portable Headphones for cycling / skiing / outdoor sports? <$150 range?

kenreau · « **on:** 16 May 2011, 06:34 pm »

I've used in ear monitors for a number of years on ipods while on planes, long family road trips, etc. where the sound isolation is appreciated.

I'm now looking for some new 'phones that could also be used sensibly and safely for sports like road cycling and skiing where you need to semi frequently interact with others and/or be aware of adjacent sounds (cars approaching). Ideally they would have an integral iphone controller built in for mute & basic controls. I imagine this would necessitate the ear bud style with maybe an ear loop to hold in place? I've used the freebie apple ear buds but have not been impressed with the s.q. and they typically don't stay in place with much activity .

Any recommendations out there? My budget is around up to $100~$150 range.

Thanks
Kenreau

roscoeiii · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 May 2011, 07:21 pm »

They might isolate a bit much for your purposes, but the earbuds I prefer are Panasonic HJE900s. The reason I mention them here is that they are constructed to be pretty bomb proof. The bud housing is Cubic Zirconia (you will actually see them referred to as CZs on forums), and the cords are easily replaceable. These list for around $250, but you can often find them for closer to $125, sometimes close to $100.

The other earbuds that I have enjoyed a lot are Denon AH-C700, which have been replaced in that line by the AH-C751. A metal body, which I again values for durability. Another one that I have found can be gotten for closer to $100.

eclein · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 May 2011, 07:24 pm »

I recently got Woodees brand IEM's, they sound very good, have an inline mic, they are very durable so far, cost effective if they get lost or busted up, I dig the look, the cord etc.....these are the only ones I've tried with a mic. I'd also check head-fi and see if they have a thread about inline mic iem's.
http://woodees.com/

funkmonkey · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 May 2011, 11:44 pm »

Best "bud" style phones I've encountered are Yuin (PK2 is the model I have used, without a headphone amp straight out of an iPod). PK1 are better but meant to be used with a headphone amp. Made by the same guys that make the Hi-fi-man, all supposed to be excellent. I'm sure they have something more current (check Head-direct.com) My search was several years ago, so their may be some new players out there. Most that I have seen are IEM... good buds are hard to find.

You also may want to look into an open backed over the ear style headphone for even better sound quality... though you might have to deal with a fair bit of wind noise if you went that route.

Cheers & good luck.

Noseyears · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 May 2011, 01:10 am »

What about the koss sporta pro? they are really nice for the price.

kenreau · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 May 2011, 02:26 am »

Quote from: Noseyears on 17 May 2011, 01:10 am

What about the koss sporta pro? they are really nice for the price.

Thanks, but too large over the ears and to fit under helmet.

kenreau · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 May 2011, 02:27 am »

Quote from: funkmonkey on 16 May 2011, 11:44 pm

Best "bud" style phones I've encountered are Yuin (PK2 is the model I have used, without a headphone amp straight out of an iPod). PK1 are better but meant to be used with a headphone amp. Made by the same guys that make the Hi-fi-man, all supposed to be excellent. I'm sure they have something more current (check Head-direct.com) My search was several years ago, so their may be some new players out there. Most that I have seen are IEM... good buds are hard to find. You also may want to look into an open backed over the ear style headphone for even better sound quality... though you might have to deal with a fair bit of wind noise if you went that route.

Cheers & good luck.

Bingo, that's what I'm looking for. Thanks man!

Kenreau