iPhone / iPod noise cancelling earphones, comparisons & recommendations

[Xstyle]

After much googling and searching the AVF archive, I can't see any specific iPhone headphone threads, and I'm looking for a decent set.
Hoping you can advise please, ideally would like volume control and I guess a mic would be handy to answer calls.

I have seen the S-Jays in the forum powerbuy, but don't really want to use an adaptor, which makes them heavier and more expensive. (maybe better option to put theextra cost of the adaptor into the actual 'phones)

So, the options are:

ETYMOTIC HF2
Etymotic Research, Inc. - hf2â„¢ Headset + Earphones
Etymotic Research HF2 iPhone and iPod Headset with Removable Blumaxx Microphone- Black:Amazon:Electronics & Photo
£80

= seem like really good reviews, lacking bass but makes up for detail and clarity.

SHURE SE115
Shure - SE Products - SE115 Sound Isolating Earphones
Shure SE115 Review on CNET UK
£70

= seems like the opposite to the HF2's, with lots of bass and less clarity.

Shure SE310
Shure SE310 Sound Isolating Earphones Review on CNET UK
Shure Se310 Sound Isolating Earphones- Black:Amazon:Electronics & Photo
£110

= great review on CNET in 2007 for a more expensive set of earphones, but actual user reviews on Amazon show the build quality of some components to be fairly poor...

CREATIVE EP830
Creative EP-830 Noise Isolating Earphones (Black):Amazon:Electronics & Photo
£9

= just earphones, and an upgrade to the earlier EP630's, can you get any better if on a budget?!

KLIPSCH IMAGE S4i
Image S4i In-Ear Headset with Mic and 3-Button Remote Headphones - iPhone Headset, iPhone Headphones - Free Shipping - 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee - Overview
Klipsch Image S4i Headset:Amazon:Electronics & Photo
Klipsch Image S4i hands-on and impressions
£90

= seems like the bees knees! ... apart from a short length cable.

SENNHEISER MM50 iP
Sennheiser Worldwide - MM 50 iPhone
Sennheiser MM50iP Stereo Headset with integrated microphone,tailormade for the iPhone:Amazon:Electronics & Photo
Sennheiser mm50ip stereo headset with integrated microphone,tailormade for the iphone
£10!! otherwise £30 from Amazon

= seems great for the price, if that £10 site is genuine? May have poor build quality and seem to die after 6 months...

APPLE IN-EAR HEADPHONES
Apple (United Kingdom) - iPod - In-Ear Headphones
Apple In-Ear headphones Review on CNET UK
Apple In-Ear Headphones Review - MP3 Reviews - TrustedReviews
Buy Apple iPod In-Ear Headphones M9394G/C £25.75 - Oyyy.co.uk
£26 to £40

= the only dual driver headphones that are affordable. The mic does not work with the iPhone...!


I guess those are all the options, let me know if I am missing any?!!?
Now I need to make a decison on which ones to get.
Any feedback and recommendations welcome, especially if you have tried a few of these listed above...

Many thanks

[Drubbing]

You're unlikely to come across anyone who's heard the lot, so opinions will be limited to the one or two someone may have heard. I've not heard any of those, so can't offer any specific comment.

But Shure and Ety are solid reputable audio brands.

I have the Senn CX300 (in a drawer). They sell a shedload of these, but I think they're crap, average bass quality, and no midrange. I use Vsonic Ro2Pro2, probably about £50 in the UK, and IMO sound far better than they cost.

My only suggestion would be avoid Apple; they make nice computers and players (and I have both) but they suck at earphones. As for any models with in line volume and/or mic, its not a question of if they'll fail, but when.

[Xstyle]

Originally Posted by Drubbing

But Shure and Ety are solid reputable audio brands.
I have the Senn CX300 (in a drawer). They sell a shedload of these, but I think they're crap, average bass quality, and no midrange. I use Vsonic Ro2Pro2, probably about £50 in the UK, and IMO sound far better than they cost.

hence why I didn't include those Sens above.
VS-R02 look good, but no UK sellers? Just earphones though...
VSONIC Well Balanced Professional Earphones VS-R02 - eBay Mobile (item 370282854412 11/6/2009 9:38:55 AM)
Head-Direct RE2 earphones - techPowerUp! Forums

My only suggestion would be avoid Apple; they make nice computers and players (and I have both) but they suck at earphones. As for any models with in line volume and/or mic, its not a question of if they'll fail, but when.

a colleague has these Apple in-ears and rates them highly. Not sure if he has tested others, but I would've thought he has done some basic research, I'm just taking it a whole step further!

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by Xstyle

a colleague has these Apple in-ears and rates them highly. Not sure if he has tested others, but I would've thought he has done some basic research, I'm just taking it a whole step further!

No, Apple in ears are poor value; they've got Apple's name on them. They're a step up from the free rubbish they give away with iPods. As you can't test out canals anywhere, most people find that anything they've paid for is better than stock buds, and are impressed. I'd still put my cash into Ety or Shure.

Those aren't Vsonics BTW, they're rip offs some of the guys that used to work for them have come out with, price is a giveaway. Looks like they may not be available there. Head direct are pretty good though.

[Xstyle]

Thanks.
I think my favourites so far, just from research are the Etymotic HF2 or the Klipsch Image S4i.

[me_here]

Originally Posted by Xstyle

Thanks.
I think my favourites so far, just from research are the Etymotic HF2 or the Klipsch Image S4i.

I've had a pair of Hf2's for a year now. On the plus side they sound (and look) fantastic. On the minus side I'm on my third pair now due to loss of sound from one earphone, seemingly due to broken wires at the jack. They come with a two year warranty and during the first year I've had no issue as I've simply been able to walk into an Apple store (where I bought them) and swap for a new pair. I've been told that now I am out of the first year I have to deal directly with Etymotic in the US for warranty repair. This involves shipping them at my expense and being without them for a couple of weeks which is less than ideal.

I'm now contemplating getting some S4i's to see if they last longer, and the added plus of volume controls that work with my iPhone 3GS. My plan would be to get the Hf2's repaired and then choose between them and S4i's and ebay the ones I like least.

It's a bit galling that all the reviews say the S4i's don't sound as good as the "much more expensive" HF2's where here in the UK they are basically the same price!

[Scott_Mac]

Some folks have had issues with hf2's as above, i'm still on my first pair... the issue is definitely with a wire separating... just be careful when taking them off so they don't get caught and you'll be fine.

Audio quality is stunning, slightly light in bass indeed, but the rest more than makes up for it!

I highly recommend them - one word of caution, as they isolate sound you may find yourself talking very loud if you keep both buds in when speaking on the phone!!!

Oh and when i bought mine, exactly as it is now, the Red ones were cheaper! I actually really like the colour too!!

Etymotic Research HF2 iPhone and iPod Headset with: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[Xstyle]

Thanks guys.
My iPhone charger/usb lead has split at the connectors too, after only c. 3 months of use!

Decisions Decisions!! Someone swiped my Apple regular 'phones, so haven't got anything at all at the moment.

me-here:I'm now contemplating getting some S4i's to see if they last longer, and the added plus of volume controls that work with my iPhone 3GS. My plan would be to get the Hf2's repaired and then choose between them and S4i's and ebay the ones I like least.

Do the volume buttons on the HF2 not work on your iPhone 3GS?

[Xstyle]

I have finally decided to buy the Klipsch S4i!

Another review, courtesy of AVF, at AV Enthusiast:
http://www.aventhusiast.co.uk/klipsc...eadset/735.htm

These earphones are now £79.99 at Amazon (£89.99 at Apple), and still come with Klipsch 2 year warranty.