Recommendations for earbuds for wife that plays bass?

koss porta pro!

 

You might want to try posting on the Accessories subforum. Here our focus is on basses themselves.

 

I go for higher price, and a "better" brand. Pending your budget. These will make a difference: http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-C...&qid=1373926485&sr=8-2&keywords=shure+earbuds

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-IE...1373926642&sr=1-1&keywords=sennheiser+earbuds

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Q350-Head...F8&qid=1373926667&sr=1-1&keywords=akg+earbuds

I'm an audio engineering student, so I've tried out a lot while talking shop. I'm not crazy about those AKG bud, but the others are of better standard than your typical 20 dollar buds.

 

I use AKG K311 In-Ear Buds. They are only fifteen bucks but I find them totally acceptable for casual listening. Also, they are much more durable than any other buds I've tried.

Edit: Actually what I have is the K309. I think it's the same thing, though.

 

+1 on the Shure's.

I've owned six or so pairs of $50-100 earbuds and the Shure's are by far the best. They also have a 2 year repair/replacement warranty so save your receipt!

 

Interesting info, however, I am very suspicious of ear buds. I know that they are portable and convenient, but are they safe? It seems to me that around the ear headphones like my BOSE are much easier on the ear drums since the sound is dissipated in a more natural way rather than being concentrated on the enclosed, narrow and rather short column of air of the ear canal. Have there been any studies on them?
My old ears are excellent, but I always protected them, especially from drummers
I often warn kids with loud ear buds that the future growth industry isn't in "plastics" (Mrs. Robinson) -- self-indulgent allusion lost! It's in audiology!

 

Totally gerry grable!

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH440-...phones/dp/B002DP1FTU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH840-...UTF8&qid=1373992047&sr=1-1&keywords=shure+840

I'd recommend nothing else. (in this price range that is, ha.)

 

Turn down the volume. Doesn't matter whether the phones are in-ear or over-ear.

 

This is strictly a matter of conjecture, ie., your opinion. Until I hear of a study by a qualified expert, I think I'll err on the side of safety.

 

I can't comment on buds, other than to say I can't stand them, or anything that goes into or on top of my ear. Which is to say I like over-the-ear 'phones. While we're on the topic, though, and fishing for comments, I'd like to know if anyone knows of acceptable-quality portable 'phones that don't have truly wimpy, weak-butt protection for the plug end of the cable. I'm just about ready to throw away my second set of Sennheiser PX-100's in 4 years because of broken conductors at the plug end. They break because there is no strain relief. These things were great in every respect but that design feature makes 'em disposable and I'm not interested in anymore of that. Same thing happened to a nice set of Sennheisers I gave my son for use with his stereo. Truly inadequate, especially for anything considered portable. Anything out there heavy-duty enough -- having a cord and plug suitable for portable wear and tear?

 

I'm very happy with my etymotic research ear buds. Excellent sound and noise cancelling too. I can listen to a Haydn string quartet on the subway! Their noise-reducing ear plugs are great also.

 

@ Damon- Sol Republic makes a pair of headphones that sounds good to my ears and has a cord that can be unplugged from the phones and replaced. Neat feature IMHO.

 

Aside from buying ones with a long warranty, how about getting a soldering iron? A shame to throw out good headphones just because the jack failed.

 

My Bose around the ear, QuietComfort IIs also have a removable cord with a useful Hi/Lo level switch. I wore out one cord so far and Bose replaced it free, without out so much as a blink. I guess their excellent guarantee policy is a perk since they are kind of pricy at $300. I probably wouldn't have paid so much myself, but they were a gift, so what the heck :}

 

I've got a couple of soldering irons but my talents run more toward copper pipe. These things always fail, though, with one or both conductors breaking right at the joint with the molded plug component. I guess you just solder a whole new plug on there... Those are very teensy, hair-like conductors, too.

But no matter -- I wasn't asking about soldering because I had already considered that fully, thanks. I was asking if anyone had any recommendations of models where the maker has put more thought into actual, real-life, everyday portability -- something that can survive longer than about 2 years, which is what Sennheiser puts out these days.

 

But no matter -- I wasn't asking about soldering because I had already considered that fully, thanks. I was asking if anyone had any recommendations of models where the maker has put more thought into actual, real-life, everyday portability -- something that can survive longer than about 2 years, which is what Sennheiser puts out these days.[/QUOTE]

I have no reason to push BOSE, but I've had mine for about 4 or 5 years and I like them very much. The cord that didn't actually break but was wearing thin was replaced free of charge and I didn't even have to show the receipt. They are pricey but IMHO well worth it. As for portability, they come with a strong zippered case with all kinds of attachments for airplanes, ect.

 

I've been digging the Monoprice 8323 over the ear headphones.. they're a serious bargain for how well they sound.

 

There is so much hype regarding the "quality" of various headphones that it really pegs my kaka needle. I believe that in a blind sound test (that's a phrase I never uttered before), I probably couldn't tell the difference between your phones and mine, so why not go for the more reasonable pair? As for the noise-cancelling features with the BOSE, I just shrug my shoulders. Just now as I type, I slipped on my phones with the cord removed and turned on the switch, one of their advertised benefits, presumably for air or train travel. They do cut down the ambient sound, the hiss/hum of my window air-conditioner virtually disappears. I guess this would matter if you're listening to solo piano or cello, but it would be negligible with a band with a drummer.
As I said before, mine were a gift-- from my wife! I ain't about to send her back to the store wit dem