Earphones

I have a pair of ear canal phones. Specifically, I have the Sony MDR-EX71. These are not ordinary ear buds by any stretch of the imagination. They use a silicone seal to isolate the earphone in the ear canal like an ear plug. They sound good, but not perfect. Way better then the stock iPod earbuds.

But what I really like is the sound isolation. With them in and my Nano turned to a normal listening volume (say about 70dB), background noise is gone. Not just diminished, but gone. All that is left is music. The kids could be screaming at each other the very next room over and I wouldn't hear them. The wind could be howling outside and it wouldn't even sound like a breeze. At work I took them out at one point and was surprised to hear a jackhammer going in the car park (construction caries on). Lost in the music without having to crank it to deafening levels. This is, to me, the greatest feature.

Anyway, as I said they sound good, but not yet great. I've looked at more expensive and better reviewed ones, but have restrained myself from dropping a C-note on earphones. Etymotic sells a pair called the 6i. Much higher sound quality (balanced armature instead of coil-based driver, better sound isolation). MSRP of $150 (ouch!). Newegg is currently selling them for $73. I am very tempted.