Earphones!

[FG Lurker]

I recently started using my iPhone a lot more for portable music and got tired of the Panasonic earbuds I was using. They were better than the crappy Apple-supplied ones but still far from approaching "good".

Did a bit of digging around online and narrowed my choices down to a couple of different models. The next step was finding somewhere I could actually buy the damn things, especially anything not made by a Japanese company.

[floatr]
Etymotic Research hf5[/floatr]
A quick search on kakaku.com showed that just about anything is available here -- much better than expected! I found this shop in Osaka and decided to stop by to see if they actually had the selection their site says they do. They do!! And they have samples of most everything out for you to try!!

I settled on a pair of Etymotic Research hf5 in-ear buds that I am very happy with. They don't have the really big base punch that a multi-driver bud would have but they don't have the really big price either. I think they are excellent value for the money spent, and they aren't even much more here than they would be in the US.

Used them yesterday and today. They fit my ears well, eliminate background noise, and the sound quality is awesome!

[Mike Oxlong]

Thanks for the tip. On the plus side, I accidentally ran my OEM Apple earbuds through the wash, and they weren't any worse for wear.

[IkemenTommy]

FGL, I think you meant to say "earphones," not headphones.
There's a huge difference.

[FG Lurker]

FGL, I think you meant to say "earphones," not headphones.
There's a huge difference.

True, but they sell both in that shop in very large quantities. The selection was impressive. Will fix the title since the Edit hasn't expired yet.

[FG Lurker]

On the plus side, I accidentally ran my OEM Apple earbuds through the wash, and they weren't any worse for wear.

For some reason that doesn't surprise me at all!

[IkemenTommy]

Thanks for the tip. On the plus side, I accidentally ran my OEM Apple earbuds through the wash, and they weren't any worse for wear.

Those white earphones get so dirty so easily, you sometimes feel like running them through the wash.

[MrUltimateGaijin]

I recently started using my iPhone a lot more for portable music and got tired of the Panasonic earbuds I was using. They were better than the crappy Apple-supplied ones but still far from approaching "good".

Did a bit of digging around online and narrowed my choices down to a couple of different models. The next step was finding somewhere I could actually buy the damn things, especially anything not made by a Japanese company.

[floatr]
Etymotic Research hf5[/floatr]
A quick search on kakaku.com showed that just about anything is available here -- much better than expected! I found this shop in Osaka and decided to stop by to see if they actually had the selection their site says they do. They do!! And they have samples of most everything out for you to try!!

I settled on a pair of Etymotic Research hf5 in-ear buds that I am very happy with. They don't have the really big base punch that a multi-driver bud would have but they don't have the really big price either. I think they are excellent value for the money spent, and they aren't even much more here than they would be in the US.

Used them yesterday and today. They fit my ears well, eliminate background noise, and the sound quality is awesome!

now that you have decent phones, you might as well upgrade from ipods...

[FG Lurker]

now that you have decent phones, you might as well upgrade from ipods...

Yeah, I know the iPod/iPhone output is nowhere near as good as it should be. It's my phone (for now) though and I don't want to carry around another device. I also like knowing when a call or message arrives when I'm zoned out to music and I never feel the vibration when a phone is in my pocket so having them combined fixes that problem.

If Apple keeps the phone locked down as tightly as they do now and if no more jailbreak-enabling ROM bugs are found then I will very likely end up with an unlocked Android phone next time around. Hopefully there will be something with better audio output! For now though my jailbroken/unlocked iPhone is the best compromise for my situation.

[LTLurker]

I been using these 'phones for several years and really like them.

You can make them even more comfortable (and improve the acoustic isolation) by taking them to an audiologist and having custom ear molds made. It cost me about US$50 to get them done, and I got a second pair made without the holes, which are great for sleeping on planes and in noisy hotels.

[FG Lurker]

I been using these 'phones for several years and really like them.

You can make them even more comfortable (and improve the acoustic isolation) by taking them to an audiologist and having custom ear molds made. It cost me about US$50 to get them done, and I got a second pair made without the holes, which are great for sleeping on planes and in noisy hotels.

That's a very cool idea. Do you know if it is possible to get this done in Japan?

[LTLurker]

I've had it done in Hong Kong and in Canada, but not Japan.

I've had luck with audiologists who work with entertainers -- many singers use similar setups to monitor themselves when they are on stage.

The audiologist sticks a wad of cotton batten with a thread attached into your ear canal and then fills your ear with a mold compound. It is important to either wiggle (or not wiggle, depending who you talk to) your jaw to get a good fit.

If you Google this, or look at forums like http://www.hydrogenaudio.org, you can find out more.

Hope this helps

[FG Lurker]

I've had it done in Hong Kong and in Canada, but not Japan.

If you don't mind sharing, could you let me know where you got it done in HK and how long it took? I will be in HK at least once this year and if I can't get it done in Japan then I'd like to get it done there...

[LTLurker]

Resound Audiologists
1508 Causeway Bay Plaza 2
483 Lockhart Rd, Causeway Bay
Hong Kong
2533 8622

Their main business is fitting hearing aids, and they don't take credit cards.

Best

[LTLurker]

and it took about 1 week from first impression to finished ear molds

[FG Lurker]

Thank you very much! I'll check things out in Japan and if I don't have any luck I'll try in HK. I'd give you some more green rep but I just gave you some and the system is blocking any more...

[LTLurker]

Happy to help. And thanks for the rep!