What do you use to listen to audiobooks?

[Melanie]

Do you listen with quality headphones, the usual MP3 earphones or speakers? Just a curiosity question!

[Ashley Marie]

I use my OverDrive and speakers :) sometimes I use headphones or earbuds, but those are for when I'm at home, and I generally listen to audiobooks at work.

[Melanie]

Yes, I agree. Having tried all three when listening for pleasure (rather than work), I prefer speakers too.

[Nospin]

Melanie wrote: "Do you listen with quality headphones, the usual MP3 earphones or speakers? Just a curiosity question!"

Yes to all depending on the circumstance.

I also use Alexa, Amazon'Echo, by telling her which Audible book to read. It works very well.

[Natalie]

LG Bluetooth earphones. Very good sound quality, and I don't have to worry about dropping my phone in water or on the floor (not tethered to the phone by corded earphones).

[Saeed]

I use my ipod

[Karen B.]

I listen on my Kindle Fire

[Melanie♥]

The majority of my audiobook listening time is during my commute each day....so car speakers. Otherwise, I love my Bose noise cancelling headphones. I have the "on the ear" style and I love them.

[Karen B.]

This is going to sound really stupid ... but how to do you listen in the car if your car has a CD player (I am getting a new used car and would like to figure out how to hook it up.

[Natalie]

Karen B. wrote: "This is going to sound really stupid ... but how to do you listen in the car if your car has a CD player (I am getting a new used car and would like to figure out how to hook it up. "

If you also have a tape deck- there are still tape adapters floating around. If not- an FM radio adapter should do the trick.

[Melanie♥]

Karen B. wrote: "This is going to sound really stupid ... but how to do you listen in the car if your car has a CD player (I am getting a new used car and would like to figure out how to hook it up."

Most of my audiobooks are MP3 CDs, but for the electronic ones, I just burn to a CD. I was always losing my place when I tried to do the bluetooth connect thing through iTunes.

[Melanie]

Thank you everyone - quite a variety then! Your comment, Julie, creased me up! I hope you find a more comfortable solution soon.....

[Karen B.]

Natalie wrote: "Karen B. wrote: "This is going to sound really stupid ... but how to do you listen in the car if your car has a CD player (I am getting a new used car and would like to figure out how to hook it up..."

no this only has CD player. How do I get an FM radio adapter? I know I sound like I am stupid here. *LOL*

[brenda]

My Cell phone or my tablet.

[Kristie]

I use my smartphone with the Audible and Smart Audiobook apps. I listen through my car speakers via bluetooth while driving (my car is new enough to have bluetooth, luckily), through my Kinivo bluetooth headphones while walking or doing housework, or occasionally through a (non-bluetooth) speaker on the rare occasions I'm home alone.

[Melanie♥]

Kristie, What app do you use on your phone? Does it have a good bookmarking system? I don't use audible. I mainly purchase MP3 CDs and then create an electronic copy for my iPad. Playing the file straight from there can be problematic because if I inadvertently close the file, I lose my place.

[Natalie]

Karen B. wrote: "How do I get an FM radio adapter? I know I sound like I am stupid here. *LOL*"

No- you're not stupid.

Here's a link to a list of them on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=s...

I would go with one that has good reviews, and is a price you can live with. My current FM adapter is a Belkin and it works just fine.

[Kristie]

Melanie, I use Audible's app for the books I purchase from Audible and the Smart Audiobook app for non-Audible mp3 books. I have an Android phone, and I don't know if Smart Audiobook is available for iPhone. I prefer Smart Audiobook for many reasons. Both apps bookmark very effectively.

[Jessica]

I listen on my Android tablet via Overdrive, the Audible app or the Audiobooks.com app. I listen through JLab Core earbuds. Iwould like to listen through bluetooth earbuds or headphones but can't find any that are affordable. The only ones I have found are almost $200.

As for listening in your car, if your CD player has an auxillary input all you have to do is connect a cord from your audiobook player (iPod, mp3 player, etc.) To the aux input on your CD player and select AUX on the player to listen. That was how my daughter did it before she got a car that has bluetooth capability.

[Marilee]

I had bad luck with FM adaptors… I had two go bad on me and just gave up on running books through my speakers.

Now I listen to my iPod Nano in the car, when I walk, anywhere I listen to books. It's tiny and fits in any small shirt pocket, holds two dozen recorded books and works like a charm. It also holds a charge a good long time. I use the Apple ear buds as they're reasonably [tho far from perfect] comfortable in my ear. What I like about them is that they don't cancel out all noise when I drive or walk, so I can hear just enough of nearby sounds and traffic for safety.

[Julesy]

At work (or at home while doing housechores) I use my bluetooth headphones and ...
1) If an Audible book, use the Audible app via my Android phone.
2) If an Overdrive or CD audio book, listen using the Smart Audiobook player app on my Android phone.

During my 1.25+ hour (each way) commute, my 6-CD player is busted in my 13-year-old SUV. However, I almost exclusively use a cassette adapter in my cassette player and ...
1) I use a wired cassette adapter to plug into my Sansa Fuze or Android phone.
2) I also have a bluetooth cassette adapter which I can only use with my Android phone. It has a short battery life, though, so it's a pain to constantly recharge.

In case my cassette adapter also goes kaput, I have a mini speaker in my glove compartment for use as an emergency backup!

[Michael]

I still use an Ipod hooked the AUX in my car

[Julesy]

Julie wrote: "Julesy.
It sounds like you are ready for any place to listen to an audiobook :)"

Yes, I am! :-D I forgot to mention that I also have an FM transmitter that plugs into the car charger but there is a lot of interference which requires me to constantly change the channel on the transmitter so I usually abandon that method.

[ElaineY]

I use MEElectronics in-ear earbuds in bed (super comfortable through the night!) and the Sony SBH20 Bluetooth when moving around. I used to use the Meelectronics' AF16 Wireless Bluetooth Headset and while I loved the design, the earbud hurt my ear. The Sony, on the other hand, allows me to plug in my own earbuds even though it comes with its own shorter-than-normal earbuds. I like it because I clip it to my collar or neckline.

For players, I use the Smart Audiobook Player which I've found is better than anything else I've tried. I tried it for free first then paid for the full version. Haven't regretted at all. Leaves the horrible Audible app for dead. I love the range of speeds available and the volume booster.

I finally gave up my iPhone for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and can't tell enough my relief at not having to go through iTunes to transfer my audio files and that stupid synching! Just drag the files into my Samsung audiobook folder and off I go:)

[Karen B.]

Isn't it illegal to drive with earbuds or is it only illegal with headphones?

[Natalie]

Karen B. wrote: "Isn't it illegal to drive with earbuds or is it only illegal with headphones?"

It depends on what state/country you're in.

[Karen B.]

thank you so much. Yes it was me. And yes, I have a Kindle Fire HDX

[Dave]

When I drove the vanpool, I couldn't force everyone to listen to my audiobook so I used earbuds. BUT I only used the right ear one so that I had one ear available to hear street noises and sirens, etc. It worked for me for a few years.

[Claude]

Melanie wrote: "Do you listen with quality headphones, the usual MP3 earphones or speakers? Just a curiosity question!"
JBL earbuds and my iPhone. I mainly listen when I walk my dog four times a day. In my car, it's Mp3 cd's or having my iPhone plugged into the Aux.

[Melanie]

I find earbuds very uncomfortable and the sound is not good enough. So if travelling, I find decent headphones make all the difference to the sound quality.

[Robin P]

Julie wrote: "I use Sony brand earbuds . That's gotta be one of my only gripes with my iPod. The earphones that come with it are those big round , hard earphones that don't really fit my ears properly. So I have..."

The original iPod earbuds also hurt my ears so I used to use an over the head headset. However, I'm picky about those because I think many are so tight that they hurt and give me a headache (and I have a small head!) But the newer iPod earbuds that are more oval shaped are quite comfortable, I can use them for hours and I find the sound quality is excellent.

I have had older cars so I've used the tape adapter or the transmitter such as Belkin, mentioned above. My main car had terrible radio reception so it was easy to find a blank station to broadcast the audiobook through. Usually you can charge your player/phone at the same time.

Probably this thread should be moved under Technical Stuff so anyone looking for this info can find it more easily.

[Valyssia]

Natalie wrote: "LG Bluetooth earphones. Very good sound quality, and I don't have to worry about dropping my phone in water or on the floor (not tethered to the phone by corded earphones)."

I spend most of the time when I'm listening wandering amok. I have an LG headset too. I never would've bought it myself. It was a birthday gift. I'm not completely convinced by the yoke, but I'm getting over it. It's good so long as I'm not trying to do situps. The controls are pretty easy to use. I'm sure the battery life is above average -- what with all the extra room -- not that I've compared. Overall, they aren't bad, except...funny, but true, I prefer earbuds designed like the old iPod ones. I hate having the rubber tips shoved into my ears. They feel like fingers, which is kind of gross when you think about it. But really, that isn't the point. I don't want my headphones to isolate me. I like to be able to hear important things, like motorists. Awareness of your surroundings can come in handy as a pedestrian, or whilst cycling. Thing is, almost no one makes those old style earbuds now and that bites.

I pair my nifty new 'fingers in my ears' distractions with a Samsung Galaxy Note. The players I use are Listen Audiobook Player and of course, Audible.

[Janet]

I am ever evolving in this area. In the car, I usually listen to CD's on my car's CD player but occasionally I will have something on my iPhone that I don't want to put down so I will listen using my Bose headphones (expensive but best purchase I ever made). It's legal to wear these in the car in Arizona unless you are commercially transporting children.
As far as the apps are concerned, Audible is great and Overdrive, Hoopla and One Click all have their own apps. If it's something I've acquired through other means, the Bookmobile app works pretty well and I think it is the IOS app that corresponds most to Smart Audiobook which is only for Android.

[Karen B.]

As some of you may have noticed I read/listen to books on my Kindle Fire HDX and was trying to find a way to listen in the car. I ended up double checking with Amazon and found the item I needed. It also allows me to listen anywhere in my apartment. If anyone else has a Kindle Fire you might be interested.

Bluetooth Wireless Hands Free Clip On Speaker For Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HDX, Kindle Fire HDX 8.9, Kindle Fire HD 7 & More Digital Devices

[Melanie]

Thanks again everyone for all the info. I shall try some of them.

[Shane]

I use wireless Bluetooth headphones. They work with iPhone or Android. They are great. No cable. As long as I am 20 feet or less to my phone, I can freely walk around. Great will in the kitchen. I get 6 hours per charge. They are worth the money. No more ripping them out of my ears when I catch the cable.

I borrow from our local libraries. I burn to iTunes then return for others to borrow. I then delete book after I have listened.

I also use Overdrive. It has option to directly download and transfer into iTunes.

[Alina]

I listen using my iPhone with the audible app. My car is older so doesn't have aux plug in. I have an Oontz with bluetooth and listen while commuting. http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Speak...
If I get audiobooks from library, I get them on CD's for my car.

[CatBookMom]

Mostly I use the now-discontinued Sansa Clip Plus MP3 players, with JLab J5 earbuds. I like the tiny player and the earbuds fit me well enough with the middle-sized cushions. When I need to go to earphones, I have an adapter that I hook into the Clip that makes it transmit to a set of bluetooth behind-the-head headphones.

[tubemonkey]

I prefer speakers and use them whenever I can. Headphones aren't bad, but I really hate earbuds. The type of speaker I use depends on the source and device.

For Audible, my favorite device/speaker is the Amazon Echo. Sometimes I'll use it's bluetooth option to play books from other devices.

For non-Audible books, I alternate between an LG Volt and a Clip Zip. Speakers range from the Echo to small portable ones (bluetooth and regular). My last resort are headphones and earbuds. It all depends on where I'm at.

[Jan]

I use my Sansa Clip almost exclusively for my audio books. It is either plugged into speakers on my desk or in my aux jack in my car. Love it! I rarely use earphones or earbuds....they give me a headache.

[Karen]

I have a couple of Zen Mosaics, MP3 players that I love. I found some great headphones, Phillips earhooks that I use. I hate ear buds, these are adjustable and don't make my head hurt when I do a long listening session. I found them on ebay a couple of years ago and have bought up a couple of spare pairs just in case they disappear, I don't like the new versions as well so I will use these until I can't find any others

[Jim]

Jan wrote: "I use my Sansa Clip almost exclusively for my audio books. It is either plugged into speakers on my desk or in my aux jack in my car. Love it!..."

Ditto, although I do like ear buds. One of our sound techs suggested I buy "Xcessor Triple Flange Conical Replacement Silicone Earbuds - Small" & they made quite a difference. I cover them with ear protectors when I'm operating machinery. The Sansa Clip has a great battery life & is wonderfully portable.

[Priscilla]

Melanie♥ wrote: "Kristie, What app do you use on your phone? Does it have a good bookmarking system? I don't use audible. I mainly purchase MP3 CDs and then create an electronic copy for my iPad. Playing the file s..."

In itunes, if your book is listed under music, you can select all the tracks and right click on it and select "Get Info". Go to "options" and under the drop down menu for "media kind" you can select "Audiobook". Just under "media kind" it says "playback" and you want to check "Remember playback position".

Just make sure that under "details" the "album artist" or "author" has only the author's name and not the narrator's.

Hope this helps!

[Janelle]

Thanks for that tip, Priscilla.

[Scott S.]

I've gone through all the stages. FM transmitter to cds to mp3 cds to thumb drives in my radio's USB port, now I only listen through ear buds on my phone. I'm considering a Bluetooth adapter for my car, but I'm still debating.

[Stephanie]

I listen with JVC sport earbuds, small portable bluetooth speakers, stationary bluetooth speaker, speaker docks and tablet speaker. All depends on where i am and what im doing.

You'll notice no car speaker in the list. I have a pre-millenium vehicle that sports a cd player. I found a cheapo bluetooth speaker worked fine with the road noise. When we get new vehicle next year, im going to install something that lets you stick a flash drive in to play.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

I listen via my android phone (using Bob Marley earbuds on the go and Sentey Bluetooth headphones at home).

I also listen with my Amazon Echo if I'm in my office for an extended amount of time.

[Brigitta]

J. wrote: "I've gone through all the stages. FM transmitter to cds to mp3 cds to thumb drives in my radio's USB port, now I only listen through ear buds on my phone. I'm considering a Bluetooth adapter for my..."

I've gone from books on CD in my car to listening to my Audible books on my using the car's bluetooth. I love it. When I get in my car with my phone the Audible book starts up through the bluetooth the same as my radio.

[Nichole ~Bookaholic~]

Karen B. wrote: "This is going to sound really stupid ... but how to do you listen in the car if your car has a CD player (I am getting a new used car and would like to figure out how to hook it up."

You can always replace the car stereo with one that has Bluetooth or accepts an auxiliary cable that allows you to connect your MP3 player to the stereo....I ended up doing that for my car a couple of years ago...when I last looked they had decent ones starting at $100....with holidays here I would imagine you could find some good sales

[Melanie]

Do you only listen to audiobooks in your car, Brigitta?