Need some IPOD help

muncybob
muncybob Posts: 3,032
edited June 2009 in The Clubhouse
My niece graduates HS next week and I know she listens to her Ipod a lot...she still has the original earbuds and I was thinking a nice gift would be some upgraded ones. Any suggestions for a pair at say $80 or less? Of course, I'm assuming the originals should be replaced although she seems content with them....but I'm thinking how can she know what she's missing if she's never heard a "good" set. Sort of like the first time I heard some SDA's.
Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2009
    Your best bet may be to go here:

    http://www.head-fi.org/

    A little searching on that forum should give you lots of options.

    These guys sell headphones...but I find their site very helpful as well:

    http://www.headphone.com/
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,032
    edited June 2009
    Thanx!! Am I assuming properly though, that newer ones will be a noticeable improvement over the stock ones?
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • edbert
    edbert Posts: 1,041
    edited June 2009
    Yes! I bought my wife some cheap ones similar to what Keiko posted when I bought her a new iPod last year and they are lots better. I think the big thing is that they fit comfortably in your ear and help to block out a lot of the extra noise around you. By doing so, you don't have to turn them up as loud and those little speakers can give you overall better quality. I am sure you can get some pretty nice ones for under $80, but I haven't bought nice ones yet so I shouldn't really say which ones to go for.

    Good luck and great present!
    I know just enough to be dangerous, but don't tell my wife, she thinks I'm a genius. :D

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  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited June 2009
    Or by=pass the ear-buds altogether and grab a set of Grado sr-60i ("The Prestige Series")
    s (about $70 with shipping).
    While it's true you cant really work out with these things on, they are simply amazing.
    Best bang for the buck and pretty comfy too (others may argue).
    Seriously.

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited June 2009
    FYE has SkullCandy buds on sale right now for $9.99.

    They might not be something that YOU would be completely happy with, but i will vouch that they are an entirely decent sounding pair of buds.

    You could always get her 8 pairs. :p
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

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    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2009
    I have the pair of JVC Marshmellows that Keiko mentioned in his first post. Very cheap but far superior to the crap that come with an iPod.

    These Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator in-ear earphones appear to be right in your price range and seem to be very highly regarded:

    http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Isolator-Earphones-White/dp/B0002ZW5W4
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2009
    everpress wrote:
    Best bang for the buck and pretty comfy too (others may argue).
    Seriously.

    I for one will argue. They are the most uncomfortable headphones I have ever owned. They sound nice...but I couldn't wear them for more than 30 minutes without a lot of discomfort. I ended up with a pair of Sennheiser full coverage headphones that I use with my 2 channel rig...but...they will work with and iPod. ;)

    attachment.php?attachmentid=27703
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited June 2009
    Don't the seenies have to/ greatly bennefit from an additional headphone amp for portable play?
    The sr-60i's can use an amp (i use one to add a bit more bass but they sound fine without) but they are perfectly suited to use the ipod's native power with good sound.
    And the sr-60i's are much more comfortable than the sr-60's (they use different earpads, so the fatigue is lessened).

    I haven't tried the Sennheiser, so I can't comment at all on quality, but I've heard nothing but good things and if I had the cashflow, I'd have a full-range of headphones, including some closed-back sennies... But I think I'm a Grado fan for life!

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited June 2009
    I am a big fan of the SkullCandy earbuds.

    There cheap have decent bass reproduction and did I mention cheap?

    They actually sound better than others I have tried at three times the price.

    Plus you can get them in a color she would like, Black, Pink, Green etc...
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2009
    everpress wrote:
    Don't the seenies have to/ greatly bennefit from an additional headphone amp for portable play?

    Believe it or not...no...this is a very efficient set of cans and it does not NEED an amp to perform well (or as well as can be expected given the source) with an iPod. I was surprised when I tried this just messing around. I've let a couple other guys try it out and they were surprised as well. Will an amp improve the sound? Sure...but with the iPod the gains are probably negligible.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited June 2009
    shack wrote: »
    Believe it or not...no...this is a very efficient set of cans and it does not NEED an amp to perform well (or as well as can be expected given the source) with an iPod. I was surprised when I tried this just messing around. I've let a couple other guys try it out and they were surprised as well. Will an amp improve the sound? Sure...but with the iPod the gains are probably negligible.

    Huh. What's the price on those bad boys?
    I still have to say, I stepped into a whole new world when I picked up the Grado's an I'll never go back to a Big-box Store brand... If the Sennies are as good for the same/similar price, they'd be a shoe-in choice (in my opinion) for portable... As they look to be closed back...

    So like I said, if those offer the same quality for a similar price... damn...

    As far as headphone amps and portable devices, grab a cheap Fii0 E5 (which is what I did- I paid $10) and try it out with your ipod (if you haven't already). You might be surprised...

    As far as Skullcandy... You are paying for the look. The sound quality just isn't there, not on the full-sized, not the earbuds.

    What shack suggested: Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator... I've heard good things (especially for quality to price).

    Is the girl really into music, or just really into having her iPod in her ears?

    If she likes to plain look cool, Skullcandy.
    If she likes to listen, there are other headphones that would be much, much better.

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2009
    everpress wrote:
    Huh. What's the price on those bad boys?
    I still have to say, I stepped into a whole new world when I picked up the Grado's an I'll never go back to a Big-box Store brand... If the Sennies are as good for the same/similar price, they'd be a shoe-in choice (in my opinion) for portable... As they look to be closed back...

    http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufacturer/sennheiser/sennheiser-hd-280-pro.php

    http://www.onheadphones.com/product-reviews/audiophile/sennheiser-hd-280-pro.html

    Yes they are a sealed, circumaural headphones. To my ear they were the equal of the SR-60s. Some may disagree. The SR-60s SOUNDED very good. It may have been the discomfort of the Grados that clouded my opinion...but the bottom line is that if they are uncomfortable and (the Grados were for me) I won't wear them.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,032
    edited June 2009
    I thought about headphones, but she is a fairly active person so buds are probably better suited. In looking at some of the suggestion I came across these and since I like my heaphones by Senheiser so much I was wondering if anybody has any experience with their buds?
    http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-CX300-B-Earbuds-Black/dp/B000E6G9RI/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2HF2KUI5QJKH4&colid=2YJZ3UC2IHQC3
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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