What happened to GOOD wired earphones?

[Nobody Important]

Bluetooth earphones seem to be in current favour and even I own a set. But I still prefer wired earphones for various reasons.

The problem is finding a decent set. The ones that come with iPhones sound awesome. Mine lasted me years with the two iPhones I had until I sold each phone. This despite me tangling and twisting them many many times.

I suspect it must be the same with the more premium Android phones earphones. The cheapies tend to come with very basic earphones.

In most of the shops I've seen ones for sale with very thin wires and also one side will stop working after not too long. I've been through so many!

Why is it like this? Lots of people enjoy music so surely there is a market for good wired earbuds.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

i bought a cheap JBL pair off Takealot last year and very impressed for the price i paid

 

[Nobody Important]

i bought a cheap JBL pair off Takealot last year and very impressed for the price i paid

Do you have a link I can check out?

 

[Nobody Important]

Ahh I see. I'm actually referring to earphones (earbuds) not headphones.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Ahh I see. I'm actually referring to earphones (earbuds) not headphones.

oh phuck
i always get the two confused
im old school

 

[HartsockZA]

JBL, Sennheiser, Plantronics

 

[Pavan]

All the quality ones are wired, especially if you’re after the best audio experience.

 

[Pavan]

RHA/Sennheiser/etc. have good entry level options

 

[Johnatan56]

Sennheiser Cx 300s, I used to have the cx3.0, probably the best sub R1k (well, will probably be R1k now, should be around the $45 mark before shipping, bought the old version for around R700 a couple of years ago).

There should also be a 100/150 line that's around the $30 mark.

 

[Nobody Important]

Genuine Apple wired Earpods are going for approx R600. So I guess it's just a case of "you get what you pay for" when it comes to earphones.

 

[Robocop]

These guys stock a decent range of earphones and headphones

Earphones and In-Ear Headphones | Buy Online in South Africa | AudioMart.co.za

AudioMart is a nationwide online music store that sells guitars, basses, drums, live sound, PA, DJ Equipment, and Recording Studio equipment. We also offer free shipping!

www.audiomart.co.za

Also check out Sounds great if you have a branch close to you,

 

[Robocop]

Search: 10 results found for "earphones"

Music Experience is South Africa's leading Musical Instrument & Pro Audio retailer. Specialists in Guitars, Drums, Keyboards, Pianos, Studio Gear & more..

www.musicexperience.co.za

 

[Russell S]

Sennheiser Cx 300s, I used to have the cx3.0, probably the best sub R1k (well, will probably be R1k now, should be around the $45 mark before shipping, bought the old version for around R700 a couple of years ago).

There should also be a 100/150 line that's around the $30 mark.

I've had issues with the cables breaking on those - don't know if I was just unlucky. They have amazing sound though.

 

[Johnatan56]

I've had issues with the cables breaking on those - don't know if I was just unlucky. They have amazing sound though.

I've had the opposite, my CX3.0 was the longest lasting earphones I've ever had, think I got them end of 2015 or so, they lasted till beginning of this year, this with me basically crumpling them and keeping them in my pocket from end of 2015-~2019.

Now my skull candy ones were bad, think I managed to get them replaced like 4 times in the span of 3 years, would have been 2012-2015, can't remember what they were called though.

EDIT: wtf us that pricing on Takealot: https://www.takealot.com/sennheiser-cx-300-ii-precision-2-5mm-wired-headphones/PLID29397421 R3500 for a $33 pair of headphones: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-CX300-II-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B001EZYMF4 with shipping it's $60, arrives July 20 - Aug 7th. These are discontinued though.

The CX 300S is $38 with around $28 in shipping and taxes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q6NW778/ref=twister_B07RS9J8TV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


The CX 100 is $56.71 with shipping and import: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-C...BWWTG5PHCBD&psc=1&refRID=R6BB42SC2BWWTG5PHCBD

So if you decide to go that route, you should go for the 300S.

Those are probably the upper end of in-ear earphones. Past that point it's diminishing returns or added stuff like Bluetooth. You'd need bigger drivers for better sound, so headphones.


EDIT:

Takealot has stock that's cheaper:
300S for R1100: https://www.takealot.com/sennheiser-in-ear-headphones-in-line-mic-smart-remote/PLID54541977
100 for R670: https://www.takealot.com/sennheiser-in-ear-headphones/PLID54541978

 

[grok]

I hate Apple with a passion, but their ~R500 a pair earbuds work for me..

Good sound, good fit, makes people think ama hispter too so they buy me starbucks..

 

[Luke7777]

SoundMagic E11C - Read the reviews on it
CX300S vs E11C - very similar, it seems

 

[MirageF1]

Q.What happened to GOOD wired earphones?

A. Nothing

 

[johnjm]

There are some very good wireless headphones (when using proper codecs) like the Sony XM3s. There are also plenty that are good that utilise aptx.

On the flip.side they also function as worked headphones are pretty solid.

I'm currently looking for a pair of open baxk headphones which are only in wired format as I want to expand the options I have. Closely monitoring the Phillips Fidelio and SHP9500 on Amazon.

Edit
I regret selling a set of v Moda Crossfade headphones, damn good, and their price doubled so hence I'll look for open back.

 

[JustJack]

SoundMagic E11C - Read the reviews on it
CX300S vs E11C - very similar, it seems

I have had the SoundMagic E50's now for a couple of years. Absolutely stunning. Use them with Comply foam tips and got them direct from the SA site. Very good service

Soundmagic Headphones South Africa

Soundmagic headphones & headsets are now available in South Africa . E80, E80s, E50, E10s, E10, MP21, ES18, P21s. Order now!

sound-magic.co.za

 

[Cray]

+1 for Sennheiser