Audiobooks discussion
Technical stuff
>
What do you use to listen to audiobooks?

I have a bag full of earbuds that I don't like. Finally found the Bose earbuds at one of their outlet stores. Although pricey, they are absolutely the most comfortable earbuds I've come across. And they stay put!!
I listen to audiobooks on an iPod touch or my iPod 160GB iPod classic. I have two of the classics, hoping to extend their lives as much as possible as Apple no longer makes them.

I have a box of earbuds that are all disappointing in one way or another… uncomfortable, won't stay in, poor sound… etc. I had a rather expensive earbuds that worked well, but I managed to destroy them [lesson… don't step on earbuds, they don't take to it well] and I haven't found the exact same ones for sale elsewhere… probably discontinued and as we all know, different models even within a brand are not necessarily going to work the same or as well.
I'm toying with small actual earphones, but just as with the buds, fit is important, but also weight and given my record, sturdiness. Anyone have any suggestions? I've tried my DH's Bose noise cancelers, but they're big and I don't want to completely cut out all ambient noise.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/bose-soun...
eta....a bit pricey, but I used my AmEx reward points =)

I think I'll have to go into the dealer and try some out. I'm still a bit on the fence as to whether I want on or over ear headphones. I know I want Bluetooth connectivity though, which jacks up the prices and they must be comfortable when I'm walking.


I always used to use an over-the-head set but it's bulky. However, the newer iPod earbuds I find pretty comfortable and I really like having volume & on/off controls right in the cord.

Yes, they're comfortable and usefull, but they die on me within a year, months often. I have a love/hate relationship with the things.

http://www.amazon.com/SoundPEATS-QY7-...

John wrote: "WOW! Look at that sale price folks!"
Great offer. I'm buying one. I did notice that the price changes depending on the color, but still an awesome price.

And, how long do they last (how long ago since you bought them)?


And, how long do they last (how long ago since you bought them)?"
I've been using the first pair I bought for at least a year. I only bought the next two because I always want a pair charged and ready to go. They have lasted far longer than any wired earbuds I EVER bought. I have liked them so much!


Make sure when you get them that you try the different tips and stabilizers until you find the one that keeps them in your ears. It is a system that I was unfamiliar with but now that I have tried it, I love it. The stabilizer makes all the difference.


I love the QY7s that I got last week. They are among the best sounding I own. I was unfamiliar with the stabilizers and when they came in the package, I did not know what to do with them. An internet search showed me what to do with them and they make all the difference in the world. Happy customer here.


Thanks John I didn't know what would work with my Kindle Fire while I am waiting on buses. Ordered a pair with fingers crossed.

Anyway, I'm toying with getting some of the fancier noise-cancelling bluetooth headphones. My husband has the Bose QuietComfort 35 and is pleased with them. There are also some new Sony NC bluetooth headphones that have good reviews. Just thought I'd resurrect this thread to see if anyone's gotten any of the higher-end bluetooth headphones lately and what they think of them. (I'm not a fan of earbuds.) Thanks!


Thanks Melanie! The link says they're no longer available, but I'm sure they are awesome.

I have two Clip+ and alternate them when one decides to have a time out - which they've done (not often) since the day I got them. I use a retractable aux cable in the car and won't consider a car without an aux outlet :)
This has been working great for me for many years.
Lately I was looking at alternatives though I hope not to have to change. However the new Sansa Sport+ has Bluetooth which could be interesting. The Sport+ has a 20+ hour battery but that is wired, no mention of with Bluetooth earbuds, so I think I won't be experimenting. Why mess with a good thing, though the Clip+ has got VERY expensive!

I use Ted Baker headphones while listening at home. They are really comfy and have good sound quality as well. Sometimes I bluetooth my audiobook from my Kindle Fire to my clock/radio.



Thanks for the chuckle :)
Love that about the Clip+ too, small and light, and a great battery.

...
Just thought I'd resurrect this thread to see if anyone's gotten any of the higher-end bluetooth headphones lately and what they think of them. (I'm not a fan of earbuds.) "
Kristie, I've had Sony-MDRZX770BN headphones for over a year, and like them. Being over the ear headphones, they block out a reasonable amount of noise, but I don't use the noise cancellation feature often; the few times I tried, it didn't seem to help much but maybe it was the type of noise (my husband and his brother playing a computer game over skype, very loudly!). If you have a Costco membership, they have a much better price than Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRZX770B...
If you decide to reconsider earbuds, take a look at the non-noise cancelling bluetooth earbuds by LG - they do a great job of blocking out ambient noise. I've found them to be way more comfortable than my other bluetooth earbuds, and best of all, they never fall out of my ears (because the hardware is in the piece around your neck, the earbuds are very light).
https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics...

...
Just thought I'd resurrect this thread to see if anyone's gotten any of the higher-end bluetooth headphones lately and what t..."
Thanks for the tip, Donna! I am a Costco member, but I just looked online and didn't see these available anymore. They do have a couple other ones, however, so I might look into them.

https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics...."
They look like what I've been looking for recently. Is it easy to operate (e.g. skipping back in your audio book, upping the volume)?

Specs, the features I use work well (at least with my device, iPhone 6): they pair quickly, volume is easy to adjust, there's a pause/play button and they're not very prone to interference. I like that they announce the battery level (High, medium, low) when you turn them on, and they vibrate to indicate they've paired.
They have a button that skips forward or back 1 "track", and it's conveniently placed, but I never use that feature on earbuds - I assumed it would always jump a whole chapter. Just tested this feature though and it looks like it jumps 30 seconds on some books (M4B files created with Markable from CD's or Overdrive MP3's) which is exactly what I want; I didn't realize that was possible. It jumped a whole chapter on an Audible book unfortunately. This feature probably works the same on all earbuds, so nothing special here, but glad your question made me try it out ;-)
Editing this post: my husband just pointed out that the skip button behavior is probably partly dependent on the app too, and he's right - the same M4B book skips forward 30 seconds when I'm listening through Bookmobile, but 3 minutes when I'm listening through iBooks.

This is exactly what I need, so I'm going to order these this week.
I discovered that with my Sony earphones (biggies) the Audible app conveniently jumps back 20 seconds -my choice in the app- and now I know the LG will do this as well - nice!

Audible books (aax files) played in the Bookmobile App still only jump by chapter using the LG button.
Maybe the forward/back button on most (all?) headphones/earbuds gives the same results, but those results vary depending on the file and the app.

Really tiresome app, Apple!


Yes, you should be able to download the free Audible app from the App Store.

Yes, you should be able to download the free Audible app from the App Store."
Thank you.


When driving, I connect my phone to my car's Bluetooth and listen via the car speakers.




Last week I "lost" my iPhone and someone switched it off soon after - couldn't find it anymore. Apart from the shock, I missed my audiobooks the most. Luckily I still have my old one that is working more or less, so I could easily download my current read in the (older) Audible app.
Hope to be up and running on my new phone tonight, presently busy syncing everything back.
Books mentioned in this topic
Becoming (other topics)On Basilisk Station (other topics)
Thanks for making me chuckle, Thomas!