Need Suggestions on (Budget) Earphone and MP3 Player

Widget on 12/09/2023 - 03:11

Hi guys,

Getting back into exercise I'm looking to get an MP3 player and some wired earphones, but was wondering what can be had on a budget, preferably <$100aud for both (total)

I'm not an audiophile, but don't want lower-quality audio, if you know what I mean, but I'd like to be able to play lossless audio like FLAC. In the past I was considering getting a Sandisk mp3 which I believe could be flashed with some 3rd-party software to make it better, though that unit price has increased & from reading, aren't 'that' great.

I'd prefer not to use an old phone either. Used one in the past and just found them too heavy. Having an MP3 player that's lightweight & even clips onto my shirt is ideal. If an old phone that had decent audio could be had, that isn't too large/ heavy, then I'd certainly consider it, but ideally, something small & light would be best.

I've also purchased some 'Xiaomi Piston 3' many years ago which I've lost. They cost something like $5-8aud and were pretty good, especially considering the price. Looking on Banggood I don't see them anymore, likely discontinued. I see them on Aliexpress however unsure if they're legit, even though Xiaomi is Chinese company.

Any suggestions to look at?

Electrical & Electronics Earphones

Comments

  • franco cozzo on 12/09/2023 - 04:09
    +1

    still rocking pistons from my stash from 5 years ago….
    probably on my 8th pair by now….lol

    • rumblytangara on 12/09/2023 - 12:30

      So the headphones last on average 7 months and they're effectively disposable?

      I guess dollar per month that's still pretty cheap…

  • 87percent on 12/09/2023 - 08:06
    +2

    Could probably get an old iPod nano and apple wired headphones for under $100

    • Widget on 12/09/2023 - 16:01

      Thanks for the suggestion, Ill look into it.

  • AusRetro on 12/09/2023 - 08:47
    +2

    7hz Salnotes Zero are a great pair of IEMs for the price. They're ~$32.

    • Widget on 12/09/2023 - 15:47

      Thanks for the suggestion :). Getting from Aliexpress though, would there be a risk of counterfeit? I noticed Amazon_AU have the same pair for similar money. With 3.5mm Mic it's $38.99 https://www.amazon.com.au/Linsoul-7Hz-Zero-Composite-Detacha…

      They do mention that the cable can disconnect from the earphones. It doesn't say if it's Bluetooth though, so I'm assuming it's for better storage, so the cable doesn't get tangled?

      • AusRetro on 12/09/2023 - 15:56

        I don't think so. As long as you purchase from reputable stores with lots of reviews and 95%+ rating you'll be ok. I've ordered plenty of IEMs from AE and never had an issue. Here is the exact listing I bought mine from and they were genuine and sound great.

        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004580164943.html

        The cable is detatchable so you can change out the cable should the one you are using be damaged or you want to swap to a different colour, material, whatever. You can even buy cables that convert them to bluetooth later should you desire (for example) but I have never used one of these before as I prefer a wire anyway.

  • garetz on 12/09/2023 - 09:16
    +1

    old ipods are a fantastic buy, they are cheap and last a good while.

    • Widget on 12/09/2023 - 15:44

      Thanks for the suggestion :). Any particular model worth looking at?

      • garetz on 12/09/2023 - 16:48

        The only solid state ipod is the ipod nano, the latest generation being the 7th.

        You can go down a rabbit hole where you get other models and mod them with microsd or sd cards.

  • stickingly on 12/09/2023 - 09:39
    +1

    My setup for many years for running has been Sandisk clip and wired Bose soundsport earbuds.

    The Sandisk player is tiny, clips onto my shorts, battery lasts forever. Sound is fine The interface is nothing fancy but it works fine for what I need

    I have bought "refurbished" (fake?) Bose earbuds on ebay. Having owned these and genuine ones the sound quality is the same

  • rumblytangara on 12/09/2023 - 09:56
    +1

    I've got an old SanDisk MP3 player, they'd be available on Ebay or similar.

    I'm not an audiophile, but don't want lower-quality audio, if you know what I mean, but I'd like to be able to play lossless audio like FLAC.

    Would seriously not bother with the concept of lossless with $8 headphones, that's like saying you appreciate fine art by looking at black and white newspaper photos.

    • Widget on 12/09/2023 - 15:35

      What would be the bare minimum for listening to lossless audio? Do the earphones need to have specific hardware? AusRetro mentioned the 7hz Salnotes Zero but I don't know anything about earbuds so not sure what the specs mean.

      • rumblytangara on 12/09/2023 - 16:21

        If you are going to worry about lossless audio, you would be better off looking at wired connections, high quality circumaural headphones (open backed or really high quality closed ones), discrete powered amps, possibly DACs, and sit-down-quiet listening environments.

        Not "walking around the street" earbuds where you should also be able to hear traffic around you so as not to be flattened by a bus.

        I mean, hey, if you want to try audio formats, go for it. But keep some perspective here- are you walking around the streets listening to music and traffic at the same time, or are you sitting in a library?

        Personally, loads of things are more important to me than lossless vs lossy formats. After my own testing, I literally don't care.

  • dtc on 12/09/2023 - 10:09
    +1

    get an arm band for your phone eg something like https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/keji-unive… and you wont notice the weight.

    I think saying 'I'm not an audiophile but want FLAC but super cheap headphones' is a tad inconsistent. If you are exercising then the music is pretty much background. Just get something that plays music. want something cheap

    https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805207168810.html?spm=a2g…

    You will also find that bluetooth headphones are a godsend when exercising, the cord gets really annoying. But up to you.

    • Widget on 12/09/2023 - 15:41

      I used a phone armband in the past & it wasn't working too well. Might have been the brand/design but my phone is the Galaxy S9+ & it feels a little weighty in my hands, I don't trust the arm bands with all the bouncing. Last thing I want is for it to slip while running & breaking on the ground :/.

      You're right about Flac & cheap earphone. I might bump the price up a bit and see what's available. The 7hz Salnotes Zero was mentioned, what are your thoughts on those?

      Bluetooth certainly sound good, though I worry that using them while running they might fall out & get lost/damaged? The 7hz Salnotes Zero says the cable can unplug from earphones but doesn't say if they're BT. Maybe they just unplug so they don't get tangled??

  • coxjon on 12/09/2023 - 12:33

    You mind consider headband style 'phones that have an MP3 player built in?

    I can't really offer any suggestions but the $40 bone conduction one on AliExpress works great while I'm swimming.

    • dtc on 12/09/2023 - 14:21

      Which ones are they - have been looking through them myself (for swimming) and its always a bit of a gamble from AliEx

      • coxjon on 12/09/2023 - 15:04

        Trying again without the affiliate url:

        Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! AU$40.90 55％ Off | Bone Conduction Earphones Bluetooth Wireless IPX8 Waterproof MP3 Player Hifi Ear-hook Headphone With Mic Headset For Swimming
        https://aliexpress.com/_mNpg7vG

        Hmm not sure what’s going on with the link but there’s the product name!

        • Widget on 12/09/2023 - 15:44

          Thanks for the link. I think I have a bone issue on one side of my face (Dr did a test), so sound doesn't transfer correctly through. Not sure how much the sound would be affected though.

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