If you choose the ear-canal insert types (IEMs), unless you've very lucky and get a perfect fit, best to get a CIEM.

If you choose outer-ear earbuds, there are a few (unlike Apple's earbuds - not earpods) that have a real bass response, and some of those are very hi-fi with a little EQ. The Edifier P180 for example.

Headphones can be a nuisance with comfort and cord issues. The wireless types have yet to achieve a top-quality sound, so the cord remains. And for comfort, you can't compromise for serious listening - you need great comfort. As to "headphone sound", the key isn't just getting used to it, it's getting a natural balanced sound which is easy to get used to.

Michael wrote,

"My ears have never liked things on or over them, even though I lived in headphones during recordings. I'm the same way with wearing glasses. Anything on my head is very noticeable to me and makes me aware that they are there. This is one reason why I am thinking about the CIEM route. Ultimately I think it would be cool to have a custom set made with my hearing built into the set."

Just curious, are you aware of the two pounds of hair on your head? You've obviously never tried vintage Sony ultralights, you know, like the ones I use. They weigh virtually NOTHING and do not protrude into the ear.. Of course some headphones ARE actually unacceptable but not ALL of them. The argument that noticing the headphones on the head too much to listen to them is as OLD as Methuselah. It's actually akin to an Old Wives Take. Along the lines of digiphiles claiming that pops and clicks on records drive them crazy and that they must have an absolutely SILENT background.

Have a nice hair day,

Geoff Kait
Machina Dramamine

michael green wrote:

Hi Dale. My ears have never liked things on or over them, even though I lived in headphones during recordings. I'm the same way with wearing glasses. Anything on my head is very noticeable to me and makes me aware that they are there. This is one reason why I am thinking about the CIEM route. Ultimately I think it would be cool to have a custom set made with my hearing built into the set. I'm not sure how advanced they are yet, but by the time I'm needing hearing aids, I would like to have a plan for not only aids but also the right earbud type of phone. I'm hoping perscription CIEM type of listening aids are the ticket, not only for in-ear listening but also in-room listening. It's exciting to be in the first generation of listeners that will be able to say we don't have to be golden ears to be golden in our hobby. Any other thoughts or research you have will be fun to look at.

Some CIEMs should give absolutely top quality hi-fi sound. There are multi-driver types and single-driver types, and since I'm generally a single-driver fan, I'd advise anyone looking into these CIEMs to read some reviews and see what the options are, including running in 'balanced' mode.

geoffkait wrote:

Just curious, are you aware of the two pounds of hair on your head? You've obviously never tried vintage Sony ultralights, you know, like the ones I use. They weigh virtually NOTHING and do not protrude into the ear.. Of course some headphones ARE actually unacceptable but not ALL of them. The argument that noticing the headphones on the head too much to listen to them is as OLD as Methuselah. It's actually akin to an Old Wives Take. Along the lines of digiphiles claiming that pops and clicks on records drive them crazy and that they must have an absolutely SILENT background.

Any favorites for both comfort and quality sound, and perhaps reasonable price?

michael green wrote:

I've been trying a few different types, and at the CES been meeting with some of the designers. I think your probably right, the CIEMs seem like they will be the right step for me. I'll have to see if I can get use to them. I don't mind listening to cans really, cause this is not my main source but more of a chance to do recording referencing. I've tried the models geoff mentions but they don't sound so good to me. Do you have any specific reviews in mind?
http://tuneland.techno-zone.net/

I don't know that I could recommend a specific review, but Headfonia has a number of CIEM reviews that explore the topic quite well, and fortunately their reviews with attendant comments and questions are a brief read, which won't kill much of your time.

Almost any Sony portable CD player - but especially the one I use - will kill any Philips Magnavox portable CD player. I have a great many of both types here. Another testament to the plain fact you cannot hear. That's also why you will not see Philips Maganvox CD players bring as much on eBay as Sony players. The marketplace has spoken. Go with what the big boys listen to. Go Sony! Wouldn't you really rather have a Sony?

It's never too late to change the trip you're on. - led zeppelin

Geoff Kait
Machina Dynamica

Groove2 wrote:

Hello..Greetings to everyone...I am a new member here, just curious about the bass factor in headphones, Generally, for top grade hi-fi listening over-ear headphones are advised, is there any better on-ear or in-ear brands those gave same performances.Because not everybody comfortable with big over-ears. thanks

The place to ask those questions is on the Innerfidelity site, since the activity here is limited to announcements and vendor discussions.

I believe more powerful would be headphones.

I believe more powerful would be headphones.

Ear buds usually having more reasonable price with great sounds quality. It is only not usable if you really want great power. Both of them are great for different situations. Prefer headphone for playing games and listening music on indoor and i prefer to use ear bud when i am on outdoor.

Try MeeAudio M6 pro IEM, good iem for the buck, been using them for 6 months now, or try their new IEM, M7 Pro, with dual driver and interchangable cables just like SHURE iem. good thing is that the company are backing the warranty of their IEM that even if you lost it, they will replace it for half the price, even if you only lost or ripped a cable or either one of the earbud

hmm now a days some headphones are equip with 5.1 or 7.1 speaker mode if you want a realistic environment. I just don't know if earbuds is also capable of that, right now I'm using a hyper x cloud revolver and I can never ask for more, the quality of the sound is superb good in musics, watching movie, playing games.

Frequency response
Earbuds have smaller pitch range as compare to headphones. On the other hands, Headphones have better frequency range. Clearly Headphones win this one if it comes to Frequency Response.

Noise Isolation
When it comes to gaming, we gamers require high noise cancellation power because we have to stream live games and that too in a close room sometimes full of echo. In case of earbuds, a properly fitted in-ear bud give you the best noise isolation. On the other hand, Even really good over-ear headphones won’t form a complete seal around your ear.

Comfort level
Earbuds are not that comfortable when it comes to gaming because we have to do those 36 degrees turns while playing and have to move your move hard. So sometimes what happens it, they slip from your ears and leaves you muted. On the other hand, A nicely fitted pair of over-ear headphones that covers your whole ear is just incredibly comfortable.

So for me as a gamer, Headphones are the clear winner but a good pair of gaming earbuds can sometimes defeat the best headphone. One more thing to add, the sound your hear from your headphones and the earbuds mostly depend upon the format you are playing. The Beat Headphones in the world cannot do anything without the quantization noise (that’s the noise introduced when you convert analog sound-waves to digital ones). Earbuds can be an advantage when you are playing games while traveling.