Good earbuds on a VERY limited budget

thequux · 01-13-2006, 12:50

So, I've got my X5, and I'm still using the stock headphones because I haven't gotten around to buying new ones. But, it seems to be a shame to listen to such beautiful sound through such awful earbuds, so I'm looking for reccomendations.

As I'm 18 and don't have a job (or the prospects of getting one until June), I'm on a rather strict budget of about $120 for headphones. I'm looking for very accurate reproduction through the entire range of frequencies and good isolation (is that the word? The music at my school tends to be rather loud... they're using a sound system designed for dances and insist on using its full potential to make noise)

I'm also looking for something that is rather durable. I tend to baby all of my stuff, but cords get snagged, my brother isn't quite so careful, and I just don't want anything to happen to my investment.

So, any reccomendations would be terrific. I'm looking at the e2c's mostly, but the ue super.fi's look god as well.

Lucifer · 01-13-2006, 14:22

e2cs or super.fi 3s.

MoveZig · 01-13-2006, 15:37

Get the super.fi 3's. They sound great, I own a pair. The cords on the ue's are replacable wheras the cords on the e2c are not replacable.

saltylj · 01-13-2006, 16:59

or Um1's which u can get for 100 at earphone siolutionswith the code mac15

thequux · 01-13-2006, 19:34

I just read a large set of reviews on head-fi, and people are saying that the e2c's sound dead but get really good isolation, while the super.fi's have good sound, but wimpy bass, and lackluster isolation. Now, I'm not looking for "gangsta' bass" that you can hear a mile away by any means, (I don't even use the "mach 3 bass" on my X5), but on the other hand, I do want an accurate sound, which does include some bass.

If only people would look beyond bass and talk about the nuances of the sound... oh well.

Still, and anyone confirm or deny the bass issue and isolation? The isolation is pretty important (as I've said, the music at lunch at my school tends to be, well, somwhere between the volume of a jet engine heard from the runaway and front row seat at a rock concert); the bass is less important but it might tip the deal either way.

MoveZig · 01-13-2006, 22:42

IMO, the bass is quite fine on the super.fi's, but then again I am not a bass head. The sound is very accurate. I can barely hear anything else while listening to music. They isolate sound very well IMO

saltylj · 01-13-2006, 22:48

again UM1's should be looked at. its the ppl at head fi's that convinced me of this, with the islation needs and costs sae as u, and not being a bass head but enjoying it just the same, well earphones are a taste decision but do a search for UM!'s and you can find help on head fi also ask idiotekniques he has A pair

thequux · 01-14-2006, 01:15

Hmmm... I'm thinking that I'll order a pair of UM1's and a pair of super.fi's and A/B them.

as for MoveZig not being a bass head, I quite agree.

I guess I'll just need to get both and test isolation against my stereo, which does go quite loud.

But thanks for all of your help!

Konechiwa · 01-14-2006, 12:04

you can get the E3's for 125.00 (free shipping) at earphone solutions.

type in "select30" in the coupon code for 30% off.

01-13-2006, 12:50	#1
thequux Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Palos Verdes, CA Posts: 122	Good earbuds on a VERY limited budget So, I've got my X5, and I'm still using the stock headphones because I haven't gotten around to buying new ones. But, it seems to be a shame to listen to such beautiful sound through such awful earbuds, so I'm looking for reccomendations. As I'm 18 and don't have a job (or the prospects of getting one until June), I'm on a rather strict budget of about $120 for headphones. I'm looking for very accurate reproduction through the entire range of frequencies and good isolation (is that the word? The music at my school tends to be rather loud... they're using a sound system designed for dances and insist on using its full potential to make noise) I'm also looking for something that is rather durable. I tend to baby all of my stuff, but cords get snagged, my brother isn't quite so careful, and I just don't want anything to happen to my investment. So, any reccomendations would be terrific. I'm looking at the e2c's mostly, but the ue super.fi's look god as well. __________________ This is American top 40...This is bullshit! --Negativland (These Guys are from England and Who Gives a Shit?)

01-13-2006, 15:37	#3
MoveZig take off every zig Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21	Get the super.fi 3's. They sound great, I own a pair. The cords on the ue's are replacable wheras the cords on the e2c are not replacable. __________________ Fedora Core 4 Linux User 30gb X5L + ice zCover + Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 studio

01-13-2006, 16:59	#4
saltylj the strange one Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 125	or Um1's which u can get for 100 at earphone siolutionswith the code mac15 __________________ x5l got stolen.... : new Um1's Go Cubs Wishlist: creative tx fm, camo zcover and remote:hi:

01-13-2006, 19:34	#5
thequux Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Palos Verdes, CA Posts: 122	I just read a large set of reviews on head-fi, and people are saying that the e2c's sound dead but get really good isolation, while the super.fi's have good sound, but wimpy bass, and lackluster isolation. Now, I'm not looking for "gangsta' bass" that you can hear a mile away by any means, (I don't even use the "mach 3 bass" on my X5), but on the other hand, I do want an accurate sound, which does include some bass. If only people would look beyond bass and talk about the nuances of the sound... oh well. Still, and anyone confirm or deny the bass issue and isolation? The isolation is pretty important (as I've said, the music at lunch at my school tends to be, well, somwhere between the volume of a jet engine heard from the runaway and front row seat at a rock concert); the bass is less important but it might tip the deal either way. __________________ This is American top 40...This is bullshit! --Negativland (These Guys are from England and Who Gives a Shit?)

01-13-2006, 22:42	#6
MoveZig take off every zig Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 21	IMO, the bass is quite fine on the super.fi's, but then again I am not a bass head. The sound is very accurate. I can barely hear anything else while listening to music. They isolate sound very well IMO __________________ Fedora Core 4 Linux User 30gb X5L + ice zCover + Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 studio

01-13-2006, 14:22	#2
Lucifer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 220	e2cs or super.fi 3s.

01-13-2006, 22:48	#7
saltylj the strange one Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 125	again UM1's should be looked at. its the ppl at head fi's that convinced me of this, with the islation needs and costs sae as u, and not being a bass head but enjoying it just the same, well earphones are a taste decision but do a search for UM!'s and you can find help on head fi also ask idiotekniques he has A pair __________________ x5l got stolen.... : new Um1's Go Cubs Wishlist: creative tx fm, camo zcover and remote:hi:

01-14-2006, 01:15	#8
thequux Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Palos Verdes, CA Posts: 122	Hmmm... I'm thinking that I'll order a pair of UM1's and a pair of super.fi's and A/B them. as for MoveZig not being a bass head, I quite agree. I guess I'll just need to get both and test isolation against my stereo, which does go quite loud. But thanks for all of your help! __________________ This is American top 40...This is bullshit! --Negativland (These Guys are from England and Who Gives a Shit?)

01-14-2006, 12:04	#9
Konechiwa used to be #1 poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Western Washington State, USA Posts: 1,607	you can get the E3's for 125.00 (free shipping) at earphone solutions. type in "select30" in the coupon code for 30% off. __________________

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