Best earbuds?

[Homeslice]

What are the best noise-cancelling earbuds these days? I know Shure was the shit a few years ago, but what about now?

[anthonyk]

Active noise-canceling, or just good at sealing out external sound?

[Sean]

Shures were good. I had the Etymotic which had great sound and isolated well, but the cables were so thin I ruined two pairs. In their defense they replaced the first set under warranty. After that I decided to go with a cheapo set of JVC Marshmallows for twelve bucks. They isolate ok, are slightly less comfortable than the Etymotic and have somewhat worse sound quality, but that's really not a big issue at 80mph.

[Homeslice]

Active noise-canceling, or just good at sealing out external sound?

I didn't think any earbuds were active, I thought only the over-the-ear stuff was :idk:

[Homeslice]

Shures were good. I had the Etymotic which had great sound and isolated well, but the cables were so thin I ruined two pairs. In their defense they replaced the first set under warranty. After that I decided to go with a cheapo set of JVC Marshmallows for twelve bucks. They isolate ok, are slightly less comfortable than the Etymotic and have somewhat worse sound quality, but that's really not a big issue at 80mph.

How many decibels do they reduce? I usually use 33db plugs, so if they let in a lot more noise than that, I'll just skip the whole idea and get some in-helmet speakers instead.

[Librarian]

Nipples.

[Gas Man]

Not the best but you simply can't go wrong with skull candy.

[Sean]

How many decibels do they reduce? I usually use 33db plugs, so if they let in a lot more noise than that, I'll just skip the whole idea and get some in-helmet speakers instead.

The JVCs? They aren't rated that I saw but I would say ~30.

[SteveP]

I use the etymotics and they work fantastic.

[G-Rex]

I use the etymotics and they work fantastic.

Same here! I love mine!

[Rangerscott]

Not the best but you simply can't go wrong with skull candy.

+.1 TJMax $8.

[anthonyk]

Same here! I love mine!

Me three. I keep losing mine, though. Finally had to zip tie the case into my computer bag.

[Mr Lefty]

I use shure... have for a few years now... work fucking awesome... haven't tried any other brands... as I haven't needed to.

my ipod rarely sees above 50% volume at ANY speed on my bike.. at 25% volume it will silence the cabin of an airplane.

[marko138]

I use shure... have for a few years now... work fucking awesome... haven't tried any other brands... as I haven't needed to.

my ipod rarely sees above 50% volume at ANY speed on my bike.. at 25% volume it will silence the cabin of an airplane.
How much are they and what model?

[Looni2ns]

How many decibels do they reduce? I usually use 33db plugs, so if they let in a lot more noise than that, I'll just skip the whole idea and get some in-helmet speakers instead.


I have the Etymotics ER6i, and I don't have to increase the volume on my iPod when I'm riding. Good enuf? Have even used them just as earplugs, and they do great. I think the regular eytmotic ear plugs (no speakers) reduce by 25dB. It tells you on their website.

[Homeslice]

OK so it sounds like they all block enough sound, now which ones are the lowest profile under a helmet?

[anthonyk]

So far, the Etymotics ER6i are the lowest profile I've found, and I have no problem riding all day with them in. The others I've tried are from Koss and Sony, and they would hurt after a couple of hours. Never tried the Shure ones, though.

[Sean]

Those ER6s don't hold up in my experience. I don't abuse them but the cables get frayed just from the wind and movement on the bike.

[anthonyk]

Probably because I keep losing them before I wear them out. :lol

[Particle Man]

I have a cheap set of radioshack foam earbuds that work fairly well.

[Cutty72]

I have a set of iFrogs. They work for $12

[Mr Lefty]

How much are they and what model?

the E2C's were my first pair I paid $110 or so... now they'er $69... lost them when I left my iPod in a rental car just before going to Korea... yeah that 16 hr flight SUCKED!
Here (http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270670303&sr=8-13)


my current pair are the E3C-n's they're $149 or so...
Here (http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E3c-n-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B000E5DLIE/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1270670418&sr=8-43)

they fit better for long trips than the previous ones... the E2C's didn't have the white inserts like the E3C's do...
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31VR9KKXR5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Trip]

For that price I would buy custom molded earphones

[Mr Lefty]

Those ER6s don't hold up in my experience. I don't abuse them but the cables get frayed just from the wind and movement on the bike.

My E2C's I never got a chance to use much on the bike.... but the E3c's have been going strong since 08.... they have probably 15000 miles of riding on them... 2 16hr flights... 15-20 hiking trips... and about 300 miles of running with them...

I run mine inside my jacket... never have any issues... just make sure I can move my head side to side... and look through corners while leaned off (on the RR)

For that price I would buy custom molded earphones

I've thought about it... but I got the current set for $85 on sale from amazon

[Trip]

I think custom molded is the only way I will run in ear speakers again. I do not like in ear speakers in my ears with my helmet on. They hurt to quickly where speakers I don't even notice. Just need to find a louder speaker than what starcom supplies.

[Mr Lefty]

the E2c's hurt after a couple hrs...


the E3c's I can wear all day long... however I cannot wear them with any sort of balaclava... as it pushes them in weird directions.


yeah i may look into custom molds eventually... I looked into a few before I got the E3c's but the deal on the E3C's was too good IMO

[Rangerscott]

I think custom molded is the only way I will run in ear speakers again. I do not like in ear speakers in my ears with my helmet on. They hurt to quickly where speakers I don't even notice. Just need to find a louder speaker than what starcom supplies.

Are u wearing those hard round ones were the chinese think we have gigantic ear holes? Ya, those hurt any one.

[Trip]

Are u wearing those hard round ones were the chinese think we have gigantic ear holes? Ya, those hurt any one.

No, I have tried a bunch of different ones. skull candy, gummy's, sonys, and a couple other brands. I try to find the ones with the least amount coming out of the ear with no luck.

I am not going to spend shure prices when I can get customs for around the same price.

[EpyonXero]

I also recommend the shure earbuds. I don't remember if mine are the e3c or e2c but I chose them over the etymotics because they seemed to stick out less. I use them on my bike, on planes, and on long rides in my Jeep where the noise is just as bad as on the bike. I use the black foam rubber inserts instead of the ones with the three flanges they're more comfortable and they expand to fit your ear canal. I've used mine on a few 9 hour car rides and they do get uncomfortable after a while but out of 9 hours I probably had them in my ears for 7.

[Trip]

my issue is I am planning a over 2 week ride, i want something i can use that entire 2 weeks. My starcom speakers never bother me. If I can find something that is loud enough, that's definitely the way to go.

[Mr Lefty]

Yeah I hear ya. I like the shures as I use them when I run too

[EpyonXero]

my issue is I am planning a over 2 week ride, i want something i can use that entire 2 weeks. My starcom speakers never bother me. If I can find something that is loud enough, that's definitely the way to go.

I don't think they're any more uncomfortable than conventional earplugs after a few hours.

[Homeslice]

For that price I would buy custom molded earphones

What company does this? And do they actually sound good?

I have a hard time imagining anyone making a profit from custom-molded earbuds if they are only charging $90, unless they are using low-quality parts.

[Trip]

What company does this? And do they actually sound good?

I have a hard time imagining anyone making a profit from custom-molded earbuds if they are only charging $90, unless they are using low-quality parts.

It's not the $90 price for custom, it's normal price for e3c's.

I know this company is good, they are used in NASCAR for team communication. I don't know how it would work for music, but for voice to voice stuff and using your phone, it should be top notch.

http://www.racingelectronics.net/index.php?event=store&action=products&item=ear_molds

There is another company that does it that goes to all the moto conventions, I need to find them again. I think they were $100.

[Homeslice]

Yeah there's a company that comes to the bike shows and sells custom earplugs, but when it comes to music I wonder where they are getting their speakers and if they sound as good as the major brands

[Trip]

This site looks like they got some decent ones for $200

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/fullcustomearphones.html

[Mr Lefty]

Trip that last one is the ones I looked into... And eventually may get. Right now... I'm good

[Trip]

I am probably going with a scala rider g4, the speakers are suppose to be damn good according to my parts guy who got his to pimp out to people. I am going to see if I can take a ride with his when I go to buy and try it out for myself.

[Cutty72]

Trip, do you still wear earplugs then?
If no, wouldn't the earbuds be better as they cut out some wind/motorcycle noise?

[Trip]

Trip, do you still wear earplugs then?
If no, wouldn't the earbuds be better as they cut out some wind/motorcycle noise?

the earbuds are as much as one scala rider. There is all the stuff you have to get to make the starcom1 as effective as the scala rider that would make it ridiculous.

If the scala works at speed, I am going that route and be wireless instead of wired.

[Cutty72]

i mean earbuds in general, so you have something blocking the wind noise etc which is said to be a leading cause in hearing loss.

[Trip]

go be safety nazi somewhere else.

[Cutty72]

not being a safety nazi, its an honest question. besides, it's more of a health thing than a safety thing.
I dislike riding without earplugs/earbuds because the wind noise bothers me. Most earbuds become uncomfortable after awhile, so I figured if you could hear your speakers with earplugs in it would be the best of both worlds.

But everyone is a nazi and a dick and can never ask a question they actually want to get an answer to around here.

[Trip]

not being a safety nazi, its an honest question. besides, it's more of a health thing than a safety thing.
I dislike riding without earplugs/earbuds because the wind noise bothers me. Most earbuds become uncomfortable after awhile, so I figured if you could hear your speakers with earplugs in it would be the best of both worlds.

But everyone is a nazi and a dick and can never ask a question they actually want to get an answer to around here.

I don't wear plugs and don't plan on it right now. That chaps some people's ass and frankly I don't give a shit. It's my hearing, if I lose it, oh well. I don't need some prick trying to tell me what to do on my own time. It's like that douche that tried to get hokie to wear gloves.

[Cutty72]

I don't care if you do either. Just wondering if you did if you would still be able to hear your speakers! :lol:

[Trip]

Well that I can't answer, I highly doubt it with the ones I have now. They are really quiet. So doubt ear plugs would help.

I haven't heard the scala's to be able to even make a guess.

[Mr Lefty]

the earbuds are as much as one scala rider. There is all the stuff you have to get to make the starcom1 as effective as the scala rider that would make it ridiculous.

If the scala works at speed, I am going that route and be wireless instead of wired.

so you're getting rid of the Starcom?

[Trip]

so you're getting rid of the Starcom?

I never got the full system. I have the garmin patch cable and headset.

[Mr Lefty]

ahh... I was seriously looking at it... but don't wanna rely on something that sucks power from the DRZ... you know why

[Trip]

ahh... I was seriously looking at it... but don't wanna rely on something that sucks power from the DRZ... you know why

I almost got it for christmas, but after my trip to orlando, I decided against it. It was completely useless the whole way down. The microphone worked ok at best and I couldn't hear a damn thing about 55. I even bought a boosteroo and that's allowed me to go up to 55mph, it was at like 45. The speakers are shit. So it really didn't help. I ended up using earphones most of the trip to be able to listen to music. Pete at Destination is telling me his G4 works flawlessly, so I am going to see if he will let me try it on the GS.

[Mr Lefty]

ahh so the one you used was borrowed?

my hold up with the Starcom was the price and it was way more than I needed.

all I want is something to put my MP3 player and possibly my GPS into with Bike to Bike...

though from the reviews on web bike world... you can't be much more than 1/2 mile apart.

I'm thinking these are the same as the other Scala riders... where you can only pair to two other units?

[Trip]

yeah, the scala riders have their down fall, you can pair up to 2 riders still with the G4s, but they allow you to talk to both at the same time instead of A to B or A to C.

I don't see myself using this more than with Andrea. So bike to bike isn't my concern anymore. I just want something useful for music(which is my phone or GPS)/GPS/Phone.

I still don't like the having to depend on an internal battery.

[Homeslice]

How can you hear music over all the wind noise, if you don't wear plugs? Hell, past 50 mph I can't bear it without plugs, so I can't see how I'd be able to hear music clearly through in-helmet speakers. The most you'd be able to hear is someone's voice........Certainly none of the subtleties of the music.

[Trip]

with or without plugs doesnt make a difference for me as far as speakers. Sorry, it's personal preference, I've worn plugs, didn't like it.

[Homeslice]

But what about earbuds?

[Trip]

I don't want to pay for custom molded right now and I hate the way ear buds make my ears feel. They hurt, quickly. I rather speakers. The scala G4 is suppose to have ones loud enough for riding, the starcom1's are notorious for being quiet and you have to buy an amp to get them to work close to satisfactory.

[Switch]

I almost got it for christmas, but after my trip to orlando, I decided against it. It was completely useless the whole way down. The microphone worked ok at best and I couldn't hear a damn thing about 55. I even bought a boosteroo and that's allowed me to go up to 55mph, it was at like 45. The speakers are shit. So it really didn't help. I ended up using earphones most of the trip to be able to listen to music. Pete at Destination is telling me his G4 works flawlessly, so I am going to see if he will let me try it on the GS.

Let me know how that G4 goes.