Which wrap around headphones for Gym.

daisbuys · 04-04-2009, 3:41 PM

Hi guys.

Looking for a good set of headphones which are ideal for gym use with the ipod shuffle.

Would prefer them to be the wrap aound ear or head type, with a quality sound but need to be comftable if possible?

Have around £20 - £50 to spend.

**Steven** · 04-04-2009, 4:07 PM

I've just ordered these:
Sennheiser 502754 PMX80SPORT ECO Rugged Stereo Neckband: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Plan to do a test with my Sansa Clip and Nano

daisbuys · 04-04-2009, 5:21 PM

Cheers!

Just ordered a pair!!!

Thanks again.

**Steven** · 04-04-2009, 8:34 PM

Haha, it was a suggestion only

For me at the gym its
a) Being able to stay on during 10KM runs
b) Sweat and moisture resistant; durability
d) Reasonable sound quality

I have previously owned cheap canal phones and know that they would not stay in my ears. I was also not convinced that clip-on's would stay on or be resistant to breakage due to the design of a small clip that hooks around your ear. I own PX100's and do not see such a design staying put

Sennheiser sport range seemed to meet a) and b), but there are many styles within the range. Googling, many praised the PMX 70 for its stay-on-ability. Well apparently the PMX 80 is the same physical design but improved SQ. So I thought a worthy experiment for change from £25...

HiFi Headphones · 15-04-2009, 10:14 PM

The Sennheiser PMX80 is indeed extremely similar to the PMX70. While the headphones do stay put and they are excellent for running, I'm not sure they are very suitable for in the gym as they leak noise (they are earbud design).

We often recommend in-ear sound isolating earphones with cables that run over the ear. For example the Ultimate Ears Super.fi series (Super.fi 3 or Super.fi 5) or the Klipsch Custom series. These seal out noise, stay put on the ears and reduce transmission noise with the over ear cable design.

My wife has a pair of Super.fi 5 Pro earphones and swears by them for the gym.

daisbuys · 15-04-2009, 10:34 PM

I bet she does, especaily at £149 a pop!

tonyli3 · 15-04-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisbuys

I bet she does, especaily at £149 a pop!

LOL! worth a late night chuckle

HiFi Headphones · 15-04-2009, 10:51 PM

Yep, I agree the Super.fi 5 Pro is not particularly cheap (especially after recent price rises - we're seeing all manufacturers raising prices dramatically), but if you are looking for really good quality sound for the gym then they are comparable to similarly priced earphones. If you are using them for commuting also then it may be worth the investment.

The Shure SE420 is the equivalent Shure model, but they don't have the same over ear fit system as the Ultimate Ears, and would say they are not suitable for the gym.

Higgo · 29-06-2009, 5:48 PM

Hi

Anyone know if there's a difference between the PMX80 Sport ECO (by LFC_SL) and the PMX80 Sport II Sportline here: Sennheiser PMX 80 Sport II - Sport Line - headphones: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

At £12.99 they seem just what I need.

I've been using the CX300 in the gym but if I run I can hear the cable bouncing up and down - it sort of 'transmits' to the earbud if that makes sense. Also not keen on running on-road with isolating headphones. And off-road you can't hear the psychopaths running along just behind you ready to strike!!!

Uriel · 29-06-2009, 6:18 PM

An alternative suggestion: iGrados. I've been using mine for running for about a month. Much prefer them to IEMs because I get no body/cable microphonics.

Higgo · 29-06-2009, 8:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uriel

An alternative suggestion: iGrados. I've been using mine for running for about a month. Much prefer them to IEMs because I get no body/cable microphonics.

Hmmmm.... they look a bit bulky. A bit concerned they may move about a bit while running if there's much mass to them. Maybe you run more gracefully than me!

Uriel · 29-06-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgo

Hmmmm.... they look a bit bulky. A bit concerned they may move about a bit while running if there's much mass to them. Maybe you run more gracefully than me!

Doubt it - I'm 6:1 and 18 stone. I put the fear of some sort of deity into passers by when I'm running.

They hold in place pretty well, are quite light and sound very good. Also some of the most comfortable headphones I own.

Got mine from play.com for £24.99.

HiFi Headphones · 01-07-2009, 8:54 AM

Yep, we've had good feedback from customers about the iGrado for running.

In my experience the iGrado stays well attached on the head (I can jump up and down and wave my head around furiously without them coming loose) and you can get replacement foam ear pads for them once they get a bit dog eared!

Higgo · 01-07-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFi Headphones

Yep, we've had good feedback from customers about the iGrado for running.

Thanks for that. I struggled to get any support for the iGrado on a couple of running websites (and I'm not a very patient person) so I've actually ordered some Sennheiser PMX80s. From reviews I've read they'll either fit (and be fine) or not fit (and be painful). If it's the latter, I'll move them on to the wife (who's got a different shaped head to me!) and try some iGrados.

Higgo · 01-07-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFi Headphones

Yep, we've had good feedback from customers about the iGrado for running.

p.s. yours is the only site I've seen that lists the iGrado under the 'Sports' category. that's useful and presumably based on the customer feedback, as I don't think Grado themselves market them as 'sports, more 'street'.

newbirth2010 · 02-07-2009, 6:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgo

.....

I've been using the CX300 in the gym but if I run I can hear the cable bouncing up and down - it sort of 'transmits' to the earbud if that makes sense. Also not keen on running on-road with isolating headphones. And off-road you can't hear the psychopaths running along just behind you ready to strike!!!

I also have a pair of CX300 II, and you are right about hearing the cable when it bounces up and down. On the other side these headphones deliver superior sound quality with even distribution of frequency levels. Furthermore they block exterior sounds and they don´t allow sound to leak outwards, so you will not disturb other people when listening in closed environments, like bus or train.

You can bind a small, simple, generic, clip, to hold the headphones in place.

Higgo · 02-07-2009, 7:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbirth2010

I also have a pair of CX300 II ....these headphones deliver superior sound quality with even distribution of frequency levels. Furthermore they block exterior sounds and they don´t allow sound to leak outwards, so you will not disturb other people when listening in closed environments, like bus or train.

You're right about the superb sound from the CX300s. I'll definitely keep them for planes & trains etc.

When I'm running though, there are other considerations as well as absolute sound quality. I'm hoping the PMX80s will sound nearly as good as the CX300s but also have a secure comfy fit while not isolating me quite so much from my environment.

Hopefully they'll pop through the letter box this morning and I'll go for a run in them this afternoon.

newbirth2010 · 03-07-2009, 7:07 AM

Hi Higgo,

You are right these heaedphones serve 2 different purposes. Don´t expect the bass from PMX80s to be as deep as in the CX300s. You will have to accept some trade offs.

I would like to know your opinion about PMX80s when you get them. This set is in my "To Buy" list.

ALex

**Steven** · 03-07-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgo

You're right about the superb sound from the CX300s. I'll definitely keep them for planes & trains etc.

When I'm running though, there are other considerations as well as absolute sound quality. I'm hoping the PMX80s will sound nearly as good as the CX300s but also have a secure comfy fit while not isolating me quite so much from my environment.

Hopefully they'll pop through the letter box this morning and I'll go for a run in them this afternoon.

Well if you like the CX300 that is fair enough, but they exhibit the bloated bass prevailent amongst budget canals'... they are just the best of the bunch

I picked up the PMX 80 and wrote a review on the forum

newbirth2010 · 07-07-2009, 5:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgo

Hi

Anyone know if there's a difference between the PMX80 Sport ECO (by LFC_SL) and the PMX80 Sport II Sportline here: Sennheiser PMX 80 Sport II - Sport Line - headphones: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

I think in the UK, they have an option to buy the product in ordinary packaging matterials. The difference is in packaging matterials (more ecological etc). The core product is the same.