In-ears headphones fit matters a lot • Hacker News Board

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#31

Post by rectang » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:20 PM UTC

aaaaaaaaaaab wrote: post #27

rectang wrote: 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).

I see that "microphonics" is indeed the popular term for this phenomenon. To be pedantic, microphonics was originally used to describe inducement of electrical signals in wires, similar to how a microphone works.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphonics

> Microphonics, microphony, or microphonism[1][2][3] describes the phenomenon wherein certain components in electronic devices transform mechanical vibrations into an undesired electrical signal (noise).

There's no electricity involved in this phenomenon, which arises through pure mechanical coupling when the wire causes the sealed earpiece to move and air pressure in the ear canal to swing wildly.

But that's like complaining about URL vs. URI...

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#32

Post by thom » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:24 PM UTC

rectang wrote: post #13

bluedino wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They sell them without wires

Yes, of course. I'm still amazed on some level that the wired versions are considered acceptable, because the thumping is so prominent — as far as I'm concerned, it's a fatally flawed design. But that's the human perceptual mechanism for you — highly optimized for filtering out unwanted sensory input.

The situation seems a bit more complicated now given that only wired headphones can support the best lossless codecs, as I understand it. I wouldn't currently by anything that couldn't plug in with a wire, at least optionally.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#33

Post by bryan0 » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:25 PM UTC

camgunz wrote: post #20

rectang wrote: 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 also loved my Etys. Problem for me is that they would only last a year before failing. I’ve since switch over to RHAs which are not quite as good but they have a 3 year warranty.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#34

Post by tedunangst » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:26 PM UTC

jimmaswell wrote: post #25

monsieurbanana wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Well, of course, the muggles know about Bose, you can't be better than them wearing the same headphones.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#35

Post by bryan0 » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:28 PM UTC

Rd6n6 wrote: post #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

I think any decent IEM uses replaceable / custom tips. Many come with an assortment to try out and there are many more you can order online. For example the Comply foam tips are very popular.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#36

Post by yosito » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:30 PM UTC

I primarily use in-ear headphones for running. I find that headphones with a good seal mean that I can hear every step I take thumping in my ears, and after running I can hear my heartbeat. Both are extremely uncomfortable sensations. Apple AirPods, despite not fitting with a seal, work perfectly. They don't fall out, and I can't hear my own body. Can't really ask for more, except a black option and better software support on Android.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#37

Post by amelius » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:31 PM UTC

Rd6n6 wrote: post #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

> One of the major problems is that you can’t really try in ear headphones before you buy them.

Your right as a consumer is that you can return items within a certain period after purchase. Make use of it!

Beware: buying as a company often does not give you this right.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#38

Post by charles_f » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:33 PM UTC

wintermutestwin wrote: post #17

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…

This feels very familiar. I have tried many pods, foams, silicon bits, and sizes. Whatever I do, those damn things fall out of my left ear. The right is fine, the left won't keep anything in it. So I'm using over-ear because that's my only viable option

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#39

Post by worldsayshi » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:34 PM UTC

rectang wrote: 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 bought a pair of jaybird in ear wireless headphones for listening to music while running. But even without wires the bass disturbance caused by even the slightest step makes them completely unusable. I don't understand how people are able to use in ear headphones. I realized I can't.

Re: In-ears headphones fit matters a lot

#40

Post by jcims » Sun, Oct 03, 2021, 4:34 PM UTC

jimmaswell wrote: post #25

monsieurbanana wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

That’s the wrong crowd to listen to TBH. Bose products are far from perfect and are expensive, but I’ve also found them to be extremely comfortable and have certainly adequate sound quality for every day use. Im no audiophile but i mixed live music for ten years and do pay attention to details.

For example, I just compared Bose’s qc 35 ear buds to Sony’s new wf1000xm4 budd. The latter gets a lot of rave reviews, but i found them to be terrible. The high center of gravity with no support causes them to bounce loudly if you move around with them in, and the noise cancellation is constantly ringing with artifacts regardless of ambient sound level. The Bose have a pretty disappointing battery life, but beyond that are rocksolid compared to the Sonys.

If you want to really lose faith in those circles, try some Beats by Dr. Dre. They clown them but IMHO the Solo 3 was an excellent product for ~$100. Good sound, fantastic battery life and Bluetooth range.