Panasonic RP-HJE50 Headphones

I have tried a number of low cost canal phones, including Phillips SHE 9500, Panasonic RP HJE50, Koss KEB 24g, and JVC HA-FX-33A. All are in the $10-$30 range. The best have been the Panasonic. I have used mine almost daily for about 6 months, sometimes for listening to music, other times for learning Spanish. I take them out kayaking on salt water, and while riding my bike, or walking at lunch time. Once one earphone dropped in the salt water but it was Ok when it had dried out. The Panasonic ear cups are soft, protrude far enough and the size can be changed to fit nicely in the ear (a good seal is very important, to cut down on outside noise). Also important – their cups stay on well. (I have accidentally pulled off some cups on other canal phones, and have lost them – the phone is then useless). I have used all these phones with my IPOD 4G 20GB, my SANSA E280 8GB (which died after getting swamped by a wave while kayaking - sad but understandable), and with my IPOD Nano 3G 8GB.

I also have a pair of Bose QC2 headphones. These of course provide much better base and noise cancellation. However, they cost $300. These low cost canal phones are perhaps 75% as good in both areas, but are less than 1/10th the cost. Frankly, I can't tell much difference between the sound from the 4 canal phones. The Bose QC2 are more comfortable, and can't pull out of one's ear, as happens with all canal phones that I have tried. The Panasonics have the least tendency to become dislodged, and have a nice optional cable extender. (Std length is 3.3ft, with a 1.6 ft extender). Plugs and socket are gold plated.

The Koss also had a good ear seal, but their cable is a little short – 4ft. Also, one side failed for no reason after a month. The JVC have lasted over a year, but they have hard rubber plugs - poor seal for me. I sort of fixed them by using soft cups from the Phillips – but they don't stay on well. Also, their cable is only 4 ft. The Phillips has nice cups but their buds did not protrude far enough into my ear to seal properly. (They may work in your ears).

One problem with several canal phones. Some have stopped working due to a buildup of wax on the front of the phone. (My ears get a little waxy). One side may then quit. Don't despair. Try boiling some water, letting it cool a few minutes in a mug, then insert just the tip of the ear bud (not the whole thing) into the water for a minute or so. Several times this has melted the wax and the ear bud has come back to life!