Is Underwater Fun? (about headphones)

Submitted by drchigero t3_znhyjd in headphones

So at my PC I use over ear phones. But when out and about I'd been using some older Airpods 2, sure I could bring large headphones, but I like the convenience of buds I can leave in my pocket. I decided to upgrade them a few weeks ago. Almost all new earbuds (be they Airpods Pro, Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds, or any number of brands/types) are all inside the ear (like IEMs). I've never used this type. Everywhere you look it's all about getting this nice full seal which provides passive noise cancellation makes the sound better, etc, etc.

But when I put them in, the seal itself is what is uncomfortable. And I'm not talking about wrong size plugs, I mean the actual seal. It makes me feel like I'm underwater, suddenly I can hear my breathing turned up to 11, every step I take, etc. No one talks about this. I watched like 30 youtube videos and all of them talking about how great it is, it's all the best!!. People on tech podcasts talking about leaving airpod pros in for hours (I know they have the monitoring ('transparent') mode). But not one person ever being like "hey, you like being underwater? If not, this kinda sucks...".

Seriously thinking of taking my buds back and getting newer airpods (not pros). Maybe I'm just destined to always need open-ear buds.

What's your opinions? Is it something I just "have to get used to"? Note that I'm not a musician so I don't need custom molded IEMs (though they would still have the same effect I would assume).

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The_D0lph1n t1_j0h4yq3 wrote

I hate that effect (IIRC it's called the occlusion effect), and thus I'm not a fan of IEMs. I would rather have earbuds (the kind that don't have a sealing tip) than IEMs if I can't wear over-ear headphones. Sure, those earbuds lack the seal and thus the bass suffers, but in headphones/earphones, comfort is king, and I'd rather live with less bass than live underwater. I've heard that foam tips rather than silicone tips lessen the effect.

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sequential_doom t1_j0heu9t wrote

I don't like it either. That's why I'm looking into getting open backed IEMs (even if all of them need EQ).

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drchigero OP t1_j0hwppi wrote

Like in my town a lot of people are walking around in Airpod Pros....so are they all feeling like they're underwater, and that's just "normal" to them?

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sequential_doom t1_j0i7vit wrote

I suppose it's not like it's completely normal. It's just the tradeoff for whatever convenience airpods offer them.

To me, no convenience is really worth being uncomfortable so I don't use IEMs for long.

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skinnygamer12 t1_j0j2tgi wrote

It's not something I've ever thought about, so I wouldn't say I "got used to it". To be honest I've never heard this complaint, but I kind of understand what you're talking about. But my breathing sounds the same, and I definitely can't hear my footsteps at all. It just feels like wearing earplugs. Yes things sound muffled, that's the whole point. I'd say give it a little time and see if you adjust. Does transparency mode fix it for you?

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becuzwhateverforever t1_j0iwnck wrote

That is one of the many reasons I just do not enjoy IEMs. They aren't for everyone, but they do seem to be increasing in popularity.

When I was in college, I would just suck it up and wear my Apple Earpods around campus. It would make me appreciate my home setup much more lol.

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CaravieR t1_j0j5hgd wrote

I've worn IEMs for hours on end for many years, and I don't think I've ever had that "underwater" experience as you mentioned.

Maybe only with some really cheap silicon ear tips. I tend to prefer foam ones.

I guess it differs from person to person. For me, it's perfectly comfortable once I get the right size ear tip in. It's snug and I forget they're there after a few minutes.

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drchigero OP t1_j0nxxzg wrote

I assume your foam ones also have a good seal, do you have trouble hearing people around you?

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CaravieR t1_j0ote3n wrote

Yeah definitely. I can tell that they're talking to me but I can't make out the words properly. I'll have to remove at least one side to listen.

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Dust-by-Monday t1_j0jn205 wrote

Get a vented IEM and the effect is reduced. Just like anything else though, you get used to it after a while and then it’s a non issue.

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