes around.

Here is a link to the SoundPEATS: SoundPEATS Magnetic Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones Sport In-Ear IPX 6 Sweatproof Earphones with Mic (Super sound quality Bluetooth 4.1, aptx, 8 Hours Play Time, Secure Fit Design) (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074THH5Q2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QiTTAbXWE207W

Hope that helps! I stressed over all the options and high cost of some brand. Ultimately, I found models like these work just fine for me. Cheep enough that I don't feel bad if they get lost or stop working.

Etymotic MC5s or Etymotic ER7s, honestly anything with triple-flange in-ear tips is great, you'll have crystal clear audio even past +100mph. I plug them into my Sena 20s and use the Sena mic for calls, although the Sena certainly isn't necessary.

You get the benfits of the Sena wind cancelling and controls, combined with the 100% noise sealing effect of the triple-flange tips. It's much better than the speaker + earplug combo imo, I've used it comfortably for many days while touring.

You could try a cheap but good headphone off amazon and return it if you don't enjoy the added detail, accurate soundstage, and overall better sound.

For in ears: RE-400

For around the ears: AD-700 or the newer AD-700X

For around the ears and closed (they isolate at the sacrifice of soundstage): M50

I'd give one of those a shot, see if you enjoy the added quality to your music/games/movies, and if you don't, who cares, amazon has a great return policy.

I really like these as they cut out a ton of noise and provide good sound and I think they are comfortable.


https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B003S3RFIQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1466540585&sr=1-1&keywords=MC5


Two of my other band members where them and say they are alright and another tried them and said they weren't comfortable. But all agree that they do great and cutting out ambient noise and providing good sound.

Been a Xiaomi earphone user for about two years. First with the Piston 3 and now the Xiaomi Hybrid's.

On that note, I am now looking for a bluetooth option. I'm starting gym tomorrow and I really need something convenient with good enough battery life and most importantly, sound. I really like the sound in the xiaomi earphones and since I don't understand much about earphones, I've decided to ask you guys for an opinion.

For what I've seen on amazon, some of the best sold/best overall rating are some of these:

TaoTronics Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

[Here](https://www.amazon.com/Headphones-TaoTronics-TT-BH07-Waterproof-Cancelling/dp/B06ZYX6Y1T/)

Mpow Flame Bluetooth Headphones Waterproof IPX7

[And Here](https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Headphones-Waterproof-Cancelling/dp/B0753GRNQZ/)

Which seem well reviewed. Any other suggestions? I'm looking for something under 30/20 dollars.

How do you listen to your phone? Headphones, speakers, built-in speakers? These are good over ear headphones, but they are open backed, meaning other people can hear what you are listening to.

These are good in ear phones, well within budget. There are dac/amps to power speakers and/or headphones, or active speakers that contain dac/amp, or bluetooth speakers, none of which I can offer much help with.

Head over to r/headphones. They have a purchase assistant in the pinned post. I found everything over there very helpful. Everyone has to start somewhere and I looked the options in the purchase assist and got the kz ATEs since I don't even know what I like I figured I'd try narrow it down in the budget category then slowly find better options. That said I'm VERY happy with them. As the comments go, way to good for the price.

They're great for 2-3x the price point. Good as is, but sound awesome if you add some decent tips to them.

I spent more on good memory foam tips for them, than I did on the actual earbuds.

These are the ones you want, I can't vouch for the other models

• TicWatch E with Nike+ Style band (inexpensive but effective smartwatch)
  
• SoundPEATS Bluetooth Headphones (held up incredibly well over a year and a half)
  
• Uni-ball Jetstream (Black and Blue) (Smooth writing)
  
• Amazon Front Pocket Wallet (Slim and durable)
  
• Victorinox Compact with RokForm lanyard (2 layer SAK with scissors, perfect EDC for me)

I can only assume the Dr Dre ones are overrated. Try to find them on sale, like the Miles Davis set I saw on DealExtreme

The Sennheiser CX300 are really popular and are just under $50.

The Klipsch S4 get really great reviews and are $80.

If you're looking for a really great sound isolating set, check out the Etymotic ER6i for $75.

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Noise-Cancelling-Headphones-WH1000XM2/dp/B074KDJVS2

I paid $350 for them at Best Buy, so this price looks great to me. A couple nice things is that the battery life is really long (they say 30 hours) so I don't need to worry about it on those 27-hour flights to South East Aisa. I can use it for a week at home without worrying about charging them.

Another nice thing is they have the normal mode and sound-canceling mode, but they have a third mode which is Ambient, allowing outside sounds to come through if you need to hear announcements in an airport, for example.

Lastly, if you install their app, you have the ability to control the EQ and a few other settings from your phone, which is really nice.

Price: ~$50

Usage: Play games like PUBG, Rainbow 6 Siege, CS:GO and need an in-ear headphone.

Reason why I don't use full headsets: I can't wear ordinary headphones because they hurt my head and make me feel uncomfortable (I tried a few). So I need to settle for in-ear earphones.

What I found so far: I have narrowed my search down to these two based on the following criteria

>Bass: Low

>Mid: Neutral/Emphasized

>Treble: Emphasized


>I used this site to compare:

>https://sites.google.com/view/headphoneadvice/iem-earbuds/category-100?authuser=0


The two earphones I made a shortlist of are:

_

Zero Audio Carbo Tenore

Zero Audio Amazon link

____

and



Mee Audio M6Pro

Mee Audio amazon link

_____

They are both listed as the sub $100 IEMs that have decent ratings on Amazon (a good estimate for durability) and feature the following (which seems to be best for gaming apparently):

>Bass: Neutral

>Midrange: Neutral

>Treble: Emphasized

>Isolation: High


I was hoping if someone could help me choose between the two or at least refer someone to me who knows about IEMs?

I am looking for something on a budget that will allow me to hear footsteps and small movements in game. Also something that is relatively durable for the price and won't break down on me within a week.

I just had this same question. I landed on these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HTPHK5W

Really happy with them for $50. The battery lasts over 12 hours (I haven't charged it in six days of mixed use, as of now). They are comfortable, over the ear, Bluetooth connects well and has decent range, and they come with a hard case.

The one complaint on Amazon is that the charging port comes out with some units, but they have a year warranty and seem responsive to complaints.

Honestly this is the best fifty bucks I've spent on a gadget in a while.

Tin T2 is one of the best for price to performance, but it's not for everyone. The sound signature is flat and for some people, it's lacking on bass. In exchange though, it gives you amazing clarity and neutral sound.
It will depend on the music you mostly listen to.
Amazon Link for Tin T2. Make sure to just get the T2 and not the T2 Pro or the T3.

Budget - up to 150 dollars.

Source - LG V20 and itouch 5

Requirements for Isolation - I need isolation, but perfect isolation is not needed.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - Everywhere. Gym Definitely.

Preferred Type of Headphone - IEM's only.

Preferred tonal balance - Balance and Clarity. NO weak bass

Past headphones -Skullcandy iems (20 bucks from 7 years ago), g930's

Preferred Music - House/EDM/Dance Lot's of Illenium and TheFatRat

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Quite Balanced preference. Lacking bass is a nono, however.

The MA750's are currently on sale for 90 bucks and look like they're right up my alley. I am looking to buy them asap, so as not to miss the sale. I took the assistant quiz and came up with the Shures and the Etymotic HF5 but just wanted to compare. Thanks for any input!

Warning, wall of text ahead

Budget: $50-60ish

Source: PC, occasionally iPad Mini

Isolation: Some would be nice, but not necessarily critical - usually used at home, occasionally on airplanes.

Type: full-sized, over-ear headphones

Preferred tonal balance: Pretty overall balanced. Will be used for arranging acappella songs, so I really want multiple notes played at once are at least somewhat distinguishable.

Past headphones: I currently have Koss QZPRO noise-cancelling headphones. They're really comfortable, even with my glasses, and they have a balance that I like. Unfortunately, I got them used, and within a week the cable broke and the right speaker stopped working, but the sound I do have is kind of muddy (Jimmy Eats World's The Middle is a good example for when it gets muddy). I don't use the active noise cancelling.

Before then, I had JLAB's cheapo earbuds. These kept breaking on me, and I stopped using them, but the sound quality was okay IMO.

Other than that, I've used apple earbuds (uncomfortable), and various other cheapo earbuds, where my biggest issues with them were always that the different instruments were almost indistinguishible, the vocals sounded "foggy," and they broke easily. These were not good earbuds. I do not use those earbuds any more.

Music: Primarily pop, also acappella music. These would be used for watching television on my laptop, arranging acappella music, and just general listening.

Other considerations:

• I want a detachable cable. Like, goddamn I want a detachable cable. That's where my earbuds and this pair of headphones always break. I want breaking the cable to be a $5 replacement, not a $60 one.
  
  
• I would just purchase a new pair of the Koss headphones that I have, except they don't have the detachable cable. The detachable cable is probably the one thing I'm not willing to compromise on.
  
  
• I was planning on getting the Monoprice 8323 headphones, but I'm leaving for college on Monday, and I want these headphones by then. If I can get them Amazon Prime, that would be incredible.
  
  A couple pairs that I'm considering is the Photive BTH headphones,MEElectronics Air-Fi Stereo Headphones, and maybe possibly the JLAB Bombora headphones, though I'm iffy on the last one, just because of my previous experiences with JLAB's earbuds.
  
  Am I being crazy, or unreasonable? Any personal thoughts on any of the headphones I'm looking at? Any other suggestions?
  
  Thanks!

These are my favorite wireless headphones I've personally tried. They are on the higher end of pricing though. A cheaper set of Sony's is still great too. If you are looking closer to the $100 area, my brother has these and likes them a lot. If you really want to go cheaper at first though, Unbox Therapy did a review on these and really like them

I rock a pair of Monoprice 108320 Enhanced Bass Hi-Fi Noise Isolating Earphones. I pair them up with some Comply T-400 foam tips. This gives them a more secure fit and improves the noise isolation. That said, the noise isolation isn't 100%, which is fine for me because I use them while running outside, but YMMV.

While running they stay in well, sound pretty good and I route the wires over and around the back of my ears to keep them out of the way. The cable does have a problem with microphonics (rustling sound through the earbuds) if it rubs against stuff, but I haven't noticed it while running. I route the cable under my shirt to a waist belt with my music player to keep it out of the way which I think also reduces the microphonics.

They're not the greatest earphones but they only cost $10 so are ultimately disposable if they get damaged. For $10 they sound pretty great. They're no match for more prosumer/audiophile gear, but with all the sweat flying around I prefer to stick with something cheaper. Speaking of sweat, I sweat a lot while running and they've held up well so far without issues.

Also, if in-line volume control is needed, you can also pair it (or any other earphone) with this: Koss VC20 Volume Control

Wow you're awesome!
I'm gonna organize this list from most wanted to least wanted :D

1. Bluetooth headphones! this was reviewed by unbox therapy and apparently it's really god so I wanna try it out :D
   
   
2. AmazonBasics Ventilated Adjustable Laptop Stand Who doesn't need a laptop stand eh? i hate burning my lap while I'm using my laptop!
   
   3.PNY Turbo 32GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive A 3.0 usb is hard to find for such a price! and the storage space makes it so much better :D
   
   
3. Shoes are nice to have right?
   
   5: Baby groot! Because I loveeeeeee groot
   
   thanks for doing this :)
   
   

Unfortunately noise canceling will not do you much good. Noise canceling is good for repetitive noise like engines. Random noise like talking it does not help much with.

What you need is good isolation. The best combo I can recommend is :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Etymotic-MC5-In-Ear-Earphones-Black/dp/B003S3RFIQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505847743&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Etymotic+Research+MK5

with https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mpow-Defenders-Comfortable-Folding-Padded-Construction/dp/B01KBZDB4K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505847867&sr=8-2&keywords=Noise+Reduction+Safety+Ear+muffs

over the top.

Well it really depends on your budget. For around the $100 mark, I would grab the HiFiMan RE-400's with some Comply Tx-400 tips. If you want more bass then the Shure SE215's are probably a better bet.

Having said that, if you're happy with what you have then just stick with it. When it comes to hi-fi, ignorance is bliss my friend.

Shure SE215 BT1

Jaybird X3

Admittedly, I have the Jaybird Bluebuds X, not the X3 - we're at 4 years now, and they still sound great and last 4 hours on a charge. The left ear always fell out... until I got Comply tips. Now they're perfect.

That said, I have very small ear canals, so Shure headphones are ALWAYS more comfortable for me than others, like the Jaybird, that have a large-ish nozzle. My SE215s are wired, but I've heard great things about the bluetooth model... and am about to purchase it myself.

Photive BTH3 Over-The-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Built-in Mic and 12 Hour Battery. Includes Hard Travel Case. are the best headphone for the price range I have ever owned, they work wonderfully with my vita and are like the perfect combo for them . $40

I absolutely love these:

https://www.amazon.com/Earphone-Headphones-Running-Eartips-Microphone/dp/B00Y0F6IBG/ref=pd_sim_23_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YZ386Z18KMVDYFJJ9CXA

Perfect noise isolation and great bass. I wear these in the weight room and they're equally comfortable during long flights. I pair them with https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UUDZSKE/ this bluetooth module so I can keep my phone in my gym bag. Battery life is days with this, unlike all-in-one bluetooth headphones.

Podcasts, audiobooks... I like the Dax Shepherd and Conan O'Brien podcasts. Any good history audiobook, the Dan Carlin Hardcore History podcast is great. They have to engage my brain just enough that I don't think about running, but not so complex that I have to strain to understand.

I use "hook" style sport headphones that are bluetooth, but have the batteries and controls built in to the headphone and not the wire. The wire just hangs. These are my current, favorite, set because they have noise isolating memory foam inserts. and are only $20 but I keep an eye at out 5 below or TJ Maxx/Marshalls for headsets that are sub $20 and meet my basic criteria: Hook style so they don't fall off... no dangly box on the wire that bounces and increases cable stress.

I have 4 different sets I keep in gym bags, vehicles, coat pockets etc. Chinese sites like banggood or gearbest also have really cheap headsets (if you can wait 6 weeks). I have found the $10 (or less sometimes) and $20 headphones are nearly as good in sound quality as super expensive headsets... mostly because they come out of the exact same factories in China as the same expensive headsets. Since I use these for running, they don't have to be Sennheiser Orpheus/HE1's which cost $54,000, the road is too noisy, bluetooth doesn't really allow for ridiculous fidelity, and I am cheap.

I need some bluetooth earbud recommendations. Ive dug around Amazon and other subreddits for around half an hour and there are just too many options.

I just need a decent budget pair of bluetooth earbuds that has acceptable audio for its price. My budget is <$30. Im only going to be using these for listening to music (Im not an audiophile) and watching Youtube. I currently own a pair of Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbuds. Ive had them for about a year and they work great. I just get annoyed by all the wire.

So here are some options off Amazon that I'm considering. If you know that any of these are trash, please say so and I will take it off my list.

• Anker Soundbuds
  
• SENSO Wireless Sports Earbuds
  
• Otium Best Wireless Sports Earphones
  
• Mpow Flame Wireless Earbuds Sport
  
• Pwow Magnetic Wireless Earbuds
  
  Again, these are only ones that Ive looked into. I need some other recommendations.

As far as cheap in ears go, these are the best ones I've used. Though, you might want to get different tips, as the ones they come with are kind of uncomfortable. Generally, I like these!

If you want something a bit more expensive, I've been a huge fan of Meelectronics headphones. Really good sound stage, and they seal out sound real nice.

I also like sennheiser.

I have a pair of HD 280 pros that I like a lot. A bit pricey at around $80, but they sound great.

If you're looking to replace your iPod earbuds, I like these just fine.

For isolation you need IEMs, they are of course lightweight aswell. I don't know what your experiences are with the fit, but usually they come with a lot of different tips so any of those should fit pretty good and tight.

Take a look at the RHA MA750 or Shure SE215 for example, those get recommended a lot.

SoundPEATS Magnetic Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones Sport In-Ear Sweatproof Earphones with Mic (Super sound quality, IPX6, Bluetooth 4.1, aptx, 8 Hours Play Time, Secure Fit Design) - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074THH5Q2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fls-AbDP4NQAK

Happy with these. They work pretty well to cancel out sound on construction sites.

>I notice a huge difference wearing a cheap set of ear candy earbuds vs. regular headphones because they have a cushion that conforms to my ear canal

Skullcandy didn't invent the ear-canal type earphones. There are tons of those phones with better sound quality. I can think of a few good, cheaply-priced ones (they are sorted here from least to most expensive):

• JVC HA-FX33 or HA-FX34: These are pretty cheap, and have good sound.
  
• JVC HA-FX66
  
• Sennheiser CX300 or Creative EP-630: These two are basically the same earphone, but with different brands.
  
• Skullcandy Titan or FMJ: the only decent pair of Skullcandy earphones, but they'll run you for about $40-60.
  
  Although, really, I'd recommend you spend some more money on higher-quality stuff. Unlike what most people think, the sound quality of good in-ear canal phones can approach or even surpass that of full-sized headphones. Here are a few brands that are higher-up, in no particular order:
  
  Shure, Etymotic, Sennheiser's IE series, Ultimate Ears SuperFi and TripleFi series, Sleek Audio, Audio-Technica, Klipsch (except the S2).

These are fantastic. The battery life is great, they stay in the ear well and come with a ton of different in-ear buds for different shaped ears. Plus Anker is a great brand, so if any problems occur, I'm sure they'll handle it.

if you keep breaking $20 iems then maybe getting a nicer pair with a detachable/replacable cable would be a good idea, it could actually save you money in the long run

this could be of help

personally, I would recommend the Mee M6 Pros

Plantronics Backbeat Fit ~$95 : http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Fit-Bluetooth-Headphones/dp/B00KJLMBSO/

Have gone through a few other wireless options and these have been the best so far - fit is great, sound is ok, looks hot.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=9927 These are my favorite headphones. Cheap and under $10 is genius. Also avail on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8QCMHY/ref=twister_B00BSWQNCI

These are also solid at under $10: http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RPHJE120S-In-Ear-Headphone-Silver/dp/B003EM800S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410995384&sr=8-2&keywords=panasonic+headphone

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082302&p_id=8323&seq=1&format=2 are DJ style headphones that do leak, but the sounds are great. $20ish Huge modding community to replace parts on the cups and such.

I think people tend to recommend Sennheisers, I always forget which model.

Soundmagic e10, I have owned a pair of these for almost two years and they basically look new. Very durable headphones. They show up over and over again in budget iem recommendation guides and for good reason. Very detailed clear non fatiguing sound. I had been trying different iems for over a year when I got my pair, they are all I use now. These get my strong recommendation.
https://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-Noise-Isolating-Earphones-BlackGunmetal/dp/B005HP3OB0

Second set is KZ ATE. These have been getting rave reviews and are only $11. I just ordered a pair so I can't comment on the sound but they're only $11, how can you go wrong? Honestly you might want to just buy both iems then you'll have two sets and only be $50 in. Good luck.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Y0F6IBG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486597345&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=kz+ate&dpPl=1&dpID=413j%2BHZGByL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum-Ear-Android-version/dp/B00N3RFFV6/

Sennheiser In ear Momentums. Great sound and the controls work on android.

Bought these about a year ago and I absolutely love them. Well worth the price.

The Shure's are a great entry level pair. They are reliable and sound very decent. I actually use an older model of these for ipod headphones, as they sound better than anything else out there that I can find. The best feature IMO is the removable cable. I had a pair of really old entry level Shure IEMs that still sounded great, but the jacket on the cable riiiiight next to the earpiece corroded and it killed them - no fixing it, unfortunately.

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Sound-Monitor-Black/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1383141290&sr=8-2&keywords=shure+se215


If you want to go on the very cheap side, check these out:

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-109927-Enhanced-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B00B8QCMHY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1383141459&sr=8-2&keywords=monoprice+headphones

I have a pair that I use - they don't sound quite as good as the Shure's do, but for the price differential, it's no surprise. I have been an audio engineer for 10+ years and can vouch that these things do a pretty damned good job for around $10. You can replace them 10 times for the price of any other "entry level" IEM (In-Ear Monitor).

If you want to go crazy and try molding the earbuds to your ears, check out this how-to:

http://www.howtogeek.com/57481/how-to-make-custom-silicone-ear-molds-for-your-in-ear-monitors/

You'll need this to do it:

http://www.amazon.com/Radians-Custom-Molded-Earplugs-Red/dp/B002XULPSQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1383141761&sr=8-2&keywords=radians+custom+molded+earplugs

Good luck!

I'm a rather sweaty person and I wear Mpow Flame headphones when I run, and they're great. Like, I'm sure audiophiles wouldn't be happy, but they play my music and podcasts and keep me happy.

Budget: $100-$150, willing to go a little higher if a good deal is available.

Source: Nexus 5

Isolation: Some isolation is definitely a necessity. Part of my day I am surrounded by quite loud/obnoxious people in an already noisy environment. My old Bose QC15's were good at blocking the ambient noise but I would rather have something that could shut out loud/sporadic talking and yelling.

Preferred Type of Headphones: I am probably looking towards IEMs for isolation and no sound leakage. I am willing to stay with Closed Over-Ear headphones if it holds well in terms of isolation and sound quality.

Preferred Tonal Balance: The most I can say here is that I'm not a basshead and prefer clarity. I usually try to do a lot of research before coming to a recommendation thread for a possible purchase so it doesn't seem like I'm wasting anyone's time, but I am absolutely lost here. This would be my first real enthusiast purchase (unless you consider Bose QC15 quality headphones, which I've been told isn't so) so I don't know much in terms of tonal balance. Maybe my music suggestions would give a better idea of what I'm looking for.

Past Headphones: Bose QC15. I bought into the advertising like four years ago, but they are starting to break and I'm looking for a more serious purchase. I liked that the quality was much better than the simple ones included with iPods and such, but I've been told by friends that Bose are frowned upon in the headphone community and that I can get much better for much less. I have also read that ANC is not as good as isolation in IEMs.

Preferred Music: I listen to mostly Alternative and Indie Rock. Some bands that I listen to just off the top of my head are: Alt-J, Phoenix, Bastille, Cold War Kids, Foo Fighters, War on Drugs, Death Cab for Cutie, CHVRCHES, and anything else like those I probably listen to as well. I also enjoy listening to acoustic covers of popular songs.

I should also mention that durability and portability are important features for me, I will probably be using these quite often.

HiFiMan RE-400's seem to be the leading candidates for me right now.

I bought these recently and they're excellent! Sound is brilliant and they're very comfortable. I use them instead of my K702s most the time!

Here's what I think can help you. There isn't really a good solution for you that isn't hard to do. I got my own room over time by convincing my parents. There are some things you can do.

• Get noise cancelling headphones and/or earmuffs and/or earplugs. These will MASSIVELY help with overwhelming sound. I recommend these. Active noise cancelling headphones are a bit expensive, but they are definitely worth it.
  
  $350 Bose QC 35
  
  $350, $298, Sony WH1000XM2
  
  $250 Sony XB950N1
  
  $30 earmuffs - these are cheap and block out noise.
  
  
• When your dad is not in his room, go to his room. When I had the loft as my room, I often took the laptop computer to my parents' room to use it. Although you can't bring your entire room there, you should bring things in your dad's room while he's not using it. If you can't do this, reply to me.
  
  
• Convince your dad to switch rooms. This is harder to do. Figure out all the reasons why it's more important for you to have the bedroom. Tell him how Asperger's makes it incredibly difficult to even think without a room and if you do get a room, you'll be able to find a job and move out quicker. He doesn't need to have walls around his room just because he's the owner of the house.
  
  
• If you have a therapist or psychologist, tell them about your situation and how bad it is on you and your mental health. It's not healthy to have auditory problems and be the one person who has to deal with a situation that would be bad if they have auditory problems. If you don't have a therapist, please get one as soon as you can.
  
  
• This is the best solution but the hardest one to do. Move out. Find a job that's feasable to get (you have the requirements to get it and it's a job that wouldn't be torture for someone with Asperger's). I know this is hard, especially when you have no time to relax and feel fine. But once you do it, you'll be on a path to eventually be able to rent a space on your own. Maybe even find a relative or a friend that is willing to share an apartment or space with you as long as you get your own room. This will usually require you to pay a fraction of the rent of the space.
  
  The advice is very hard to follow, so take it a step at a time. Get headphones or ear mufflers first which will be a huge improvement to your mind if you don't already have active noise cancelling headphones. Remember to get active noise cancelling headhones because they really block out the noise. Then try to start using your dad's room to do things, which will probably work. You're limited in what you can do in someone elses room, but your mind is more free. Then try to convince your dad to switch rooms, which may or may not work. If it doesn't work, tell a therapist or psychologist about your problem. I don't know the best advice for you, which is why you should see one of those professionals. The ultimate goal is to move out because that will really free up your life.
  
  I still think it would be good to answer these questions. Are the auditory problems caused more by ambient noise or voices, or the feeling of having no barrier around you or something else or multiple things? Do you only live with yourself and your dad? Does your dad know and accept that you have Asperger's? Realistically, a lot of this advice won't work. Please reply to me with what happens when you try these solutions.

These Earbuds with These Foam Covers are amazing. Great sound quality and the foam covers are superb at noise cancelling so you can shut the world out.

http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Wireless-Headphones-Smartphone/dp/B00KJLMBSO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420174555&sr=8-2&keywords=plantronics+wireless+headphones

I splurged on these and love them dearly. They hook over the ear, because I have the kind of ears that forcibly eject ear buds even when sitting completely still. The battery goes for about a week, and did I mention that I love them?

i'm really, really loving my sony cans. great sound, ambient sound mode is clutch for the workplace, and the touchpad functionality works better than i expected.

Jaybird X3s seem very popular on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7NCT5O

My GF just found a pair of Plantronic fit and we cleaned them up and the controls are very nice.

EDIT: I have a pair of Kanoas on order and I'm hoping they are all the hype.

I've had a pair of these (Monoprice Earbuds) for nearly 4 years and they are still working perfectly and have little to no damage. Monoprice knows how to make cheap buds that last. They were 8$ when I bought them on sale, and I've bought them as gifts for people periodically since they are so good! You can nab them on Amazon for 10$ right now with prime.

They take about a week to "break in" where they sound a bit tinny, but after that, they are very well balanced.

An added bonus is the nylon-wrapped cable for extra durability! As for staying in your ears, these are made to loop over the top of your ears and they almost never fall out unless you pull on them a ton.

Check them out!

1. I like Star Wars, working out, hiking, the ladies (wink), my cats, and the color blue.
   
   
2. I would love some earbuds since I go through so many with working out all the time.
   
   
3. I would like to win because it would really make my day. :)
   
   
4. Moon Knight

Save yourself some money and just put out for some wireless headphones. I've got these and they work great, last 12.5 hours, and sound great.

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-SoundBuds-Headphones-Waterproof-Sweatproof/dp/B0721MP41Q

Not anymore.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074KDJVS2

Sony has been giving them a run for their money recently, and this newest headset is the best out there at the moment. Equal or better ANC according to all the reviews, and much better sound.

I own a LG V20 which has a Quad DAC. I mainly drive them with my Sennheiser HD 598 and looking for a earbud companion. I mainly listen to hip hop, but I'd like something good across most genres like my 598's. What do you think of these products and how do they compare against eachother?

MEE M6 PRO

ATH E40

Shure SE215

What tips you use affect comfort more than the earphone itself. so id suggest getting an IEM/earphone that sounds good to you then trying spinfit tips or foams.

Common suggestions:

Tin t2 - neutral, great all around iem, comes with a pair of nice foam tips.

Blon BL-03 - V-shaped, bassier iem, stock tips need to be replaced and sometimes the cable too.

I basically listen to spotify on my iPhone all day long and I want an upgrade. I've used Apple Earpods and some sony buds. I am interesten in these but they might be overkill. Please give your recommendations. Love you ;)

I've been using the Tin Audio T2 for the past couple months, they are good entry level in ear monitors for $50, great build quality and nice sound quality. They have a natural, flat sound so they don't really have a bias towards heavy bass or pronounced treble, just presents the music as is which I prefer (however that's not to say they are lacking in bass, there's plenty there).

If you want something that intentionally exaggerates bass (V Shaped) then maybe look into the KZ ZS10 (I don't actually own these though, just going off what I've read in /r/headphones - which you might want to do some research there too)

Neither of those are actively noise cancelling but just by being in ear monitors they will reduce a lot of noise since they are shoved up in your ear canal, especially if you get some foam tips like New Bee or Comply.

There are hundreds of options out there so this is a deep rabbit hole to fall in but I think you can't really go wrong with the T2s as your first pair, then go from there depending on what kind of sound signature you want.

Xiaomi Pistons owner here, they were actually my first good earphones/headphones.

As far as I know when compared the Pistons 2 are way better than 3 in terms of audio quality. I never tried anything else from them since I moved on to better ones.

If you like serious affordable IEMs please get [Hifiman RE-400] (https://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAn-Electronics-RE-400-HiFiMan-Headphones/dp/B00AWLEAH6)

Note: sound signature is flat

I've got a pair of Plantronics Backbeat Fit (https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Fit-Wireless-Headphones/dp/B00KJLMBSO). These are the older version, I think there's an upgrade by now.

I got them since 2015. The great thing for me is that they are open-ear meaning the ambient sound flows in. It's nice to NOT be noise-canceling while I'm running on streets, hills, and cycling etc.

The sound is actually okay. I have sony wh-1000xm2, RHA in-ear etc for office settings. So Plantronics didn't sound really bad in that regards.

Budget: up to $150 (Preferably under $125)

Source: iPhone5, MacBook Air

Requirements for Isolation: Excellent. This is the biggest challenge for me--I am a university student who struggles immensely to focus with background noise. I would like these to be my number-one tool to zone in.

Preferred Type of Headphone: IEM or closed over the ear, more preference for IEM in order to use while exercising as well.

Preferred tonal balance: Balanced. I do not want the bass to be sub-par, but am not terribly picky.

Past headphones: Nothing fancy. When in need, I borrow my friend's Audio-Technica ATH-M50, but those do not block out noise enough for me.

Preferred Music: Jazz, Classical, and Indie/Rock/Funk

Location: California, Usa. (Library, bookstore, dorm in which conversation is happening, coffee shops)

I was considering the Etymotic Research HF5 or Shure SE215-K but am concerned that they will not last longer than a few months, as the low-star rating on Amazon suggest.
Alternatively, I am considering the RHA MA750 but worry that the bass will be lacking and the sound will not be balanced--also, the Amazon reviews don't acclaim their noise reduction at all, which is very important for me.

Many thanks!

You should try out some new stuff, they have improved a lot. The separate sides like the airpods are still new and buggy but you can get stuff like this which are pretty good

Anker makes some a lot cheaper that work pretty well.

These are pretty similar and I plan on getting them but I have these for the gym which I love

I liked the Mpow Flame Sport IPX7 Waterproof, they would coil up pretty small and for $20 they have pretty good drivers. 4 stars on 15k reviews. The only thing I'd complain about it if you're outside in the wind (or bicycling) then they get irritating wind noise (goes away with a hoody). I wanted a better microphone for voice calls but they're great for listening.

Alright this is gonna sound crazy but I just bought 11$ IEM headphones KZ ATE and they are probably the best headphones ive ever bought. My friend that bought 200$+ Shure headphones that he could barely tell the difference between the two. Non-bias /r/headphone thread about said headphones

Check out Etymotic Research. I've been a fan of these for years and they have a great reputation for noise isolating buds and great frequency response. I currently own two sets, MC5's for my iPhone so I can use them for phone calls and casual listening and ER6i's where I listen to a lot of loss less audio (mostly flac and wav) from my iPod running Rockbox. There's an insane amount of reviews for the ER6i's on Amazon.

Here's a good deal for the MC5's $58
http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B003S3RFIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321856883&sr=8-1

I wear a cloth arm band like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/197753442/cell-phone-running-armband-pouch-sleeve?gpla=1&gao=1&utm_campaign=shopping_us_Speedzter_sfc_osa&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_custom1=0&utm_content=9612805&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl7nYBRCwARIsAL7O7dFRTRrB3oQ9RVT6g2O1QuTvAbWynBIGZbntsfKnIBvkXzmQtL66bysaAohMEALw_wcB

On top of that, I also put my phone in a zip lock bag because of how much I sweat. Then I use wireless headphones. Which again, because I sweat a lot, took me a minute to find a good pair that could handle a lot of sweat. Been using Beat Back Fit's for almost a year now and they still work like they are brand new. Highly recommend them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KJLMBSO/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1527694916&sr=8-13&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=plantronic+backbeat+fit

Anker has some great ones too around 25. I love mine. They go around your ears too and have a wire in the back which I like more than the completely wireless ones.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0721MP41Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have Bluetooth headphones (Soundpeats q30, great value for $) with just the cord that connects them two behind the neck. There’s a little bit of give to it so I wrap twice around my ponytail and secure with a tiny hair clip. Not having the control’s heavy bounce on just the one side is much better.

SoundPEATS Magnetic Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones Sport In-Ear IPX 6 Sweatproof Earphones with Mic (Super sound quality Bluetooth 4.1, aptx, 8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074THH5Q2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_QYGfSD5iDGkta

Technically, this is more of a r/headphones question, but I'll bite, too.

Tin Audio T2

Seriously, genuinely fantastic IEMs/headphones. $45-50, they use MMCX connectors, so you can upgrade them to wireless if you want to/when you have the cash.

I can't recommend the headphones enough. Honestly, they sound just as good as my Grado SR80e... and that hurts me to say, given the Grados cost twice as much. The only thing the Grados have on my T2's is a slightly better soundstage/depth of sound. That's it. Period.

Just buy them. https://www.amazon.com/TIN-T2-Dynamic-Earphone-Headphones/dp/B07DL2FPBL

I always just use a pair of Phillips earbuds that hook over the ears, a lot like this. $9. They have hooks for your ears, and they go precisely nowhere while running. I wear glasses, big chunky plastic hipster looking ones. Never had a problem with the ear hooks. Never had a durability problem. You've really got to step away from $70 earphones for this application, or be honest with yourself why you're really so desperate to spend $70. You can buy them on Amazon. That way none of your friends will see you in a WALMART, where you can certainly find phones like this without waiting for shipping.

A bunch of people on this sub strongly recommended Mpow Flame bluetooth earbuds, so I finally bought them and I definitely think they're worth it! Comfortable, stay put, long battery life, and connect easily every time.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Headphones-Waterproof-Cancelling/dp/B0753GRNQZ/ref=asc_df_B0753GRNQZ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309820150211&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14438259750434778820&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008461&hvtargid=aud-643574997066:pla-530149071052&psc=1

I use these:
http://www.iasus-concepts.com/product?pid=110

with this:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-e5-E5-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B001P9EQH8

I recall I payed about $35 shipped from Canada for the speakers. They took several adjustments to get them were I could hear them and not pinch my ears, but they work fine. The amplifier was needed, in my case, but you might not need/want it.

I mounted one of these on the outside of the tank bag to control volume easily:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00001P4XH/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm planning on replacing this wired/power combo (I power the amp via an SAE/Cig lighter/USB Charger in my tank bag) with a Syphon Soundwrap in October, this will allow me to ditch 4 components and 4 cables.

Current setup works fine, new setup should be even better.

I agree that even just standard ear plugs will make for a much more enjoyable ride. I always smile when people start to wear them and come back to me and say "I'm amazed at how less tired I feel now after riding!"

I'll also second the Etymotics. They can be found on Amazon for less than $70. I love mine, although after the second 8-hour day my (small) ear canals tend to feel a little tender.. :-(

I like the RHA 750i. Comes with several in-ear adapter pieces so you can get the best fit and sound. The quality of the cable is stainless steel, so that will help with durability and headphone cables do not get tangled easy.

Amazon

Apple Store

I've had a good experience with these.

Bluetooth Headphones, Anker SoundBuds Slim Wireless Workout Headphones,10-Hour Playtime, Bluetooth 5.0, IPX7 Waterproof Magnetic Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Earbuds for Sports, Exercise, Running, Gym https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6DC2ZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Oth1CbJTED7Q3

And these.

Anker Wireless Earbuds, Soundcore Liberty Lite Bluetooth 5.0 True Wireless Earbuds, Easy-Pair Sports Sweatproof Mini Bluetooth Headphones with Graphene-Enhanced Drivers, Stereo Calls and Built-in Mic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JMLGMNL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Nuh1CbQH62WQA

My wife has these and like hers.

Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless Headphones, Bluetooth 4.1 Sports Earphones with aptX Audio, Nano Coating, 14H Battery, CVC Noise Cancellation, Headsets with Built-in Mic for Running, Cycling, Workout https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0721MP41Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fuh1Cb8E6WBQS

I have the sennheiser momentum in-ears, and really like them. the mic and controls both work flawlessly. i paid 100 for them and think they are worth it, looks like there is a sale on right now, 63. http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum-In-Ear-Android-version/dp/B00N3RFFV6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I have used the piston 2.0 with a previous phone and thought they were fantastic for the price.

I've been rocking these monoprice earbuds and the sound quality is excellent for the price and they are extremely durable. I'll eventually get a great audio system for listening at home, but on the go, these do great

I bought some RHA MA750s because they have a durable looking thick cable (although the cable on mine is indented from the packaging it came in but that seems mostly cosmetic) with a big metal spring strain relief. They also have a 3 year warranty and great customer service.

These are pretty good, I used them freshman year until now (sophomore), and I sweat like a pig. Good bass.

I use Plantronics BackBeat Fit Headphones! and love them! You can answer phone calls, adjust volume, Go to next or previous song, and check battery life. Also has 8 hour lifespan and really good sound quality.

Looking for some in-ear headphones, preferably good nosie isolating ones. Will be used with a Samsung S8. Budget is around $130 CAD. Here are the ones I'm currently looking at:

Shure se215
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B004PNZFZ8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501608898&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=shure&dpPl=1&dpID=31905ZtYEEL&ref=plSrch

Sennheiser momentum
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00N3RFFV6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501608963&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Sennheiser+momentum

Bose soundtrue ultra
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0117RFYQE/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1501609008&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bose+in+ear+headphones&dpPl=1&dpID=31pYQDLKUIL&ref=plSrch

If there are other ones you recommend, please let me know. Thanks!

For budget bluetooth, I like Anker's products. The Anker curve are surprisingly good for the price:

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-SoundBuds-Bluetooth-Headphones-Waterproof/dp/B0721MP41Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511965675&sr=8-1

For high end, I really enjoy the sony wi1000x:
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cancelling-Wireless-Behind-Neck-Headphones/dp/B074KBHW66/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511965748&sr=1-3

Lol I guess I just care a lot more about my sound then most people... regardless the guy could get a decent pair for like $10 which both sound better and can be wrapped around the ears

Edit: for those downvoting me:
Kz ATE Copper Driver Ear Hook Hifi in Ear Earphone Sport Headphones for Running with Foam Eartips with Microphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y0F6IBG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_A8o.zbFCC2020

Just get a pair of RHA headphones. They're made of stainless steel, have a three year warranty, come with many different ear tips, and have excellent sound quality.

I have not personally used them for working out, but from the reviews, they would be perfectly fine.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ELAM8NC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1414630054&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

If you want cheap, and pretty decent, check these out. Dont let the horrid English turn you off, these are pretty good. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Y0F6IBG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504392394&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=KZ+ATE+Copper+Driver+Ear+Hook+HiFi+in+Ear+Earphone+Sport+Headphones&dpPl=1&dpID=413j%2BHZGByL&ref=plSrch

I was having trouble with earbuds not staying in my ears until I found this over-the-ear style.
After researching all the over-the-ear style brands and models, I decided on this one from Plantronics and have never looked back.
They are super lightweight, I often forget Im even wearing them. Very good sound quality and sweat proof. They last ~12 or so hours so I get 5 or 6 workouts in before needing to charge.
All in all I think they are awesome, and are way more affordable than some of the other options. Highly recommend. I got them at Christmas and cant imagine using anything else.

Not sure there's that much variety. This (http://www.amazon.com/Support-UtechSmart-Ethernet-Chromebook-Specific/dp/B00F41TWAO/ref=zg_bs_13983791_10) is the best selling highest rated one on amazon, but I'm pretty sure this is the one officially endorsed by Nintendo (http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1416550970&sr=1-1&keywords=wii+u+lan+adapter).

I doubt you could go wrong wither way, they both seem pretty solid.

I've had great luck with these headphones

Had them over a year, and IMO mop the floor with the AKG's sound quality wise.

> headphones also seem more durable just as a matter of principle

Might be true, but some earbuds are more durable than others. I use the RHA MA750s and they are more solidly built than previous earbuds I've owned. Thicker cable, no plastic, spring at the base of the cable to prevent it from wearing, etc. On top of that they have a three-year warranty, as well as a carrying case which is kind of expected these days. I don't travel a lot, but I bring them in my pocket every day when I go to uni. They sound really great too, as long as you remember to tweak your equaliser a bit.

Here's a really unhelpful list of reviews/stats for a brazillion IEMs: http://theheadphonelist.com/headphone-list/

Here's the way more helpful buying guide: http://theheadphonelist.com/earphone-buyers-guide/

I keep meaning to buy a pair of RHA MA750 but I never get around to it because my MEElectronics M-Duos I got for $26 work/sound just fine. Little bottom heavy for my liking but reasonably clear sounding. When they break I'll probably get the RHAs.

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Headphones-Waterproof-Cancelling/dp/B0753GRNQZ

These headphones are the number 1 best sellers on amazon. They’re Bluetooth and very highly reviewed while also being very cheap. Unbox therapy did a video on them and liked them too. I don’t think I’ve seen a better bang for your buck deal. And they sound good too. From what I understand they aren’t too prone to breaking either unlike what seems like 80% of earbuds nowadays.

I personally wouldn’t pay for AirPods. Not worth imo but to some the brand name is worth it but if you want it for sound and quality AirPods are overpriced.

https://youtu.be/dTLmJWqZY1Q

These are sub $20, and some of the highest rated and best selling on Amazon. I've had them for a few weeks and love them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0753GRNQZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CohuDb37XF36W

I've had an excellent experience with these but they're suddenly 42$ instead of the 20$ I bought them for. Sennheiser is always a good brand though, they have cheaper models too. Newegg is a good site to check.

What is your budget? I have the Jaybird X3 and absolutely love them. They were my third pair after trying a couple of other brands and the sound is incomparable. I think at the $100 level they are some of the best you can get.

https://www.amazon.com/Jaybird-Bluetooth-Headset-iPhone-Android/dp/B01M7NCT5O/ref=sr_1_1?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1504123690&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=jaybird+x3&psc=1

I use these headphones with my iPhone SE. They've been great. This morning I did a card deck workout with burpees, jump rope, box jumps, and pushups and they stay in place with a good connection to my phone sitting off to the side. Then I did a 2 mile run with them and again, they worked great. I also weight lift with them on and no troubles there. I also wear them throughout the day at work listening to podcasts. They last about 8 hrs of solid play before I have to recharge them.

Try soundpeats on Amazon. They are decent and cheap. Good warranty service.

SoundPEATS Magnetic Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones Sport in-Ear IPX 6 Sweatproof Earphones with Mic (Super Sound Quality Bluetooth 4.1, aptx, 8 Hours Play Time, Secure Fit Design) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074THH5Q2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qQjaCb86WHF5F

Need headphones for the gym, biking, and running. I have been using multiple pairs of Sennheiser CX300 II over the years, but they keep breaking, and I've finally had enough. I want something that I won't have to replace every year or two. I'd prefer something similar around $30-60 that is more durable. I don't need something incredibly nice (just nice enough) as these are just for listening to music while I'm doing other activities. I run along roads so they also need to isolate noise as well as the CX300s. Also, I'm in the US.

I'm thinking the MEE Audio M6Pro for $39.99 on Amazon right now? Its all time low is $36 so I feel that's a decent deal.

Oh wow, that's a really good price! I looked them up and found these 2 kinds. How are they different. https://www.amazon.com/Earphone-Headphones-Running-Eartips-Microphone/dp/B00Y0F6IBG and https://www.amazon.com/KZ-ATE-Balanced-Earphones-Headphone/dp/B00YOVI6UW.
My guess was that the first one is better because of the added mic and more/better reviews. But I don't know. Thanks!

Sorry for not formatting, but I'd like a quick answer.

I'm not very knowledgeable on headphones so could anybody tell me if these are good quality/value? I'm not looking for a super high quality listening experience, just some good quality earbuds for music, Skyping, and some gaming.

These ones are quite good, I can't say if they'll fit in a helmet perfectly https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-BackBeat-Fit-Wireless-Headphones/dp/B00KJLMBSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482645853&sr=8-1&keywords=fit+headphones

if IEM are an option: Tin Audio T2

If you like bass: cover the vents under the foam tips with a piece of electrical tape to turn them into bass beauties

Recommended upgrade: a new MCXX cable because the original is kinda crappy

I've been using these IEM for a while now and they're best headphones I've owned.

Monoprice 109927 with Radians Custom Molded Earplugs

Good sound and the molds make a great fit.