Simon C

Looking for a decent set of audio in ear plugs with a volume control control built in for my iPod.

I could have my audio protection ear plugs converted to monitors, but they have no volume control built in and to do so would means rsking loosing the 5mm diameter tuned filters which are expensive to replace if I loose 1.

scoob_babe

Have a look at Sennheiser or Shure

ricardo

I've got some Etymotic 6i in-ear headphones, they literally are 'in-ear', and shut out pretty much all outside noise.

Etymotic Research, Inc. - High-fidelity Earphones and Hearing Instrumentation

Not cheap, but very good sound once you master getting them snug in the ear.

springbok

As above really,

Sennheiser do a good budget price in ear "canal" headphone, the CX300, around £20 from amazon, Amazon.co.uk: Sennheiser CX300 Ear Canal Headphones - Silver: Electronics & Photo

Or another budget one is the sony Amazon.co.uk: Sony MDR-EX71SLW Stereo Earphones - White: Electronics & Photo

I bought a set similar to this in Japan about 5 years ago when they were the "latest" thing, I got mine for long haul flights, they are very comfy for long periods of time. They don't "cancel" out cabin noise, rather "block" it as the earphones fit snuggly in the ear canal. They are still going strong after much use of flights.

Or as ricardo mentioned the Etymotic 6i, around £71.50 Amazon.co.uk: Etymotic ER-6i Earphones - Black: Electronics & Photo

Or Shure EC3 if you are willing to spend a couple of quid more, £89.99.
Amazon.co.uk: Shure E3C - Headphones -Wideband MicroDriver Technology: Electronics & Photo

All from Amazon so you may find them cheaper elsewhere, although Amazon's price on the Sennheiser's seem pretty good, £30 elsewhere,

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Grahame.

oobster

Got the CX300's - great wee headphones.

AudiLover

do not buy the sonys. Ive now had 2 pairs that went dead after about 3 months daily 3 hours use. Pure ****e

Using koss spark plugs at the minute. For the money they are 10/10 but can get annoying getting them in the ears.

Simon S3

Had my Sony MDR-EX71s for about 5 years now. Good sound. Totally reliable.

springbok

Maybe the build quality has gone down since I bought mine from Japan, wouldn't be surprised if they are made in China now like everything else seems to be.

As I said mine are still go strong after 5 years of many long haul flights and general abuse this telecoms contractor has thrown at them
Although they do always go back in the bag, rolled up after use.

I bought 2 pairs out in Japan as they weren't available in the UK at the time, just in case 1 pair died on me. The second pair is still unused.

The cable stations I work in can be pretty noisy places with AC units and a million fans on every peice of telecoms gear in the transmission rooms.


I do like the look of the more expensive ones though, I do like a gadget or two Maybe on the Christmas list.

springbok

Just had a look at mine and they are the the older MDR-EX70's and made in Korea!!
So my assumption of buying them from Japan and assuming they were made in the mother country, so were a better build quality is out of the window

AudiLover

Sony MDR-EX71SL Fontopia In-The-Ear Headphones (Black) = ****

Just need to read the reviews that there are hundreads of people who had the same problems as me, or different ones. Either way I wouldnt risk it when there are plenty of just as good, or better alternatives out there.

DCI Gene Hunt

I still remember the good ole days, pre this 'in the ear' mp3 ****e......

you liked a track, you went out and bought a GHETTO blaster and then cranked it up so everybody within 500 metres could like the track with you.........

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Shure

Simon S3

Like I said, I`ve had mine for 5 years, never let me down. If you trashed yours then OK, but mine have been excellent.

AudiLover

maybe the ones on sale today are the outcome of cost cutting. Either way the ones they sell now are complete and utter ****e. Sound good, and then they just break with no warning. Its like cheap car subs. Its as if my headphones went into meltdown.

bobsabuilder

Mine, my daughters and my wifes sets are all still working as good as the day they were bought.

I wear mine to bed every night and fall asleep wearing them, normally for me to rip them outta my ears about 4 albums later.

I too have seen on the net reports from others that have had faults, but remember, people may post when things go wrong, but very rarely will they post when things don't go wrong!

Bob

Chris L

Another vote for Shure. I've got the EC2's which are around £50. They may be the cheapest ear phones they do, but they will transform your MP3 player. I'm not sure how Apple has the nerve to supply the iPod with the awful standard headphones - they are truely awful.

I've found the EC2's work really well on the tube and other noisey environments.

Daryl

Sony EX81s are great (at least mine have been), but if you want a built in volume control you would have to get the MDRNC11 noise cancelling ones. I have a pair of these for use on planes, etc and they are great, but cost more and don't sound quite as good as the EX81s, IMO.

The earpieces on Sony headphones are very comfortable, but make sure you put the right sized ones on (there are 3 to choose from), as it makes a big difference.

Wish

iTrader: (2)

I've got the Sony's and they are excellent and can be cranked up loud without disturbing the person next to you.
Like wise once they have them on you cant hear anyone !!!

So another thumbs up for the Sony set

Mark Miwurdz

Another vote for Shure.

I've got the E2Cs (entry level jobby) and they are great. The only problem with in-ear tackle is you're never going to get to give them a run-out before you part with folding.

Cheers
Kav

Simon C

Went for the CX300's in the end, cheers for the recomendations, they certainly have clarity and doo block out all external noise. But 1 thing remains....







Wheres the bass??????


These will be upgraded again when I have the free cash.

probably to these Amazon.co.uk: Shure E4C-N - Headphones - High-Definition Driver with Tuned Port Technology - Black: Electronics & Photo

or the ec5's if I'm feeling rich, and if the bass reproduction is any better.


Edit: Solved it by changing the rubber surrounds, ok they now don't fit as snuggly or block out as much of the background noise, but atleast I have the bass back. (and can hear the latency now as well )

KiwiGTI

If you are serious about good in ear phones the only ones to get are Shure, Etymotics or Ultimate Ears.

Shure E4c's are excellent but if you can stretch a bit more then hold out for the new E500s.

The E5s are known to be bassy, they are much more suited to classical music. E4c's are a much better all-rounder.

Simon C

I can wait, its not urgent now, I only really use them when in the hotel or on the train into london.

But having compaired the senn's to the Wharfedales I was using there is a distinct improvement.

paulr

Me too,very comfortable and sound great.

scoobydooooo

WHAT DID YOU LOT SAY , I CAN'T HEAR YOU COS OF THE LOUD RINGING IN MY EARS !!

Simon C

Haha, that reminds me, my foooooooking expensive ear defenders aren't here yet

shawn r

iTrader: (3)

im using the ones i got with my sony ericsson walkman phone with my ipod and they sound amazing, koss the plug are really good too.