Low-priced earbuds at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · July 18th, 2014, 10:30 AM

I'm looking to get some earbuds for loud environments and other situations where I need more isolation. I've always understood that the higher end Etymotic earphones were the way to go, but I'm trying to keep it down to $100 or so. Are the Etymotics in this price range worth getting? I'm leaning towards the Shure SE215s. Does anybody have advice for me?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758631-REG/Shure_SE215_K_SE215_Sound_Isolating_In_Ear_Stereo.html

Jon Fairhurst · July 18th, 2014, 06:09 PM

I've got a much older pair of Shure earbuds (E2 model). I use them for listening to music (and blocking noise) for air travel, and for monitoring audio at live events.

The problem with my older earbuds is that they have very little bass. Like none below about 200 Hz. :( Just yesterday, I was eyeing the SE315 models with Tuned Bass ports. I'd want to hear them first though. They might be tuned to compete with Beats(!)

The best features are that my E2s are robust and reliable and they block out noise well. For live event monitoring, they're awesome. They are small enough that people don't shun you. (Who wants to talk with somebody with big cans on their ears?) Also, you can pull one earbud and open yourself up to the environment. So they're stealthy and flexible. They might not give you full range sound, but they let you hear if you have a signal and if it has an obvious problem (bad clipping, poor connection, wrong mic setup...).

A disadvantage is that the cables are a bit stiff and can transmit sound to the earbuds. I use a paperclamp to attach the wire to my collar to isolate things. It's also a nice safety feature if you're using a single ear setup and the single bud falls out - it will stay off the floor and connected to your shirt.

I can only assume that the SE215s beat the E2s handily.

I don't know that they'll meet your expectations in the bass department, but I would think that they'll meet your production needs.

Donald McPherson · July 19th, 2014, 05:05 AM

You could also wear over the top for more blocking.

Jon Fairhurst · July 19th, 2014, 05:09 PM

True! You can wear earbuds and put noise canceling headphone on top (with no audio signal) and get a very quiet result. Noise canceling in headphones can harm sound quality, but it won't affect the sound from the earbuds.

Marco Leavitt · July 19th, 2014, 08:38 PM

That's a good idea. I hadn't thought of that.

July 18th, 2014, 10:30 AM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Low-priced earbuds I'm looking to get some earbuds for loud environments and other situations where I need more isolation. I've always understood that the higher end Etymotic earphones were the way to go, but I'm trying to keep it down to $100 or so. Are the Etymotics in this price range worth getting? I'm leaning towards the Shure SE215s. Does anybody have advice for me? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758631-REG/Shure_SE215_K_SE215_Sound_Isolating_In_Ear_Stereo.html

July 18th, 2014, 06:09 PM	#2
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Low-priced earbuds I've got a much older pair of Shure earbuds (E2 model). I use them for listening to music (and blocking noise) for air travel, and for monitoring audio at live events. The problem with my older earbuds is that they have very little bass. Like none below about 200 Hz. :( Just yesterday, I was eyeing the SE315 models with Tuned Bass ports. I'd want to hear them first though. They might be tuned to compete with Beats(!) The best features are that my E2s are robust and reliable and they block out noise well. For live event monitoring, they're awesome. They are small enough that people don't shun you. (Who wants to talk with somebody with big cans on their ears?) Also, you can pull one earbud and open yourself up to the environment. So they're stealthy and flexible. They might not give you full range sound, but they let you hear if you have a signal and if it has an obvious problem (bad clipping, poor connection, wrong mic setup...). A disadvantage is that the cables are a bit stiff and can transmit sound to the earbuds. I use a paperclamp to attach the wire to my collar to isolate things. It's also a nice safety feature if you're using a single ear setup and the single bud falls out - it will stay off the floor and connected to your shirt. I can only assume that the SE215s beat the E2s handily. I don't know that they'll meet your expectations in the bass department, but I would think that they'll meet your production needs. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

July 19th, 2014, 05:05 AM	#3
Donald McPherson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 815	Re: Low-priced earbuds You could also wear over the top for more blocking.

July 19th, 2014, 05:09 PM	#4
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Low-priced earbuds True! You can wear earbuds and put noise canceling headphone on top (with no audio signal) and get a very quiet result. Noise canceling in headphones can harm sound quality, but it won't affect the sound from the earbuds. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

July 19th, 2014, 08:38 PM	#5
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Re: Low-priced earbuds That's a good idea. I hadn't thought of that.