The Best Earphones & Ear Buds
- Apple earphones are the most commonly used, but do not deliver the best sound quality or durability.Earphones on Purple image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com
Earphones and ear buds are commonly mistaken for headphones. Headphones have speakers that either cover the entire ear or rest over them. In contrast, earphones fit at the opening of the ear canal, while ear buds, in most cases, are silicone and made to fit snugly in the ear canal. When looking for the best earphones and ear buds, it comes down to preference in the following categories: sound quality, comfort, durability and price. - The Sony MDR-EX series offers a range of quality earphones, but the 38iP stands out for its performance, visual appeal and price ($30 to $50). These earphones allow full control over iPod functions with a remote control attached to the cord for track changes and volume adjustment. Like most ear bud designs, they do not fall out when exercising.
- The CX300 are practical and comfortable earphones. The ear bud design is small, making it easier to wear all day without ear soreness, or ear pressure. At a relatively low price range of $30 to $50, the only drawback is that the deep, penetrating bass can overwhelm or muffle sound quality at times.
- At around $80 to $100, the SHE-9850 ear buds a bit pricier, but offers perhaps the best quality and look for standard earphones. The earphones relay a clear, acoustic sound base, without the static interruption that a regular pair might produce. The design is fashionable and comes with three different size options of silicone ear buds.
- The S4 earphones have sparked glowing reviews since they arrived on the market. Priced at around $80 to $100, it provides crisp sound quality without too heavy of a bass. The design provides greater durability when it comes to cord strength and the ear buds themselves.
- Bose earphones have gotten a bad rap for a number of reasons. One being that its price is considered a little steep, often pushing the $100 barrier; another reason being that it does not quite live up to the Bose QuietComfort headphones. On the plus side, Bose is known for being able to balance sound quality with high-end noise insulation. On the downside, the cords are reportedly weak and tend to get easily tangled up.
