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Yet another headphone question
Headphones: I'm moving house next week and so will be on a longish commute (at least two hours). Over a longer period of time I find some headphones start to physically hurt my ears. Not because of the sound levels, but because of the shape. For this reason I hate a lot of the ones you actually have to stick in your ears. They may sound good, but if you can only listen for twenty minutes at most before your ears start hurting, well then they're not worth the bother.
I actually quite like iPod headphones because in this circumstance they're pretty comfortable. And I'm finding that my new iPod classic sounds better than my old iPod Nano, so of course the phones don't sound too bad. But I do want a better sounding pair, and ones that are a similar shape and comfort level as the iPod ones. I'm prepared to pay a fair bit more providing the sound is better.
Remember, comfort and sound quality. Help me make my commute bearable...
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Conditioning.
I wonder whether ears just need to be conditioned to having something in them for long periods. I used to have the same problem with headphones irritating my ears after half an hour or so, but in the last three years I've had to wear earplugs constantly when in work and ever since I find I can wear - let's call them earbuds - for as long as I want to without any discomfort at all. In one of the recent postings along similar lines, someone wrote in saying he listens to his iPod, using earbuds for the entire time he's at work [in a noisy environment] without any problems.
So, my theory is that if you stick with it, you'll break your ears in eventually. Or not.
Back to your question. I've only used the Apple supplied buds and since I upgraded, Etymotic ER6i. The Ety's are great once you fit them properly. I once tried a pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones and they sounded amazing [but that was just in the shop for about 2 minutes] however, I read somewhere that that type of headphone which covers the ear can cause irritation after a while due to the environment created by having your whole ear covered for a long period. So, there you have it. A load of if's but's and maybe's!
Good luck.
[Here's a link to a good site with loads of reviews which may help] http://www.ilounge.com/
Not sure there's an answer
Other than giving your ears a break from time to time. I mean, I got these for Christmas a few years back:
http://www.bose.co.uk/affiliates/at?affid=30000&url=http://www.bose.co.u...
(or, at least, the version of these five odd years ago)
They're about as perfect as headphones get. And yet, on long flights, even these start to feel uncomfortable after a while. My ears get a bit hot and sweaty and now, after several years, the black leather has started to come off. You can now always tell when I've been on a long journey, as I'm covered in little bits of black leather.
I don't think any headphones are designed to be worn for hours at a time.
Subjective stuff...
...but I'm very happy with these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Denon-AHC551K-AH-C551-Earphones-Black/dp/B000WVC...
They fit well, stay in, don't irritate and sound good. I use them to watch movies on the iPod touch. £20 drop in price since I bought them, too!
Custom
Have you considered custom made earphones that are moulded to your own ears? They have two main theoretical advantages over normal phones. 1. They're the right shape and 2. They block out almost all the outside noise so you don't have to have the music on so loud.
The etymotic phones I just
The etymotic phones I just purchased as per
http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/best-headphones-commuting
have a feature where you can get custom made fits
I use headphones for 3 hours a day and understand your point...try the different types of 'bud' - ive always liked the waxy ones you mould and then expand to fit your ear
The in-ear ones have the other benefit of cutting other passengers out............
Bose Quiet Comforts
Another shout for the Bose QC's. They are over the ear types so are bulky, but I find very comfortable, have great sound quality and having the noise canceling makes them great for travel (especially on a plane). It also means you can use at lower volumes and so less damage to the ears (I think !).
Personally always find you
Personally always find you cant wear them for a long time as they make your ears hot
..and you have to lug a larger unit around with you
Sennheiser PX100
If you don't want in ear phones. I can't wear in ear phones and these are very good. Fold up ok and store in a case. Sound quality is very good, slightly lacking in bass but very good sense of space (I'll stop there).
Normally £30 but have seen them for less - Play sell them for £23 here (when in stock)
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/677581/Sennheiser-PX-100-...
Sennheiser PX100 - Seconded
I'll second Lee's recommendation of the Sennheisers. There are more expensive variations on the same theme, but I have the PX100s, and they're excellent. I seem to recall them getting a better result than headphones selling for £300+ in a consumer article in a newspaper a few years ago. The fact that they fold up and go in a compact, hard case is a bonus
I hate in-ear headphones as well... I've never seen the appeal.
And thirded
I went through this when I started commuting and got a wide range of opinions from here and elsewhere. In ear ones, make my ears both hurt and itch which can't be a good thing. I actually have the PX200 which sound fine and are comfortable.
Sennheiser in ear phones
I can't remember what version of Sennheiser's I have (bought about a year ago and I've lost my marbles), but they are incredibly comfortable. I go to bed with them in and drift off to sleep listening to music. They are so comfortable and help drown out the FPO's snoring, I leave them in all night. Cost about £45.
Mind you, I am probably half deaf by now.
In ears
These took me ages to get the hang of. Now I swear by them. The two critical factors - both given to me on this very site - are to make sure the buds are a correct fit and pushed far enough in, and wetting the plastic slightly to create a perfect seal. This made them better than the Bose noise cancelling ones on a long haul flight. Seriously. Sennheiser CX300 IIs, since you ask.
Ultimate Ears
I've been using the UE3s for about 8 months now, and can't recommend them enough. Crystal clear sound, and a range of buds to ensure a proper fit.