Best iPod Earbuds? I'm off to the Apple store in a bit

[chopper]

I need to replace my stock Apple earbids for my 20 gig ... wondering what to get. don't want some huge headphones ...

I'll read any replies from the Mothership Store.

Thanks!

[grad]

If you don't mind "in the ear style" these sound great:

SONY FONTOPIA MDR-EX81LP (this version comes over the ear to keep them in your ear if you are running, but they also have regular earbud versions. Don't buy the one with the detachable cord).

Easily had for <$30.00, and their sound is GREAT. Much better than my old Aiwa, Senheisser, earbuds.

http://dealmac.com/artclick.html?104047,155867

[spearmint]

What Grad said is true. At the Apple Store they got all these sets for $90 and more. I asked thee Apple guy and he pointed me to the Sonys. It seems silly to me to spend much more and they look nice and do not hang on the edge of your ear but go into it.\

One of the models the one with the detachable plug Grad said to avoid.

[grad]

The detachable plug is only a problem because I found the cord length is either too long with the extension in, or too short with it out.

It's just a matter of preference, but the non-detachable plug seems just right.

[spearmint]

Mint must not go to Amazon and impulse buy these. Just the wish list. Must not buy stuff that will require a new iPod to replace my 2nd gen.

[grad]

I've got the ones that go over your ear before going into your ear: not as cool looking, but less prone to falling out when running, etc., and they seem to tangle less.

[richorlin]

Two great earbuds are Koss "The Spark Plug" or "The Plug" (depending on the model) and Skullcandy Smoin' Buds.
They are both in-the-ear models and also good noise reduction.
Koss is available locally and on the web for about $20. Amazon has them for $10. Skullcandy is a little more.
If you want to try eBay, several people are selling hybrids of both models: the basic earbuds plus Etymotic ER4 eartips. The ER4 tips block out more noise and fit better than the originals.

Koss: http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0...ZZZZZ_.jpg

Skullcandy: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMS...oding=UTF8&s=electronics


I presently have the off-the-shelf Koss "The Plug" and they are GREAT for the price. The bass is heavy and the midrange and highs are crisp. If you don't like thumping bass, just close the rear ports with clear tape. My Apple earbuds are in the bottom of a drawer now.

[Ken Sp.]

If your stock earbuds are bad-Apple may replace them for you.

[karsen]

Best? The Sony's are not the best. They are boomy and have exagerated bass. Blah.

If it has to be ear buds go with something from Etymotic or Shure. The sound is far superior to anything from Sony or Apple.

Etyomic: http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufa...-er-6i.php
Shure: http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufa...re-e2c.php

Personally I dislike earbuds and prefer traditional over the ear headphones. Check out the Grado SR-60s. They are possibly the best sounding headphones you'll ever find for the iPod (or anything else for that matter).

If you want something a little more "hip" looking but still have great sound look for Sennheiser.

Grado: http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufa...-sr-60.php
Sennheiser: http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufa...px-100.php
More Sennheiser: http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufa...12-pro.php

(I Have Grado SR60's, Sennheiser HD280 Pro's, and my daughter has Sennheiser HD201's)