Earbuds for walking around

[KEW]

I have a pair of Sennheiser cx-300 II earbuds which are good for travel. They are a little heavy on he bass, but since I am usually in some type of vehicle which has a steady drone, the extra bass is welcome.

I also have a pair of Etymotic Research ER6i which have better sound, but I don't use as much as the Sennheisers because I like the extra bass of the 300 II's for the reason mentioned above.

The problem with both of the above is they sound like crap when I am walking around! Any movement or cord bumping/sliding against my shoulder is conducted to my ears as a thud or other low bass noise.

I picked up a pair of Philips from Save-Rite for $10 which clip over the ear that do well in this regard, but I would like a little better sound. It doesn't have to be great since I'm not going to generally worry about critical listening.

Any ideas?

TIA

 

[GlocksRock]

I really like the sound of the JVC marshmallow earbuds, they are only about $20 but can be had for much less online.

 

[sholling]

That's a tough one. I've tried IEMs from $100 Shures to $400 Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10s (love'em) and all I've used transmit bumps. I'd contact HeadRoom and ask for suggestions. I've done business with them several times over the past 10 years and found their reviews very honest. Have you considered over the ear cans like Grado's SR60 or SR80?

 

[markw]

That's a tough one. I've tried IEMs from $100 Shures to $400 Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10s (love'em) and all I've used transmit bumps. I'd contact HeadRoom and ask for suggestions. I've done business with them several times over the past 10 years and found their reviews very honest. Have you considered over the ear cans like Grado's SR60 or SR80?

If we're opening up OTH headphones as an option, I'll recommend Koss PortaPros. I use 'em and love 'em. ...not noise cancelling, though.

 

[KEW]

That's a tough one. I've tried IEMs from $100 Shures to $400 Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10s (love'em) and all I've used transmit bumps. I'd contact HeadRoom and ask for suggestions. I've done business with them several times over the past 10 years and found their reviews very honest. Have you considered over the ear cans like Grado's SR60 or SR80?

I called Headroom and they commented that the main problem is both of the earbuds I currently use are in the ear canal style earbuds, so were especially bad about transmitting cord noise.

I'll see if I can find the old buds that came with the unit as a test and see how they compare for cord noise.

I don't like "on the ear" headphones because GA is hot most of the year and putting thermal insulation (foam) on my ears doesn't work well.

As a FYI for others Headroom recommended Yuin PK2 for a standard ear bud and as a smaller on the ear headphone, the Sennheiser PX 100-2 or 200-2.
The difference between these two models is that the 100-2 is open on the back and allows most sounds to get in, while the 200-2 is sealed so blocks more of the ambient sound.

GlockRocks,
Those JVC buds look like the seat in the ear canal. Do you not have any cord noise issues with them?

Thanks,
Kurt

 

[GlocksRock]

I have no issues with them, and I use them when working out and running on the treadmill, no cord noise with those.

 

[majorloser]

Funny this thread just came up. Been looking for a good set of buds for the iPod myself.

 

[KEW]

Just an update.

I tried the JVC Marshmallow earbuds and they are definitely better - I believe, thanks to a sleeve which you can slide up from where the L and R buds are separate and couple them together so they don't flop around so much. They also are a good sounding Earbud for $11. However, they are not a total panacea for the cord noise. If an in ear noise isolation bud for activity is desired, I would definitely recommend these. (Thanks GlocksRock)
I should add though that it seems there will always be noise with in-ear canal buds while walking because there is a thunk with every step (just as there is while walking with earplugs).

If I am out in the AM, it is now cool enough for the Koss PortaPros which I will try next opportunity.

 

[tonedeaf]

I've had my e4 shures for quite some time now and don't get cord noise.
Really satisfied with them.Detail is incredible.I pick up sounds and voices I normally don't hear on cd's.
Bass could be better though.

 

[ftlog]

When I bought my earbuds from Boss, it had that same problem. The sound and bass was great but I just couldn't enjoy listening to music while I was walking around. Right now I'm using earbudgs from JVC. It's cheap, decent and okay looking.

 

[emilyaldridge4]

Do you guys know any good resource where i could find good cheap earbuds. I found this resource: https://trustedbeasts.com/best-cheap-earbuds/ Do you thinks its a good resource for to purchase a budget equipment.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I called Headroom and they commented that the main problem is both of the earbuds I currently use are in the ear canal style earbuds, so were especially bad about transmitting cord noise.

I'll see if I can find the old buds that came with the unit as a test and see how they compare for cord noise.

I don't like "on the ear" headphones because GA is hot most of the year and putting thermal insulation (foam) on my ears doesn't work well.

As a FYI for others Headroom recommended Yuin PK2 for a standard ear bud and as a smaller on the ear headphone, the Sennheiser PX 100-2 or 200-2.
The difference between these two models is that the 100-2 is open on the back and allows most sounds to get in, while the 200-2 is sealed so blocks more of the ambient sound.

GlockRocks,
Those JVC buds look like the seat in the ear canal. Do you not have any cord noise issues with them?

Thanks,
Kurt

I have Sennheiser PX 200-2. Great portable phones, but many mobile devices would struggle powering these. Pretty good comfort and good value. I second koss Porta pro suggestion above.
I think headroom are 100% correct that most if not all IEMs would cause noise with rubbing cord. Just the nature of the beast. Mechanical motion (cord rubbing) applied to practically inner ear and you get to hear it.