Earbud headphones sit just inside the ear and are included in the purchase of many portable listening devices. They are different than in-ear headphones in that they do not block outside noise since they do not have a secure fit. If the music is loud enough though, outside noise will not be an issue. Most earbuds are inexpensive and function well but they are not known for good sound quality.
Earbuds headphones have been around for many years. As a result there has been plenty of time to tweak the technology behind them. The biggest challenge in earbud technology has been how to get a really good bass from them. Issues of comfort, durability and style have been thoroughly researched and the results have been some nice looking and fairly comfortable products.
A really good looking and cheap headphone is the sharply styled black and chrome Sennheiser MX 560. As well as looking good it sounds a good deal better than most earbuds. The Yuin PK2 looks much plainer and it is somewhat expensive for an earbud, but the sound quality is worth it.
Earbuds headphones are designed for use with portable players. Joggers and walkers love wireless earbuds, as they do not bounce around while exercising. However, since the earbuds are held in place by wedging them just inside the ear, they can become quite uncomfortable in this tender spot if worn too long. This problem is primarily addressed by adding more cushioning of some sort to cover the earbuds. That does not exactly resolve to problem but does make earbuds more comfortable. The Sennheiser CX55 is one of the most comfortable earbuds for under $100. For quite a bit more money the Etymotic ER-4 which actually plugs the ear is even more comfortable.
Sound quality is a serious issue with earbud headphones. Either the quality goes down as the volume goes up or the quality just is not there to start with. The Yuin PK1 is a good sounding earbud. Its sound quality is comparable to a mid-level headphone but again it cannot handle the higher volumes well. The Denon AH-C252K is a good earbud for sound quality and is reasonably priced at around $30.
Earbud headphones are inexpensive. Their prices range from free with a purchase to around $100. This makes them affordable for just about every budget. It also makes them fairly easy to replace when needed. They can be found anywhere media devices are sold.
Earbud headphones are inexpensive alternatives to pricier in-ear headphones and cumbersome over-the-head full sized headphones. They get used a lot for exercising and just hanging out so they tend to break or get worn out often. Most people just throw them away and buy another pair. Some innovative designers will fashion broken earbuds into earrings. Currently there are no recyclable opportunities for earbuds so be creative in their reuse.
Earbud headphones are great for mobility and reasonably priced. They are best used by casual music listeners who like to listen to music while they do other things.
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