Headphone recommendations

[svosen]

I'm considering getting some new headphones to use with my new MP3 player. I was leaning toward a behind-the-neck model, but I've also considered some of the ear-clip models.

I wear glasses, so that's probably a consideration too.

Anyone have suggestions? I don't really want to spend any more than $20 or so, but I've heard you can buy decent phones for less than that.

Actually, comfort is probably of greater importance to me than sound quality (after all, you get a lot of wind noise on a bicycle anyhow, so who really cares if the sound quality isn't top notch?).

[Dmitry M. (Lazer)]

Shure E4C's
If you got money to burn, Shure E4C's are probably the best in-ear headphones on the market. And not only will it give you bass and sound quality it will cancel out the wind noise you get because of the in-ear design. Be ready to pay a whopping $300 for them, you can look around for them and probably find them for $200, but you'll be lucky if you do. Also comes with 2 Year Warrenty, which is excellent backup for headphones.

Shure E3C's (This is what i use)
The Shure E3C's i've bought earlier this year. These are by far the best headphones i bought. The E4C's are better in Bass, by better i mean you can really tell the difference. This is the only weak point of the E3C's, it's Bass is not as powerful as the higher stander Shure E4C's or the lower Standard Sony Funtopia's. These headphones do take some getting used to, or some time to configure the correct pads for your ears. But once you get it done they are great headphones. Likewise with the E4C's they also come with the 2 Year Warrenty. Be ready to pay $200 for them, though you should be able to easily find them for cheaper, i got them for $100. I got it for half the price because i used to work at CompUSA and got the cost price on products.

Sony Funtopia MDR-EX71SL/WK
Do not buy these headphones. Though they are not as expensive, running you a measly $40 in comparison to the others, these only come with a 90 day warrenty and i've had 2 pairs break down on me in about 3-4 months time. Though they have great Bass, they are not great for people that Run, like me. I run 4-5 times a week depending on when i get to the gym, and these things would just slip off, so since you bike i wouldn't reccommend them.

Etymotic ER-6 Isolator
These headphones are also great. Yet again like the E3C's they lack Bass. So if you're a fan of Hip Hop, i wouldn't get this. The E3C's have more Bass then these headphones. But the Etymotic ER-6's will run you about $140. And if you look around you can get them for about $80.

If i was in your position i would buy the E4C's but then again i don't have money to burn, if that is the case then stick with the E3C's or the ER-6's.


EDIT:
Here are reviews of headphones on CNET:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Music/4521-6...ml?tag=dir.hed

[Dmitry M. (Lazer)]

I would highly stick away from Sony headphones. I've just been reading more user reviews on the both Sony models reviews on CNET and you will notice that many people have them break within 4-6 months. And it's not worth paying $50 or $100 on headphones that'll break and no warrenty on them.

[Pocky Fiend]

The Sony PSP headphones arn't that bad. :P

[svosen]

plus they come with a nice gaming system for free...

[Dmitry M. (Lazer)]

Originally posted by Pocky Fiend
The Sony PSP headphones arn't that bad. :P

You haven't tried Shure or Etymotic headphones yet that's why you say that.

I used to only use Sony headphones, cause i thought they were the best until i heard my friends E2C's i was amazed. I got the E3C's for myself and i was amazed on the difference in quality. I've even heard the E4C's and those i liked the best. The Bass in those was just their. No sound escapes nor does any outside sound bother you.

[Norrec]

You haven't tried Shure or Etymotic headphones yet that's why you say that.

And because he has a sense of humor

But svosen mentioned that he didnt want to spend more than $20 on them in the first post. Paying $100+ when you're originally only looking to pay $20 is pretty outragous.

Personally I still use an old pair of Sony 'street style' or whatever it is, the kind with the band thing that goes behind the head (im not mr. technical words here), it was an older pair, i cant actually find them now to say what model they were, due to moving back home from college, but im sure most sony's are close to the same quality in this price range. Theres a newer style where the earpieces look like rounded triangles, I have the older, round style. I bought them a while ago for $20, but since the new one came out, it's probably less now.
Anyways, I wear glasses, they seem to not interfere much with comfort, but i suppose that depends on how your glasses are adjusted to your ears. I even sleep with mine on, although after a while it tends to get uncomfortable if you sleep on one side too long, but if you're using it to bike or run, its pretty decent, and they seem to stay put while you're doing stuff.
After about 3 years, i still prefer these to other similar pairs i've tried since.

And I'd like to add that earphones != good for biking.
the cords are usually too short, and if one pops out while you're riding, and manages to say hello to the wheel, yeah, wooooo. not that healthy for your music listening adventures

[Dmitry M. (Lazer)]

Originally posted by Norrec

And because he has a sense of humor

But svosen mentioned that he didnt want to spend more than $20 on them in the first post. Paying $100+ when you're originally only looking to pay $20 is pretty outragous.

Personally I still use an old pair of Sony 'street style' or whatever it is, the kind with the band thing that goes behind the head (im not mr. technical words here), it was an older pair, i cant actually find them now to say what model they were, due to moving back home from college, but im sure most sony's are close to the same quality in this price range. Theres a newer style where the earpieces look like rounded triangles, I have the older, round style. I bought them a while ago for $20, but since the new one came out, it's probably less now.
Anyways, I wear glasses, they seem to not interfere much with comfort, but i suppose that depends on how your glasses are adjusted to your ears. I even sleep with mine on, although after a while it tends to get uncomfortable if you sleep on one side too long, but if you're using it to bike or run, its pretty decent, and they seem to stay put while you're doing stuff.
After about 3 years, i still prefer these to other similar pairs i've tried since.

And I'd like to add that earphones != good for biking.
the cords are usually too short, and if one pops out while you're riding, and manages to say hello to the wheel, yeah, wooooo. not that healthy for your music listening adventures

You've got a point. But for under $20 there really isn't anything in ear-bud or with good sound quality. They sound the same as the basic bullshit you would get from most major MP3 players. Sony Street Style headphones imo are too bulky for me, and especially while running. The Street Style headphones during exercise get annoying because they cause a lot of irritation between your ears, no oxygen going through, and i manage to find myself always picking them up for some air to pass through. They are also annoying to me when i go to sleep and want to listen to music.

Street Style are meant for exactly what they are called the Street. When you are walking somewhere or waiting for a bus, using some sort of public transportation, etc... They are defenitly not meant for sporting, or atleast i don't think so from personal experience. I've found in-ear headphones to be the best for sporting, that's why i use them.

The likely hood of your wire snapping from the player is slim to none, since i would imagine the player would be kept in one spot contantly while working out.

If i was you and i had a $20 limit i would just get Sony's ear-bud headphones. They are about $15-$20 and are pretty good. I used to use them a lot while working out, loved them. Though not as good as sound quality as the Shure's for the price range they were excellent.

I guess it's cheaper then i though on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...8314 965&rd=1

[Norrec]

I haven't had a problem with the streetstyle set i had, and i use it bikeriding alot, but I suppose in some cases it may be a problem.

I love earbuds, it's all i used to use, but a lot of them get to a point of hurting my ear when i have them in too much, and if the cord gets caught, it easily pulls out, gets annoying.. Although it sucks worse with street style, if something grabs the cord and pulls it from your face, its a mess, especially if you have glasses.

If you're okay with short wire lengths and the possibility of them being pulled out of your ear, i agree sony earbuds are great for the price.

[Dmitry M. (Lazer)]

Originally posted by Norrec
I haven't had a problem with the streetstyle set i had, and i use it bikeriding alot, but I suppose in some cases it may be a problem.

I love earbuds, it's all i used to use, but a lot of them get to a point of hurting my ear when i have them in too much, and if the cord gets caught, it easily pulls out, gets annoying.. Although it sucks worse with street style, if something grabs the cord and pulls it from your face, its a mess, especially if you have glasses.

If you're okay with short wire lengths and the possibility of them being pulled out of your ear, i agree sony earbuds are great for the price.

Yeah i'll agree i've had that problem with Sony Ear-Buds. For Some reasons Sony makes small ass cords on there ear-bud headphones. My E3C's i don't have that happening because of the length.

But i will agree that the Sony Ear-Buds do become a bitch when they are on for too long.