Moda Earbuds

13
May/080

Moda Earbuds
Help choosing earbuds/headphones?

I am considering three models around the $100 range.

1. Bose in-ear
2. V-Moda Vibe
3. Shure SE110 Sound Isolating

I like the Bose brand and have had good experience with their speakers in the past, but am concerned that they may not be the best value.

I'm not too sure about V-Moda's styling or their reliability. Most people seem to like their quality though.

With the Shure, I'm not into the cord-around-ear configuration for wearing them, but most reviews think that they're a good value.

Any input or experiences?

In fact it currently only has one pair of headphones in this sector - the Bose in-ear headphones - and these represent a pretty an odd way of dipping the corporate toe into these highly competitive waters. I say odd because, while virtually every other manufacturer has focused on noise canceling canal phones of late, Bose's newest headphones are, in fact earbuds. Not in the traditional sense - they do have silicone rubber tips that extend inside your ear canal - but they don't create an airtight seal. The main body of the silicone rubber tips actually sit outside the ear canal and the result is that, though slightly more effective than a standard pair of iPod-style earbuds, they don't cut out external noise to any great degree.

This is clearly a pair of headphones designed to turn heads, though. Rather than plain black cables, they're decked out with rather fetching stripy black-and-white wires. These cables are also thick and feel well up to being trapped in your jacket zip a few times, while the joints at each end are similarly well put together. Other nice touches include a 3.5mm jack skinny enough to fit the iPhone's headphone port directly, and a decent range of accessories. In the box is a rectangular soft case with enough room to stow headphones plus a small MP3 player, a clothing clip to keep the wires from tugging at your ears, and a lanyard that allows you to hang the phones around your neck when you're not listening to music.

Now enjoy high-quality in-ear headphones– engineered and developed by the most respected name in sound. BOSE® in-ear headphones are the only in-ear headphones with the rich audio and comfortable design you've come to expect from Bose.
A new standard for in-ear headphones

Hear your music with more range, realism and clarity than with most conventional ear buds. Bose research and engineering are at the core of the acclaimed performance of BOSE® in-ear headphones. That includes our proprietary TriPort® acoustic headphone structure for greater output of low notes from a small headphone.

Better sound, better fit

BOSE® in-ear headphones are designed to be worn comfortably for extended periods of time. Many people experience discomfort from traditional ear buds, but our engineers have developed innovative, soft silicone tips shaped to rest easily in the outer bowls of your ears, not in the pressure-sensitive ear canals.

Tips come in three sizes for a more personal fit. You may find using a different size tip for each ear the most comfortable option. The headphones also come with a lanyard and clip for enhanced stability when you're on the move.

Better on the go

BOSE® in-ear headphones are engineered specifically for use with laptops, MP3 players and CD players. The audio cable's 3.5mm angled plug also fits directly into Apple iPhone™ and other sources with recessed headphone jacks. And the headphones come with a sleek, protective carrying case –with enough extra room for a portable MP3 player.

Many people's first experience of 'proper' noise cancelling headphones will have come courtesy of a pair of Bose cans, supplied to cancel out the hum of aeroplane engines in business class. Bose has been involved in the technology for some years now and seems to have the airline business well and truly sewn up. I've also seen its earbuds bundled with some MP3 players: the Samsung T10 for instance has a decent pair of Bose phones included. But strangely it hasn't yet gone for the biggest growing sector of the headphone market - in-ear headphones - in a particularly big way.

Pros: ; Brilliant sound quality, Great bass output, Good design, Comes with a neat leather case.
Cons: ; No noise cancellation, Silicon earplugs often come off, Gathers lots of dust, Expensive.