[blizeH]

So, I just bought some well reviewed Creative EP-630s and they sound awful, absolutely no bass whatsoever and it sounds ridiculously flat, as if I were playing it through some really ****** speakers. Turned the bass up on my iPod but it just distorts it like crazy, really disappointing.

If I push them right into my ear they actually sound pretty decent (far too bassy, but in a good way) - but since that hurts, and they fall out as soon as I let go, I assume either I have really funny shaped ears or Creative designed these things to sound like ****.

I think I need to stop buying Creative stuff... I bought some fairly expensive Gigaworks speakers and had the exact problem with those too.

/sighs

[Steven]

You need to try proper IEMs if your budget can justify it See my elitist explanation here

[blizeH]

Cheers, not sure I'd want to spend that much on headphones though if I'm honest; I only ever listen to stuff whilst sat at my desk at work

I guess I'm mostly wondering if I have to push the headphones in all the way (as in, like when I hold them there and it's ridiculously bassy) or whether I should just push them in to what feels right?

[Steven]

The thing with these canal phones is that you are limited to 3 sizes of tips only - but we are not all robots sharing generic sized ears Do not push it in far. They are not intended to be fitted like that and you will need a trip to your GP if you go too far which you will find when you pull an earpiece out with the tip missing...

That is why I prefer my IEMs as the foam expands out (yes, they are rather like ear plugs). btw there are IEMs for any budget, though you would be looking at around £35 for a basic investment

[blizeH]

Many thanks again for the reply; at £35 I'd definitely go for something like that, and I really like the idea of the foam expanding to suit my ears.

However! I've just actually moved up a size (I had the smallest tip in originally, as it seemed to feel more comfortable) and it sounds pretty damned great now - it has a really warm, full sound, basically everything it wasn't before, love it.

Apologies for creating the thread, I can't believe what a difference it's made and obviouslly I should of checked all the tips before posting this, I just went for the most comfy and didn't realise it'd have such an impact on sound :o

[TameRacingDriver]

I use the CX300 and you are right they are naff unless you can get a proper seal (but when you do they actually punch above their weight). However getting a proper seal isnt as easy as it sounds. I found the medium ones were too small, but if anything the large ones slightly too big. Push them in too far, you wont get any bass. Dont get a proper seal, you wont get any bass. Sometimes they stay in, sometimes not.

I've found that for me I have to push them in just a little, enough to get some bass, then I actually have to push the cable end of the plug in further, so that the plug is in effect, in at a bit of an angle (not straight in) in my ear. I dont know if you will understand what I mean, as its difficult to explain.

Ultimately, LFC is right though, these things arent generally ideal for getting a good seal.

At just over £35 you could get the Goldring GX200 which come with the Comply foam tips, that would solve your problem I feel.

[ksborg]

The EP630's are actually the only in ears that fit my ears and the quality is just great! So they weren't designed to provide a "crap" sound

[blizeH]

Agreed about the seal thing; I'd never used these type of headphones before and didn't really think it through, I find it blocks out sound a lot which is a double edged sword, for example I'm always having to take my headphones out at work and then poke around for a bit to create the seal again

[blizeH]

I really, really do not like these in-ear headphones at all.

I find them really uncomfortable, plus it's awful for work.

Problem is, I can't see any decent-yet-reasonably-priced alternatives for white non in-ear headphones.

In fact, I can't find any decent non in-ear headphones.

[Steven]

Check out the Senneheiser PX100 or PX200 (former is open, latter is closed design)

[blizeH]

Thanks LFC - they look decent but I'm not sure I really fancy a pair like that, ideally I'm after something that's just really basic like the regular Apple headphones but a little bit better built... Almost tempted by the JVC Gumys.

[blizeH]

Tell you what, it's actually between the PX200 and JVC Gumy for me right now...

[blizeH]

For anyone that's interested, I went for the JVC Gumy HA-F10 and they're pretty awesome, the perfect headphones almost - look okay, sound great, don't hurt my ears and were cheap as chips

Highly recommended.