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Got some christmas money and have ‘earmarked’it for earbuds.
I had some RHA earbuds last xmas and they got me through lockdown riding solo for weeks on end - but they weren’t standing up to sweat very well and also fell out fairly constantly. One cracked as a result and one was eventually lost in September.
Want to get some proper ‘sport’ ones this time.
Ideally wanted to spend less than £100 but thinking about getting some powerbeats pro as the extra over-ear security appeals. They would be a bit more.
What are other folks using? Recommendations?
Cheers, and Merry Christmas
i'm using jabra elite active 45e. battery life is decent, annoying flaw with the on/off/play/pause/BT switch on mine that gives either no press or double press sometimes which i guess is a faulty microswitch but they have a 2 year warranty. i've had mine for over 2 years and they're used pretty much every day. sound is OK. they do stay put, play ok with helmets and sunnies. i'd buy again. HTH
Aeropex Aftershokz (they have a newer cheaper version as well). I use them on the bike and while running.
Whichever Jabra Elite Actives fit your budget. I have 65s.
£80
Jabra Elite Active 65t Earbuds - Passive Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Sports Earphones with Motion Sensor for Fitness Tracking - True Wireless Calls and Music - Copper Blue https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BHY7M8P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_ZCJ5Fb7HJJGX3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have Creative Outlier Air’s, they’re in your budget and very good indeed. They work in 1 ear which I like when I’m running.
My wife has Jabra Elite Active 65t which are better but more expensive.
You pays your money...
Saw some Jabra active earbuds on amazon and was interested in those. Will take another look.
Anybody using the powerbeats?
As some one who is partial deaf, no, no, no. Do not impede one of your major senses just so you can listen to music as you ride.
Perhaps everyone should turn off their radios in their cars too? We manage to be road aware when in a huge metal box, don't see why it should be any different on a plastic bike. Fairly sure hearing the incompetent driver about to crash in to me won't make it hurt any less.
I ride with a set of Jabra active 65t's having got through a few cheaper sets that developed faults. No complaints and they stay put in my ears. Can turn on and off the noise cancellation easy enough and if going a slow enough speed I can shout at siri if I need to.
I have Jabra Active Elite 65s, they work well but I must have funny shaped ears because they will not stay in place without assistance, even using the different sized ear buds provided. Not a problem because I just use a hat, buff or headband to keep them in place when running or walking.
As some one who is partial deaf, no, no, no. Do not impede one of your major senses just so you can listen to music as you ride.
On the road, I wouldn't - but I know it's a moot point.
Off-road, I don't either - but what's the problem?
Can turn on and off the noise cancellation easy enough
Cross-posted there.
I didn't realise they had noise cancellation. How do you toggle it on/off?
My BeatsX have been really good. They’re pretty similar to the Powerbeats - ostensibly not waterproof although mine survive daily sweaty exercise and even a trip through the washing machine.
I really rate the round-the-back design for exercise. It means you can just flick one bud out of the ear when you want to hear, or just keep them round your neck when you don’t want to use them.
The Beats flex are similar but don’t feel as premium. I don’t know if they’re better but they’re cheap and work amazingly with Apple stuff.
If/when they die I’ll probably get some Powerbeats Pros.
TLDR; the beats x / flex are a decent cheaper version of the Powerbeats.
As some one who is partial deaf, no, no, no. Do not impede one of your major senses just so you can listen to music as you ride.
I actually agree with this. I wear 1 ear in so I can hear the sounds around me. Not sure I’d want to be completely shut off from it on or off road.
I'm still using the headphones that came with my emergency iPod purchase in 2013...happy with a cable as I'm not convinced wire-free buds would stay in my ears. Suspect I'm worrying over nothing but a lot of money to have falling out just as things get a bit bumpy.
I didn’t realise they had noise cancellation. How do you toggle it on/off?
I don't think the 65s have it. I *think* it was a firmware upgrade for the 75s.
BUT you can use the pass through feature to still be able to hear whats around you whilst wearing them - double click to toggle it on/off.
Cheers, could do with being able to block out the gym music a bit better.
I also have Creative Outliers, I'm happy with them and they were at a great price a couple of weeks ago. A bit bigger than some buds, but comfortable and secure enough.
These tozo T6 are superb, relatively low cost, stay in well ( not dropped out on any of my theee time’s a week rides for the last six months) and sound
Deal: TOZO T6 True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones Touch Control with Wireless Charging Case IPX8 Waterproof TWS Stereo Earphones in Ear Built in Mic Headset Premium Deep Bass for Sport Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RGZ5NKS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_dlT3_S5V5FbKWVG179?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have the Powerbeats Pro for the gym and they are bang on. Secure, sweat proof, sound decent - no NC though
Sorry to be a killjoy but a girl was killed near me crossing a train line with headphones on, she looked the wrong way and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I wear nc over ear headphones for walking, the nc is v good, so much so when I take them off I am bombarded by ordinary noise. For road riding I couldn't think of anything more dangerous. I am pretty sure here in Spain it is illegal.
I have a pair of airpods pro but I wouldn't wear these for riding. I much prefer the ones with a hook that goes around your ear for riding and a cable, so not true wireless. If they are loose or fall out I'm not worried about losing them
Although earbuds rarely seem to be 100% secure in my ears, irrespective of how many foam tips I try
Sorry to be a killjoy but a girl was killed near me crossing a train line with headphones on, she looked the wrong way and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I wear nc over ear headphones for walking
So the reason people shouldn’t wear earbuds while riding is because someone got hit by a train (while walking?) but wearing them while walking is totally fine?
Whatever people think about riding with earbuds, a bit of consistency of logic would be good. I’d suggest that riding with earbuds is probably less dangerous than crossing the road with them, but I’d rather not leap to victim blaming in either case.
thinking of doing a bit of running in the new year to work off those mince pies. do all of the suggestions above hold fast for running, or is that a separate thread? im thinking the constant pounding of feet may be more likely to dislodge them?
i have decent enough wired buds but previously when ive gone for a short run, ive just selected an album and stuck the phone in a pocket where it just gets jostled.
so im thinking i still need my phone for deezer duties rather than a tiny mp3 player say, but would wired phones actually not make more sense to ensure i dont lose one? and if i stick with wired, whats the best 'phone holder' for running, one of those armband jobbies? are there any that go on a waistband instead?
thanks
I’ve tried a couple of bluetooth types, including Samsung buds and they just don’t go loud enough.. do the recommendations on here eg, the Jabra have decent volume?
(ps. Isn’t it a shame they don’t block out the ooh, I fear for your safety bollocks. Hey, we’re old enough to make our own decisions, go mollycoddle your kids eh)
Jabra Elite Active 75's - they go everywhere with me....road, mtb, run, gym.
I went for the Jabra active in the end. Should be arriving today. One of the considerations was riding glasses as I fancy getting a pair of glasses again after a few years without and was worried about the fit with over-ear buds.
Re running, I did a bit of running with my RHA’s and was generally fine. Sometimes had to give them a nudge to nestle them back snug into the ear if they were starting to vibrate loose.
Re the safety concerns, agree with the post above, we’re all adults and can assess risk in context. Plus, these will be used 99.9999% on my mountainbike...on singletrack and trails, so I’ve no need to be listening for traffic or trains or suchlike (I do have to cross 2 roads to get to my local trails but they have great visibility in both directions).
Sorry to be a killjoy but a girl was killed near me crossing a train line with headphones on, she looked the wrong way and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
That’s not the only example, and it’s also a clear example of NOT PAYING ATTENTION!
FFS, it doesn’t make any difference wearing ‘phones if your eyes are glued to the little screen held in your hands and you can’t be bothered to look both ways in a potentially lethal situation. This is Darwinism in action, nature’s way of culling the stupid.
I’ve had someone knock me clean off my bike, walking directly in front of me as I was passing, after I rang my bell to alert her to my presence, and she wasn’t even wearing ’phones! She ended up on the ground as well, with her phone smashed, so there was a positive side.
I’m still using my soundMagic E10’s with one of these, I like the wires as I can hang the buds over my helmet straps and having the receiver in my pocket and can control volume, skip tracks etc easily.
Mpow Bluetooth Receiver
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DL2PG3F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_WZJ6FbAF0SS51
I love my Jaybird Vistas - I only use one at a time when I'm riding though. You can have the other one charging in the case while you use one.
PSA for anyone that wants some exercise-friendly earbuds.
im thinking the constant pounding of feet may be more likely to dislodge them?...
...would wired phones actually not make more sense to ensure i dont lose one?
I like the design of the Beats above for that reason. Having said that, they fit my ears well enough that they never fall out - whereas Apple buds always fell out me (YMMV of course - and caveat: it looks like Beats have stopped supplying the ‘wings’ that hold the bud against the pinna).
I remember faffing trying to thread the not-quite-long-enough cable under clothing. Wireless is so much better!
^ that is a deal and a half. BeatsX are my choice for riding (over my Airpod Pros) due to their form factor, and I paid £129 for mine back in the day!
PSA for anyone that wants some exercise-friendly earbuds.
^ that is a deal and a half.
ordered, thank you.
I came here to check on the inevitable argument about earphones whilst riding but holy shit @CountZero's post is absolutely appalling. You really need to have a word with yourself.
I was most surprised to read he’d actually ridden a bike!
What's the difference between the Jabra Actives and the non active please?
I really rate the round-the-back design for exercise. It means you can just flick one bud out of the ear when you want to hear, or just keep them round your neck when you don’t want to use them.
as i mentioned above, i bought the beatsX from the ebay/currys shop. sounds fine but still yet to test on a run (new trainers should come tomorrow). thought id check them first with a bit of er....'running on the spot in the lounge' but the wire at the back of your neck just jostles up and down all the time which seems to dislodge the buds. not sure i like the design, wired may actually be more stable.
wife was also going to try them whilst walking the dog and didnt like them either, preferred her wired buds. have i made a booboo for running? are you runners finding the same issues?
ill certainly keep them a while to see how i get on with a proper run, but in the meantime my wife would prefer some proper wireless jobbies. i think shed prefer some that secure over the ear to stop them falling out. any recommendations? these anker buds come recommended for the price but theyre not the 'over ear' type.
thanks
What’s the difference between the Jabra Actives and the non active please?
The active ones make you tie your hair into high ponytail, acquire some droplets of sweat on your face as you strike a boxing pose and stare menacingly into the distance whilst pouting your lips.
The Elites make you put your hands in your denim and flannel mix hoodie whilst ensuring everyone you meet only sees your side profile as you give it the ol' Zoolander.
@sadexpunk
Did you get the Anker earbuds?
I dropped and stood on my Plantronics earphones the other morning.
I ordered some of those P2s, before I found this thread.
The first try with them today, the sound's good (to my ears), but there's no volume control on the buds, the volume has to be controlled from the device, which I'll miss.
I realise, I should have read through the spec.
@chipster yes i got them for my wife in the end, and she's happy with them, altho thats just for walking the dog.
she thinks that theyd drop out if running, riding probably not so bad, and no, they dont appear to have any volume control on the buds themselves. what are you using yours for? lounging about? running? riding? certainly for me i dont think theyd be suitable.
im happy enough with the beatsX ^^^ for running, although i never seem to be able to get the neck loop in a position where the wires dont flap about. i think id have been better with buds that have no wires but have the 'over the ear' loop to keep in place. theyll do for now tho.
cheers
I just use them for kicking around the house/garden, and I use them in the car (I don't have a dab radio). They feel secure in my ears, but the Backbeat Fit2 that I had before were more secure, and they had a volume control.