Bluetooth Sports IEM - looking for suggestions

[rodrigaj]

I am looking for a reliable BT Sports IEM. Doesn't have to be true wireless.

I recently had a brief love affair with the JayBird X4. Unfortunately, they did not even last 30 days. The good news was that I could return them for a full refund since they failed within 30 days.

These will be used mostly for gym workouts on an elliptical machine and for walks. I sweat a lot so they have to be of the "sport", sweat resistant variety.

The online reviews are useless. I need to hear from people that have real long term experience with the BT Sport IEM market. Should be under $150, but I can go up to $200 if they are reliable. Reliability is the key here. Sound quality can be just OK. I use HD800s headphones for serious HP listening.

Any suggestions?

 

[Audiophilehi]

I would be interested as well. As a runner I haven’t found any that last for long.

 

[rodrigaj]

I would be interested as well. As a runner I haven’t found any that last for long.

Which have you used?

To me reliability would be ideally about 3 years. I would tolerate even 1 year - but less than 30 days is nuts.

I would definitely stay away from Jaybird X4. I should have read the reviews on Amazon before buying - lots of folks have had similar experiences as mine. I guess that is why they offer a 30 day no questions asked refund. They know they have high rate of failures and they want people to feel they haven't been ripped off.

 

[Audiophilehi]

Which have you used?

To me reliability would be ideally about 3 years. I would tolerate even 1 year - but less than 30 days is nuts.

I would definitely stay away from Jaybird X4. I should have read the reviews on Amazon before buying - lots of folks have had similar experiences as mine. I guess that is why they offer a 30 day no questions asked refund. They know they have high rate of failures and they want people to feel they haven't been ripped off.

I can’t remember the models but I’ve hade various headphones from Sony, Sennheiser, and most recently Koss. None have lasted 3 years.

 

[rodrigaj]

I can’t remember the models but I’ve hade various headphones from Sony, Sennheiser, and most recently Koss. None have lasted 3 years.

Yes all of those brands you mention appear on the "Best Of.." lists.

I posed the same question on the Computer Audiophile forums and someone suggested the Shure SE215. They are designed as over ear which I like when I exercise. The Jaybirds were under ear or over ear, but I have found that does not allow proper over ear fit. It's more of an afterthought that's poorly implemented.

What I like about the Shure is that the BT cable is removable and replaceable. You can also get a matching cable that permits use of the phones without BT (i.e., wired IEM's).

They cost about $150. There are a lot of fake units out there, even on Amazon, so if I go with these I'll be buying from a Shure Retailer at full cost. Very little discounting is being done on these by Shure retailers.

 

[rodrigaj]

I ordered the Shure SE215 BT IEMs. They lasted less than 2 weeks. The charging cable no longer works. The LED stays on red. Pushing and holding the on/off button does nothing.



Shure responded to send them back the cable and they would replace it.



I bought from an authorized dealer (Full Compass) and they sent me an replacement pair right away. Fingers crossed but at this point I'm not optimistic about this technology.