Comfortable Ear Buds?

Comfort really depends on your ears.

Try to figure out what it is with the present earbuds (and any other you've tried) causes the discomfort.

Once you've identified the likely causes - that takes you a long way knowing what to avoid.

The earbuds that come with the iPod Touch -
ipodtouchheroxb5.jpg

are the typical ones that work by wedging in the ear.

These are uncomfortable if they are too large for one's ears, or if the semi-soft material around the circumference does not provide enough cushioning.

Another cause of discomfort for some is that the earbuds may be too small causing them to fall out - or at least have a hard time staying put.

The usual foam covers may help if they are too small or if cushioning is not enough - but won't help if the earbuds are too large already.

So I would suggest avoiding that type of earbuds.

Earbuds that fit into the ear canal - may offer better fit/comfort as shown above.

The real bargain is the Phillips HE591 (black) or 592 (white)
model # has now changed to SHE5910 and SHE5920 -
phillipshr591ul8.jpg

priced at $14.72 at a local WalMart (where there is a no fuss return policy)

Philips Surround Sound Headphone, Black, SHE5910/27

Philips Surround Sound Headphone, White, SHE5920/27

Note in the picture - the silicone inserts - there are two sets - which help fit in the ear canal - I have heard of people removing them and trying to use the earbuds without - no wonder some complain of real discomfort.

They actually sound great - some of the best sounding earbuds around - I was so impressed that I bought a second set.

Useful and informative review at Amazon

Re: ear fit complaints at Amazon

My review at Amazon

If no in-ear phones work for you - then you may have to resort to the bigger more conventional on the ear headphone or even over the ear.......

--
Vincent
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Ditto on the Shures, if you like the in-the-ear isolating type. Bass may be a bit shy as compared to the Bose. Sony ear buds in the upper cost range have very strong bass, too much much for my taste. Check out the Sennheiser conventional 'buds, or if you want comfortable, non-isolating, on the ear, folding phones with amazing sound for the money, Sennheiser PX-100. Koss Porta Pros get good ratings, too.

For serious listening, Grado is the way to go.

BTW, any serious cans (like loudspeakers), need to be broken in.
 
www.etymotic.com One of the best in IEM. Earbuds that actually go a short distance into your ear canal providing complete isolation and with the ER4S something that many other earbuds, headphones use to base a comparison on.
 
ThinkOfTheChildren said:
Not quite sure if you will count them as earbuds, but I use the Sony MDR-J10. They are as light as earbuds, and almost as compact, but since they have the tab that goes over the ear, they don't need pressure inside the ear canal to stay on your head. I must admit I have never tried expensive earbuds, but I have never been able to comfortably wear any of the earbuds I've ever tried. These are comfortable for me though, and very stable.
Click to expand...

My son has a pair of very similar Sony MDRJ20W. Comfortable and good enough for casual listening.
 
If you really care about sound: Etymotic ER-6i

$80 NIB if you look hard enough. MSRP is $150

They sound incredible, fit amazingly, and are made very well. I've had Shures. These are much more comfortable.
 
quattrokid73 said:
If you really care about sound: Etymotic ER-6i

$80 NIB if you look hard enough. MSRP is $150

They sound incredible, fit amazingly, and are made very well. I've had Shures. These are much more comfortable.
Click to expand...

I would agree with that - I have both the ER-6 and the ER-6i ("tuned" specifically for use with iPods). Haven't heard anything better; amazing sound. But I'd still like to get some Shures to make my own comparison.
 
Headphone sound quality and comfort are very subjective -
but one can still approach this somewhat "objectively" -

ConsumerSearch on Headphones

they claim to be reviewing the reviews - rate all the reviews and come to some concensus.

Which is a very sensible way of doing things - as that would be the logical way to do research if we had the resources - that is read all the reviews and come to some concensus.

The top rated headphone review sites were -

OnHeadphones.com (link to earbud ratings)

CNet.com (link to top earbuds)

OnHeadphones.com top rated earbuds were Sennheiser MX500 - and they were $16!!! -
BUT they are still the wedge in the ear type and may not suit -
although the review does say they were very comfortable.........

The next rated were Skullcandy Ink'd - Smokin' Buds at about $20 -
these are in-canal type (like the Philips HE591 Surround Sound Earbuds I mentioned previously)
- so may fit better.
EDIT to ADD - these are on Sale at a local Target this week (until Feb/9?) for $12.99 (link to black or white)

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Vincent
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Problem is, those Sennheisers are the type that simply fall out of my ears! I can only use the ones that go right into the ear canal. (Good links :thumbup: )
 
I think that's what Radio Shack calls the attachments that fit over the buds and hold neoprene ear inserts. Two sizes of attachments and 3 sizes of inserts. They really helped the sorry buds that came with my Microsoft Zune. Cost ~$18 and worth it.
 
nevertoomany said:
I think that's what Radio Shack calls the attachments that fit over the buds and hold neoprene ear inserts. Two sizes of attachments and 3 sizes of inserts. They really helped the sorry buds that came with my Microsoft Zune. Cost ~$18 and worth it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input on Griffin EarJams -
griffinipod6379ejmbjb9.jpg

here's the Amazon listing -
looks like they can snap on to most wedge-in-the-ear buds and convert them into in-canal type.

They should increase bass and volume as advertized -
BUT I don't know how they would affect sound balance/quality.

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UnknownVT said:
Thanks for the input on Griffin EarJams -
griffinipod6379ejmbjb9.jpg

here's the Amazon listing -
looks like they can snap on to most wedge-in-the-ear buds and convert them into in-canal type.

They should increase bass and volume as advertized -
BUT I don't know how they would affect sound balance/quality.

--
Vincent
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Click to expand...


I also bought those (of course ;) ) but they didn't do much for me. Still think that Etymotics are at the top.:)
 
UnknownVT said:
OnHeadphones.com top rated earbuds were Sennheiser MX500 - and they were $16!!! -
BUT they are still the wedge in the ear type and may not suit -
although the review does say they were very comfortable.........
Click to expand...
I use the MX400, which is the same thing as the MX500, but without the inline slider control for volume.
They're great for me, since the sound quality is good, and I don't want sound isolation.
My iRiver MP3 player actually came with a pair of MX400s, but they had an "offset" cord(one side is longer) which I didn't like, so I bought the regular ones.
Was curious about Shures, but wasn't willing to pay the price...

Now you all have me looking at the Sennheiser OMX70, which looks like it would be perfect for me.
 
mckrob said:
I've had the same problem with just about every pair of ear-buds I've tried; they all really hurt my ears (I think I have freakishly small ear canals).

I found these Bose earbuds on sale last year and absolutely love them, no more hurt and the sound quality is fantastic. The soft rubber piece sits inside the ear and is extremely comfortable (and replaceable).Even on sale they are a bit pricey (I paid around $100 including tax) but worth every penny.

bose_earbuds.jpg
Click to expand...

I was just about to suggest these. I am throughly happy with the sound quality. The one and only gripe I have is that they fly apart if you move around too fast. Could just be me, being a goofball and wearing earbuds running.
 
I'm surprised no one's mentioned the Westone UM1 True-fit single-driver earphones. Most comfortable earphone's I've ever used. You can use these while lying on your side with no discomfort.
I've got a SE W810i mp3 cell phone and can't wear those earphones for too long without my ears hurting. Same thing with some Skull Candy earphones I bought a few months ago. I tried them for a few minutes then put them back in the packaging and will probably give them to a family member that needs them.
Back to the Westones though. They come with 4 pairs of foam form-fitting eartips (2 standard and 2 short), a wax loop to clean earwax out of the tube and a small carry case. Cost about $107US but well worth it. The foam eartips block out outside sound by sealing your ear canal. The cord is a black braided type that wraps around the top of your ears and behind your head and I've NEVER had a problem with it tangling like other earphones.
These are "entry-level" musician monitors and are upgradeable to their UM56 custom-fit eartips.
Anyhow, just my 2 cents since I researched earphones for a good month or two before purchasing.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, they sound is great!
 
I know that they aren't earbuds, but ive tried the sennheiser HD555 headphones, boy that is the most comfortable and best sound quality ive heard.
 
Keith_H said:
I know that they aren't earbuds, but ive tried the sennheiser HD555 headphones, boy that is the most comfortable and best sound quality ive heard.
Click to expand...

Yes, those monsters are definitely the "anti-earbuds"! LOL! (But they do sound great, I agree!)
 
The real bargain is the Phillips HE591 (black) or 592 (white)
model # has now changed to SHE5910 and SHE5920 -
Click to expand...

Those are the ones I use. I can wear them with the smaller inserts for a 10 hour stretch without any discomfort. Sound is beter than the stock earphones that came with my Creative or my Sansa MP3 players. They went from coming in a goofy round case that you wrapped the headphones around, (which actually is probably better for avoiding damage) to a small zipper case.

I like them enough I have four pairs. None have failed me, I just use them for computer movie watching, portable DVD player, and Gameboy Lite too.
 
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