Earphones / Headphones: Where to try, what to buy?

I tend to buy Sennheiser earphones.

Last lot I bought were the CX300 II ones. I don't know if it's because I try and take care of them -to avoid the very issues you identify- but they tend to last a long time. In years as opposed to months.

The current model has a beefed up jack bit which will resist the problems.
They are comfortable and they suit me as they have asymetric earphone lead lenghts (prob not describing it well) which I like.

I think the sound is really good too!
Sennheiser CX 300 II Precision Noise Isolating: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

I had the exact same problem as you. Was going through sennheiser's, jvc's, sony's all my life, lasting a few months each time. Till I bought a pair of these:

SoundMAGIC E10 Earphones - Black/Gold: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Have lasted me a year so far with no faults at all. Amazing sound quality and worth the (bit more) money! The cable is great and sturdy.

I've had years of happy service from these cheap ones, they have pretty robust cabling:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/all-headphones/jays/a-jays-one/jays-a-jays-1

Sennheisers kept dying on me so I bought these a while back:

Audiofly AF33M In Ear Headphone with Clear Talk Mic for: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Really great headphones. Highly recommend!

http://en-uk.sennheiser.com/sport-headphone-running-jogging-workouts-cx-685 bomb proof, have used them everyday for over 6 months... They have been in the wash, bottom of rucksak with bike locks, all weather conditions, used for hearing GPS gale force winds ... in all very good headphones. thak a while to get comfortable mind but once there broken in there a snug secure fit

i have reliably used some Philips SHQ3200 sporty numbers for quite some time. mainly used for my commute to work (i realise that is a bit of a faux pas). they have been waterproof so far and they are advertised as 'washable', not sure if thats ever going to be worth the risk.

they lock out wind noise quite well but sound quality is pretty average, but for 30 its ok.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9111907.htm

Anyone got experience of the diff between HD25sp and the full price HD25s? Another friend recommended the regular 25s last week. Starting to think they could be the way to go.

HD25s = pretty accurate sound with slight bass enhancement

I think someone mentioned B&W already but I got a set of the P3s from my family last Christmas and they are fricking awesome - completely bring new depth to music I've been listening too.

Bowers & Wilkins P3 On-Ear Headphones B&W - Black: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

I have some B&W P5s = less accurate, bit more bass, but really lush sound.

I had the exact same problem as you. Was going through sennheiser's, jvc's, sony's all my life, lasting a few months each time. Till I bought a pair of these:

SoundMAGIC E10 Earphones - Black/Gold: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Have lasted me a year so far with no faults at all. Amazing sound quality and worth the (bit more) money! The cable is great and sturdy.

^this, amazing quality and value.
I also as a matter of course use Sugru to reinforce the junctions of the jack plug and the headphones as http://sugru.com/gallery/fix-your-headphone-cables

I have Shure SE215.

Extremely well rounded off sound with a bit more kick that these kind of IEM's usually have. Stay in remarkably well and isolation is best I've heard. More importantly, cable is detachable and there have been problems with the cable before (I was a bit careless perhaps or just general wear) and Shure have replaced it under their warranty on two occasions without any hassle. Probably the single best customer service experience I've ever had.

Second that, the SE215 are awesome if you can deal with the hearing-aid look.

Don't bother . That's my advice, especially in traffic . Easy to hear what's going on around you then . You can also hear any noises from your bike , rattles, chain alignment , creaky cranks etc . Just my opinion FWIW .
BT

Have been using a pair of 'house of marley' ear buds for the past couple of months with no faults. I bought them as my girlfriend has had them for a lot longer than that an they're still going strong. http://www.thehouseofmarley.co.uk/headphones/in-ear-headphones/redemption-song-in-ear-headphones.html worth consideration.

I've been using bluetooth headphones for quite a while. Quality is slightly compromised, but you certainly don't need to worry about the connection.

RHA MA150 Noise Isolating In Ear Earphones: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Cheap and great-sounding 'phones - easily the match of far pricier Shure/Sennnheiser/UE earphones in my experience. At £11 a pop, you can afford to buy a couple of pairs.

Cheers guys, this time it's some senn cx300's that have given up on me, already replaced under warranty once, so reluctant to reward them with more business again.

Shures do look sturdy, but perhaps might isolate a little too well, may pick these up, but perhaps not for riding. Think I'll give these soundmagic fellas a go, jack looks sturdy enough. That sugru tip looks exactly what I'm after too!

Shure do isolate ridiculously well (especially if used with the foam tips) so might not be the best for riding as you said yourself. Have heard good things about SoundMagic's over the years but due to recent problems with some straight jacks, I try my best to avoid them and go for the L shaped ones. However, I'm not entirely sure that's a good enough reason not to try them.

RHA MA150 Noise Isolating In Ear Earphones: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Cheap and great-sounding 'phones - easily the match of far pricier Shure/Sennnheiser/UE earphones in my experience. At £11 a pop, you can afford to buy a couple of pairs.

I'd plump extra for the ma350 solid, solid headphones with awesome warranty.

HD25s = pretty accurate sound with slight bass enhancement .

My experience exactly.

For more accurate sound (in my opinion) and more cumbersome fitting, I use Beyer DT150 cans.

Cheers guys, this time it's some senn cx300's that have given up on me, already replaced under warranty once, so reluctant to reward them with more business again.

Shures do look sturdy, but perhaps might isolate a little too well, may pick these up, but perhaps not for riding. Think I'll give these soundmagic fellas a go, jack looks sturdy enough. That sugru tip looks exactly what I'm after too!

You definately wont regret it mate, I have been reccommending to everyone I know! Comes with a load of earplugs as well to get the right fit (dont be worried by the chinese cheap looking pacakging, these are the bollocks)

I would never, ever, listen to anything other than what is going on around me while cycling. We only have five senses - why would you want to deprive yourself of one of the ones you most need to stay alive?
It baffles me...

Cheers all. Ordered the Beyers

A bit late, but if the Beyers don't work try AUdio Technica ATH M50:
http://www.westenddj.co.uk/Product/Audio_Technica/Production/ATHM50S/GoogleBase/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=products&utm_campaign=ATHM50S&gclid=CLzK5LHTzL0CFczItAodDgMAzQ
These are excellent value and very accurate (some would say flat) sound.
Only issue I had was that they get a bit hot after extended periods.

He lives!

how are they crispin

Agreed...they definitely leak.... My wife complains about the sound from mine when she's working in the next room! I'd agree on the HD25, just don't be tempted by the cheaper SP version - looks similar, but a completely different headphone....