The Sound Board

In my continuing quests to figure out what the most used formats for listening to music are and to do the best mixes I can despite challenged hearing, I’ve recently acquired a set of Apple’s Beats earbuds (two sets actually, one a gift.). Anecdotally, I feel like buds and car speakers are probably the most used formats for listening.

Things rarely sound very good on my iPhone 13’s native speakers and I hope most people aren’t just dialing up their phones. The ear buds are a more concise listening environment to me so far, though I dislike putting things into my ears.

Interestingly, the Slate headphone system I recently purchased has presets for phone speakers and ear buds along with various mixing rooms. I’ve tried the buds preset and it seems fairly accurate.


How ‘bout y’all? Do you use buds, do you check your mixes in buds, phones, car speakers as well as studio monitors and headphones?

I don't. A couple of times I tried them based on reviews etc I hated them with a passion - harsh, no low end. And I also very much dislike putting things in my ears, which will be a big problem for me going forward into old age. I find it exceptionally irritating.

I have gotten too used to my HD-25s. They sound sublime to me, and no other headphones come close, let alone ear buds.

But I agree with your general point, that they are very common and would be a useful reference.

EDIT - somewhat tangential, but listening to great music on the HD-25s good and loud is a real achilleas heal of mine. I know it's not good for my hearing but I find it the ultimate way to appreciate music = all other sounds gone, beamed straight into my head.

No! I tried, but I am incompatible with them gaawd damn suckas I mean what's the point, every five steps or so they refuse to stay in place. Guess Vulcan ears are not made for ear buds.

Guy Rowland wrote: ↑Aug 15, 2024 1:37 am I have gotten too used to my HD-25s. ...and no other headphones come close...

I wonder how you'd feel about this if you A/B the 25s vs 490 Pro.

I'm in my early 60s and I love them... I primarily use them when on my treadmill listening to YouTube videos, at night in bed (reviewing my own recent production for example) and when on holiday listening to almost everything.
I have the Apple AirPod Pros that are good at sticking in my ears and the sound cancelling is pretty good.
I don't have challenged hearing (yet) but then I don't listen to music at very loud levels either.
In contrast, for studio work my headphone of choice is BD DT 880 Pro.

Edit - my wife would probably disagree with my statement regarding unchallenged hearing...

I use Samsungs Ear Buds 2 and I like them alot. Not so much for referencing stuff, just for listening to music and podcasts when flying or as a supplement to ear muffs when in my wood shop. Has some decent noise cancellation as well.

As for referencing I have a few EQ-curves in Pro EQ3 that I listen through my Genelecs (transfers pretty well to the "real" thing), the car is also used for tests of course

They too fall from my ears.

Erik wrote: ↑Aug 15, 2024 7:05 am They too fall from my ears.

This was an issue for me with other buds I tried, but I found a tip with the Beats that stayed in comfortably.

I use my Apple wired ear buds with my iPhone while walking with Milo. That's about all I use them for.

Very frequently. At the gym, doing chores, vacuuming, cooking, on airplanes, when I'm doing hobby-things. I'm not looking for an exceptional audio experience, I'm looking for music to keep me company. I use the JBL Endurance Race TWS. They are comfortable and never fall out of my ears.

They happen to be on sale (refurbs) on Woot today: https://computers.woot.com/offers/jbl-j ... nt_wp_0_36. White and blue also avail.

I use earbuds a lot too. A lot. Almost constantly when I'm out and about, at the gym, at the store, doing chores, falling asleep in bed, and so on. I've tried regular on/over ear headphones and I can't stand it because they're so big and clumsy, while a decent set of in-ear buds I forget they're even there. Whenever I'm at home and sitting still by the computer, sure, I'll put on my trusty HD650s (HD280 when isolation is more important than sound quality) or use speakers. Much better sound and clumsiness isn't a problem when being still. Any other time, it's earbuds all the way for me.

Just gotta find tips that actually fit and stay in place - never been a problem for me personally, but I know some people really struggle with it - and be cautious with your listening levels. More cautious than you think you should be probably. Both to preserve your hearing and to limit the risk of getting run over by something you didn't hear coming. It's helpful to have buds with some degree of isolation (passive noise cancelling, I guess they call it now?), otherwise it's easy to trick yourself into turning the volume up to dangerous levels just to drown out the outside world.

Never thought about checking my own mixes (if I can even call them that ) on them, but now that you mention it, I should probably start.

Guy Rowland wrote: ↑Aug 15, 2024 1:37 am EDIT - somewhat tangential, but listening to great music on the HD-25s good and loud is a real achilleas heal of mine. I know it's not good for my hearing but I find it the ultimate way to appreciate music = all other sounds gone, beamed straight into my head.

Yeah, same. Nothing better than lying down in a dark and quiet room with good headphones on and just zoning out to some great music. I like blasting things loud on the speakers too and all, but there's something special about the intimacy of headphones.