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In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

soundguys.com

21–30 of 105 posts

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#21
post #7

The main thing I can't stand about many sealed in-ear headphones is that lightly jostling the wire causes a massive bass thump in my ear. Regardless of fit, effectively this means I can't move at all while listening to them. The effect is so loud that I marvel that anybody can ignore it.

> a massive bass thump in my ear

Definitely a no-no for audiophiles.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#22
post #20
post #7

The main thing I can't stand about many sealed in-ear headphones is that lightly jostling the wire causes a massive bass thump in my ear. Regardless of fit, effectively this means I can't move at all while listening to them. The effect is so loud that I marvel that anybody can ignore it.

I have Etymotic ER4SRs which came with this clip [1]. It broke, and I soon found out the microphonics (sound traveling through the cable) were strong, and the extra weight the cable put on the drivers in my ears was surprisingly distracting. I bought a new one and, even though it's super nerdy, wear it. There are cables that are less microphonic, and I think it might be possible that if you wrap the cable around your…

I bought some Etymotics last year and I was frankly disappointing given the price. They broke not too long after getting them. The right earpiece seems to have bad contact with the cable and don't cant get any sound in that ear.

It may be as simple as replacing the cable though, I'm not entirely sure.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#23
One of the major problems is that you can’t really try in ear headphones before you buy them. This makes it impossible to try a wide range of them for fit, sound quality, comfort, cable noise, etc. There is a company or two with a few with disposable ear tips in store for you to try, but that limits your options pretty dramatically since it’s so rare

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#24
post #3

I feel nauseated when I use in-ear earphones that reach deep inside. This entire article is not relevant to me. The earphones that I can bear are these : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y4S55RC/ . The design reaches inside a little bit, but not too much, and they sound quite decent. I suppose the AirPods (but not the Pro) are similar in design.

Haved you tried custom IEMs like UE or JH Audio? Had a similar problem with off-the-shelf ones but the custom ones both seal much better and yet seem to reach in differently.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#25
post #3

I feel nauseated when I use in-ear earphones that reach deep inside. This entire article is not relevant to me. The earphones that I can bear are these : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y4S55RC/ . The design reaches inside a little bit, but not too much, and they sound quite decent. I suppose the AirPods (but not the Pro) are similar in design.

Have you tried bose earphones? They are the most comfortable I've tried so far. Admittedly, I haven't tried many. They look similar to the ones you linked, they stay very well in my ears thanks to the hook thingy. https://www.amazon.com/Bose-QuietComfort-Acoustic-Cancelling...

Isn't Bose famously overpriced and poor quality? That's what I always hear from audio circles.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#26
post #20
post #7

The main thing I can't stand about many sealed in-ear headphones is that lightly jostling the wire causes a massive bass thump in my ear. Regardless of fit, effectively this means I can't move at all while listening to them. The effect is so loud that I marvel that anybody can ignore it.

I have Etymotic ER4SRs which came with this clip [1]. It broke, and I soon found out the microphonics (sound traveling through the cable) were strong, and the extra weight the cable put on the drivers in my ears was surprisingly distracting. I bought a new one and, even though it's super nerdy, wear it. There are cables that are less microphonic, and I think it might be possible that if you wrap the cable around your…

The effect isn't produced by wire microphonics, but instead by movement of the sealed headphone in the ear canal causing air pressure changes which are large compared to typical sound vibrations in air.

The solution is to ensure that they are never jostled, which I achieved by staying still. Probably going wireless would also eliminate the issue.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#27
post #7

The main thing I can't stand about many sealed in-ear headphones is that lightly jostling the wire causes a massive bass thump in my ear. Regardless of fit, effectively this means I can't move at all while listening to them. The effect is so loud that I marvel that anybody can ignore it.

This phenomenon is called “microphonics”. It can he mitigated by wrapping the cable around your ear from the top. Indeed, this is how professional in-ear monitors are worn (e.g. Shure).

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#28
post #20
post #7

The main thing I can't stand about many sealed in-ear headphones is that lightly jostling the wire causes a massive bass thump in my ear. Regardless of fit, effectively this means I can't move at all while listening to them. The effect is so loud that I marvel that anybody can ignore it.

I have Etymotic ER4SRs which came with this clip [1]. It broke, and I soon found out the microphonics (sound traveling through the cable) were strong, and the extra weight the cable put on the drivers in my ears was surprisingly distracting. I bought a new one and, even though it's super nerdy, wear it. There are cables that are less microphonic, and I think it might be possible that if you wrap the cable around your…

I loved my etymotics ER when I had them. Forgot which one it was. I have yet to find a quality sounding in-ears( tried a few without success) . I have moved to AirPods Pro for their convenience but those etymotics were great.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#29

I have Air Pods Pro and I bought an aftermarket silicone ear tip that was slightly smaller than Apple's small. The damn things still fall out, albeit after a longer time. They are always uncomfortable and I am constantly having to shove them in. I tried foam and they didn't fit either. I must have freakishly small ear canals. I wish I could find something that works for me. The article linked in the original article…

Have you considered making the jump to over-ear?

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#30

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Yes I noticed it too. But the article/graphs are interesting.

Yes. Content marketing can optimize for SEO and engagement more broadly while simultaneously having good content and not being obnoxious about it.
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