Headphones for the gym

Crann na Beatha

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WhiskeyGoblin

Aquila wrote: »

Hi lads,any particular type of headphones that are durable enough for use in gym and running,i have gone through 2 seats in less than 2 months,thanks!

I have Koss PortaPros and Senns PX-100ii both sound fine, and have lasted me years with no problems

uvox

Thanks for this. Timely. I have the same problem - wearing out (i.e., loss of sound quality, sweat wrecking the buds) earphones. Major problem is the volume they play the gym music at.

So, is there is a recommended set for the gym that can also boost the volume over what the settings on the iPhone allows? Loud as possible please! Are the two above options for this?

Cheers

uvox

yimrsg

uvox wrote: »

Thanks for this. Timely. I have the same problem - wearing out (i.e., loss of sound quality, sweat wrecking the buds) earphones. Major problem is the volume they play the gym music at.

So, is there is a recommended set for the gym that can also boost the volume over what the settings on the iPhone allows? Loud as possible please! Are the two above options for this?

Cheers

uvox

Don't bother looking for amps to put out the maximum volume as you'll damage your ears and disturb others around you, get better isolating headphones or in ear monitors. The majority of earbuds offer poor sound and have no isolation what so ever. Read up on IEMs here

Triple flanges and foam tips offer the best isolation generally but they take some getting used to coming from earbuds. Shure are well built and robust, etymotic have very good isolation. Fischer audio, vsonic and meelec offer some of the best value for money around.

I use an ipod classic (which isn't that loud) with a good pair of triple flange IEMs, I've rarely to go above 50% volume even in loud environments. Most of the time it's 25% volume, when I'm listening to something at night I go down to the lowest setting.

Some of them are delicate looking but if you're careful with your IEM and don't abuse it they'll last for ages; don't wrap them around your mp3 player when not in use, use a carry pouch. Don't put them in pockets of trousers/jeans/shorts as you'll likely put pressure on the jack (usually the weakest part).




If you're against IEMs read up on portable headphones here. The downside is they aren't as portable as IEMs and the better isolation models are generally large and bulky or are tight to wear. Sennheiser hd 25 is probably the best compromise of both and all it's parts are replaceable. It also offers a very nice sound.

Crann na Beatha

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yimrsg

Aquila wrote: »

What do you think of these ones?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-680-High-Performance-Noise-Isolating-Sports-Optimised/dp/B0035JKJ2W/ref=pd_sim_ce_2

I had a pair of sport earphones by altec lansing and didn't think much of them. They stayed in place well because they had ear guides but they weren't that isolating as they were earbuds rather than canal phones/iems.

Those sennheiser look to be canal phones but they're worn cable down in the pictures so you could have trouble getting a secure fit (the cable weight will pull against the seal) and you'll (likely) have microphonics; where you can hear the cable rubbing against your clothes coming through. When iems / canal phones are worn over ear, the seal is generally more secure (no cable pulling against it) and microphonics are reduced.

My first though when looking at the sennheiser model is that it's a very bulky design and I'd worry about fit issues as well as comfort for extended use. I can't tell if the volume control has a clip to hold it on to your clothes, if it does it'll reduce microphonics, if not it'll act like a pendulum and increase the movement in the cable as well as adding unnecessary bulk. A simpler design would be much more likely to give a comfortable fit simply through change tips and you could get a soft plastic ear guard if needs be to hold it secure.



Since you're breaking headphones so often perhaps look at models by Shure as they're very robust (downside is the cables are thicker) and they usually are split meaning they are bulkier.
Meelec might also be a good choice too, especially this one. it's got several tips for getting a good fit, clips to minimise microphonics, arm band so you don't have to carry your mp3 in your pocket (that's where jacks tend to get damaged).

Brian

http://www.meelec.com/M6_Series_earphones_s/246.htm

or if you want an armband http://www.meelec.com/MEE_Sport_Fi_S6_p/ep-sfs6-rdbk-mee.htm

Crann na Beatha

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pleasant Co.

Aquila wrote: »

Can you buy them from an Irish site?as im a little worried how much extra charges ill have to pay by importing them?

You can get them on amazon UK, I bought a set not too long ago but sent them back immediately as they arrived faulty. Amazon UK were a pleasure to deal with during the return procedure and it didn't cost me a cent.

Crann na Beatha

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pleasant Co.

I ordered the m6p's but like I said, they were faulty so I returned them, I got a refund and as they were out of stock never got around to ordering another set.

Crann na Beatha

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7ofBrian

I just picked up a pair of these:
http://en-de.sennheiser.com/ocx-685i-sports

€70 in HMV




I have to say they're excellent. Cable is a bit flimsy but the sound quality is great and there's no microphoning. The ipod/iphone controls are flawless.
There are also no complaints about how secure they are in my ear. Whether on the treadmill or the bench, they aint movin!
These are noise cancelling IEMs so if you dont like a deep fitting earphone, perhaps these arent the best option for you. Personally I like to be immersed in the music when im working out and dont want to hear other people huffing and puffing so i find them perfect for this.
They are brand new so there arent many reviews online yet so I hope this helps.