Does anyone own an iPod? I'm having trouble finding a good pair of earbuds. The standard earbuds supplied by apple are absolute crap. I purchased a pair of Sennheiser MX500s and they were significantly better, but still lacked clarity. I then purchased Bang & Olfusen's earbuds and they were actually worse the MX500s. They offered more clarity, but was significantly lacking in the low end. I realize its hard to get great quality from earbuds so I was hoping someone would have a suggestion. Has anyone tried Shure's earbuds? They range from $80 to $499. Anyone?

I see this is your first post, about ipod earbuds in a home theater forum for axiom speakers. May i ask how you stumbled upon this place?

While i generally dont like posts about something completely non related in a forum, especially like a manufacturer forum i would say that your best bet is going to be the Etymolic Research ear buds. They offer good sound, along with 20db of noise reduction.

My advice is to check out the ety's and check out http://www.head-fi.org which is a headphone forum, specifically dedicated to headphones.

Actually I have posted before (some time ago) when I was researching speakers. I hadn't been actively participating and forgot my username so I signed up for a new one.

I apologize for posting the earbud question, but everyone was so helpful when I purchased my axiom speakers that I had to come and ask the experts. I will looking into Etymolic.

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Harman Kardon - AVR 525
Harman Kardon - DVD 101
Axiom - M22ti
Axiom - QS8
Axiom - VP150
Hsu Research - VTF-2

I have these and think they are amazing. I have to use the smallest orange foam buds (little ear canals I suppose), but i listen at MUCH lower volumes than in the past. It helps to keep my tinitus under control. I like to hear it well and with other headphones you have to turn up volume to hear it. These block out the sharpest sounds but you are still safe walking around with them (not so deaf you hear nothing at all).

jr

I think this is a pretty helpful and friendly crowd for most any question (though there are a few hotspots).

I think Haoleb is right- Etymolic is very highly regarded. I think, though, they're more known for canal phones? Anyway, this might be something helpful: http://www.arstechnica.com/reviews/004/headphones/headphones-1.html

Arstechnica is a great place for info. This is a roundup of some good portable headphones (various technologies).

In reply to:

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Actually I have posted before (some time ago) when I was researching speakers. I hadn't been actively participating and forgot my username so I signed up for a new one.

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Ahh ok! welcome back then

The etys are more canal phones but theyre probbly going to be the best bet if your looking for an in ear type phone. Of course, if you were open to those big honky over the ear phones i might suggest something else but i think the etymolics are a good place to start.

I own an iRiver iHP-120 and a pair of Etymolic ER-6's. Love them both.

Etymolic has an even higher end model called the ER-4's, which I hear (no pun intended) are the benchmark for ear buds.

The ER-6's are the best headphones I've ever heard, minus perhaps the Sennheiser 600's with a headphone amp.