Why are Earbuds so expensive?

[giddyup]

I'm not talking about Bluetooth earbuds, but just the corded type that you can buy from a 7/11. They look cheap and nasty and flimsy as hell, but still cost around 200 baht for the cheapest model. I tend to go through them often because I listen to audiobooks in bed and fall asleep wearing them and they just end up in pieces. Can someone recommend a brand that's well put together and strong. Don't mind paying more if they last.

[SVC Porter]

You are probably better going for wireless ones then you won't catch the leads as you nod off.

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 

[RichCor]

7/Eleven is the LAST place anyone should be shopping, unless they're willing to PAY for the convenience.

 

Most of the earphones I buy cost around 99 THB from my local corner mobile shop. The only issue I run into is short-ish cord length as I use them plugged into my laptop as well as my phone.

 

As other's recommend, recently bought wireless Bluetooth in-ear phones, the type where the longer-life battery and electronics sit on your neck, and really like them as an alternative to being 'tethered' or potentially tangled up when laying down listening to audiobooks. I also enjoy that they automatically turn on/off by magnetically separating the two earphones (so no microswitch to fumble with). These cost around 500THB but I've seen similar, or quickcharge micro earbuds, on sale on Lazada for 250 THB. But, as always, product quality is in the eye of the marketing designer (and not necessarily the actual product).

[mr mr]

48 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Don't mind paying more

 you already have. 

[Hi Tea]

Why are Earbuds so expensive?

 

48 minutes ago, giddyup said:

...cost around 200 baht...

Huh?  Expensive, that's a typo, surely, you have missed off a zero, yes?

[Orton Rd]

41 minutes ago, SVC Porter said:

You are probably better going for wireless ones then you won't catch the leads as you nod off.

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 

OK if bluetooth was not so unreliable, sadly it's not

[robblok]

1 minute ago, Orton Rd said:

OK if bluetooth was not so unreliable, sadly it's not

Never have a problem with it it depends a bit on the device you use.

[lopburi3]

I bought JBL C150si on Lazada 2 years ago for about 250 baht and they have been excellent and still use for my desktop computer - very good sound and comfortable.  Now see most Lazada sellers want more than 1,000 baht.  More reasonable prices on Shopee with below at 311 baht.

https://shopee.co.th/ส่งฟรี-หูฟัง-JBL-C150si-แบบ-In-Ear-มีไมค์ในตัว-ของแท้100--i.34947879.1873313208

[Orton Rd]

Just now, robblok said:

Never have a problem with it it depends a bit on the device you use.

On and off all the time on phone and laptop have to restart, paired but cannot connect, waste of time so use a lead

[nightfox]

They start at 100bht at Big C.

[giddyup]

7 minutes ago, Hi Tea said:

Why are Earbuds so expensive?

 

Huh?  Expensive, that's a typo, surely, you have missed off a zero, yes?

Expensive for what they are.

[robblok]

5 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

On and off all the time on phone and laptop have to restart, paired but cannot connect, waste of time so use a lead

I guess  i paid for quality as i have no such problems. But i do buy the well tested bit more expensive brands.

[Hi Tea]

10 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

OK if bluetooth was not so unreliable, sadly it's not

Your bluetooth maybe, sadly, unreliable but that's not the fault of earphone manufacturers (unless you're buying absolute garbage).   I have two pairs of Meizu bluetooth buds, one for the computer and one for the phone and both have been faultless so far (two years).

[indieke]

If you see what big manufacturers, want to make us buy and at what prices, the earbuds I bought at 7/11 sound  unexpectedly great at 140 bht.  I got much more expensive one's, they not sound an awful lot better.  I bought these in fact to use on the bike, if I need directions, but am enjoying music on them a lot too now.... 

[Orton Rd]

20 minutes ago, Hi Tea said:

Your bluetooth maybe, sadly, unreliable but that's not the fault of earphone manufacturers (unless you're buying absolute garbage).   I have two pairs of Meizu bluetooth buds, one for the computer and one for the phone and both have been faultless so far (two years).

My earphones are 10k baht Sony's it's not their fault, bluetooth is garbage

Edited September 3, 2020 by Orton Rd

[Pattaya Spotter]

$ 6 is expensive...if so, I think I've seen them as cheap as 100 bath at Seven and Bic C electronics department.

[SVC Porter]

I have two pairs of Bluetooth headphones

Jabra Elite sport £160 - £200

AKG £150

 

I use a huawei p30 pro outside and a Dell 13 2 in 1 inside....I've never had a problem with bluetooth!

 

[Matzzon]

1 hour ago, Orton Rd said:

OK if bluetooth was not so unreliable, sadly it's not

I guess that depends on if you buy them for 399.- or 2999.-

[david555]

1 hour ago, nightfox said:

They start at 100bht at Big C.

But ….But ….???? they no have Apple printed on them ….????

[ThailandRyan]

41 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

My earphones are 10k baht Sony's it's not their fault, bluetooth is garbage

Its the main unit you have that feeds the blue tooth to your headset or speakers thats the issue.  You might want to check and see if there is an update program for your audio and Bluetooth on either your phone or laptop.  My whole condo is set up with Bluetooth from my cell phones, laptop, smart televisions, and Hardn Kardon speakers, as well as my Beats headphones and Samsung Bluetooth earbuds, many pairs, used for listeningto Audible or music when jogging. Never had an issue except when buying a newer unit where the bluetooth programing needed updating.

[Orton Rd]

could be win 10 of course, garbage as well. One day paired but will not connect the next will not connect but still paired. Re start the laptop and usually connects, but then sometimes cuts out

[ThailandRyan]

2 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

could be win 10 of course, garbage as well. One day paired but will not connect the next will not connect but still paired. Re start the laptop and usually connects, but then sometimes cuts out

I know that with windows 10 my mouse will act strange when I hook up a regular blue tooth speaker to it, and sometimes that speaker will cut in and out until I delete them both and re-install them.  Seems to be a glitch.

[RichCor]

2 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

could be win 10 of course, garbage as well. One day paired but will not connect the next will not connect but still paired. Re start the laptop and usually connects, but then sometimes cuts out

Same here. Win 10 is where I have all my Bluetooth issues, and if I leave it enabled on a PC or Laptop it will create issues with other nearby Bluetooth enabled device trying to connect. So I've given up on my current PC and laptop setups. 

 

Otherwise, other than some transient dropouts, Bluetooth seems to be OK. But just OK. I prefer hard wired connections for cleaner audio.

[elfpattaya]

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/1-jbl_c100si-jbl-35mm-headset-earbuds-c150si-c100si-t110-c200si-t150-iosandroid-c-xiaomi-huawei-samsung-i764926302-s1492696242.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlistcategory.list.22.22602b9d1WOxsH&search=1

 

These are excellent

[elfpattaya]

Bluetooth these are good..

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/xiaomi-mi-true-wireless-earbuds-basic-s-black-tws-i1316616091-s3262786529.html?spm=a2o4m.seller.list.67.611f14c7EJ2gwc&mp=1

[recom273]

I use cheap senheiser earbuds when I ride my bike, they are about 2000B - they last for years. They are comfortable to fit under my helmet and the sound is good enough to listen to music and use GPS for a whole day.

 

i would love a pair of decent Bluetooth headphones, probability the Sony’s (Because I don’t like apple white in my ears) I have no problem paying the price, I think the technology in them is excellent but I wouldnt use them enough to warrant paying the price.

 

If you do some reading on specialist sites you can find chi-fi IEMs that produce a reasonable sound. You can use them as is, but most will chose to hack them by swapping out components.

 

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/best-value-around-100-300-chifi-newcomers-iem-with-reference-list-no-big-brands-here.872245/

 

Here is my current setup that I use on planes or on the beach.

 

BLON-B03 780B

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Yinyoo 16 core Silver Plaited cable 420B

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KZ 3Pair(6pcs) Noise Isolating Comfortble Memory Foam Ear Tips 40B

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Waterproof IEM Storage Case 200B

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[elgenon]

Apple seems to do well with their Bluetooth. Very popular in the States. So good Bluetooth apparently works. 

Apple products are not cheap and they do have a high margin but the convenience and ease of My Apple makes up for it for me. Your mileage may vary.

Probably not an option for the OP so sorry about that. But there has been a discussion re Bluetooth.

[Grusa]

Ferengi Rule of acquisition #82

 

https://memory-beta.fandom.com/wiki/Ferengi_Rules_of_Acquisition

[giddyup]

26 minutes ago, Grusa said:

Ferengi Rule of acquisition #82

 

https://memory-beta.fandom.com/wiki/Ferengi_Rules_of_Acquisition

And this has what to do with the subject?

[SePl]

Someone still doesn't know MrDiy ?