I’ve been mucking about with various headphone setups here, and before I start bunging more cash at it, I’m trying to research more about the
various connectivity options.

I originally had all wired headphones (AKG K92, Koss PortaPro and Grady
SR60 - which I now regret selling).

I decided to go Bluetooth last year, and with budget limitations in mind, I ended up with a pair of Marshall Major IV. They OK, not as good as the
Grados, but better than the others.

The Bluetooth is Ok, but does suffer the occasional drop out. So I’ve tried going back to wired. This is when I discovered a bit more, and hadn’t
noticed before that BT doesn’t carry Lossless audio (it just never occurred to me to check into it).

Now, despite a little tinnitus, and ageing ears, I can detect some subtle differences still, and there’s definitely something noticeable between BT
and lossless wired.

With the hot weather, I wanted something to stop getting sweaty ears, so re-tried some EarPods. They never fitted my ears right, so didn’t get much
of a chance to try them out well in the past. I’ve found some ‘wing-tip’ widgets and they’re a game changer, and allow the EarPods to fit perfectly. They sound good too, a bit lacking in bass of course, but the overall sound
is better than I was expecting.

The options though, are sending me down a rabbit hole. I’ve got some pods (off eBay) with the 3.5mm plug, and an array of USB-C and Lightning
adapters to try.

I appreciate that digital audio is pretty much going to start off the same regardless of the source device. But also thinking that the DAC in each
option is different.

I have some third party adapters, and they certainly vary considerably -
both in loudness of the output, and reliability of the functionality. One
even pretends to be a BT device.

I only have one Apple adapter, the USB-C one for the iPad Pro. That seems
to give the cleanest audio, but at a lower volume output, and stops at 24bit/48khz.

The lightning adapter is a no-name, but goes up to 24bit/192khz. Although
I’m not convinced that the hi-res output offers much to my old ears now.

I’m thinking on going fully Apple on the adapters (mostly for consistency
and reliability), so my actual question is what might be the better options here:

Go with the older 3.5mm EarPods and use adapters (although the Lightning to 3.5mm seems harder to get now).

Or, go with the EarPods with the right connections on the end? There’s a
lot of various comments, and inconsistent views on what’s the better way. None of them are expensive, but it does all add up when you start
experimenting :-).

Basically, do the DACs differ much (some suggestions say that might), if at all?

Anyway, sorry to waffle on there. I pretty sure I know the answers really,
but just welcoming any other feedback here.

Cheers.

--
Andy H

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Andy H wrote:

[snip]

With the hot weather, I wanted something to stop getting sweaty ears, so re-tried some EarPods. They never fitted my ears right, so didn’t get much of a chance to try them out well in the past. I’ve found some ‘wing-tip’
widgets and they’re a game changer, and allow the EarPods to fit perfectly. They sound good too, a bit lacking in bass of course, but the overall sound is better than I was expecting.

I too have problems with all the "in-ear" earpieces. They're really uncomfortable and never stay in place - perhaps my ears are a strange shape!

I still have some Sony MDR-A21 which are damaged beyond repair (the
plastic has crumbled away) but they have been by far the most
comfortable things I've used.

See: <https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sony-mdr-a21-twin-turbo.22619/>

or

<https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256763789719?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&toolid=20006&_ul=GB&campid=5339107725&customid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J4zUkfb3CbuVE-pgx-1r9CA8Lis3GiAJxDS3hkpRQAGLTb_QI7XBiYaAriTEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAA-
MzEze4hwBOPJK4rR4etf313q3GM&wbraid=Cj8KCQjwyIPDBhDKARIuAIdjglWjFsNJXAIBc3QWVXlo03Ka9CyrILvqpTjcDWPepRFwGc2jTrs5jZNJzxoCKkY&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22441366247&gclid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J4zUkfb3CbuVE-pgx-1r9CA8Lis3GiAJxDS3hkpRQAGLTb_
QI7XBiYaAriTEALw_wcB>


... but mine didn't have have the in-line control.

I would like to get something similar - lightweight, with a simple
headband for support and where the earpieces sit just inside the ear
without touching my skin.

Any ideas?

--
Graham J

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Graham J <[email protected]> wrote:

Andy H wrote:

[snip]

With the hot weather, I wanted something to stop getting sweaty ears, so
re-tried some EarPods. They never fitted my ears right, so didn’t get much >> of a chance to try them out well in the past. I’ve found some ‘wing-tip’
widgets and they’re a game changer, and allow the EarPods to fit perfectly.
They sound good too, a bit lacking in bass of course, but the overall sound >> is better than I was expecting.

I too have problems with all the "in-ear" earpieces. They're really uncomfortable and never stay in place - perhaps my ears are a strange shape!

I still have some Sony MDR-A21 which are damaged beyond repair (the
plastic has crumbled away) but they have been by far the most
comfortable things I've used.

See: <https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sony-mdr-a21-twin-turbo.22619/>

or

<https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256763789719?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&toolid=20006&_ul=GB&campid=5339107725&customid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J4zUkfb3CbuVE-pgx-1r9CA8Lis3GiAJxDS3hkpRQAGLTb_QI7XBiYaAriTEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAA-

MzEze4hwBOPJK4rR4etf313q3GM&wbraid=Cj8KCQjwyIPDBhDKARIuAIdjglWjFsNJXAIBc3QWVXlo03Ka9CyrILvqpTjcDWPepRFwGc2jTrs5jZNJzxoCKkY&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22441366247&gclid=Cj0KCQjw64jDBhDXARIsABkk8J4zUkfb3CbuVE-pgx-1r9CA8Lis3GiAJxDS3hkpRQAGLTb_
QI7XBiYaAriTEALw_wcB>

... but mine didn't have have the in-line control.

Hmm, interesting for sure. Although I am actually happy with the EarPods
with the wingtips now, as far as comfort goes. I was trying to stick with
the Apple gear so as to use the inline volume control.

I would like to get something similar - lightweight, with a simple
headband for support and where the earpieces sit just inside the ear
without touching my skin.

Any ideas?

The only lightweight things I have used with a headband are the Koss
PortaPro. They sit on the ear, but it’s a light touch with an open foam pad (easily replaced with a plethora of alternatives).

There are actually near to what I needed. I was just experimenting with the EarPods, only to find I quite like them now. They are the ones that sit in
the ear, but don’t push into the ear canal.

These are the tips I got;

PROUSKY Earhooks for Airpods, 5 Pairs Silicone Soft Ear Hooks Tips,
Anti-slip Sport Earbud Tips Compatible for Airpods, Ultra-Light Earphones Accessories for Jogging, Cycling, Running, Transparent https://amzn.eu/d/d4n7iZb

Cheers.

--
Andy H

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Andy H wrote:

[snip]

The only lightweight things I have used with a headband are the Koss PortaPro. They sit on the ear, but it’s a light touch with an open foam pad (easily replaced with a plethora of alternatives).

Amazon has the Koss PortaPro. Their spec says wired AND Bluetooth -
surely this is wrong? Should that really be two different versions?
Why would I want the extra weight and batteries for Bluetooth when I
want to use a wired connection?

It says 3.5mm jack but does not say whether the jack is gold-plated. I
find any that are not do not connect reliably and the sound breaks up.


--
Graham J

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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Graham J <[email protected]> wrote:

Andy H wrote:

[snip]

The only lightweight things I have used with a headband are the Koss
PortaPro. They sit on the ear, but it’s a light touch with an open foam pad
(easily replaced with a plethora of alternatives).

Amazon has the Koss PortaPro. Their spec says wired AND Bluetooth -
surely this is wrong? Should that really be two different versions?
Why would I want the extra weight and batteries for Bluetooth when I
want to use a wired connection?

There are two types, the original (been around since the 80s);

Koss "Porta Pro" On Ear Headphones https://amzn.eu/d/4mFEFN6

There are now some Bluetooth ones as well, and they connect wirelessly or wired. Seem a bit expensive though.

It says 3.5mm jack but does not say whether the jack is gold-plated. I
find any that are not do not connect reliably and the sound breaks up.

I have owned mine for about 15 years, and never had a connectivity issue.
Mine have the traditional nickel plated tip.

I’m not sure if gold plated always makes much difference for something that’s plugged in and out frequently. Depending on the frequency, and
quality of the plating, they could be subject to more wear. In the real
world, I expect the difference is minimal - what about what you’re plugging them into? I’ll bet most of those aren’t gold plated.

There are loads of mods, and options on eBay, to fit a detachable set of
wires.

--
Andy H

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On 30/06/2025 21:17, Graham J wrote:

Andy H wrote:

[snip]

The only lightweight things I have used with a headband are the Koss
PortaPro. They sit on the ear, but it’s a light touch with an open
foam pad
(easily replaced with a plethora of alternatives).

Amazon has the Koss PortaPro.  Their spec says wired AND Bluetooth -
surely this is wrong?  Should that really be two different versions? Why would I want the extra weight and batteries for Bluetooth when I want to
use a wired connection?

Just an aside, but it is pleasing how consistent you're being about
wired over wireless :-)

--
Chris

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