Do headphones matter?

I mean, well I'm still using the ones that came with my Zune 80 and I see them for $30 and the reason why I'm looking for new ones is because it seems like the current ones I have are dying. Anyway, I'm looking at amazon and I've chosen which one I want:

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Super-fi-Studio-Earphones-Black/dp/B000B5XU06/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1212822910&sr=1-32

though it seems pretty expensive for headphones, but do you think I will get an obvious sound quality change from my old headphones?

My bose headphones cost $129 and I absolutely love them. I've had for 4 years and they still work perfectly. The sound is utterly amazing. I don't know about those though. I haven't seen that brand. The best thing to do would be to go to a place like circuit city or best buy and demo the headphones there. Plus they always got deals going on.thisguy51

bose is the mac brand of headphone world. Ultimate Ears is one of the best in canal ear phone maker along with shure and etymotic. I highly recommened the earphone that TC link i have one myself and it sound better and more comfortable to me sompare to similar offering from shure and etymotic. The most confortable in ear is sennheiser cx300 and higher, the cx 300 is 10 bucks cheaper than the one TC listed it sounds great but not really durable(mine broke after a year) and doens't come with a carrying case

My bose headphones cost $129 and I absolutely love them. I've had for 4 years and they still work perfectly. The sound is utterly amazing. I don't know about those though. I haven't seen that brand. The best thing to do would be to go to a place like circuit city or best buy and demo the headphones there. Plus they always got deals going on.thisguy51

bose is the mac brand of headphone world. quocthai

....Oh, and to TC, I guess my only recommendation would be iPod ear buds for in-ear, because thats the best I've used (Though I've only used them, and some kind of Sony ones, that were kinda bad)
But iPod ear buds arn't durable... They always break, or the string gets frayed. And are sortof expensive...
I'm sure theres a lot of better ones out there...

IcyToasters

Yes they do. Because the drivers (ie the part that actually makes sound) in headphones/earbuds are so small buying a quality set of cans will make a huge difference. Depending on what you're looking for I'd recommend:

Grado SR60:

Probably the best quality you can get without going completely overboard, but they're pretty big. Get these if you're mostly going to be using them around the house.

-or-

AKG K416P:

A great balance between portability and sound quality. They fold up nicely so you can throw them in a good-sized pocket or backpack, and they're nice and light. Suprisingly good bass.

I don't have a ton of experience with high-end earbuds, but I do know that Shure is a quality name. However you'll generally end up paying more for earbuds (compared to headphones of similar quality), plus you may not like the in-ear design. Also stay away from Bose, they're way overpriced.

Do not get ipod headphones, those are over priced pieces of you know what, I would recommend either shure or Seinheiser for in ear head phones.
Big_player

My bose headphones cost $129 and I absolutely love them. I've had for 4 years and they still work perfectly. The sound is utterly amazing. I don't know about those though. I haven't seen that brand. The best thing to do would be to go to a place like circuit city or best buy and demo the headphones there. Plus they always got deals going on.thisguy51

These are great headphones for the price.

Click here.

Yeah, but I wouldn't spend $95 on earbuds considering you can get awesome Bose headphones for $130. Possibly the best headphones I've ever used. You can't hear anything with them on and people can't hear what you're listening to, perfect for travel really.Tiefster

I don't get all the bose love, granted they make the best noise cancelling headphone on the market QC2 and AC3 but their tripod and in ear head phone is a joke compare to similar priced headphone from shure, etymotic, ultimate ears, grado, AKG or sennheiser.130 bucks for a tripod is about 50-60 dollars too much. You can get a grado sr60 for 70 bucks that will leave the bose in the dust.

[QUOTE="Tiefster"]Yeah, but I wouldn't spend $95 on earbuds considering you can get awesome Bose headphones for $130. Possibly the best headphones I've ever used. You can't hear anything with them on and people can't hear what you're listening to, perfect for travel really.quocthai

I don't get all the bose love, granted they make the best noise cancelling headphone on the market QC2 and AC3 but their tripod and in ear head phone is a joke compare to similar priced headphone from shure, etymotic, ultimate ears, grado, AKG or sennheiser.130 bucks for a tripod is about 50-60 dollars too much. You can get a grado sr60 for 70 bucks that will leave the bose in the dust.

Word. I got a pair of the Bose noise-cancelling headphones awhile back as a gift and I compared to a pair of Grado headphons had, and they sounded much better. All of Bose electronics are overpriced, you're buying them for the name not the quality.