Ear Buds -- any good ones for a Christmas gift

[Ranger111]

Son wants "good" ear buds to use with his IPhone. Thought it would be a good Christmas gift.

Thing is, I am still stuck back in the 1960s when you got one with your transistor radio. And I am sure that is not what he wants. Any recommendations on good modern pieces that teens like to cruise around with?

 

[Darcy03231]

My kids (young adults) have Beats and really like them. DH tried them and liked them much better than his Bose ones so I ordered him a pair during Black Friday shopping.

 

[wilkeliza]

Headphones especially ear buds are such a personal preference. I don't like Beats but my fiance loves them. Beats to me just don't hold up. Every pair I've own has broken with in 6 months. I much prefer Bose and SkullCandy. Bose are probably the most "pure" sound with no automatic eq in the headphone themselves. SkullCandy tend to be more bass heavy even in their standard pair. I like that about SkullCandy but others might not. I have 2 pairs of Bose now that I alternate between. The cheaper sport model that is like 99 bucks and then I have a pair of Bose in ear noise cancellation headphones.

Does your son have an Iphone 7? Just checking because if he does it might be best to get him an additional adapter as well but if not the headphones are good as is.

 

[WiscMomof2]

I love my Bose earbuds. They are a little on the expensive side for earbuds, but the sound is amazing and they've held up for me really well.

 

[Ranger111]

Hmmm -- $100? That little white ear piece from my transistor radio is looking better and better!!

Ah, well. Thanks for the tips, I will begin working my way through Bose and Beats and Skull Candy!

But, just a quick look at Skull Candy shows lots of different models.

AND WIRELESS vs WIRED?

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

AND WIRELESS vs WIRED?

It might depend on what kind of phone he has. If he has an iPhone 7, then wireless might be better since they don't have a traditional headphone jack.

 

[havaneselover]

I like powerbeats 2 as does my almost 12 year old ds. They are wireless and you should be able to find them for < $100. I use them for running and he likes to wear them when he's shooting baskets.

 

[Ranger111]

OP HERE:

The IPhone is/or will be a 5s or an SE, which has the old style jack....until I looked on the SkullCandy page, I never knew there were wireless buds (DUH, I am totally out of touch).

But, maybe I am missing something, but the wireless one seem to be really clunky (lots of extraneous junk)...???

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

OP HERE:

The IPhone is/or will be a 5s or an SE, which has the old style jack....until I looked on the SkullCandy page, I never knew there were wireless buds (DUH, I am totally out of touch).

But, maybe I am missing something, but the wireless one seem to be really clunky (lots of extraneous junk)...???

Its the battery that makes them "clunky." My husband got the skull candy smokin buds (2?) on Black Friday for $25. I wasn't a fan of the neck thing, but he likes them, so it is indeed personal.

 

[angierae]

I will never go back to wired headphones, but I can't speak for your son. It is so nice not having my phone attached to my head. I can leave it on my desk and move around the room, leave it plugged in to charge, etc.

 

[belle1986]

I've noticed the beats on Groupon a lot lately.

 

[manning]

I love my Bose earbuds. They are a little on the expensive side for earbuds, but the sound is amazing and they've held up for me really well.

Second that!

 

[SMD]

I'm not an earbud person, but 2 years ago I inherited a pair of Beats earbuds and they're really good. They came with 4 different earpieces and I found one that works for me. They're still going strong (I'm diligent about using a case) and don't tangle. How old is your son? He might want to pick his earbuds, or if $100 is too much, maybe get him a gift card for Best Buy, where they have Beats and Skullcandy and have sales fairly often.

 

[viaggiamo]

Bose noise cancelling are the best ones I have ever used. I love mine!

 

[Ranger111]

O.K. Semi-set on Bose SoundSport, but willing to be convinced otherwise....Mostly because I recognize Bose as being a very long-established player in sound.

So, I found out that wireless is not wanted. That helps, but....

There is the model for Apple Music and Calls and the model for music....There is like a $30 price difference between the two.

I assume the music/calls edition has a microphone of sorts, but does that make things more clunky...where is the mic?

I would go ahead and pay more for the music and calls if it does not involve any real extra "junk" on the earbuds, but if it makes them more bulky or something, I think I would just go for the music edition...

Help, please. I am lost.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Skull candy are the favorites in our house!

 

[wenrob]

O.K. Semi-set on Bose SoundSport, but willing to be convinced otherwise....Mostly because I recognize Bose as being a very long-established player in sound.

So, I found out that wireless is not wanted. That helps, but....

There is the model for Apple Music and Calls and the model for music....There is like a $30 price difference between the two.

I assume the music/calls edition has a microphone of sorts, but does that make things more clunky...where is the mic?

I would go ahead and pay more for the music and calls if it does not involve any real extra "junk" on the earbuds, but if it makes them more bulky or something, I think I would just go for the music edition...

Help, please. I am lost.

It's just a little piece on the cord where it forms the "Y." Not bulky at all. What will he be using them for? I ask because my Sound Sports are a little too short for the treadmill and running/walking. After having my phone hit the treadmill and go flying across the gym I ended up having to buy an adapter to lengthen them. Check to see if they already come with one. If not maybe consider it because it was hard to find after buying them.

I personally prefer Bose but most young people prefer Beats. My DD has three pairs and it seems that's what most of her friends use as well.

 

[wilkeliza]

O.K. Semi-set on Bose SoundSport, but willing to be convinced otherwise....Mostly because I recognize Bose as being a very long-established player in sound.

So, I found out that wireless is not wanted. That helps, but....

There is the model for Apple Music and Calls and the model for music....There is like a $30 price difference between the two.

I assume the music/calls edition has a microphone of sorts, but does that make things more clunky...where is the mic?

I would go ahead and pay more for the music and calls if it does not involve any real extra "junk" on the earbuds, but if it makes them more bulky or something, I think I would just go for the music edition...

Help, please. I am lost.

Those are the exact ones I have at work. The call function is not big at all. It is pretty standard on headphones these days as it adds no bulk to the music controls. It is a tiny little block on the left earbud cord (maybe by right on Bose I can't remember). I love my pair and if the included buds don't work Bose use to send a different set of inbetween sizes if you reached out to them.

 

[Ranger111]

Thank you all for your help!

Appreciate it greatly. Sorta of like taking "Ear Buds 101."

Very, very good information.

So, I ended up with Beats, wired Tour 2. While there were some negative reviews, for the most part, they were positive....and since the ones I bought were the new improved version, I think any of the old concerns had been dealt with by the company.

Additionally, I was able to get them for $80 off from a reputable vendor. Thanks again.

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MKPW2AM/A/beats-tour2-earphones-active-collection-shock-yellow

 

[Farps]

Love my Bose !