I'm new to the world of iPod and the in-ear headphones. I've had them for a couple weeks now and have this weird sensation in my ears, like I'm stretching them out or something. It's not painful and i don't think it's sound/volume related. But putting the buds in there is causing some weird discomfort.

Anyone else notice this or am I just am I just a mutant with inflexible ears?

You're not the only one.

The iPod headphones drive me nuts. I actually went back to using the "wrap around" Walkman headphones, which are far more comfortable and less likely to cause hearing damage.

I took me a while to get used to the buds (but I think I was ok after a couple of weeks). I’m now quite comfortable with them and certainly prefer them to the “ones that go in your ear but aren’t buds” (what the hell do you call them?).

I have no discomfort. Have you tried different sized buds? It took me a week or two to decide on the right size.

earbuds always make my ears hurt. not from the volume of the music. I always use wraparound headphones and hope to invest in a nice pair in a few months.

I don't use the pod headphones. I don't like not having some sort of headgear. I use the headphones I've had for awhile instead.

the iPod earbuds are incredibly uncomfortable, and not very good. I use earbuds with flexible fittings, kinds like this (but not these since I cannot afford them):



But I cannot use them when working out or other strenuous activity that causes me to sweat. I have to go with the standard over the head ear bud type like these...



...as I could not get any other in-ear phones to stay in.

Those look exactly like the kind I use.

Yeah, $10. Good for working out and working with loud lawn maintenance and snow removal equipment. Cua a $100 pair of earbuds ain't gonna make a lick of difference in those environments anyway.

Ditto. I use these at work-- they're clear and I can crank 'em up a bit without getting dirty looks from my coworkers. Plus, at $10, I won't cry if they go missing or bust.

those bud thingy sucks. i just reverted back to my over the ear style. they also keep your ears a bit warmer in those darn chilly winter months.

not only are the ones that come w/ the iPod uncomfortable as hell, they also sound like utter crap.

you can buy a WAY better pair of sennheisser earbuds for about $15-20

the ones that have rubber flanges (such as those eytmotics, or Sure's, or even Sony's MDR-51//71/81's) definitely are way way more comfortable, and all sound better (the etymotic and sure's better than the Sony's obviously, but 2-3x the price)

i've used this type for the last 5 years or so. nothing in yr ear, and the arm goes behind yr ear like glasses so they are nice and snug but you can still hear sounds around you as well if you want.

15 bucks

^^ Yeah, I found those to be comfortable too. But didn't like the foam getting wet with sweat during workouts. Got nasty, and got too lazy to look for foam replacements.

for working out i'd recommend these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007N55L...5Fencoding=UTF8

same earbud as the MDR-51/71 and same sound (much better than the stock apple ones, not quit Sure/Etymotic quality obviously), but they stay in your ear and on your head very well, yet are pretty light/inconspicous still.

For $30, I may try them. I have always had trouble keeping earbuds in the ear when working out if they weren't over the head. Something about that over the head piece seems to keep them in place better for me.

These are real good, and very comfortable: http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Sharp_HP...Headphones.html

for me, it's not just comfort. the damn things just always want to fall out. I like something outside of my ears MUCH better.

I use the shure E2c's. I love em. I know they are canal phones not ear buds or in ear phones but I love em. worth the 100 dollars after you get used to them. look out though, cause like a tatoo you will want the bigger and better ones after. (500 bills).

I have only had I pod headphones in my ears for a total of about 2 hours becaue the sound is so shitty and they are uncomfortable.

have you tried the ones that actually go in your ear like earplugs?

typical "earbuds" don't go in your ears really, they sit just outside the canal, the ones that have soft rubber plugs NEVER fall out of my ears, unless i pull pretty hard on 'em

i too prefer actual headphones, but for on the go, i like to use earbuds that go in my ears.

Count me among those who can't stand buds.

I use some old wrap around Sonys on the plane or any other time when I'll be rushing around. I have a pair of PortaPros that I really love, but I always feel like I'm going to break the damn things if I'm sticking them in my carry on or anything. Aren't they guaranteed through Koss for accidental breakage or something? I remember registering them after I first picked 'em up, but fuck if I remember the details.

see my comment above, about the difference between earbuds and canalphones

i can't stand true "earbuds" either, they sound like shit and are like sticking M&M's in your ear

Outside of Q-tips, I really don't like anything in my ears...

I'm sort of weird about it.

ysi please.

touche

i can't stand the ipod headphones. if i move my head, the damned things fall right out. they sound great and all, but i think i just have really big ears.

Thanks for the input everyone -- especially the recommendations. Glad to know I'm not the only one driven crazy by these things. So the search for new headphones begins -- undoubtedly to result in whatever Solace recommended. My throbbing ear canals thank you.

I am interested in purchasing a new pair of headphones for both my iPod and my computer and was wondering:
1. what kind of headphones do you use
2. whether any of you know the best sounding headphones for under $100

and
3. where is your favorite place to listen to music?

Is this a marketing survey?

This is a time where I really wish that the "Old Archives Thread" link still worked.

um no, i really just want to get some idea of what kind of headphones i should ask for for christmas, from people who love music

and the third question is just out of curiosity

There's an awesome and comprehensive thread on this somewhere called "Destro's Headphone Thread." Check the pinned archives.

It's called "Destro's Headphone Post"! And I'm pretty sure it's only in the "Old Archives Thread," and that link unfortunately does not work anymore!

LOL at you amateurs

http://www.dreamscents.com/destro.htm

Well, fuck!

There you go.

I love my Bose noise cancelling headphones, but they run over $300...I got them as a gift last year. Bose now has in ear phones which are supposedly state of the art in comfort.

It's as if no one ever makes new models of headphones.

thanks guys

Wow, those were some fucking informative responses!





One the low end, this set is fantastic and takes a beating(which is important if you are a heavy user). The audio quality beats up on more expensive headphones:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AKGK66



Higher end:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AKGK240STU


AKG specializes in professional mics and headphones.


I would just grab the cheaper pair for computer and ipod listening. The difference form the iPod's bad headphones is remarkable.

One word: Grado!

I love those headphones. But I would never buy them because I always destroy mine rather quickly. Same with sunglasses.

I dislike this type of thread, personally.

When I was researching headphones to buy I found some great info on the forum at

http://www.head-fi.org/

really great forum they live and breath headphones over there.

I ended up buying the "Sennheiser HD 280 Pro". Easily one of the best purchases I've ever made...love these things.

i have both Senn HD280 Pro's and Grado SR-80's... i prefer the sound of the Grado's for Rock & Folk/Acoustic, and the Senn's for rap/hip hop/electronic

the Senn's are closed air, so if you want that, go for those. if you don't mind headphones that leak sound a good deal (yet sound more natural), go for the Grado's. both are comfortable for me (some people complain about the Grado's, but they're so light i rarely notice they are on). the Senn's make my ears sweat sometimes during the summer, i kinda wish i could find some velour pads for 'em.

Sennheiser HD-201
OK, so it's evident I've never had a good pair of headphones on in my life, but I've had these for about a year and a half now and love them. For the price (it's also evident I'm poor, ha) they can't be beat. I wish I personally knew someone who actually liked music as much as I do and has a real nice stereo system and headphones, so I can see what I'm missing. But for now, my Technics system, Technics speakers, and $17 Sennheiser headphones will have to do.

it's a marketing ploy

This guy on MSNBC has written a bunch of headphone reviews, including this one. In the article, he highly recommends a bargain pair of noise cancelling JVC NC-100's ($40-$60); and Stax electrostatic (out of your range...$300). Everyone else has also given good recomendations....so good luck.

just don't waste your $$ on Bose headphones... that's all i will recommend

Who can recommend something for use at the gym? I had a cheap in-ear swivel/adjustable Sony or Panasonic pair but seem to have misplaced them...they were ok but tinny & I had to boost the bass when I used them.

don't listen too loud.

i have tinnitus and i now never wear headphones except when i'm recording and i wear earplugs underneath them because i'm paranoid.

I like shure so far. e2c's have a nice sound, a tiny muddy but way better than standard I buds. waiting for my new shures to come but they are a bit pricier. the e2c can be found for like 70 bucks on the net.