the iDevice is an iPod at heart - best gaming, et al., with nice headphones

[shigzeo]

After loathing the iPod for years, I bought an iPod touch to use as internet roaming at my then amazing flat. Well, after a brief listen with the iPod buds, I was unconvinced. At the time, Futuresonics Atrio M5 was my earphone of choice and I found that it sounded much better with the iPod touch 1G than with my 'god of audio', Cowon D2.

In that event, how much would you pay for a good audio upgrade? Gaming, movies, and videos are all bettered, but music of course is where it's at.

[NineSwords]

For me convenience is the most important part. But because the earphones that come with the iPhone were too bad I have switched to the new noise canceling earplugs by Apple.

[shigzeo]

Those are supposed to be quite good. They are actually noise isolating - there is no active cancelling circuit inside and that is a good thing. Noise cancelling headphones often have whine or hiss and do as much damage to sound quality as possible. Some can sound pretty good, but if you want best performance for the money, it is best to stay away from noise cancelling and go to noise isolating.

I am thinking to pick up the Apple in-ears as they can be had pretty cheap from eBay now (as long as they aren't fake).

[mattll]

i use the normal apple earphones ( with mic)
i spend 25€ on them and i got some skullcandy earphones for 50€

[NineSwords]

Those are supposed to be quite good. They are actually noise isolating - there is no active cancelling circuit inside and that is a good thing.

You are right. This was a error on my part regarding the correct term for that kind of earphones.

[ChiffaN]

I owned a pair of Sony MDR EX-71 which unfortunately had their life ended by my cat chewing through the cables.

Now I won a Sony MDR NX-1 which I use with my 2g shuffle and a Jabra Stone which I use with the iPhone

[Jubei]

Will spend some $ on phones of course. Partly because stock ones are earbuds which drop out of my ear all the time. Lately, I've had some infection on the outer part of the left ear, so no IEMs for the time being - closed cans and (don't laugh as it was a gift) noise canceling Audio Technica cans (rather large in size I must say).

And congrats on the launch of the forum.

[shigzeo]

I had the EX51 - my first 'iem' earphones which I used with my then 'wonderful' Sharp Auvi Minidisc Player. Well, 8 years later (or so) and I am a complete headphone junkie, but it comes because music/games/movies sound better, are more immersive with great sound.

I owned a pair of Sony MDR EX-71 which unfortunately had their life ended by my cat chewing through the cables.

Now I won a Sony MDR NX-1 which I use with my 2g shuffle and a Jabra Stone which I use with the iPhone

[Jubei]

I had a pair of Sony EX71 too. The rubber went all gooey on me after a few years.

[mrholder]

I have always used Skullcandy Ink'd buds and usually get them at Target for around $12. They seem to do the trick. One day, I may spend up to $50 for the better
Skullcandy buds, but I'm satisfied at the moment.