Poll: Headphones vs Earphones

[.Ricks.]

Hello fellow Escapists.

I'm planning on buying something for my day to day listening of music tomorrow. Taking in regard that I really love music and that at least two hours per day I'm listening to it ( travel time from home to college and from college back home each one hour) aside from being on the pc listening.

My in-Earphone set broke and now I'm having trouble deciding whether to buy a set of Headphones or a set of earphones. I've used mainly earphones all my life because I think headphones are just to big and make you look silly when using them out and about. Still I'm feeling atracted to them because of sound quality and some of the models today are quite cool.

As for brand I'm leaning towards Senheiser.

So what do you advise fellow Escapists? Headphones or Earphones? Make your choice! Present your arguments! And hopefully help me decide!

Cheers.

Edit: Of course feel free to simply discuss your preferences towards audio gear.

 

[.Ricks.]

Preserving my hearing? I heard about earbuds affecting but I usually just shrugged it off, is it that noticeable?

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

I'd go Headphones every time, but I'm a little biased, since my left ear is a bit weird... It's not actually noticable, but my inner ear is just that tiny bit out of shape so that no earphone will stay in. I have to hold the damn left earphone in, all the time.

I've got pretty good speakers, but if I need to keep the volume down I've got a pair of these bad boys:
http://cdn.cbsi.com.au/story_media/339296988/plantronics-gamecom-777_1.jpg
Link if anyone's interested:
http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/computer/pc-gaming-headsets/gamecom-777
If people're looking to get these, there're a few downsides to the 5.1 USB connection, but it's very easy to work around that.They offer amazing sound quality, and I don't have to hold the things in place like I would with earphones, so they've got my vote.

 

[Erana]

You should be asking: Over-the-ear head phones, on-the-ear headphones and earbuds.
Like its been said before, earbuds can damage your hearing. However, if you're going for headphones, I'd suggest over-the-ear head phones. They're much more comfortable than on-the-ear headphones, and because they block out sound more effectively, the music sounds better AND you can keep it quieter.
Of course, it helps if you're socially percieved as the kind of person who could get away with wearing full headphones. If you're actively traveling, like on short bus trips or just walking, I wouldn't suggest listening to music for a matter of safety. Earbuds are more discrete and allow more ambiant sound, making them the next-most-streetwise choice.
Of course, I'm just paranoid 'cause I'm a young, blatantly fertile woman. I have to have an aire of, "I know you're there and I'm not worth trying to rob or rape," and looking aware of one's surrounding is a good way of doing that.

 

[flim.geek.chic]

There is nothing like a pair of classic studio head phones. The sound is clearer and you don't have to risk shocking the crap outta yourself when the earpiece splits while youre sleeping.

 

[Zaverexus]

I have a really good pair of earbuds that cancel noise well (probably better than I'd like) and have great sound quality, and I can always coil them up and carry all my music in my pocket. Convenient; especially if I'm practicing parkour and intend to stop and listen to music or go someplace else, in which case headphones on my neck would just fall off or attached to anything would get in the way

 

[TiefBlau]

I've come to consider earphones rather uncomfortable.

Additionally, given all the bad things that earphones have done to my hearing in the past few years, I'd say you should go with a nice large pair of circumaural noise-cancelling headphones.

 

[IndianaJonny]

As for brand I'm leaning towards Senheiser.

Solid choice - unparalleled sound quality but you do pay for it. I would pick over-ear headphones any day (for comfort, particularly when wearing them for extended periods, just ask any sound tech) but you may feel a little self-concious wearing them in public - they're as much a fashion statement as they are a useful tool. If Sennheiser is a little out of you're budget then I'd go with Sony if clean aesthetics and bass quality are important to you (Skullcandy are an option for 'zany' colour schemes but I find them largely tasteless and overpriced), the Sony MDR-XD 200 are a great pair, especially for 'big' hair while the XD100 pair work well if you're a hats n' headphones kinda guy (miliary-style caps are a winner here). I presume you're in the US so I've given the 'Amazon.com' links below:

[link]http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRXD200-MDR-XD200-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B0007N55NW/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1295217028&sr=1-2[/link]

[link]http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRXD100-MDR-XD100-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B0007N55NM/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1295217028&sr=1-10[/link]

All you need now is a pair of rollerblades and your Jet Set Radio adventure will begin!



P.S. I should also mention that what I consider to be the Holy Grail of headphone pairs are those wireless ones Spike has in 'Cowboy Bebop' - epic sweetness. If you ever find a pair like them, please let me know.