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

I think I use the largest buds with the Sennheisers, so that's good news - cheers

http://time.com/74886/best-headphones/

JVC are pretty good as well for the price.

^^ that's interesting.

^ cheers. I went for a set of the SoundMagin E10s from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111202417021?var=410235283407&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I'm hoping they arrive before I leave and that they're legit.

...and a set of the cheapy Monoprice as a backup/spare set.

my e10s fell apart after a couple of months. they did get replaced, but I have no more confidence in them than the shitty ultimate ears pair before them

That's a shame to hear.

The E10's just arrived, which isn't bad considering the price (£20) and distance. Got to say I'm pretty impressed with them so far, very clean sounding. They seem to have come with a million different buds.

I'm also impressed with the monoprice. Obviously they're not very attractive and feel cheap, but they sound good for the price.

Thanks for the suggestions.

So I bought a pair of Sennheiser CX980s from TK Maxx a year and a half or so ago. They sound great (a huge step up from any other IEMs I've tried) but one of the headphones is starting to come apart. I've never seen TK Maxx stock another pair of these. Who do I take them back to for warranty purposes and what can I expect them to do? I got them for a really good price so I'd prefer replacement than my money back.

Oh, and I've ordered some soundmagic e10s as temporary replacements. I'm interesting in seeing how they compare.

You should be able to send them back to Sennheiser with PoP and depending on the model they should fix or replace them.

The cheaper ones usually only have 1-2yrs. More expensive ones have 5 from memory.

The exact detail are on their website though if you look.

It's a 2 year warranty according to the manual. I've just noticed on their site that it's only valid if bought from an authorised Sennheiser dealer and that the receipt clearly notes the product name. I have a feeling the TK maxx receipt just says 'Lifestyle product' or something like that. Balls...

I've got the AKGs on their way, will report

..also got the K451's now.

Needed to replace Koss Porta Pro that I fucked up by shredding the cable,
and because my old Sony MDR-V150 are duct taped so much it has become embarassing to wear them outside.
Basically would've just bought Porta Pros again, even though I think they are not as good as they used to be (sound wise),
but I have to use public transport a lot these days, so I need closed headphoes I thought.
Would have bought another pair of MDR-V150 as well, but since I went through at least five of those in my life, and because more premium sound quality was alluring I went for the AKG's when I had the chance to grab them cheap.

So first impressions:

Build quality is nice. Not superb, but nice.
Design is good. If you (need to) adjust / extend them not as great though.
They're very comfortable. Don't fit very big heads.

Sound is good, but need some getting used to in my opinion.
Well I guess it depends on what sort of headphones you had before.
Of course they sound more "closed" than the Portras, but they even sound much more closed than the Sonys do.
It made me think of hearing music in a small car with a subwoofer.
I guess they sound rather "neutral", with a bit of a punchy bass.
They sound somewhat "3D".

Have to listen to more stuff though, so far it's been death metal and Eminem.

Ps: oh - and another thing: they really are loud. When I read reviews stating they have quite some output even with smartphones etc. I thought "..ja, ja...",
but have just been listening to some mp3s with an iPhone 4 and i actually could not stand it cranked up to full volume (because it was really fucking loud, not because it sounded "bad) -
and this is like the first time something like this has happened to me, really.

The sound magic e-10s are excellent for sound quality and build quality at that price point. The only negative for me was that they never fit as well as my senn cx-300s - my previous fav budget in-ears. I always have to use the smallest buds/tips. If you are comfortable with medium or large tips the the e10s will be fine.

Or, as I tell everyone, save up and buy klipsch x-10i. Brilliant in-ears.

i've bought a pair of the x10is from amazon - £99. i fell like a bit of a cunt for spending a bradman on in-ears that are likely for break in 6 months, but at least i can blame you, lowpug. :P

I found the x10s weren't that great with the stock buds but sounded a lot better with some comply foam tips. I may just have weird ears though.

^^ I take it you're an iphone user?

Yep, why

?

Was gonna say you could've saved £20 if you didn't want/need iPhone compatibility.

Ah, yeah. If I had worked that out I would have gone for the cheaper option. There are a few reviews moaning about the build quality. Most I've had break after a year or so. I will see if it is worth the extra beans...

Has anyone tried the Soundmagic PL50s? Their first/only try at a balanced armature IEM it seems. Some good reviews and some awful ones...

What do Beats By Doctor Dre do for £200 that any number of proper headphones don't for half that price?

Sound like overly bass crap and have Dr Dre's endorsement.

Just reading a damning comment article on Apples weird purchase of them

My Beats got stolen from my desk in the office over the weekend ;(

Time to get a decent pair of headphones, I'd prefer over-ear so people know that I don't want to talk to them...

^
HD-25ii

No more people.

listening to my grado sr 60's as we speak
give them a listen... any grado's really
lovely sound

you might not be popular listening to them at your desk...