Wired earbud recommendations

[DLJeffs]

Any audiophiles out there still using wired ear buds? I don't like the wireless bluetooth ones but the ones I use with my Sony Walkman are worn out, barely get any sound even with the Walkman dialed to max volume. I don't have the ear to spend hundreds of dollars on super techy ones - couldn't tell the difference. But I want a decent pair, good value for my money. Some web sites recommend Sennheisers but then other reviews say they aren't worth the money.

 

[ripjack13]

I got these a few years ago. They sound great....

Ebay link

 

[ripjack13]

Although they're a lil pricey now at 30 bucks. Mine were only 8 bucks.

 

[JonathanH]

I've tried many. None of the new ones last very long for me, the wires get an internal break and you lose sound in one ear.

I used the JBL set for several years and then could no longer find them.

The current set i thought was Sony but can find no markings on them.

No matter the brand I go thru 2 pairs a year. The cheap brands have only lasted a couple of weeks each time so I buy a name brand that I recognize if possible.

Quality isn't what it used to be.

 

[DLJeffs]

Although they're a lil pricey now at 30 bucks. Mine were only 8 bucks.

View attachment 268196

Thanks Marc, looks like those are made by Maxell. I'll check the Maxell web site. Sometimes you can get the same thing but without the M&M ad they're a lot cheaper. I have another set made by Shure that seem to work (full sound) but they're a little big so might look for a smaller pair.

And thanks Jonathan, I was looking at the JBL's. It seems like you can find earbuds for under $25 and then the next step up is around $60 - $70 bucks, and then they go up from there to over a thousand!! I primarily use them when I fly to drown out all the screaming kids and people talking on their phones or to the person sitting next to them.

 

[trc65]

For quite a few years I've been using Shure buds paired with these triple flange sleeves for better fit and noise reduction.



I'm not an audiophile, but I do like good sound and these are pretty dog gone good for the price. They have been very durable, lasting for years compared to other brands that always seemed to have breaks in the wires. My current pair is over 2 years old and replaced an ~ 4 year old pair. The only reason I replaced the 4 year old pair was I cut them with hedge clippers.

With the triple flange sleeves, the noise reduction is good enough (for me) when running a chainsaw, or mowing with a loud zero turn mower. None of the "buds" that come with earbuds have ever stayed in place for me, so finding the triple flange sleeves was a game changer.

There are lots of newer, and more expensive, models released, but I've stuck with this model as it's relatively cheap and works.

 

[Steve in VA]

I know this isn’t what you asked, but if you’re open to wireless check out the Anker Space A40. They have 3 settings - transparency, normal, and noise canceling. The noise canceling feature is amazing in the shop or on a flight. So good I stopped carrying my Bose NC headphones. They are not quite as good as the Bose, but close enough that the weight and bulk savings is worth it to me.

The sound is fantastic and there is an app for your phone where you can change the sound profile.

And the case allows for multiple charges without having to plug it in. A single charge lasts a hair over 5 hours.

 

[DLJeffs]

I know this isn’t what you asked, but if you’re open to wireless check out the Anker Space A40. They have 3 settings - transparency, normal, and noise canceling. The noise canceling feature is amazing in the shop or on a flight. So good I stopped carrying my Bose NC headphones. They are not quite as good as the Bose, but close enough that the weight and bulk savings is worth it to me.

The sound is fantastic and there is an app for your phone where you can change the sound profile.

And the case allows for multiple charges without having to plug it in. A single charge lasts a hair over 5 hours.

Thanks Steve. I just don't want wireless, pretty sure I'd lose them. My last trip, two people sitting in my row lost their wireless ear buds on the flight. We looked everywhere and couldn't find them. My wife lost her's outside while trimming the lavender bushes last summer, never found it either and she even felt it fall out of her ear so knew almost exactly where it landed. Plus most of the wireless ones are too big for my comfort.

 

[Mr. Peet]

Got any model train friends, you might just need new wires run to the speakers.

 

[Sprung]

I know this is not what you're looking for, but it could open up wireless as a possibility to you.

I have a pair of Loop Switch earplugs that I use when we are going to loud/crowded events/venues. They are tiny, weigh virtually nothing, and could very easily get lost. Loop sells what they call the Loop Link, which is a cord that attaches to the earplugs - and has a magnet in each end so that when you take them out, it can attach itself together around your neck. I bought a knock-off version of it that works rather well. Some of the knock-off versions are advertised for earbuds in general as well and I would imagine it would work well on earbuds too. All you'd need to do is remove the tip from the earbud, slide on the end of the cord, then replace the tip. (Might have to remove the cord for charging, if the earbuds sit in a case for charging.) There are also options for the Apple style earbuds as well.

 

[SENC]

Check out the isotunes buds - they have both wired and wireless (the latter including options to tether them together to reduce risk of loss). I've found the sound quality to be pretty darn good, and they add noise isolation that works pretty well mitigating shop machine noise.

Whatever product you end up with, buy some foam tips from Comply - tremendously more comfortable and better sealing than the tips that come with most buds. They offer multi-size packs so you can find the best fit.

 

[DLJeffs]

Check out the isotunes buds - they have both wired and wireless (the latter including options to tether them together to reduce risk of loss). I've found the sound quality to be pretty darn good, and they add noise isolation that works pretty well mitigating shop machine noise.

Whatever product you end up with, buy some foam tips from Comply - tremendously more comfortable and better sealing than the tips that come with most buds. They offer multi-size packs so you can find the best fit.

Those ISOtune one's look pretty good. And I like they offer ones without that stupid phone answering/microphone remote thing. Thanks

One thing I did notice on their web site. They show this safety warning poster. We always used 85dB as the threshold when hearing protection was mandatory. But what the hearing specialists always told us is that damage to hearing is cumulative and never repairs itself. So saying a certain noise level is dangerous after 2 hours or some specified time period is not correct. If you have to raise your voice to be heard over the ambient noise, it's loud enough to start damaging your hearing.

 

[SENC]

Those ISOtune one's look pretty good. And I like they offer ones without that stupid phone answering/microphone remote thing. Thanks

One thing I did notice on their web site. They show this safety warning poster. We always used 85dB as the threshold when hearing protection was mandatory. But what the hearing specialists always told us is that damage to hearing is cumulative and never repairs itself. So saying a certain noise level is dangerous after 2 hours or some specified time period is not correct. If you have to raise your voice to be heard over the ambient noise, it's loud enough to start damaging your hearing.

View attachment 268377

Interesting. I've always understood what this chart essentially says... that above 85 damage results from prolonged exposure, but that above some higher number (I don't remember what, but in the 100s) damage (could) occur immediately. Like you, I've understood that once damage occurs, it does not get repaired.

 

[Mr. Peet]

Interesting. I've always understood what this chart essentially says... that above 85 damage results from prolonged exposure, but that above some higher number (I don't remember what, but in the 100s) damage (could) occur immediately. Like you, I've understood that once damage occurs, it does not get repaired.

In high school, we were taught 112 was threshold to immediate loss and 120 was for sure.

 

[JonathanH]

Today I left the house for a week on the road. At the airport I realized that my ear buds were on the kitchen table, just were they belong, right?

Strolled over to one of the stores that sell some of everything and picked up this pair of a brand I've never heard of. They seem at least as well made as the other good brands that I have used and put out fantastic sound. They sound as good as any wired ear buds I've ever used.

The price in the airport was in the high $30's, should be less in other places.

 

[DLJeffs]

Just to close this loop.... I ended up getting a pair of ear buds from a company called 1More. They make buds and headphones specifically for music and had a pretty good sale going on. Used them on the plane flights on my last fishing trip and was very happy with them. Great sound even at low volume. I think they came with 5 or 6 different rubber or foam adapters so you can modify the fit. The cord is enclosed in a woven nylon sleeve to protect it and prevent breakage. They come in a very fancy box which I could have done without and reduced the cost accordingly but that wasn't an option.