earbud or canal

[mac n cheese]

I am looking for new headphones for my mp3 player. The stock samsung ones don't fit my ear well and cause my ear to begin to hurt after a short time. The old ipod ones did the same thing. I am looking for a set on the cheap side and the sound quality doesnt have to be amazing or anything. just ones that are smaller so they fit my ears better and will stay in.

I was looking at the Marshmallows and they seem pretty popular.

are earbuds or the canal ones better?

Thank you for the help

[CrowdAds]

[WalkGood]

You ask “are earbuds or the canal ones better?” I think this is a personal preference, personally I have yet to find a earbud that I enjoy. I prefer canalphones/iem’s because they isolate external noise, fit more comfortable, stay in my ear (even while playing sports) and I can listen at lower levels. Since earbuds are placed outside of the ear canal, the do not provide isolation, people tend to listen at much louder levels (can be harmful), they fall out easy, and IMHO they do not deliver the same dynamic range that a canalphone can.

This said and because you stated “looking at cheap phones,”get the JVC HAFX33B Marshmallow. Personally I don’t have a pair, but friends of mine that do, say they really enjoy them

[FreeZ5]

As Walkgood already said, PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

Some people can't handle ANYTHING in or around their ears. You may fall into that category.

Personally earbuds don't stay in place even when just walking. I was looking at alternatives when I discovered the IEM/canalphone.

I really like my Marshmallows, but have not tried any better ones. I assume that you have only tried earbuds so far, and didn't like them in your ears. In that case, you will probably HATE the Marshmallows with the stock tips. Buy an assortment of UE tips (or Shure E2 tips) and replace the MM tips. This is probably your best inexpensive bet.

A good place to order tips is http://www.discountheadphones.com/uea.html

Steve

[Frank]

yes, it really does go to personal preference. Same goes for the marshmallows . I like in-ear-monitors over ear buds though. They offer noise canceling, esp. the marshmallows. I find that the iems provide better sound quality in general. Just try them out before you buy.

[ClieOS]

Setting aside personal preference and only talking about SQ along, a pair of PK1 run from a good amp pretty much beat any IEM below $400 - that's is my own observation. However, it doesn't mean it will fit your need.

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by ClieOS

Setting aside personal preference and only talking about SQ along, a pair of PK1 run from a good amp pretty much beat any IEM below $400 - that's is my own observation. However, it doesn't mean it will fit your need.

With that in mind, I could also state that the se530s are much better and can be had way below the $400.00 price tag ... But he did ask “are earbuds or the canal ones better?” I still say it's a personal preference, even though I prefer the iem/canalphone.

[FreeZ5]

Originally Posted by ClieOS

Setting aside personal preference and only talking about SQ along, a pair of PK1 run from a good amp pretty much beat any IEM below $400 - that's is my own observation. However, it doesn't mean it will fit your need.

That may be true if they stay in place. But I have had trouble getting earbuds to stay in place, and Yuin PK1s are earbuds.

Steve

[ClieOS]

I have quite a good collection of IEMs myself (check the link in my signature) and have audition quite a few top end universal IEMs, and I still believe PK1 tops them all on SQ along. Similar feeling is shared by other Head-fi'er members too, most noticeably, kramer5150. Of course there are people who perfer the IEM sound, it is all subjective after all. Also note that PK1 is only $160.

[controllerboy]

Originally Posted by WalkGood

........and I can listen at lower levels. Since earbuds are placed outside of the ear canal, the do not provide isolation, people tend to listen at much louder levels (can be harmful), ......

Just a quick question, I've heard a few times that IEM/canalphones can be quite harmful too because of the fact that the sounds get projected right on your eardrum (however you cann that in English ) and can't get out of your ear channel because it is stuffed up with the phone. Is this just bullshit or not ?

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by controllerboy

Just a quick question, I've heard a few times that IEM/canalphones can be quite harmful too because of the fact that the sounds get projected right on your eardrum (however you cann that in English ) and can't get out of your ear channel because it is stuffed up with the phone. Is this just bullshit or not ?

Since you have much better isolation to exterior sound, you can listen at much lower levels that are less harmful to you ears. But yes anything to the max or extreme can be hazardous, weather it's iem's, earbud or sitting in front of speakers blasting away

[ClieOS]

Originally Posted by controllerboy

Just a quick question, I've heard a few times that IEM/canalphones can be quite harmful too because of the fact that the sounds get projected right on your eardrum (however you cann that in English ) and can't get out of your ear channel because it is stuffed up with the phone. Is this just bullshit or not ?

That is just BS.

IEM shares the same sealed concept of most hearing aid. Do you think hearing aid companies actually spend money to research and create devices that do further damage to people who already suffer from hearing impairment? If that is true (as ridiculous as it may sound), do you think heath departments and insurance companies all over the world will allow hearing aid companies to sell such devices to patients? One must exercises common sense here - that is just BS.

[controllerboy]

Originally Posted by ClieOS

That is just BS.

IEM shares the same sealed concept of most hearing aid. Do you think hearing aid companies actually spend money to research and create devices that do further damage to people who already suffer from hearing impairment? If that is true (as ridiculous as it may sound), do you think heath departments and insurance companies all over the world will allow hearing aid companies to sell such devices to patients? One must exercises common sense here - that is just BS.

Hey, I'm just asking a question my friend, no need to go up like that thank you for your answer (and ty too, Walkgood )

[musichound]

Originally Posted by controllerboy

Hey, I'm just asking a question my friend, no need to go up like that thank you for your answer (and ty too, Walkgood )

IMO I don't think Cleos was harsh at all. He was just expressing his idea on how bullshit that theory is, and nothing was reflected toward you.

As for me, I prefer IEMs. My ears don't think earbuds should have ever been invented.

[mac n cheese]

Well i went out to circut city and purchased the jvc marshmallows. so far i have liked them a lot. they fit and stay in my ears great. i would reccomend them. the blue ones costed $15.00, but then black and silver ones were $25.00. i went with the blue ones cause color doesnt matter to me.

Do you guys think it is worth buying the other tips? what are the benefits?

[ClieOS]

Originally Posted by musichound

IMO I don't think Cleos was harsh at all. He was just expressing his idea on how bullshit that theory is, and nothing was reflected toward you.

MH read my mind

I am only saying how BS that theory is, definitely not pointing anything toward you, controllerboy. Sorry that you read it the wrong way, I should be clearer