# Recommeded earphones for iPod? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 17, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012 "2008-02-17T20:51:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/1 "2008-02-17T20:51:06Z")
My friend is not happy with her iPod. It seems to be missing a whole range of tones. She’s heard she should get new earphones, but all the ones she’s found have way too much bass and still come up lacking. Is there anything in particular that anyone would recommend for no more than $50? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/2 "2008-02-17T21:24:29Z")
I have the big brother to these [Shure E2C](http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO/ref=pd_bbs_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203283324&sr=8-6) and I love them. The sound reproduction is excellent, much better than what comes with the iPod. In addition, these fit my ear much better than the Apple units. They are a bit more expensive than your price point, but I think they are worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/3 "2008-02-17T21:25:56Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] all the ones she’s found have way too much bass [/QUOTE] Has she inadvertantly adjusted the equalizer settings on her iPod? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/4 "2008-02-17T21:41:28Z")
etymotic er6i’s but they run in the 60-70’s. [http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Isolator-Earphones-Black/dp/B000BQSGMM/ref=pd\_bbs\_sr\_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203284301&sr=8-1](http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Isolator-Earphones-Black/dp/B000BQSGMM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203284301&sr=8-1) on a side note, I just found this link, where they splice the iphone headset to etymotics. [http://www.ultimatebuds.com/store/product.php?productid=16137](http://www.ultimatebuds.com/store/product.php?productid=16137) ---
**Author:** ![Topologist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/topologist/32/3208_2.png) [@Topologist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Topologist)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/5 "2008-02-17T23:30:31Z")
MrsTopologist and I really like [these](http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PX100W-Supra-Aural-Foldable-Headphones/dp/B000AM8WQM/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b). Also available in [black](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000089GN3/ref=pd_cp_e_0?pf_rd_p=250314601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000AM8WQM&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=12GAHEH5K7PG0YQ04510). (They’re headphones rather than earphones, but small and “open” to outside sounds.) ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/6 "2008-02-18T16:50:01Z")
Are you looking for headphones or earbuds? I love my Sennheiser hd280 headphones. They can usually be had for around $70, maybe a little cheaper if you shop around a bit. They need broken in a bit, but it’s hard to beat the sound quality for the price. I use them with my computer and mp3 player. Very nice clear sound, works great with games, music, etc. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/7 "2008-02-18T16:56:06Z")
[QUOTE=Apocalypso] Are you looking for headphones or earbuds? I love my Sennheiser hd280 headphones. They can usually be had for around $70, maybe a little cheaper if you shop around a bit. They need broken in a bit, but it’s hard to beat the sound quality for the price. I use them with my computer and mp3 player. Very nice clear sound, works great with games, music, etc. [/QUOTE] Either headphones or earbuds suggestions would be welcome! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/8 "2008-02-18T17:03:55Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Has she inadvertantly adjusted the equalizer settings on her iPod? [/QUOTE] I wouldn’t rule it out- how can she check & if so, how can she readjust them? ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/9 "2008-02-18T17:04:52Z")
Which iPod does she have. I’ve read that the new 160GB classic has a different sound chip from…Cirrus Logic. Cirrus is infamous for cheapo video cards. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/10 "2008-02-18T17:41:27Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] I wouldn’t rule it out- how can she check & if so, how can she readjust them? [/QUOTE] [iPod: How to use the equalizer](http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61563) My wife managed to set her iPod’s eq to a strange place, without ever knowing it, so inadvertent changes _are_ possible. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/11 "2008-02-18T17:51:13Z")
If you get headphones, you have to figure out whether you want closed or open phones. Closed phones isolate you from the sounds around you, and they also don’t let a lot of sound out for people around you to hear. Open-back headphones give you no isolation, but they have higher quality sound for a given price point. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/12 "2008-02-18T19:26:40Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonix] etymotic er6i’s but they run in the 60-70’s. [http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Isolator-Earphones-Black/dp/B000BQSGMM/ref=pd\_bbs\_sr\_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203284301&sr=8-1](http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Isolator-Earphones-Black/dp/B000BQSGMM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203284301&sr=8-1) on a side note, I just found this link, where they splice the iphone headset to etymotics. [http://www.ultimatebuds.com/store/product.php?productid=16137](http://www.ultimatebuds.com/store/product.php?productid=16137) [/QUOTE] Etymotics are worth every penny IMHO ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/13 "2008-02-18T20:45:48Z")
Have you tried the [Sony MDR-E828?](http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-E828LP-Fontopia-Earbuds-Winding/dp/B00008VF63/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203367415&sr=8-1) Real cheap with a pretty good range. Worth a shot at $10. ---
**Author:** ![Von\_Erich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@Von\_Erich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Von_Erich)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/14 "2008-02-18T20:51:05Z")
According to [HeadphoneReviews.org](http://headphonereviews.org/) ,[Creative Labs EP-630s](http://headphonereviews.org/headphone.php?action=view&headphoneId=181) are your best bet. I ordered them through Amazon last week for around $25. I should receive them tomorrow and I can let you know how they sound. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/15 "2008-02-21T06:20:34Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Has she inadvertantly adjusted the equalizer settings on her iPod? [/QUOTE] I was just able to ask, No, she hasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/16 "2008-02-21T06:27:57Z")
Since our main point was that the headphones should not have too much bass, could anyone address that? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/17 "2008-02-21T09:53:06Z")
She hasn’t cut back on the sampling rate in order to squeeze more mp3’s onto the unit has she? That’ll attenuate high tones, resulting in a noticeable emphasis of the lower frequencies. ---
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/18 "2008-02-21T15:56:31Z")
I can cheerfully recommend Skull Candy’s [Smokin’ Buds](http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/smokinbuds-p-10.html?zenid=f2365e5a76741982e42191e7462f377e). In addition to sounding kind of crap, my apple earbuds made my ears hurt. Skull Candy’s sound fantastic and come with three sizes of flexible rubbery sleeves that cover the actual (teenytiny) speaker bit so you can choose a comfy fit. My pair cost me about 40$ canadian. I see you’re in the States, so you’d actually be able to order from their website and your selection is much wider. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/19 "2008-02-21T21:20:52Z")
[QUOTE=Daerlyn] I can cheerfully recommend Skull Candy’s [Smokin’ Buds](http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/smokinbuds-p-10.html?zenid=f2365e5a76741982e42191e7462f377e). In addition to sounding kind of crap, my apple earbuds made my ears hurt. Skull Candy’s sound fantastic and come with three sizes of flexible rubbery sleeves that cover the actual (teenytiny) speaker bit so you can choose a comfy fit. My pair cost me about 40$ canadian. I see you’re in the States, so you’d actually be able to order from their website and your selection is much wider. [/QUOTE] Weird! I have those same earbuds, but I got them for $15 at Target. But I’m happy with them overall. They’re the only ones I’ve ever had that form a tight seal with my ear, so I’m always worried that they’re going to impact ear wax or something but nothing so far. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012/20 "2008-02-22T00:14:38Z")
I usually use [these Sonys](http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-G42LP-Street-Style-Headphones/dp/B0002SQ3Z6/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b?ie=UTF8&qid=1203638512&sr=8-8). You can pull the little loop things off if you wear glasses. They’re cheap I mean inexpensive, light, and sound fine for walking around [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommeded-earphones-for-ipod/438012.md?page=2)