I need advice on the best earphones on the market...durability is the most important

[TK421]

factor here. I use these for my computer when I'm on DU or whatever, and listening to music. Every earphone set I've bought either falls apart or the sound dies on either side...I'm sick of the cheap shit, and I'm used to paying at least $20 for these fucking things ( shit, I've gone through at least three pairs this past year and a half or so ) I could use some recommendations here lounge, thanks in advance!! :D

[gmoney]

1. I accidentally ran my new earbuds thru the washer

And they sound good.

[TK421]

2. Thanks for the correction there...earbuds are what they are

but I won't take the washer advice

[jobycom]

3. CNet has some good reviews on such things.

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-headphones/?tag=leftColumnArea1.0

Check out the column of links on the left.

I swear that's become my favorite site lately. I don't splurge much on earphones. I've got a pair of JVC Marshmallows that I spent 20 on, and I feel extravagant. I was only persuaded to that when I listened to a pair of Bose and Beats and decided that the reason I was bored with my Zune lately was because of the crappy headphones I've been using. But I can spend an hour on CNet a day just figuring out what I've missed in the tech world recently, and usually feel pretty good about that hour. :)

[TK421]

8. Thanks for that link! Bookmarking it now

:-)

[Steerpike]

4. What are your parameters

Here is the mid level sets I highly recommend at around 99 dollars

The Sony MDR-7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone is a large diaphragm foldable headphone designed for professional studio and live/broadcast applications. These large diaphragm, foldable headphones feature a rugged construction, a secure, highly effective closed-ear design, and a 40 millimeter driver unit for clean, clear sound reproduction. The closed-ear design provides both comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises. The included Stereo UniMatch plug allows use in both 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch applications. A soft case for protective storage is included with the headphones.

The professional audio industry standard.The MDR-7506 is a large diaphragm foldable headphone designed for professional studio and live/broadcast applications. Proven to be reliable in the toughest situations. Headphone features gold connectors, an oxygen--free cord.

anything better than these will cost you a heck of a lot more

[TK421]

9. I listen to music when I'm on the computer, and I like the music loud

every pair I've had seems to be cheaply made. I don't think I want $99 earbuds-phones though

[Steerpike]

13. OK

These are not earbuds...they are professional quality headsets. Pretty legendary...i think you can get a pair for about 89 dollars. I've worked professionaly in broadcasting as talent and as a producer since 1977...you can't go wrong with these...

[backwoodsbob]

22. sony's here too...love em

mine arent quite that nice though...I have the mdr-v900hd

[dropkickpa]

5. I really like my skullcandy earbuds

Comfortable, and the sound is decent. For me comfort its the #1 consideration, as I've spent buckets of money on buds that I ended up hating for the fit.

[TK421]

10. I'll look for them, thanks!

:-)

[HopeHoops]

6. I've got two (sturdy) sets I like - one Radio Shack, the other Sony.

They're quite similar. Both have about 2" padded earphones, solid over the head (conventional style) structure, and pull-out adjustments for the earpieces. I like the Sony pair better (bought them for my wife and three kids too) because the earpieces swivel so you get a more comfortable fit. I got at least one pair of the Sony from Best Buy and the others from K-Mart (which has a slightly lower price).

I've tried the behind the neck type and don't like them. You wanted sturdy and both qualify. You could heave them about the room and stomp on them and they probably wouldn't be damaged. They're also light weight, not like the type we wore in the 70's that looked more suited for industrial ear protection than listening to music.

On edit: I can't stand earbuds. They're uncomfortable and pop out too easily if you brush the cord. I use a headset even if I'm mowing the lawn with an iPod.

[TK421]

11. I'm going to the mall today, so I'll check out Radio Shack while I'm there

[HopeHoops]

15. As I mentioned, the earpieces on those don't swivel, but I still like them.

The Sony set is just a little more comfortable. Still, I think you would be happy with the Radio Shack pair.

[dembotoz]

7. we are staying with the cheapy ones

one of our cats likes to eat them.

Three pairs in the last 18 months??
Wish we could get similar.

And we do actually feed them.....

[jobycom]

21. I know what you mean. Do your cats prefer certain types? Mine do.

They love the ones with the slightly grippy, stiff wires, like the JVC Gummies. On the other hand, the pair that came with my Zune over two years ago they won't touch. They have smooth, limp wires, so there doesn't seem to be as much fight in them. Not as enjoyable for the catadors. The others, they will dig them out of drawers or even pockets to tear them apart, sometimes.

Not just headphones, though. My cats ripped several keys off my laptop trying to get at something on the screen, and they left deep gouges on my cell phone (a damn good Nokia N95, unlocked, so it was expensive!). They didn't like it ringing and tried to slay the beast. The saddest case was my daughter's laptop mouse. She had the thing about a day. She set her laptop on the bed to get something in another room, and two minutes later she came back to find the mouse decapitated from it's USB plug.

I mentioned this to a salesman at Best Buy once (when buying a new laptop to replace the one my kitties had de-keyed), and he commented that maybe half of their repair shop business was because of cats. Apparently they love cats. :rofl:

[av8rdave]

12. I've tried all sorts of them over the years, from the cheapos to the Bose

The best ones I have are $9.99 at Target, made by Sony. They are actually a very thin over the head band with little buds that rest in the ear. They are comfortable, stay in place (even when running), and sound pretty good.

The Bose earbuds sound great, but for some reason don't carry much volume. I have to turn up the iPod volume almost full and even then they are hard to hear.

[guitar man]

14. Depends on what kind of phones you want

If you don't mind wearing a big set of closed back studio type headphones, the Sony 7506 or the Sennheiser HD280s are about the two best sets I've found without going up into the boutique market. Either can be had for about $99. If your used to cheapo phones, hold onto your seat when you try either of these, the sound is breathtaking in comparison.

[Steerpike]

16. Yeah that's about right

The Senn's are nice...Personal preference for me is the Sony's (louder and tougher). The Senn's are the other industry standard. My station uses's Senn's as the studio sets.

[guitar man]

17. I use both in my recording studio

I agree about the Sonys, they are fantastic, I like to use them for live recording too because I can really hear what's in the phones over the band in the club. I think they are the more accurate of the two, the Sennheisers are really "pretty" sounding but the low wnd is somewhat hyped IMO. Drummers and bass players love the Senns for tracking phones.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

25. I have only one quibble about Sennheisers..........

I have had a set of Sennheiser earbuds and headphones, and both, within 2 years, have had the foam that covers the speakers break down and crumble apart. I've been very careful to not put them in adverse conditions, but still the foam crumbles and makes them uncomfortable to use. Otherwise, the sound is great.

[pintobean]

18. The failures you describe are usually caused by

breaks in the connections from the wire, or cable, to the jack or the bud. I always try not to touch the cable when I insert or remove anything. I also route the cable close to my body to prevent accidental snags and pulls. For that, I use the little clips that come with cell phone hands free head sets. This also increases comfort by removing some of the cable weight. For the computer, you may want to add an extension cable to help keep the wire away from your arms and hands.

[redqueen]

19. I've had some Grados for a couple of years.

They're fairly excellent.

Kids use them too (and not always gently) but they still work perfectly.

[MicaelS]

20. You want the best, check out HeadRoom....

http://www.headphone.com/index.php

First you spend $1,549 for a pair of Sennheiser HD800 balanced cans. http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sennheiser-hd-800-balanced.php
Then spend $1,500-$1,700 for amp. http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/amplifiers/headroom-balanced-ultra-desktop-amp.php
Then $1,300 for the DAC. http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/digital-to-analog-converters/headroom-ultra-desktop-dac.php
Plus balanced interconnects at couple of hundred. http://www.headphone.com/accessories/cables/dimarzio-xlr-balanced-interconnects-6ft.php
So we're talking around $5,000 including shipping.

You did say you wanted THE best right?

[flvegan]

23. Koss Pro3AA Titanium for around $50.

I've always been a fan of Koss' gear.

[TK421]

24. sorry everyone...it was too late to edit the OP, but I did forget to mention price

I'm looking in the $20-25 range, not anything real fancy but at least has some durability.

[Fire Walk With Me]

26. Stax Earspeakers.

http://www.stax.co.jp/