There isn't much current discussion about earbuds on this forum (I did a search), so I thought it might be helpful to start a thread and share some recent experience. I'm talking about low to mid-range price, but any info about highend stuff is welcome. I have a 1st gen Touch, and listen to books, podcasts and music for over two hours a day on the Metro. Noise isolation is very important to me.
First of all, the phones that come with the iPod are useless, of course. I see a lot of people using them, maybe their ears are different. I'm talking about the fact that they just don't stay in my ears at all, drives me crazy.
About 6 months ago, I did some research and bought a pair of v-Moda Bass Freq earpbuds. I've been generally very happy with them. They sound good to me in all of my listening applications. Like many units, they come with three sets of ear cushions, I use the largest ones. I can't always get them seated right at first, but once I do, they isolate sound well and the sound quality is good. I was concerned that they would be too bassy, but they are not. Last week, the sound started cutting out and it was because the connection at the plug was going bad. So I sent them off for replacement under the 1-year warranty. I expect this to take a while, and can't stand using the Apple buds, so I looked for a cheap temporary set.
I settled on the Frogz Plugz. $15 at Micro Center locally, and they got good reviews, etc. I am disappointed with the sound. It seems thin and tinny. (Not helped by the fact the touch does not have individual equalizer adjustments; I can hardly hear the difference between the sound setting). They seem to fit well and are slightly more comfortable than the v-Modas, but so what. I'm wondering if they need to burn in, as I have read for other units. My audiobooks sound ok, though. So I'll be glad when I get the v-Modas back. I also noticed that Amazon now has the v-Moda Bass Freqs for about $20, plus shipping, so that's a good deal. I know that the plug/cord connection is going to be an ongoing issue, and I'm considering trying to reinforce that joint somehow (tape, heat shrink?).
So, what are your experiences and recommendations?
First of all, the phones that come with the iPod are useless, of course. I see a lot of people using them, maybe their ears are different. I'm talking about the fact that they just don't stay in my ears at all, drives me crazy.
About 6 months ago, I did some research and bought a pair of v-Moda Bass Freq earpbuds. I've been generally very happy with them. They sound good to me in all of my listening applications. Like many units, they come with three sets of ear cushions, I use the largest ones. I can't always get them seated right at first, but once I do, they isolate sound well and the sound quality is good. I was concerned that they would be too bassy, but they are not. Last week, the sound started cutting out and it was because the connection at the plug was going bad. So I sent them off for replacement under the 1-year warranty. I expect this to take a while, and can't stand using the Apple buds, so I looked for a cheap temporary set.
I settled on the Frogz Plugz. $15 at Micro Center locally, and they got good reviews, etc. I am disappointed with the sound. It seems thin and tinny. (Not helped by the fact the touch does not have individual equalizer adjustments; I can hardly hear the difference between the sound setting). They seem to fit well and are slightly more comfortable than the v-Modas, but so what. I'm wondering if they need to burn in, as I have read for other units. My audiobooks sound ok, though. So I'll be glad when I get the v-Modas back. I also noticed that Amazon now has the v-Moda Bass Freqs for about $20, plus shipping, so that's a good deal. I know that the plug/cord connection is going to be an ongoing issue, and I'm considering trying to reinforce that joint somehow (tape, heat shrink?).
So, what are your experiences and recommendations?
