Headphones for sleeping?

Posted by: SonicSnoop

Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 05:42

I was wondering if anyone knew of any headphones that worked real well for sleeping? I sleep on my side so most pairs I have tried are not comfortable at all.. reason I need headphones for sleeping is I have alot of insomnia problems and have found using this helps me get to sleep a little faster, however I always end up waking up cause of the headphones as I turn to lay on my side..
Posted by: sein

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 06:47

You're not likely to find headphones that are good for this, but maybe earbuds could be a possibility? Then again, I don't think prolonged use would do your ears any favours.

I take it a pair of small speakers at low volume wouldn't work? CD clock radios normally have a sleep mode which will turn themselves off after $time which is handy.
Posted by: Shonky

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 09:21

Not headphones as such but you can get "pillow" speakers designed to go underneath your pillow. Never used them so your mileage may vary.

When I was a kid I put conventional headphones under the pillow and that seemed to work OK too.
Posted by: altman

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 09:32

You could make something up using those ultra-flat transducers you get for motorbike helmets, and putting them into something like a beanie (or a sweatband?) to hold them in place.

Burton do snowboarder beanies with pads a bit like this built in, but I've no idea how comfortable they'd be if you put your head on a pillow. Not nearly gnarly enough as a test scenario, unless your bed was going down a mountain at the time, probably.

Hugo
Posted by: andy

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 09:33

I tried pillow speakers, they didn't really work. The two problems I found was that they were no more comfortable than a pair of headphones (because you have to lay your ear directly above them) and your partner can typically hear them.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 11:50

Heh, this BBS really does know everything. I could have SWORN there was already a thread on this exact topic. A couple of searches and yup, this two year old thread comes up. I had even vaguely remembered it was Boxer who started it.

It's scary how human memory works sometimes. Fricking amazing machine, this brain thing. Multiply it by a group of networked users, and you have what one of my friends calls the "internet braintrust". He uses his LJ account when he needs to access the braintrust, but it's the same thing. I'm telling you, we're witnessing the revolution right before our eyes, and I've got no clue where this is all going.
Posted by: Cris

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 16:35

Now where is boxer when you need him?

He is the perfect fellow to answer this question....

I think Godfrey has several solutions to this problem, I have had a couple of discussions with him about it, if I remember correctly.

Cheers

Cris.
Posted by: Dylan

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 17:12

I can sleep on my side with my Shure E5's. They sit pretty much flush with my outer ear. They sound fantastic, too. Here is a pic from another user:




Edit: I bought from here because the price is decent and they will accept returns without a restocking fee.
Posted by: Robotic

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 18:44

These photos have been on YahooNews for a few days.
Every time this thread pops to the top I have to think of the slumbering newborns and their headphones.
Posted by: g_attrill

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 19:48

Quote:
I can sleep on my side with my Shure E5's

Wow, expensive!

However that does remind me, one possibility is something based on an Otto acoustic tube driver. The advantage of this is that you might be able to form the tube around your ear and into the ear canal without any sort of ear moulding. It might fall out when you are asleep but the tubes are very soft so you won't notice.

You can form the tube with heat or you can get tubes with embedded wire that might also work.

I think you can split the tubes from a single transducer but they are only about $30 each so you could get two.

Gareth
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 19:54

I so totally need that photo in poster size.
Posted by: g_attrill

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 20:59

Quote:
I so totally need that photo in poster size.

Do a search for "Kosice" on www.gettyimages.com (Editorial > News) and they have a load of photos. I don't know what their pricing would be, probably not cheap.

Wonder what they are playing here!?
http://cache.gettyimages.com/thumb/53352451.jpg?x=x&a=53352451&b=afp&t=1

Gareth
Posted by: Robotic

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 12/09/2005 22:31

Quote:
I so totally need that photo in poster size.

Which of the three is your favorite?
I like the 'fish-eye' perspective. Looks like the kid is rockin' out.
Hmm, can't link the photo... attached it will be.
Posted by: TigerJimmy

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 13/09/2005 00:20

I recommend the Etymotics ER4 "in-ear monitors". They are the best sounding headphones around, and if a person is right next to you, they can't hear the music. It is just amazing how good these things sound.

Headphone.com (believe it or not), is a great store with the best prices I've found. I've had excellent service from them.

Good luck!

Jim
Posted by: SonicSnoop

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 13/09/2005 08:13

Thank you all for the replies.. I have tried the ear buds that came with my rio chiba and they sorta work but tend to annoy me... I have also tried the ones with the behind the ear hooks and they annoy me even more when I am laying on my side.. the In-Ear-Monitor ones, sound quality im not too concerned with but more comfort, how do they compare to the ear buds? I do see they are probobly going to cost alot more then I want to spend..I really just want to find something small enough to fit in my ear so when I lay on my side my ear hits the pillow alot more then the ear phones.. Tried looking up the sony ones mentioned in the other thread Tony linked too but the sony site was giving me problems will try again tomorrow.. Ill look through all of these suggestions more tomorrow when I have a little more time.. Thanks again! you guys are the best..
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 13/09/2005 12:49

I have used the Sony ones for this exact purpose, they're pretty comfortable, and they're not wildly expensive.
Posted by: TigerJimmy

Re: Headphones for sleeping? - 13/09/2005 22:02

The Etymotics are very comfortable. They are exactly like wearing ear plugs with wires dangling from them.

Jim