Whitechapel - Travel Friendly Headphones 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/ Lussumo Vanilla & Feed Publisher Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=2979#Comment_2979 2007-12-02T23:39:18-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 bschory http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=516 The reason behind this: I live in Boston, MA, Ulcered Sphincter of Ass-erica, and commute by the T (public transportation trolley/subway system). Since this is America, I need to drown out the morons ...
In any case, I've been using iPod earbuds for a while, since they were free with my iPod (I know, how trendy, but I need the storage space, and Creative and I have a hit and miss relationship). They also happen to be very portable, and have decent enough sound quality not to drive me completely insane.

Recently, I've started to notice that earbuds in general have become uncomfortable and awkward to wear, and that my hearing has been getting worse and worse. I need to get rid of them now before I do any more damage. (After a week of non-use I can tell my hearing is recovering a bit, so thankfully it is not permanent).

I have a pair of nice AKG studio heaphones I use at home for my high quality audio needs, but I refuse to take them out on anything but the most sunny days as I don't think they'd fare well in inclement weather, and I'd like to keep them in good working order.

I'm looking for some recommendations on reasonably light and preferably compact headphones with excellent sound quality, for a reasonable price (under $100 U.S. unless they sound truly exceptional and are very rugged). If you've got some recommendations on super-comfy earbuds, those are most welcome as well.

Any thoughts, oh esteemed comrades?]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3003#Comment_3003 2007-12-03T01:42:23-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 hyim http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=855 I use shure e2c. There might still be some left (when it was announced they were discontinued I ran to the stores to buy two more pairs) The noise isolation is amazing, so much that sometimes I'm ... Used the e2c in the paris metro and the london underground, they and their inhabitants yield in front of the earbuds.
I tried the etymolitic but they snapped after a few months of use So that was 120 bucks well spent. Shure has a sturdy cord and it just feels like your money went somewhere. Go intra auricular.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3012#Comment_3012 2007-12-03T02:14:44-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 robb http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=518 how is boston an ulcered sphincter? Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3064#Comment_3064 2007-12-03T05:06:09-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 Scribe http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=904 I use Sony Psych's and I love them. I purchased them from FYE for about 30 bucks, and it was a great investment. Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3074#Comment_3074 2007-12-03T05:36:47-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 dansolomon http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=38 Sony MDR-Q22LP headphones are ideal if you find it uncomfortable to have buds in your ears, but like the portability. They rest outside the ear, but use a wire instead of a band, so they're basically ...
--d]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3145#Comment_3145 2007-12-03T08:29:34-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 bschory http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=516 @hyim How do those Shure e2c fare with bass response? @ robb Lewis Prothero: "Did you like that? USA... Ulcered Sphincter of Ass-erica, I mean what else can you say? Here was a country ...
How do those Shure e2c fare with bass response?

@ robb

Lewis Prothero: "Did you like that? USA... Ulcered Sphincter of Ass-erica, I mean what else can you say? Here was a country that had everything, absolutely everything. And now, 20 years later, is what? The world's biggest leper colony. Why? Godlessness. Let me say that again... Godlessness. It wasn't the war they started. It wasn't the plague they created. It was Judgement. No one escapes their past. No one escapes Judgement. You think he's not up there? You think he's not watching over this country? How else can you explain it? He tested us, but we came through. We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates. They had to go. Strength through unity. Unity through faith. I'm a God-fearing Englishman and I'm goddamn proud of it!" (V for Vendetta, the 2005 movie adaptation)

It may be part of a vilification monologue, but I quite like the play on the acronym "USA" there.

I like the City of Boston itself, and am quite pleased to live here, aside from said loud people on the T. :-)]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3153#Comment_3153 2007-12-03T08:38:00-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 hyim http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=855 bschory wrote : How do those Shure e2c fare with bass response? You have to stick it in pretty firmly to enjoy the fullness of it, something you might not want to do if you want to not get run over ... bschory wrote :
How do those Shure e2c fare with bass response?
You have to stick it in pretty firmly to enjoy the fullness of it, something you might not want to do if you want to not get run over by a car since the only sound you will hear then is your own footsteps (and music). It does need some mileage play before the earbuds deliver in that regard, though -like any earbuds.
i don't listen to bass heavy music so you might want to google more focused reviews.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3155#Comment_3155 2007-12-03T08:41:26-08:00 2007-12-03T08:42:53-08:00 ravnos http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=644 Me thinks he wants to steer away from earbuds in general... Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3161#Comment_3161 2007-12-03T08:45:37-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 Sarpedon http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=113 The reason behind this: I live in Boston, MA, Ulcered Sphincter of Ass-erica, and commute by the T (public transportation trolley/subway system). Since this is America, I need to drown out the morons ... The reason behind this: I live in Boston, MA, Ulcered Sphincter of Ass-erica, and commute by the T (public transportation trolley/subway system). Since this is America, I need to drown out the morons yammering loudly for most of my commute.

I like the City of Boston itself, and am quite pleased to live here, aside from said loud people on the T. :-)

Exactly.
How is it that everyone on the T is so fucking inane? it's ridiculous, on top of being generally unreliable and slow (I live on the B line.) Having to put up with people makes the whole thing terrible. This is why I walk everywhere I can.
But beyond the T I'd agree it's a good city, though today's weather sucks, it'll only get worse till April. The T is one of the larger downsides of living here in Boston, except the fairly high cost of living relative to most other places. (from what I've heard...)]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3178#Comment_3178 2007-12-03T09:11:14-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 robb http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=518 acronyms are tricky when i should be asleep. got it. Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3189#Comment_3189 2007-12-03T09:27:21-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 bschory http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=516 @ Sarpedon I live on the B line as well, and the problem with that line in particular seems to be that it's such a hodgepodge of college students, young professionals, and the elderly that live ...
I live on the B line as well, and the problem with that line in particular seems to be that it's such a hodgepodge of college students, young professionals, and the elderly that live near me in Brighton. Everyone on there thinks they own the MBTA and can do what they want when they want, and so few think about the comfort of everyone else riding with them. For instance the "I'm going to stand right next to the door instead of moving in the train to let people get on, even though I'm getting off 10 stops from here and will have no problem working my way forward to get off by then" mentality, among others.

There's also the American conception of cell phone etiquette which is basically "if I have a decent signal I have a right to scream in to the bloody thing at the top of my lungs, what with freedom of speech and all that", and all the bars in Allston which people seem constantly on the way to and from and seems to necessitate screaming with their friends about how drunk they are or are going to get.

The E and C have the same issues, substituting "more college students, less elderly, and Brigham Circle", and "less college students, more young professionals, and Coolidge Corner" where approriate. The D line just serves too many towns for its own good.

I used to commute to work at 6:30 am, when it was dead quiet because everyone was still half asleep. That was the most pleasant commute I have ever had by T. Now I usually try to find a corner and stay out of the way, if at all possible. That seems to work reasonably well.

Cost of living in general here is higher than most places I've been (but manageable), but the real insanity is specifically in the cost of housing. I did some math based off a listing for a house in Brookline and figured out that in the very nice area of southern New Jersey I used to live in I could by a house twice as large for 1/4 the cost.

Not to turn this in to a bitch fest about the T or anything, but I people who ride any mass transit system can feel some of this pain, and that pain begets good recommendations for how to deal with it. For instance, I never leave the house without a book and my music anymore, given how long it can take to get somewhere by T.

So let's go with that, anyone with good headphone recommendations, or recommendations on how to deal with the insanity of mass transit systems, please post!]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3356#Comment_3356 2007-12-03T13:08:30-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 ravnos http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=644 Being bschory's roommate and all we kind of live in the same place... I broke my headphones on the T at Boylston today and I had to ride the entire B line out having to listen to everyone else on the ...
On a side note I am loving the weather today, I've been waiting for snow since late October.

- Sarpedon, Are you a student or professional? Nice finding fellow Ellis fans/stalkers in our area.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3397#Comment_3397 2007-12-03T14:01:24-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 wishlish http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=166 I buy a cheap pair of Sony MDR-V150s every 6 months or so. They don't last long- I usually destroy the plastic by then. But they sound very good, and I can get a pair for $20 or so. If I could find ... Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3398#Comment_3398 2007-12-03T14:07:15-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 wishlish http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=166 As for mass transit, I spend about 4 hours a day on the NJ transit trains (from NYC to Bradley Beach, NJ). I cannot leave home without a book, a magazine, an iPod, AND my DS. I'll inevitably turn to ...
I was guilty once of poor cell phone conduct on a train. The guy in front of me overreacted (he was a bit drunk), but it was my fault. I have a mother who rides the line of bipolar frenzy every day, and sometimes it's tempting to shout at her to keep her from diving into the sort of madness that will cost me a few hundred bucks to sort out. I've since gotten a Bluetooth headset, and make very sure I don't raise my voice.

You know what's great to do on trains? Read manga. I've read Lone Wolf and Cub and GTO so far on the train- that's 53 volumes since September. Plus I read two Marvel Essential Moon Knight books. Neat stuff.

I love my commute. Before this, I drove to work, and would routinely get stuck on 287. Sitting in traffic for an hour became quite painful. Trains are much more comfortable to sit in, and I can get a quick nap in before work (although I have to be careful- 3 times, I ended up in Hoboken. Once, I ended up in the train yard. Not sure which was worse.)]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3478#Comment_3478 2007-12-03T15:29:39-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 robb http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=518 i despised berlin's u-bahn because it was mouse quiet and polite to a fault. raucaus public transportation gives you the best stories: "this guy ______ all over this ______ and he smelt ______. ...
that said, only buy in-ear headphones with a variety of sized buds. i've bought too many only to find out that they don't fit comfortably and are now a wasted piece of oddly shaped plastic. despite the caps' tendency to fall off in my pocket, the bose in-ears are worth the investment. thinking how much money they cost makes me treat them with care. they overcompensate on the low frequencies, but it's a marked improvement to tin static bass of most.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3616#Comment_3616 2007-12-03T18:11:17-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 bschory http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=516 @wishlish Naturally there are circumstances when shouting is necessary, or at least unavoidable. I don't have a real problem with a brief bout of shouting, especially in cases like yours. It's ...
Naturally there are circumstances when shouting is necessary, or at least unavoidable. I don't have a real problem with a brief bout of shouting, especially in cases like yours. It's more the "I'm going to have a friendly conversation needlessly at the top of my voice for 20 minutes straight" (*giggle giggle* 'and what'd he say?' *giggle* 'and what'd she say?' *giggle*) that tends to annoy me the most.

I also completely agree about commuting by train. It's so much better than driving since you can just relax and wait to get there, instead of having to be in conscious control of a moving vehicle.

I can definitely see manga being a good choice. I used to commute while reading the Transmetropolitan trades. They were the perfect kind of content since it doesn't take overly long to get through them, but they keep me grossly entertained. I haven't carried my game boy in years, but that may need to be thrown in my bag. I've been meaning to play Golden Sun again in any case.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3627#Comment_3627 2007-12-03T18:18:02-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 bschory http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=516 @robb Agreed completely. These are mostly for all the moments when people are being loud and ridiculous without being entertaining, or when I've had a long day at work and just want to retreat in ...
Agreed completely. These are mostly for all the moments when people are being loud and ridiculous without being entertaining, or when I've had a long day at work and just want to retreat in to my own little world.

When you say the Bose in-ears overcompensate on the lower frequencies, is it really noticeable, like "it feels like my head is resting on a night club subwoofer" or just slightly overbalanced on the low end?]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3637#Comment_3637 2007-12-03T18:28:44-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 robb http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=518 re: bose: first impression feels exaggerated, but after a week i tested my old cheap ones for comparison and they seemed squeeky raspy shit. i've no regrets, and can listen to thump thump music and ... Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3646#Comment_3646 2007-12-03T18:35:29-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 acephalous http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1267 I can't recommend the noise reducing Sennheisers highly enough. They cut out the background noise, so you don't have to listen as loud, doing less damage to your eardrums. I actually own some of ... Sennheisers highly enough. They cut out the background noise, so you don't have to listen as loud, doing less damage to your eardrums. I actually own some of the larger, clunkier ones, because 1) they provide maximal noise reduction and 2) give you that "fuck off, I'm listening to music" vibe. (But if anybody asks, I'm listening to NPR. I just love Terry Gross, yadda yadda yadda, which gives them that "you fuck off, you're listening to NPR" vibe. Either way, you're golden.)]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3716#Comment_3716 2007-12-03T20:29:11-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 Sarpedon http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=113 - Sarpedon, Are you a student or professional? Nice finding fellow Ellis fans/stalkers in our area. I'm a BU student set to graduate in May. I'll then have a degree that guarantees I'll be lighting ... - Sarpedon, Are you a student or professional? Nice finding fellow Ellis fans/stalkers in our area.
I'm a BU student set to graduate in May. I'll then have a degree that guarantees I'll be lighting my cigars with hundreds and doing blow off hookers: BA in English and History.

On a side note I am loving the weather today, I've been waiting for snow since late October.

Yeah, I live for the snow, I hope for blizzards every time I look out the window from December till April.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3736#Comment_3736 2007-12-03T21:12:56-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 ravnos http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=644 Heh, I graduate in May with a degree in Philosophy and History, I think I'm the only one who could possibly have you beat with that... Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3828#Comment_3828 2007-12-04T00:54:48-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 David xvx Ludd http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1059 I'd recommend the Sennheiser PX100s. They're cheaper than the 200s (which are noise cancelling), but by all accounts sound better. I love mine. They, like the PX200s, collapse down into a nice ... Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=3851#Comment_3851 2007-12-04T03:08:57-08:00 2007-12-04T03:20:17-08:00 Paul Duffield http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=6 Ah, fantastic post! I've been looking for a good pair of noise cancelling headphones recently for my weak eardrums and nasty evil tinnitus :D I'll keep an eye on this. I've been reading some ...
I've been reading some customer reviews of various models, and one thing I've noticed is that an individual's experience of how good the noise cancelling is (and on rare occasions, if it hurts their ears or not) can vary quite a lot. Is the experience of noise cancelling quite subjective? I can imagine it is given that it's acting upon an ear that's unique to the listener.

I want to get a model that's effective, but I don't have a large amount of money to blow, so I find myself moving backwards and forwards between budget and non-budget models and finding problems with both.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=4001#Comment_4001 2007-12-04T09:11:42-08:00 2007-12-04T09:28:57-08:00 bschory http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=516 For those following along for recommendations, here's a digest of all the suggestions made to date, with prices I could find online. I'm sure there are better deals out there, but these should give ...
Since Whitechapel won't allow me to insert a table, or tabs between words, the following are of the form:

Headphone - Noise Canceling? - Price in US$ (where the price was found)

Shure e2c - Yes - $60.66 (from Electronica Direct via Amazon)
Sony Psych - NO - $17.25 (from Amazon)
Sony MDR-Q22LP - NO - $18.68 (from Amazon)
Sony MDR-V150 - NO - $14.75 (from Amazon)
Bose In-Ear - NO - $99.95 (from bose.com)
Sennheiser (PX150 - PXC450) - YES - $129.95 to $449.95 (from sennheiserusa.com)
Sennheiser PX100 - NO - $59.95 (from sennheiserusa.com)

External to this discussion I have also been recommended:

Koss (in general) - YES - $49.99 to $199.99 (from koss.com)
Grado Labs SR-60 - NO - $60.00 (from musicdirect.com)
Grado Labs SR-80 - NO - $85.00 (from musicdirect.com)

Thanks to everyone who has made recommendations so far! Keep them coming, I can use as many good recommendations and as much information as I can get.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=4012#Comment_4012 2007-12-04T09:33:57-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 robb http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=518 noise cancelling = not hearing the car about to run you over Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=4029#Comment_4029 2007-12-04T10:02:33-08:00 2007-12-04T10:04:25-08:00 bschory http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=516 @ Paul Duffield Tinnitus has been an issue for me as well, and is one of the reason I really need these recommendations. Ever since I had a ruptured ear drum from a sinus infection a few years ...
Tinnitus has been an issue for me as well, and is one of the reason I really need these recommendations. Ever since I had a ruptured ear drum from a sinus infection a few years back I've been a lot more protective of my hearing. Luckily it was a minor rupture and healed back with no significant loss of hearing, but it was quite worrisome at the time, especially since my passion is music.

The technology itself does seem to have some inherent problems that could really affect the subjective experience.

*disclaimer* This is my understanding of the technology. If anyone notices any mistakes in this, please let me know.

Noise cancellation is generally based off of the headphones using a microphone to pick up ambient noise, and then passing it through a processor to generate a signal that is the opposite polarity of that arriving at the microphone. The combination of the two signals cancels them out, so only the remainder of the sound, that of what the headphones are plugged in to, arrives at the ear. This is is only done with lower frequency sounds, as higher frequency sounds would require the speaker to be almost adjacent to the eardrum (which is infeasible) in some cases, for it to be effect. Most noise-canceling headphones rely on passive techniques (basically that the cup of the earphone will by it's nature block out high-frequency sounds fairly well) to reduce the rest of the noise.

With this you run the risk of some low frequencies you may want to hear being accidentally canceled out if they happen to coincide with what the microphone is picking up. Additionally, it all depends on how well built they headphones are, as a cheap microphone, processor, or speaker, may cause the canceling to be less effective or cause the aforementioned problem.

From "HowStuffWorks.com":
While noise-canceling headphones do a good job distinguishing between the audio a wearer wants to hear and the background noise he or she wants to keep out, some people say that they compromise sound quality by muffling sounds. Users can also experience a change in air pressure, although ports built into the ear cup are meant to vent air trapped behind the speakers.


That's my two cents on it, from the research I've done so far.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=4031#Comment_4031 2007-12-04T10:05:30-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 bschory http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=516 Wow, I sound like a little know-it-all there. I blame all my English teachers for encouraging me to write with an inflated sense of confidence... Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=4063#Comment_4063 2007-12-04T11:10:27-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 redcrow http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=395 I've been happy with the Skullcandy Lowriders I found at Target for $28. Skullcandy Lowriders I found at Target for $28.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=4103#Comment_4103 2007-12-04T12:30:49-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 Dragone http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=380 Damn, in the same situation myself, looking @ your list bschory. Thanks for doing the legwork. I'm using the ipod buds right now and I want a compact earphone not bud. Buds hurt my ears. Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=4525#Comment_4525 2007-12-05T02:11:34-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 Paul Duffield http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=6 @ bschory Thanks for the lo-down there! That confirms and elaborates upon most of what I've heard from all around the internet, so it sounds about right. The change in ear pressure would explain ...
Thanks for the lo-down there! That confirms and elaborates upon most of what I've heard from all around the internet, so it sounds about right. The change in ear pressure would explain some users complaining about a painful experience after putting the headphones on. From what you've said, it wounds like it's worth paying top price for something that's very well produced, instead of running the risk of getting a shoddy or half-arsed product for less.]]> Travel Friendly Headphones http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=110&Focus=4531#Comment_4531 2007-12-05T03:10:55-08:00 2013-05-22T13:49:43-07:00 reasonableman http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=452 I strongly recommend the Shure E2C buds. I use them for music and I use them as monitors when playing music or practicing drums. I can play as loudly as I want and have the music I'm playing along to ... should have a flat response. 'Flat' meaning the music isn't getting any help from the speakers.

Also, they come with three types of 'sleeve' to fit into your ear, which means that one of the three types (and several sizes) should feel comfortable.

The Amazon page has good information.]]>