Earbuds

I have a pair of Shure E4C earbuds (earphones for those who aren't familiar with the term...the kind you stick inside your ears). I love them. They are absolutely fantastic. When I first got them, I was a little uneasy about spending $300+ for a pair of headphones, but friends assur...promised me I'd be pleased.

I listen to my iPod nearly everywhere I go. As I've previously blogged, I am fortunate to have friends who have outstanding taste in music and who are willing to tell me what I need to hear (with regard to music, not with regard to tough life decisions...I avoid those at all costs). I definitely wanted a product with outstanding sound quality, noise cancellation and that would stay firmly in my ears (all traits the free iPod earbuds lack). I used to wear them on the subway platform and I couldn't hear anything. It was great...except when I was reading and missed my train, but I'm an idiot.

The reason I bring these fantastic dispensers of sound is that they are horrendous for exercising purposes. When I bought my new MBP (MacBook Pro for the uninitiated), I got a nano for free, perfect for going on runs, erging and general musical device shaking (and I'm willing to be it blends). When I tried to use my nice earbuds, they got sweaty and gross and wouldn't stay in my ears. Eventually, one of them actually shorted out and I had to send them away to be replaced (caught the warranty window by 3 days). Unsure of what to do, I went back to using crappy Apple iPod earbuds, but as I mentioned, they are crappy.

Thanks to the Grummings, though, I've found the solution. A $9 pair of old school, original style, sony walkman earbuds with the cheap piece of aluminum that serves as a strap over your head. It's perfect. They were designed for sport, so they handle the sweat. The head strap keeps them firmly in my ears. They are smaller than real stereo headphones so they don't make my head too hot. And they were $9. I don't like to use exclamation points (something which I could go on for hours about...the over use of exclamation points...and all caps for that matter), but $9 for headphones! I can't even comprehend how that's possible.

Thank you Sony. Thank you FYE music. Thank you Asian child who worked 18 hours a day for 15 cents an hour assembling my earphones. Without you, I couldn't have paid so little and received so much. I thank you. My iPod thanks you. My ears thank you.