A while ago TL helped me pick out some nice Audio Technica headphones for my computer. Just recently I got a great new mp4 player which has 2 separate audio processors and a headphone amp built in. The problem is I want to be able to fully utalize them without carrying around the huge cans (which sound great, but are lacking in some bass).

Currently, I have some cheap JVC Marshmellows that I used on my iPod nano. One of my friends has, and recommended to me, these ATH-CKS70 Audio Technica earphones. They seem like they are nice but, truth be told, I have no idea why they have a middle piece or what it even does to help the sound. Basically, I only have around $50, and I was wondering if these are going to be worth waiting to save up to buy. If some knowledgeable audiophiles can give me advice, I'd appreciate it

DivinO

United States4796 Posts

January 24 2010 01:23 GMT

AKG K81DJs.

Pleasant.

Ranix

United States666 Posts

January 24 2010 01:25 GMT

Thanks, but I'm looking for in-ear headphones.

Myrmidon

United States9452 Posts

January 24 2010 01:36 GMT

Because I don't know any better personally, relevant head-fi link

Snet

United States3573 Posts

January 24 2010 01:42 GMT

I use skullcandy earbuds found on newegg. They are great, and usually $35-50.

Ikari

United States176 Posts

January 24 2010 01:46 GMT

I'm currently using Sennheiser CX300 II, which are pretty nice. The asymmetrical cable takes some getting use to though. I also have a set of Creative EP 630s, which got good reviews when I was first searching for in-ear headphones.

lac29

United States1485 Posts

January 24 2010 01:59 GMT

I've gone through 3 sets of Creative EP630 ... it's a decent cheap replaceable canalphone.

Ranix

United States666 Posts

January 24 2010 02:01 GMT

On January 24 2010 10:36 Myrmidon wrote:
Because I don't know any better personally, relevant head-fi link

Thanks, I'll have a look at that.

On January 24 2010 10:46 Ikari wrote:
I'm currently using Sennheiser CX300 II, which are pretty nice. The asymmetrical cable takes some getting use to though. I also have a set of Creative EP 630s, which got good reviews when I was first searching for in-ear headphones.

I've heard good things about Senheiser so I'll take a look at those, unfortunately I can't say the same about Creative.

CorsairHero

Canada9487 Posts

January 24 2010 02:19 GMT

On January 24 2010 10:59 lac29 wrote:
I've gone through 3 sets of Creative EP630 ... it's a decent cheap replaceable canalphone.

agreed, there were times when those were going for 10$

FortuneSyn

1825 Posts

January 24 2010 02:21 GMT

#10

I have cycled through countless earphones in my life, and thanked god when I found the Sennheiser (CX300).

Buy the sennheiser and you will never ever have to look for another earphone again.

I'll emphasize it again. Sennheiser, the same one ikari linked for you.

Specialist

United States803 Posts

January 24 2010 02:39 GMT

#11

depending on how much you want to spend.. theres a lot of really nice expensive ones. i dont know too much about in ears because i just have a pair of portable cans.

head fi knows a lot though, so check out the forums from the link that was posted somewhere above. i just went through a crazy headphone time period and learned so much from just reading through the forums there

rwong48

United States105 Posts

January 24 2010 02:53 GMT

#12

I got a Sennheiser CX300B about 1.5 years ago for $8 and loved it so much that I bought 2 more pairs for like $15 each.

1 stays at work, 1 stays at home, 1 goes around. I wouldn't mind buying more

Edit: 3 of my friends were looking for cheap+good pairs as well and I recommended all of them the same thing and they like it.

Hiphopapotamus

United States121 Posts

January 24 2010 02:57 GMT

#13

That middle piece on the ATH is so that they fit nicely into you ear. They are worn with the wires over the ear (unlike some other earphones, like the senn cx300s for example). I believe this helps reduce the microphonics (SHIKSHIKSHIK sound when the wires rub against something).

Judicator

United States7270 Posts

January 24 2010 03:18 GMT

#14

I have 2 pairs of the Skullcandys and to be honest, they are the most comfortable ones I have ever used, they don't hurt your ears at all unlike some brands (including those Sennheisers, Sony, etc.). I am talking about buds ofc.

Chef

10810 Posts

January 24 2010 03:21 GMT

#15

Is there such a thing as a Digital Audio Player without an amplifier built in?

Try not to be swindled by audiophile garbage. My advice for earphones is to basically just spend about 40 bucks on a brand that isn't apple or skull candy or whatever. You'll get your money's worth with sennheiser, and I'm sure anything else in that price range that isn't a huge popular culture phenomenon is going to be worth it too.

leejas

United States440 Posts

January 24 2010 03:23 GMT

#16

Skullcandy's are good in the earbud department. I use a pair of Full Metal Jacket Skullcandy's myself (you can sometimes get a good deal on them). I've been using the ink'd ones for some time as well.

Judicator

United States7270 Posts

January 24 2010 03:40 GMT

#17

40 dollars on a pair of buds that might take a lot of wear and tear? No thanks. Comfort and durability first in this case. These are your "travel" ones, chances are you won't be listening to music in a nice and quiet environment, so keep that in mind before you decide to spend over 20 on a pair.