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

These are brand new headphones, and the most recent ios (on a 5S). Similar to other reports on the web, it is almost exclusively in the youtube app, and dependant on the individual video.

My wife has asked for a nice pair of earphones for christmas. She has always used the Apple iphone headphones and mainly listens to podcasts. I've had a look on amazon but never know where to star.

Any recommendations for a pair of earphones for under £30?

I’ve just bought some Soundmagic E10Cs with Comply tips. Wee bit over £30 but decent for podcasts.

https://www.rha-audio.com/uk/products/earphones/ma390-universal?gclid=Cj0KCQiAyNjRBRCpARIsAPDBnn0UsqLaKMOhjbO57qS9Eft9dBdOMU8kcnEbuETWQagLUgwbXljNDnUaAq96EALw_wcB

Anyone want QC20? Android version.

Getting into the wireless headphones and most of them looks really stupid IMO, especially the Bose and jaybird freedom. The only one I’ve seen so far that I like is the bragi dash pro, just a tad pricey. Anyone’s have any experience with them? Also what everyone’s view on the apple ear pods?

I have an older pair of bragi headphones. The UI is annoying, the sound quality is mediocre at best and the battery life of woeful.

Not worth the money imo

Don't worry about how they look, worry about how they sound.

Yeah, the initial reviews of the 1st gen wasn’t great, (battery life and Bluetooth connectivity was woeful) Apparently the second is better, though how much is questionable.

Function over form? Kinda hard for a design orientated architect. I know what you mean though, if sound a number one then I probably go with bose or b&o, but I’m really finding it really hard to like them, not really much their form but when you wear them you look like you have a massive set of ear wax on both ear...

There's a cheaper set of Bragi ones just called Headphones which are meant to be decent sound quality and connectivity wise and about half the price of the Dash Pro (the Dash Pro have loads of useless crap like movement sensors which seems to just replicate what's in your phone).

My search for half decent sub £100 in ears has at long last led me to a pair of Audio Technica E40. Impressed so far, sound is quite flat as they are designed as stage monitors rather than recreational earphones however a slight tweak on the Spotify equalizer has given me a touch more bass and a touch less mid.

Compared to the others at ~£100+ they seem pretty decent and can be had for around £70. Replaceable cable that isn't even a rip off to replace too.

Would recommend.

If you want better EQ, give Viper4Android a try, it's a bit fidly to install, but it surpasses any EQ on Android AFAIMC.
I have the ATH-IM70, and they're pretty mch how @TM describes them, fairly flat, desgined as Stage Monitors, and with replaceable cable.
I just got some SONY WH-1000XM2 at a very competitive price, and I wanted to have something that would isolate more than the ATH mentionned above: It's quite impressive.
Maybe not as nice as my Fidelio L2's, but overall, for a digital witchcraft Headphones, they're really quite impressive. I was dubious, but I'm now convinced. Viper4Android does help to get a flatter response too. And everything is so very quiet...

just got the Sonys for christmas. cor. tried the Bose, B&W and Sony and they were my fav of the bunch.

If anyone is interested it looks like I'm going to have to sell my awesome Focal Elear headphones.
They really are some of the nicest headphones I've ever owned...despite being cheaper than some of them.
They also have a really long cable, so they're great if your source is a fair way from your sofa. :)
But alas, I need the money at the moment, and as I already have a couple of other pairs of high end cans, I'm going to have to sacrifice these to pay for other things.
I have no doubt though that I'll be buying another pair when I'm flush again as they're my favourite 'listening for pleasure' headphones.

They retail at £899 and I'm looking for £600 in immaculate condition, with box.
PM me if you're interested or want to try them out.

What’s the forum recommend on Bluetooth in ear buds, for running, occasional gym use and general sportiness? Not looking to spend more than £50 ideally.
Current cabled things I’m using are proving supremely inadequate.

I've been using Soundpeats QY7 for ages... really cheap and decent.... Not sure if they're still available though...they were also sold under various other names so you may be able to find some

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Headphones-Mpow-Earphones-Hands-free-Sport-Yellow/dp/B00OK5BELU

These have worked well for me for a few years.

Headphones for swimming. Any recommendations? Am pretty keen on Bose generally, so am thinking https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/headphones/earphones/soundsport-wireless/buy.html

I'd assume they wont work, since Bluetooth and water doesn't mix. You'll probably have to find something with onboard storage, e.g.
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/walkman/nwz-ws610-series

... or you could play your tunes from a waterproof sports watch like the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro

When I say bluetooth and water don't mix I mean that water very efficiently blocks the radio frequencies that bluetooth uses.

Hence why the Garmin swim HR strap doesn't transmit HR data in real time like it would if you were running or cycling. It waits until you're out of the water and then sends readings to the watch.

Fair enough, I didn't realise it blocked the signal to that extent.

They aren't waterproof, you'll break them in a pool! I'm not sure about BT and water as @duncs says but there are plenty of reviews for best swimming headphones.

Oops! Like to think I might have noticed that before purchasing, but who knows... :)

Swimbuds look good: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Underwater-Audio-Waterproof-Swimbuds-Bundle-Silver/dp/B00CELMZG0