What are a good set of earbuds with bass comparable to over the ear headphones?

Asked by Tony Teesdale at 12:01 PM on June 10, 2009

Best Answer So Far

Posted by David VanTongeren at 4:48 PM on June 10, 2009

Don't go with Bose. I have the over the ear model and it is horribly overpriced for the mediocre sound quality. I can't imagine that the earbuds will give you better sound for your money.

Check out Headphone.com (http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/in-ear-monitor/) . Here you can get reviews from audiophiles who know what they're talking about. These are as good as earbuds can get, with names like Sannheiser and Denon, just to name a few. Of course, there's something there for every price range.

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17 Answers

Paul Brinker | June 10, 2009 4:21 PM

All Bose headsets I've listened to have great depth in sound, including bass. I own their mobile on-ear headset and love them:

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/mobile_solutions/on_ear_mobile_solution/index.jsp

And if you use iTunes, set your equalizer settings for you music- it makes a big difference.

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David VanTongeren | June 10, 2009 4:48 PM

Don't go with Bose. I have the over the ear model and it is horribly overpriced for the mediocre sound quality. I can't imagine that the earbuds will give you better sound for your money.

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Austin Weir | June 10, 2009 9:23 PM

I guess my first question would be is how tough are you on your earbuds? My second question would be during what activites are you planning on utilizing them?

A typical set of earbuds lasts me between 4-6 months. The brands I've tried so far are: (1) SkullCandy (variety of models), (2) Bose, (3) The Apple "In-Ear" Headphones.

The best sound I've experienced so far is indeed the Bose. But they didn't last too long and regardless of which size covers I put on the earbuds. I had issues keeping them in my ears when I ran for long periods of time. Also, they don't handle moisture real well.

The Apple set stayed in my ears very well and handled the moisture very well in comparison to the others. One of the main issues I had with thos is the insulator was a unique material and they tangled very easily.

My next set of earbuds will be Bang & Olufsen A8. Next on my list will be a variety of models offered by Shure.

I've heard mixed reviews from friends about Shure. I'll be the first one to try the Bang & Olufsen A8's.

NOTE: Bose has actually been very good in regards to warranty and replacing lost 'earpiece fittings' (they typically give you a whole new set of all three sizes for free if you ask).

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James Goddard | June 10, 2009 11:14 PM

I'm not a headphone expert but nixon just put out a new line of headphones that are pretty nice looking, take a look at http://ca.nixonnow.com/headphones/

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Alex | June 10, 2009 11:57 PM

etymotics-one of the best in the business with a wide range of prices. http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/epcomp.aspx

If price is of no concern-check out Ultimate Ears (http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/products/findyourearphones.php) At their top end they'll build custom earphones from a mold of your ear-priced accordingly, though they do some lower-end stuff as well.

Shure also probably has some solid options, but I don't know as much about their products.

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reverendgreen | June 11, 2009 10:37 AM

I have had the Shure e2c's for 4 years and love them. They are reasonably priced and are sound isolating - so they are great for an office or bus ride to work. The customer service has been phenomenal too; I have had mine replaced once and it was a quick turnaround.

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David Rogers | June 11, 2009 12:59 PM

If you want bass- there is no better option than V-MODA Vibe V-MODA Vibe
they are the best i have used
i used:
bose (all of them)
Senhiesser (all of them)
Bang and Olufsen (all of them)
Shure (all of them)
(used to sell these brands)

Duo's are the best i have heard, its like sitting with a $$$$$ audio system. there is crisp detail, and the base is like having 2 12" subs next to each ear.
when im lying down and listening to them on my iphone, i can actually feel the base flow through my body.
trust me on this.. if you get another set- you will always be looking for something better. (im sure)

i have no need to find another brand- this is it.

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Elliot Shields | June 12, 2009 1:30 AM

Ultimately I think it's about comfort and seal. Etymotic, Ultimate-Ears, Sure, and Sony all rely on a solid seal to create a baffle or resonance chamber inside your ear canal. The best canal-phones are going to be the ones that allow you to comfortably and easily achieve such a fit, and unfortunately, it's difficult to test these things (without an unabashed love of returning things to overpriced electronics stores). I think Ultimate Ears have pretty excellent features, like replaceable cords (since most earbuds face death by wire damage, internal or external), but they are pricey.

I know others won't really support this, but it's a new option, and not already represented on the board. http://beatsbydre.com/

The Tours are 150 and are designed for good bass reproduction and have a really unique flat cable that doesn't tangle (and thus doesn't internally fray). Like all expensive canal-phones they come with an array of sleeves for the drivers, and while they lack my preferred disposable foam type, they do provide the penultimate triple-flange design which can provide pretty decent sound isolation.

Third Party review:

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2009/01/beats-tour-review.html

Cheers

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