Well, I bought a set of new earbuds...
I got a pair of Shure E2Cs. They set me back $100... which just still feels ridiculous for a set of ear BUDS-- If they were HEADPHONES, it would seem worth it but...
Well, anyway it sucked that I couldn't test different models of earbuds. I wanted to get something of an "in-ear" model to isolate outside sounds from my ears-- at the gym they crank up terrible music and I have to turn my iPod up to deafening levels to compete with it. Not good for my hearing. I'm a bit afraid of the concept of "in-ear"-- so much directness of sound going right into my ears, I would think this would be a recipe for tinnitus, but supposedly it's actually better for your hearing because you don't need as much volume. I don't know what I believe. I will say that I don't need to turn the volume very high at all...
At first i thought they were a rip off. Sure they sound better than the Maxells I was getting by on, but it wasn't like an orgasmic experience using them. But the more I use them, the more I notice little things in my favorite records, things WAY back in the mix. Records I've listened to hundreds of times and never picked up on that stuff. Right now I'm listening to Morrissey's Ringleader of the Tormentors and there are so many little guitar/keyboard parts and flourishes that I've never heard before. It is kind of weird, shoving them so far into your ears... it does feel a bit invasive. I imagine this is what going to a gynocologist might feel like--if one had TWO vaginas though...
(Hey I am typing this in the wee hours, this filthy stuff was bound to be on my mind one way or the other!)
I just hope that I can take good care of these damn things and not have them fall apart...
My favorite thing to listen to on these earbuds has been the first two albums from Pole--Pole 1 and Pole 2. It's German minimalist dub-like "music"--it's just alot of pops and crackles and understated bubbling analog synths-- and very faint talking and noises in the background... But it's so relaxing and soothing. Especially with the sound isolation of these earbuds... It's like being in a kind of selective sensory deprivation tank.
I do wish the bass had a little more presence with these earbuds, but I still have to experiment a little more with adjusting the position in my ears.
