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What is a cheap, long lasting pair of earphones?

I've been looking for a cheap pair of earphones that last for at least a year. I'm considering on buying ROCK In Ear Zircon Stereo Earphone, Headset 3.5mm Luxury Earbuds. While it has mostly positive reviews, there are some that makes me reluctant to buy it. The biggest priority for me, is its durability, sound quality can be decent. What would you suggest?

March 4, 2017

12 Comments • Newest first

fradddd

^on that note
http://theheadphonelist.com/earphone-buyers-guide/

Made by the legend who compiled this massive thread on his own over many years:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-352-iems-compared-pump-audio-earphones-added-04-03-16-p-1106

Reply March 6, 2017
eenrite

http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide

Reply March 5, 2017
Beefly

@fradddd: I forget that, not a bad idea. I'm using new ones though.

@meiguihua: I prefer the smaller less noticeable earphones.

Reply March 5, 2017
fradddd

Yeah what's your price range though? Best bang-for-the-buck IEMs I've ever had were Soundmagic E10's, $42 on Amazon. Lasted the longest of all the pairs I've had too.
I've been researching and buying $20-$100 IEMs for like 10 years now, lemme know if you need more specific advice, like what kinda music you like, etc.

The one's you are looking at are trash, I can tell you that.
EDIT: okay, fine, they're trash to me because yes they're freakin' bass heavy, but they don't have above-average extension, and the treble hurts to hear. Every snare drum hit is like a razor to my ear. But yes if you listen to only rap and you love that synthetic snare annoying-as-hell sound then get them by all means.

@beefly if you're that desperate just put your phone/computer on mono audio if you only have one earbud working, then you can hear both sides in one ear. Sounds kinda weird sometimes though.

Reply March 5, 2017 - edited
MeiGuiHua

@beefly: So it's better to get headphones they like rarely break.

Reply March 5, 2017 - edited
StapleMory

I've never really explored headphones of that price range. I've used the ATH-CKR9 LTD for over 2 years now and they are GOOD, although not exactly a cheap pair.

Earpods are pretty decent although they're earbuds.
No idea where to get the original Xiaomi Pistons, but I've heard a lot of good things about it and that's probably why it's so hard to find.
Sony in-ears around the 40~60 USD range is also pretty good, although be wary of the ones with flimsy, tangle-prone cables around 15~30 bucks even though their sound might be pretty good for their price.
Avoid cheap Marley in-ears. I've tried them because many of my friends has them and they really do suck. If you love music, just look elsewhere. Their cable looks cool, tho.

Reply March 5, 2017 - edited
Beefly

@meiguihua: Me too, but I want to make use of them, I mean they're not totally useless you can still hear stuff with it.

But that's what makes it more painful than totally broken earphones, it's like the whole "better to have no wifi than bad wifi"

Reply March 5, 2017 - edited
MeiGuiHua

@beefly: Usually when one ear works and the other doesn't, i call them broken

Reply March 5, 2017 - edited
Beefly

@meiguihua: Are they like 14 to 20 bucks? I buy those too and they last for at least a year for me, probably because I often yank them.

I too have two earphones that only work on the left side, makes me want to buy one of those twin headphone/earphone plug so I can put each working side to each of my ear. (but then I'd never hear the "right" side.)

Reply March 5, 2017 - edited
Xreniya

rock zircons are good
i'm using senzer h1 they're serving me pretty well

Reply March 5, 2017 - edited
MeiGuiHua

I bought a pair of sony earphones, i bought them last year. They still work.

I hate how earphones work on one ear and doesn't on the other ear.

Reply March 4, 2017 - edited