In-ear headphones for under £75 - any advice?

PR. · 04-10-2007, 3:36 PM

I'm currently using some Sony MDR-EX71's and have been quite happy with them. My mate however thinks they are rubbish and just recently one of the ears phones has started to crackle.

So really I'm looking for some advice on some decent in-ear earphones. I don't really want to pay more than £75 but if there is some amazing set for £85 I would consider it.

Uses: Mostly music on my iPod touch and on my computer. Some of the music I listen to has heavy bass and I like to hear that, but I also listen to Classical music so they would have to be good for both purposes.

I often listen on trains and plains so I want a set that don't let the sound leak out.

I've looked at the different Shure's and others but the reviews seem to paint a bleak picture of them and then proceed to recommend the £400 ones!

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Kainz · 04-10-2007, 4:30 PM

Super.Fi 5 Pro's, nuff said nubbins and that like.

southak · 04-10-2007, 4:43 PM

Senheisser cx300 are super in ear 'phones and for under £20 will easily out perform the standard set you get with an ipod.

Cheers,

whitesnake11 · 04-10-2007, 4:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR.

I'm currently using some Sony MDR-EX71's and have been quite happy with them. My mate however thinks they are rubbish and just recently one of the ears phones has started to crackle.

So really I'm looking for some advice on some decent in-ear earphones. I don't really want to pay more than £75 but if there is some amazing set for £85 I would consider it.

Uses: Mostly music on my iPod touch and on my computer. Some of the music I listen to has heavy bass and I like to hear that, but I also listen to Classical music so they would have to be good for both purposes.

I often listen on trains and plains so I want a set that don't let the sound leak out.

I've looked at the different Shure's and others but the reviews seem to paint a bleak picture of them and then proceed to recommend the £400 ones!

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Bleak reviews on Shures??? I've seen some great reviews on SE310's 420's and the stunning 530's.

mattski73 · 04-10-2007, 6:07 PM

i hate to use harsh or bad language but i brought the Super.fi 5EB's the other week and they absolutely suck!

they are far too heavy, the adjustable wire that hangs over the top of your ears, slices the tops of your ears, because of the weight.

they ease out far to......easily.

as for the sound, please don't get me started. that's a little harsh, because the bass is good, and the highs are very good, but the sound is swamped by the most awful midrange i've ever heard.

playing 50 cent, 50 sounds like someone has switch the equalizer settings to "stadium', whilst the backing vocals are screaming down your ear. IT JUST DOESN'T WORK!

on no level do i like these, they are a pain, and the sound is far too inconsistent and unpredictable. I far prefer me ol' Myalrs, i know what i'm getting with them.

trying the Super.fi 5EB's against my Bose Triport on seven of my fellow art students last week, and every single one of the went for the Bose. if that wasn't enough of a slap in UE's face, one of them had a pair of the Super.fi 3's and he still choose the Bose. work that one out. He said the same as me, they just don't work.

unfortunately he didn't have his 3's on him, but he still choose the Bose (no rhyme intended).

just my ten pence worth.

andyUK101 · 05-10-2007, 6:16 AM

Shure SE310 would be just over your budget and the SE210 just under

I can recommend the SE310, I use them at work and despite having access to a much wider range i keep coming back to the SE310

PR. · 05-10-2007, 2:11 PM

Thanks for the replies

I'm looking at the SE310s and they seem to start at about £120 which is a bit more than I was wanting to spend.

Kainz · 05-10-2007, 4:25 PM

Could try some £3.99 Matsui ones from argos?

Samsun · 11-10-2007, 1:28 PM

How about the Shure e3g for £59ish. Im finding you need to use the ipod's bass boost on bass heavy tracks but they sound great.

Mod comment...off forum link removed.
Do bear in mind with the Shures that not everyone finds them comfortable. I personally can vearly feel them once theyve been in for a few minutes. And make sure you use the foam sleeves!

PR. · 15-10-2007, 8:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samsun

How about the Shure e3g for £59ish. Im finding you need to use the ipod's bass boost on bass heavy tracks but they sound great.

Mod comment...off forum link removed.
Do bear in mind with the Shures that not everyone finds them comfortable. I personally can vearly feel them once theyve been in for a few minutes. And make sure you use the foam sleeves!

Thanks for that Samsun, I read a few reviews and ordered them over the weekend. Should hopefully get them tomorrow seeing as I'm not relying on Royal Mail!

Thanks again all for your replies

GJC · 15-10-2007, 11:01 AM

I think Shure are releasing a new IEM SE110..... might be worth a punt!

Samsun · 15-10-2007, 9:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR.

Thanks for that Samsun, I read a few reviews and ordered them over the weekend. Should hopefully get them tomorrow seeing as I'm not relying on Royal Mail!

Thanks again all for your replies

No worries, hope you like them. You can now get washable black foam sleeves for these. I haven't got them yet but will at some point. Will look less stupid when hanging around your neck than the bright yellow ones!!

As the link has been removed (sorry mods, wasn't aware of this rule), search for shure e3g on hotukdeals to get them for this price, if anyone else is interested.