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Best Headphones? $100-150

post #1 of 22
1/2/08 at 4:55pm
Thread Starter 
Hi there,

I'm looking for a good pair of EARBUDS (Anything but over the head really, can go in the ear or whatever other non-sense) and I'm not that big of an audiophile, but I would like something good for around $100, or $150 to use with my Creative Zen 8GB.

Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!
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post #2 of 22
1/2/08 at 5:33pm
Check out Headroom over at headphone.com. There you can read up on all the good stuff out there. I have used In-ear models and I would have to point you in the direction of the Etymotic ER6i or the Sennheiser CX300. Both retail under $100 and are great sounding in ear cans. They also both block out external noise very well. Once you begin to appreciate the over the head style, grab a pair of Grado Labs Sr-80's or higher and just enjoy 'em at home.
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post #3 of 22
1/2/08 at 6:07pm
For $70, I suggest the Audio Technica ATH-CK7. Built like a brick, good clear sound, decent but not overbearing bass.
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post #4 of 22
1/3/08 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the website mlowie. I was looking into Shure's SE110 to begin with, but after reading that, I don't think I'll do that. I think that for the price, I'm going to get the Etymotic ER-6i Black ECHs. I'm going to remember this website (It's not that hard, headphone.com :P)

Thank you very much!
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post #5 of 22
1/3/08 at 12:28pm
Dunker,

I own the ER6i, and ER4S, and I prefer my CK7. Headroom is a great store, but they are missing some great headphones from their lineup (Denon, Audio Technica, even certain Sonys)
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post #6 of 22
1/3/08 at 4:59pm
Glad to be of help Dunker, You may want to use that site for it's reviews and shop elsewhere as you may find better deals, YMMV of course. I found a review on the model that warpdrive is referring to http://www.podfly.com/review-audio-t...ar-headphones/ I agree that they don't carry all models and though I haven't tried the Audio Technica's, I would bet they are pretty good as warpdrive is a stand up guy around these parts.
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post #7 of 22
1/3/08 at 5:07pm
You can get a clear pair of Ultimate ears 5 pros if your have patience and look around... it be worth the wait
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post #8 of 22
1/3/08 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 
I actually sent Warpdrive a PM regarding the pair he suggested, but I'll post it here for you to read too mlowie, as you seem to be pretty knowledgeable as well:

"Hey there,

I've taken your advice and looked at some reviews for the CK7s. I read this one in particular where the reviewer seems to compare them to the 6i's a lot.
(http://iaudiophile.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7666)
How much do you agree with his review?

They seem to be kind of heavy (10g), will I really notice this in my ear?

And by being 11mm, will they fall out of my ears say, should I laugh, or contort my face for some odd reason? Or even if I am just running.

The fact that these have a sturdier cord make me happy, and if it's essentially the same sound quality (again, not an audiophile) then I'm perfectly happy. I just want my first venture into, erm, more expensive headphones, to be an enjoyable one

Thanks for all your help!
Dunker"

The fact that that review compared it alot to the 6i's (and had the CK7 come out ontop nearly every time) was a head turner for me. Other reviews generally have nothing but praise for this model. I'm sort of in the air right now. I don't really like the idea of having things deep in my ears, like the 6i's, but I'm afraid the CK7s will fall out of my ears (despite reviews saying otherwise, dumfounded worry really)

Also, by not being an audiophile, I'm not sure that the minute differences between the two will make much of a difference to me. Which is why I'm beginning to lean more towards the CK7's as they are billed to be a "sturdier" headset. Not that I'm entirely careless, but as a teenager, I'll throw them around/into a bag occasionally.

NYFG, While looking at other pairs of headphones, they were often compared to Ultimate Ear 5 Pros, and from what I've read, I just don't think those are the pair for me. Thanks

Oh, and finally, a lingo question. "Flat" sound is good right? Because usually, when something is "flat" it's not the best of things...
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post #9 of 22
1/3/08 at 7:56pm
Flat is good for frequency response, bad for...........soda?
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post #10 of 22
1/3/08 at 8:06pm
Thread Starter 
I just read this, which reviews both the CK7s and the ER6i's in a single page, from the same person, in the same fashion

http://iaudiophile.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7369

What do you think of that?

And what are "Bass Extensions"?
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post #11 of 22
1/3/08 at 10:57pm
One man's meat...... If you went with either one (CK7 or ER6i) I think you will be satisfied. And Bass Extensions are what female bass get when the want to attract the male bass.
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post #12 of 22
1/3/08 at 11:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mlowie View Post

One man's meat...... If you went with either one (CK7 or ER6i) I think you will be satisfied. And Bass Extensions are what female bass get when the want to attract the male bass.

Aaaahhhh. It's funny but doesn't help :P But yeah, I think I'll get the CK7s and hope for the best.
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post #13 of 22
1/4/08 at 10:53am
Dunker just for curiosity what turns you off about the Ultimate Ears or whichever was being compared to them? I have tried many IEM and find them to be the most rounded.
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post #14 of 22
1/4/08 at 11:32am
The Ultimate Ears Pro 5 are pretty good earphones, but a lot of people have issues with the size and fit. They stick out a lot, and some people never found them that comfortable. The CK7 is a bit easier to fit than a true IEM but you do have to fiddle and get a good seal, but it won't take too long each time once you figure it out. I position them so the cable points forward and that is how I get a good fit.

I prefer the CK7 over any of the ones cheaper than the Pro 5. The one thing that I find all of the single driver IEM based on a balanced armature 's is that they are either too rolled off in the bass, or too rolled off in the treble. That is why makers are resorting to dual, triple driver earphones. Dynamic drivers like the ones in the CK7 are just more capable of producing ample treble and bass energy (some would say too much of both depending on where you are comig from). They aren't as detailed as, say a Etymotic, but for the most part, they sound more balanced than say, a Shure E210

As I owned several pairs of Shures, Etymotics using single balanced armature drivers I think that in the under $100 range, you are better off looking at dynamic driver models.

I've been looking at the Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10 ($350) which has 3 drivers, and I think that would be a worthwhile upgrade over the CK7
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post #15 of 22
1/4/08 at 11:42am
Head-fi.org
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post #16 of 22
1/4/08 at 11:43am
I have to check out the CK7's, maybe I will get my Fiance a pair. I want the Triple Fi's as well, its just a lot of scratch for IEM's. :-)
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post #17 of 22
1/4/08 at 12:27pm
I have the 5 pros and love them.... never had any issues with the fit...
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post #18 of 22
1/4/08 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 
Homeless, I checked out Head-fi just yesterday, they didn't have much bad to say about the CK7s. They recommened another pair, on sale at Amazong for 99 dollars, but it's a moot-point as Amazon won't ship headphones to canada (And amazon.ca just sucks)

And, as a person who doesn't need top-notch in EVERYTHING, being an amateur I'm sure that anything will be a step in the right direction from the earbuds included with my Zen. Things like having the most amazing seal and not being able to hear a 300lbs man yelling in your ear when he's standing next to you isn't exactly what I need. I just want good sound for a good price. When, and if, I get more into headphones and sound quality then I might know what I like in a headphone and what I don't like, but as a first venture, I do need to start somewhere.

I appreciate all the help you've all given me And I'll definitely come back here when I need more help I'm going to buy the CK7s from AudioCube (who do ship to Canada, and not for ridiculous prices) right now Thank you all very much.
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post #19 of 22
1/4/08 at 12:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dunker View Post

I'm going to buy the CK7s from AudioCube (who do ship to Canada, and not for ridiculous prices) right now Thank you all very much.

That's where I got mine.
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post #20 of 22
1/10/08 at 1:10pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I got them today! (They shipped monday, from japan, to montreal! :O)

I'm listening to them now, and they're obviously a great upgrade from the headphones I got with my Zen. They fit MARVELOUSLY, and they are very quiet, at least where I am now. I'm so used to hearing a lot around me, and I really don't think I'll have that problem with these. The sound is very nice so far, I'm going to run the music for a few days and let them break in for a good 150 hours or so. But I'm already impressed

Thanks for the many suggestions!
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post #21 of 22
1/10/08 at 1:28pm
glad you like them. They can be a tad bit bright (depending on your senstivity to high frequencies), and sometimes a tad bit grainy in the highs, but otherwise, I have yet to find any earbuds under $100 that beats them. I lost my first pair within one month and I had to order another pair right away.
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post #22 of 22
1/11/08 at 12:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by warpdrive View Post

The Ultimate Ears Pro 5 are pretty good earphones, but a lot of people have issues with the size and fit. They stick out a lot, and some people never found them that comfortable. The CK7 is a bit easier to fit than a true IEM but you do have to fiddle and get a good seal, but it won't take too long each time once you figure it out. I position them so the cable points forward and that is how I get a good fit.

I prefer the CK7 over any of the ones cheaper than the Pro 5. The one thing that I find all of the single driver IEM based on a balanced armature 's is that they are either too rolled off in the bass, or too rolled off in the treble. That is why makers are resorting to dual, triple driver earphones. Dynamic drivers like the ones in the CK7 are just more capable of producing ample treble and bass energy (some would say too much of both depending on where you are comig from). They aren't as detailed as, say a Etymotic, but for the most part, they sound more balanced than say, a Shure E210

As I owned several pairs of Shures, Etymotics using single balanced armature drivers I think that in the under $100 range, you are better off looking at dynamic driver models.

I've been looking at the Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10 ($350) which has 3 drivers, and I think that would be a worthwhile upgrade over the CK7

I have the Triple Fi 10 Pros and love them. Much like the 5 Pros these are very large, and I look like Frankenstein with the big bolts sticking out of my ears. They sound great though! If size is your primary concern, look elsewhere. But it SQ is what you are looking for I think you will really enjoy these.
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