In-ear, but not canal, headphones

[mauvais]

I used to have a go-to pair of Sony headphones that I would repeat buy, like this:

As you can just about see, they had a nub that would go into your ear, but not form a blocking seal as per these:

so far, far better for walking around, situational awareness and so on. The sound was very good, far better than flat-faced ones. Also they cost about £8.

Then Sony stopped making this style of headphones and the only remaining source of them is eBay for a ridiculous £150 or so, which obviously is nonsense.

Samsung currently make something similar, bundled with phones like the S7, but they have a few problems - the covers are constantly falling off and being lost, and the things in general break regularly in a variety of ways. They're overall a bit crap.

Does anyone happen to know of a suitable replacement?

 

[rubbershoes]

Ebay has loads

 

[Dr. Furface]

I used to buy those old Sony ones too, for the price they were great for sound quality, feel and looks, and I also liked their rubbery anti-tangle cords. Since they were discontinued I've never found any others that I've liked as much for a reasonable price (I don't like the noise-cancelling ones either). The one minus point was that they often didn't last too long, usually because one of the earphones would cut out after a year or so - but at that price I didn't mind buying another pair.

The nearest I've found to them are actually the Apple ones, which are comfortable and have a good enough sound - and also have the volume control on the wire (if using them with an iphone) which the old Sony ones didn't. The main drawbacks are that they're white, and unlike the Sony's (and many others) the cord isn't right-angled from the jack, which I much preferred - why Apple haven't made theirs that way both baffles and annoys me. However, regardless of those gripes, they're pretty decent. They cost a bit more than the Sony's did, although ime they're more durable - I've never had a pair cut out on me - so they should last you longer.

 

[mauvais]

My missus has got some modern Apple ones lying about - I'll try em. I've just assumed they're rubbish ever since the iPod-era ones.

 

[Spymaster]

My missus has got some modern Apple ones lying about - I'll try em.

They don't stay in my ears. Sound's not too bad though.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

so far, far better for walking around, situational awareness and so on

That would also make them leaky - so you're not allowed to wear them on public transport.

 

[Dr. Furface]

My missus has got some modern Apple ones lying about - I'll try em. I've just assumed they're rubbish ever since the iPod-era ones.

They're loads better than the original ones

 

[mauvais]

That would also make them leaky - so you're not allowed to wear them on public transport.

It doesn't make them leaky, which is more complicated.

 

[mauvais]

They're loads better than the original ones

Trying them out now. You're right, they sound alright. I'll give them a go for a few days.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

That would also make them leaky - so you're not allowed to wear them on public transport.

Public transport is a bit grim tbh, so really that's no great loss.

 

[skyscraper101]

Oh, I'm glad someone else hates those rubbery nub ones for the same reason I do. I also can't stand the way they form a complete seal in the ear and block out spacial awareness.

I was a big fan of the Sony MDR-W08L headphones (below) until they discontinued them. The shape of them made them excellent for llistening to in bed, but also hanging around your neck and they didn't hurt my ears like pretty much all in-ears do. However, since they've been discontinued I've been using the Apple white ones which are the next best IMO.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Public transport is a bit grim tbh, so really that's no great loss.

Even grimmer when mauvais inflicts his dubious musical tastes on everyone in the vicinity. Leaky headphones on public transport deserve a mandatory life sentence with no parole.

 

[mauvais]

Even grimmer when mauvais inflicts his dubious musical tastes on everyone in the vicinity. Leaky headphones on public transport deserve a mandatory life sentence with no parole.

I have excellent taste so it'll be fine.

I've had various headphones. I had some Grado cans that were unusable in company because it was about as loud in the room as it was wearing them. Most of the in-ear ones I've had, canal or not, don't leak much sound, even dangling around your neck.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I have excellent taste so it'll be fine.

I somehow doubt it. Everyone else has an appalling taste in music - that's just the way it is.

 

[mauvais]

I somehow doubt it. Everyone else has an appalling taste in music - that's just the way it is.

TfGM have just audited my music library and I've been awarded the Mick Hucknall Award for Manchester's Most Discerning My Get My Me My There Musical Tram-Travelling Gentleman.

 

[hash tag]

this is my cheap n cheerfull for the gym