I also bought the Sennheiser mm50 iP earphones for iPhone and can't praise them enough for a great sounding, reasonably priced set of headphones.

While they may not be as "audiophile" as some of the Shure and Etymotics headsets, they're also less than $100 and include an inline mic and button. For anyone considering them, I find that they're a fairly well balanced, with a slight emphasis on bass (which the iPhone needs as it's lacking!) and natural sounding. They don't suffer from sibilance (that high pitched piercing noise on shh and ch sounds) like the Sony canalphones do. The mm50s are much less fatiguing to wear.

I've previously owned the Sennheiser CX300 and from the listed specifications and my listening over the last few days, I'd say that these are the same drivers as the CX300 but with the added bonus of the microphone and button.

I will also add that having the button is fantastic. I no longer need to pull it out of my pocket while walking or on the tram to skip a song I don't like. Just double click the button and presto.

For someone like me, who wants to have a great set of earphones and be able to answer the occasional call while on public transport and be able to skip tracks, it's definitely a good choice.

I wouldn't recommend them for anyone who wants to use them when exercising or planning to use them heavily for conversation. Because they're canalphones, they seal in your ear for optimal sound. So when you talk, it sounds a bit like having your fingers in your ears. I usually just take out one earpiece. The same goes for running, the pounding sounds of the vibrations travel into your ears and are quite disconcerting at first.

You can get them from the apple store online for $99.95 with free shipping. I picked mine up at Computers Now in Chapel st, they had a fair few in stock too.

Sennheiser MM 50 iP Earphones for iPhone

btw.. if you've never used canalphones before, getting a good seal is easiest if you give yourself a "wet willie" with your finger first

Wholesale - i have to disagree - I've got a pair of Bose inner ears ($149 at most stores, so they ain't cheapies !) - and the bass/upper frequency response is wonderful to listen to as opposed to Apple's poor excuse for 'phones. I guess Bose's only downside is the premium price, but you pay for what you get - better than going to Paddy's Market and getting something that falls apart in 3 days !

Also in saying that, I've been the biggest fan of Sennenheiser for years, had microphones from them, and use monitoring headphones for my voice overs. They're pricey too but worth it.

you have bought these?

i'm interested in them also. how about a mini-review?

[quote=WholesaleMagic;582060Bose stuff sounds pretty harsh in the higher frequencies, and quite unnaturally bassy in the lower frequencies..[/QUOTE]

I don't mind that unnatural bassy sound.

Most of my music is encoded in Apple Lossless and I have to say that playing through the QC3s vs my Sony floor standing speakers; that I prefer listening to the Bose.

Having said, that, my floor speakers are fairly cheap.

Like I said, its all about personal preference.

With all the audiphiles' recommendations from here though, I would certainly look into the Shure or Etymotic ones (need low profile [read: not advertising the brand, as the Bose ones will get me mugged ] headset). I'm in the market for an everyday set. So I will give the in-ear ones a go.

I'm thinking of getting a cable turtle from foofshop.com to store the headphones. If anyone's used one before I'd be interested to know if they're OK.

cable turtles are cool but not as convenient as u think if you r constantly using them...

I agree that Bose are a lot better than the Apple earphones: my singing sounds better than the sound that comes out of the ones that come with the iPhone. However, if you want good headphones (as opposed to earphones), you'd be better off getting a high-range pair of Sennheisers. In my opinion, you really can't get a decent sound for under $200 bucks when you're looking at headphones.

That said, I've never tried Etymotic or Shure, so I'm really not that experienced in the in-ear department. I've had my fair share of over-ear headphones and speakers, though.

im currently debating between the v-moda vibe duos and the
Sennheiser MM 50 iPs

anyone have any experience with the vibes? they look a little more durable than the senneisers

Me too. I've been very happy with my Sennheiser CX300s but the v-modas look pretty spiffy. Pity that they look like being $160 or so WHEN they eventually go on sale. Streetwise are saying the beginning of August.

Cable tangle drives me nuts, but I picked up some of these a couple of years ago and they sorted the problem. Not ideal - oh when is someone going to make some decent bluetooth headphones that don't break after 6 months??!! - but the EarPods are better then nothing while we still have to deal with those bloody wires.

Apple have the v modas in their store too. I was considering getting a pair but for the fact that I read many reports on Apple, Amazon and from various bloggers of sets that had failed and were faulty. Coupled with the $170 price tag, I thought the Senns were a better buy.

I'm awaiting delivery.. I don't even have an iPhone yet.. My decision is based on my previous positive experience with Ety ER-4Ps.

Check out the iLounge review here for a decent review of the hf2.

Etymotic Research hf2 Noise-Isolating Headset + Earphones | iLounge

hmm they look solid too

Just wanted to add that those new to canalphones and looking at the Ety's or Shure, be prepared for a lot more of a balanced sound. A lot of people are disappointed 'cause they're never as bassy or have as much mid-range as their el cheapo earphones that they're used to, which often have "fun" totally unbalanced sounds.

Also, think twice before buying V-Moda. They're not great for the price to sound-quality ratio (well, unless you really love bass, and want to sacrifice the sound detail for it, in which case, whatever :P ) You can do much better for that price.

A good low-price alternative when it comes to canalphones is the Vsonic R02-Pro. You can buy them from Headphonic in Perth, and they have free shipping around Australia.

For earbuds, you can't beat Yuin. PK3 and PK2 will work fine with iPhone. PK1's require a portable amp, however.

For clip-ons, I'd go for the Koss KSC-75 (still waiting for my mum to get a pair, so I can try the damn things and see what everyone's raving about).

And as probably mentioned already, Ultimate Ears have the SuperFi4 and SuperFi4Vi (the latter has a mic and inline controller) and are branded as "for iPhone". Haven't tried either of them yet.

i had the 6i's till the gf lost them on a singapore-melbourne flight (stood up and just walked off on them at the end of the flight!)

if they are like the 6i's then i might get a pair.

have the shure e310 atm, they are awesome!

I just got a set of triple.fi 10 vi (with the iPhone headset) from Ultimate Ears.

I'll put some pics up once I have time to give them a whirl.

Loving my super.fi 4 vi with the iPhone though!