Who makes good earbuds for MP3 players ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 05:03:09 am
content: I use an MP3 player a lot outside, and I go through a lot of earbuds, as the wires break. Most of the ones I buy on ebay are garbage, same with the ones at the local $ store.I shouldn't have to pay $15 for junk EB's, and I don't want to pay $50, 80, 100.Anyone know any brand name ones that actually last ?

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 05:41:41 am
content: Have a look at Sennheiser CX 300-IIThey don't make them anymore so you'll be looking for new old stock. I treat mine awfully and they aren't bullet proof but they take a fair bit of punishment.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 11:50:46 pm
content: Only wired right?Just get Panasonics/Sony/etc cheapest earbuds, will last reasonably long. But the sound quality won't be quite as good as the cheap china hifi stuff.For the price these sound amazing:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001408962239.htmlI don't think they would be good for exercise use though.Funny the Sennheisers look exactly like the Creative EP-630, which I used for quite a few years. Good earbuds, but also discontinued, not sure if they are worth the current premium.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2022, 06:53:14 am
content: Quote from: MathWizard on February 15, 2022, 05:03:09 amYou want super low end prices, but high quality? Good luck…The only buds I’ve never had wires fail on are some midrange ($50-70) models from Sony from the late 90s/early 2000s. Other than that, the solution is to buy higher end earbuds with removable cables. That way, when the cable does fail, you just disconnect it and put on a new one. Much higher up-front investment, but then replacement cables from China cost peanuts (and you get to enjoy superior sound quality).

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2022, 02:22:36 pm
content: I don't usually listen to music, so sound quality is usually fine. And I'm just walking or doing light work. I'll try some brand names, maybe on amazon they won't be all clones.I knew this would be a pain, not only is there 50,000 junk models, most of them have mic's these days. I only need a stereo jack.And there's plenty of ones over $100, but I'm sure they are meant for the landfill too once their cable breaks. That's the business model. And I don't really want to buy buy the un-hook-able cable types, because then I'll have a hard time finding the replacement cable, and that will cost $20God I hate this planet sometimes

author: Hawaka
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2022, 07:57:34 pm
content: Have a look at the Final E1000. I got them for around 25$ if I remember correctly and they are great. Been abusing them since and no sign of fatigue. Also the 90° jack really prevent the jack getting to much radial force.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2022, 08:13:35 pm
content: I like Sennheiser.Have a few models, the sport earbuds ones are CX380. Bought them many years ago.https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-CX380-Isolating-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B001GSX7R8Don't know which equivalent model to recommend.Whatever you choose, Sennheiser are usually high quality.https://en-us.sennheiser.com/all-headphones

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2022, 07:29:22 am
content: Sometimes I listen to music when going to sleep. For this the primary need is earbuds that are low profile enough to not hurt your ear that you are lying on. Also needs to have a three-ring jack.A while ago the pair I'd been using developed the typical 'intermittent wire' problem. So I looked for replacements, aiming for 'cheapest possible while small and functional.'The old one I'd bought from Myers years ago. Small, comfortable, and had exceptionally flexible cables.But when I tried Myers again (shortly after lifting of extreme covid restrictons) they don't have any electronics section at all.JB HiFi has nothing but high cost earbuds, all with microphone and 4-ring jacks. Cheapest about $17.Tried online and found these. Kmart, $1.70 each bought online. I bought 10. They work fine. Come with three pairs of silicone cups to suit different ear sizes.As for fidelity, I wouldn't know. I have high-freq hearing loss. They sound OK to me.ANKO wired earphones (3-ring jack)https://www.kmart.com.au/product/wired-earphones---black/3892315?region_id=200001Btw, keep some cables from old broken earbuds. If you ever need some _extremely_ fine stranded wire, these cables contain it.

author: m98
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2022, 07:54:55 am
content: JBL also has some nice and affordable earbuds. I've been using the JBL Tune 210 for a few years and they're perfectly adequate for everyday use. Tangle free, good but a little bass heavy sound reproduction.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2022, 03:22:30 pm
content: Grado.Also any of the professional IEMs are excellent, although they are quite costly for casual use.