mowing with music

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

I noticed my neighbor was listening to music while mowing his yard last week. This may sound silly, but I never even thought about doing that to help pass the time before. I guess that is because I always wear these bulky ear protectors. (I actually want to be able to hear my grandkids, rather than say "Huh?" all the time) Last time I tried it - cheapo headphones coupled with my really old RCA Lyra. Even with it turned up to the highest volume, I could BARELY hear the music over the sound of the mower. However, I could tell that this would really help me enjoy mowing better, IF I could somehow figure out how to drown out the mower noise better. (In other words, actually hear the music)

So, is it time for me to update my MP3 player, headphones, or both? Some of you out there must listen to music in loud situations, so I defer to your experience. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[highland145]

My skull candies do a decent job blocking outside noise.

+sansa clips.

 

[LookBehindYou]

Yeah, I listen to music, but it's kind of pointless. I use some cheap earbuds and can barely hear the music when mowing, enough to know whats playing. I'd like to get better ones, but I dont want to ruin'em either, getting all sweaty and stuff.

 

[Anubis]

i use canal phones. they work great for killing the noice made by the mower

 

[highland145]

Yeah, I listen to music, but it's kind of pointless. I use some cheap earbuds and can barely hear the music when mowing, enough to know whats playing. I'd like to get better ones, but I dont want to ruin'em either, getting all sweaty and stuff.

Had the candies for 2+ years. Cardio 5 or more days per week + mowing 2 yards every other week and they're fine.

 

[gorcorps]

Most in-ear plugs do a good job at blocking outside noise these days. Now it's just a matter of picking how good of quality you want. If you don't give a shit then you can get some cheap skull candies. If you care a little more about how it sounds I would research around. anythingbutipod.com has a pretty active headphone specific forum and I've gotten a lot of info there.

 

[dabuddha]

You need the ear buds that have the gel fittings so they block most of the outside noise. I've got some $15 sony earbuds which work awesomely.

 

[Brigandier]

Why not just a combo of bulky ear protection and earbuds? I can see how the cord from the earbuds would compromise the noise-cancelling of the protection a little bit, but enough should still be cancelled out so you can hear your music better.

 

[LookBehindYou]

Had the candies for 2+ years. Cardio 5 or more days per week + mowing 2 yards every other week and they're fine.

I'll have to give those a go. I run 6 days a week on the treadmill and watch netflix while running, same problem as the mower (though nowhere near as bad).

 

[highland145]

Most in-ear plugs do a good job at blocking outside noise these days. Now it's just a matter of picking how good of quality you want. If you don't give a shit then you can get some cheap skull candies. If you care a little more about how it sounds I would research around. anythingbutipod.com has a pretty active headphone specific forum and I've gotten a lot of info there.

Yep. The quality isn't great but I'm mowing the grass/working out so I don't really care. And they're cheap.

 

[highland145]

I'll have to give those a go. I run 6 days a week on the treadmill and watch netflix while running, same problem as the mower (though nowhere near as bad).

I run the cord under my shirt/down my back. The jarring of the cable is annoying as crap otherwise.

 

[Fausto]

I have a fairly nice pair of Shure in-ear I use while mowing now and then. They do such a good job blocking outside noise I can listen to the music at more or less normal volumes.

 

[TwiceOver]

I use a pair of cheapy over the ear noise cancelling headphones. Makes mowing the lawn a lot more enjoyable as it really dampens the noise made the mower. I often listen to talk radio and barely have to have any volume to it.

 

[Scotteq]

i use canal phones. they work great for killing the noice made by the mower

This, exactly.


...and yes - Definitely run the cord inside your shirt.

 

[gorcorps]

This, exactly.


...and yes - Definitely run the cord inside your shirt.

And I would run them over and around your ear. Most IEMs have really bad microphonics, so any vibration in the chord will sound like *thuds* in your ear. Every time the chord moves and hits your chest you'll know. By looping the bit of chord coming off of the phones around your ear instead of dangling, a lot of that vibration gets dissipated by your skin instead of going all the way into your inner ear.

 

[edro]

I just came to this amazing conclusion this year as well.
I had never used the newer sound isolating type that go in your ear canal.

I love them at the gym and when mowing.

Here is a thread talking about brands and suggestions.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2147440

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

I put Koss clips into the ear muffs. Works fine.

 

[brainhulk]

when i was an intern, my preceptor would turn on the radio and say watch this. on cue the gay tech would start shaking his booty. worked every time.

 

[xanis]

My skull candies do a decent job blocking outside noise.

+sansa clips.

I second Skull Candy. They're cheap (~$15) and they do a pretty decent job of blocking out sound.

 

[Paladin3]

when i was an intern, my preceptor would turn on the radio and say watch this. on cue the gay tech would start shaking his booty. worked every time.

And the award for random post of the day goes to...

 

[brainhulk]

And the award for random post of the day goes to...

oh, i misread the title. i thought it said moving with music.

reading fail

 

[Paladin3]

oops

 

[highland145]

oh, i misread the title. i thought it said moving with music.

reading fail

 

[edro]

oh, i misread the title. i thought it said moving with music.
reading fail

Totally ignored the OP? That is an ATOT fail.

 

[Wanescotting]

I use these:
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=ynsxTsSTCZGCtgfBgd2CDQ&ved=0CFcQ8gIwBg#