In-ear headphones

[mikeynl]

I'm looking to buy new in-ear headphones. I've gone through 2 sets of Sony MDX-EX71 in 1.5 years. Both times the rubber came off the cable, leaving the bare cable exposed, and both times it ended when the right earplug stopped working.

I do like in-ear headphones, and travelling on the Tube every day I need headphones that stop external sounds. So I was considering these 3 options:

- Sennheiser CX300. I seen them priced for just over £20 and my flatmate seems to like them. They any good?

- Shure E2C-N. Amazon has them for £42. I read in some reviews that the cable has to be worn OVER the ear (which sounds uncomfortable), can you just let them hang down? And some people mentioned the cable comes off too? Amazon also has the gaming edition for £35. Are they any different than the normal ones?

- Sony MDX-EX71 ... yes, again. They're only £20 these days, and if you treat them with a little respect they still last a year.

Note: I'm not too concerned with the sound quality as in it doesn't have to be an exceptional headphone. Most times I will still hear background noise and many of my MP3's are not the highest possible quality. I just want some headphones that do cancel as much of the background sound as possible, that do feel comfortable and don't fall out too easily, and that don;t break down too fast. Too much to ask?

[Drunkeh]

Ive got some cx300s , had them for a while now, good 4-6 mnths. One shorter ear cable and one longer to reach around back of head. This seems to help stop catching the wires when worn. As i use them on my desk is still catch the wire and so far no damage, ive caught them pretty hard as well .

I saw the Shure guys doing the upside down thing at the London what hifi show. Looks like hassle to me. Shure(ly) ( )the wire at the top would pull the phone round?

[jason44mag]

Another vote over ear !! for the CX300, Had them about a year now & no probs just be carefull crossing roads as these really do keep the outside noise out.

[jason44mag]

Oh & forgot to add, be carefull about where you get the CX's from, Ive read a post in here that someone bought some from a private sellar via amazon and they were fake

Jason

[mikeynl]

Ok, the Sennheiser sounds good. How about the Shure ones? Can you not just wear them like the Sennheiser or the Sony ones? And what are those orange bits of foam I see advertised on their website? Is it that you can change the normal black rubber thingie that inserts in your ear for this orange foam thing? It looks much like the earplugs I use to sleep.

[Lawrenzini]

Amazon have Shure E2G for £34.99

[neilmcl]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

Amazon have Shure E2G for £34.99

What's the difference between these, which are the gaming edition, and the standard E2Cs?

EDIT: Never mind, I've just checked the Shure website and it seems that there is no difference at all other than the clear E2C has a slightly longer cable, the gaming version and the standard black version are identical.