I have to disqualify the SoundMAGIC E80D Digital USB C Headphones because it looks like their 90° plug won’t fit with the rather thick otterbox case I have on my phone.

Any other suggestions? Would be using primarily for phone but also for laptop, if that makes any difference.

EDIT: Thanks to everyone who responded 🙂👍Looks like I’ve got several good leads to follow, so I’d better get started!

          • iopq@lemmy.world
            1·
            3 months ago

            If you use it for multiple devices it’s obviously doing more work! But you can just buy two and never disconnect them

      • corsicanguppy@lemmy.caEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        If this is for a computer, then losing that cable is gonna be hard. If it’s for a phone, then I worry the earphones will be way higher quality than the phone.

        And phones without 3.5mm are just cash grabs for big vendors selling battery-radio earphones with shit sound.

  • H Ramus@lemmy.zipEnglish
    7·
    3 months ago

    I use a separate usb adapter to the earphones. iBasso dc03 has separate usb c cable that I’ve been able to replace when the original broke. Cheap replacement rather than tossing the whole thing away.

    For earphones, I use kefine delci as they’re comfortable for my ears and sound good enough. When the cable eventually breaks, a new pair is cheaper and the earphones can still be used.

  • pH3ra@lemmy.ml
    5·
    3 months ago

    I got a pair of KZ ZSN ProX that have a removable cable you can swap easily with a USB-C one. I had them for 4 years now and they’re really durable: for the price (about 20$) the sound is insanely good and if you spend the extra 10$ for the cable you can plug them wherever you want.
    Best purchase ever

  • HatchetHaro@pawb.socialEnglish
    5·
    3 months ago

    If you’re looking for in-ear monitors, I really, really recommend Crinacle’s The Hangout. Dude’s a legendary audio reviewer and The Hangout only stocks things that are good to him. Yes, that means that even his lowest-priced offerings are awesome. You won’t go wrong at all with anything in that site.

    For USB-C IEMs, I highly recommend the Moondrop Chu 2 DSP. It’s $28, and phenomenal for the price.

    • iopq@lemmy.world
      2·
      3 months ago

      It’s basically just his opinion. He started the biggest database of measurements, but he’s not going them anymore so other reviewers have replaced him

      Also I have heard the DSP version doesn’t have the best sound quality. I have another cheap pair of DSP IEMs and they sound better with 3.5mm (DSP adds ringing and noise artifacts)

      I bought a standalone $13 USB DAC and it sounds perfect to me

      • HatchetHaro@pawb.socialEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        I mean, I’d take the professional opinion of an audiophile with actual tuning experience over ten tech reviewers any day.

        Also, I’ve had no issues with my Moondrop Chu 2 DSP, but if for any reason I don’t want the DSP I can just swap the cable out for one with a 3.5mm jack.

        • iopq@lemmy.world
          1·
          3 months ago

          Why would you take an expert’s opinion instead of just listening yourself?

          You can eq to the fr of the thing you’re buying and just listen if you like it.

          • HatchetHaro@pawb.socialEnglish
            1·
            3 months ago

            Because I’m not physically able to try the IEMs myself before I buy them? I’m not made of money, so I can’t keep buying and trying things until I find a perfect pair.

            Look, I’ve bought stuff he has tuned, and I liked them enough to continue buying things he recommends. I also don’t mind tuning differences because at the end of the day as long as it still sounds great I’m not fussed.

  • Hnery@feddit.org
    51·
    3 months ago

    To be honest, the standard Apple wired dirty buds are quite fine. according to reviews they seem to have a very good amp and their sound is very good too. You’ll pay a bit of Apple tax, though, they cost around 20 €.

    • Raiderkev@lemmy.world
      6·
      3 months ago

      Yep, those and the wired pixel buds from Google used to be pretty decent. Admittedly, I haven’t used either in a few years.

      • pH3ra@lemmy.ml
        3·
        3 months ago

        I had the Pixel buds too, the sound was excellent but after a couple years the wire plastic got all sticky and stiff so I had to throw them out

    • iopq@lemmy.world
      2·
      3 months ago

      I’ve tried the non-pro ones and their sound quality is lacking. This is probably because they just leak all the bass out due to not being in-ear

  • iopq@lemmy.world
    4·
    3 months ago

    It says headphones, but they are actually earphones

    I can’t for the life of me to find a frequency response graph. I can’t recommend buying anything without a measurement since you would be buying blind

    Here is how you should look for earphones:

    1. Buy something with a replaceable cable so it lasts longer. The cable usually breaks first and it’s the cheapest part.

    2. You can buy DSP earphones with a replaceable cable, but I haven’t found anything cheap that sounds as good as the 3.5mm connection (which means the DSP sucks). So buy a dongle separately, like the Apple one or something of similar quality

    3. Find the frequency response graph. You can see how your current equipment graphs and compare. You can even use an equalizer (in software) to adjust to what you’re buying

    If you want my suggestion, buy CCA Trio and the Apple dongle. Although maybe it’s expensive after tariffs, lol

    KZ Castor for a cheaper option

    • corsicanguppy@lemmy.caEnglish
      2·
      3 months ago
      1. You can buy DSP earphones with a replaceable cable, but I haven’t found anything cheap that sounds as good as the 3.5mm connection (which means the DSP sucks). So buy a dongle separately, like the Apple one or something of similar quality

      I dunno if it’s good quality, but the install process and daily use on this item has been great for me, moving my headset easily between machines through a KVM without issue.

      Let me know if it sounds good, OP, or see what others may say in response to this one.

      I fully support anything that continues with common, reliable hardware - 3.5mm - and interchangeable parts - so no apple, really.

      • iopq@lemmy.world
        1·
        3 months ago

        I meant the Apple 3.5mm to usb-c dongle, which does the same job for $9

        Of course, if you know that this other one world’s for you, by all means