Cool little note...

[jthig32]

When you travel with the Dallas Mavericks you see that every player has thier own set of head phones. They listen to their ipods or watch dvd movies on their computers during the long flights and the in-between hours of bus time and game time.

The variety of headsets range from small ipod type to large music studio type headsets that look more like giant Eskimo earmuffs.

Recently, a new trend has been started by Jason Kidd who purchased "Ultimate Ear" personal headsets for all his teammates.

“They came in and fitted everyone on the Olympic team, so I figured it would be a good gift for our guys too. They are really cool and everyone gets to make them unique in their own way!”

Everyone took advantage of the gift and has spent the last month waiting and watching for each set of new custom ear phones to arrive.

Gerald Green got “G$” on both the left and right ear pieces of his set.

Jose Barea got “JJ” on his right ear piece and the Peurto Rican flag on his left ear piece.

Devean George got a replica of his L.A. Laker Championship ring on both ear pieces.

Equipment manager Al Whitley got his home country - Canadian flag on his left ear and "Big Al" on his right ear.

Strength Coach Robert Hackett got his nickname "Hack" on his right ear and the 2 of spades on his left ear.

Dirk got “41” on his custom pair of ear phones and says that “They are really good ear phones. Once I figured out how to put them in my ears...they are really pumping!”

Link

[monty55555]

Nice little article! Thanks for sharing!

[dude1394]

Neato...custom ear phones...sounds like a great gift. Those earbuds hurt my ears after awhile.

wow...$900 bucks apiece..starting out.

[horse900703]

haha, nice

[u2sarajevo]

Those things are supposed to be better for the future of your hearing also. And supposedly extremely comfortable. I didn't realize they were that expensive.

And after reading that I hate George even more so than I did before.... and I didn't think that was possible.

[LonghornDub]

I got a pretty nice set of earbuds a few months back (not $900 nice, more like $130). I gotta say--it is well worth the investment. A good set of earbuds will block out the external noise by creating a seal, which lets you listen to your music at a much lower volume. This really does save your hearing in the long term. I haven't turned my iPod up past 50% volume since I got these new ones (whereas before, it was usually around 75%-80%).

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I got a pretty nice set of earbuds a few months back (not $900 nice, more like $130). I gotta say--it is well worth the investment. A good set of earbuds will block out the external noise by creating a seal, which lets you listen to your music at a much lower volume. This really does save your hearing in the long term. I haven't turned my iPod up past 50% volume since I got these new ones (whereas before, it was usually around 75%-80%).

Do they stay in place during a workout? Sounds like a good deal.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by dude1394

Do they stay in place during a workout? Sounds like a good deal.

Mine stay in place pretty damn well. That said, it's not perfect. If you're working out in a way that involves a lot of impact to your body (i.e. running on a treadmill, rather than an elliptical), you'll have a bit more of an issue.

Still, it's definitely something worth looking into. And besides the hearing benefits, the sound quality is just unparalleled. Most of these top-of-the-line earbuds have little subwoofers built into the bud, so the bass response is really, really good. I've heard little nuances in some of my favorite songs that I'd never heard before.

The ones I got are made by Shure (the SE210 model). They make at least one cheaper model, and a bunch of more expensive models.

[dude1394]

Shure I've heard are some nice ones.

[bernardos70]

I'll just chime in briefly and say that I had a pair of ER6's by Etymotic (which I lost, sadly) that were the best headphones I've ever used. The type of headphone you wanna look for is called In-ear-monitor or IEM. Indeed, it's almost like you're walking around in a video with your own soundtrack. Way better than some Bose a coworker had that were noise cancelling. Why cancel the noise when you can block it altogether?

Also, they usually use a clip so you can keep them from dangling down, and the cables are really thin, so as to not weight the IEM's down and pull them out of your ear. I also suggest foams instead of the regular rubber plugs they have. Or the Ultimate Ear ones if you have that kind of money. You truly do hear stuff you never heard before. Better than any speaker or any other headphone.

[craggmac]

I bought my headphones for 5 bucks at Wal-Mart. They're pretty sweet.

[BGMaverick9]

http://www.dallasbasketball.com/fullColumn.php?id=1168

This article was just posted up on the db.com site recently...talks a little bit more about them, also shows pictures of other player's setup.

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by u2sarajevo

Those things are supposed to be better for the future of your hearing also. And supposedly extremely comfortable. I didn't realize they were that expensive.

And after reading that I hate George even more so than I did before.... and I didn't think that was possible.

This was my thought as well.

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by craggmac

I bought my headphones for 5 bucks at Wal-Mart. They're pretty sweet.

I agree. If I ever spend more than $100 on headphones or earbuds (whatever), you have my permission to come shoot me.

[bernardos70]

Headphones are something you take for granted simply because it's one of those cases that they bastardized technology (kinda like how they bastardized pizza in most of the world). When you have the real thing (whether we're talking about pizza or a really good set of headphones), it's quite an awakening. Ignorance truly is bliss, and a luxury once sampled becomes a necessity. If you don't wanna spend $100 on a set of headphones, don't listen to them, or you'll probably change your mind.

[alby]

Deron Williams = from Dallas
Steelers designs = fail.

[dirno2000]

According Wikipedia he was born in WV. That would explain him being a Steelers fan.

[alby]

^ oh got it

I thought he was a Dallas kid, born and raised. I used to love watching him at The Colony HS.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

I agree. If I ever spend more than $100 on headphones or earbuds (whatever), you have my permission to come shoot me.

I guess some people value actually hearing their music like it's supposed to be heard, with a full dynamic range and all the nuances, and preserving their long term hearing more than you do.

[Kidd Karma]

Well he was in Texas when he was 8, he won a wrestling age state title......his school friends were probably giving him hell about Cowboy-Steelers Superbowl back in 95-96.

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by bernardos70

Headphones are something you take for granted simply because it's one of those cases that they bastardized technology (kinda like how they bastardized pizza in most of the world). When you have the real thing (whether we're talking about pizza or a really good set of headphones), it's quite an awakening. Ignorance truly is bliss, and a luxury once sampled becomes a necessity. If you don't wanna spend $100 on a set of headphones, don't listen to them, or you'll probably change your mind.

I've listened to the real thing.. Give me a break..

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I guess some people value actually hearing their music like it's supposed to be heard, with a full dynamic range and all the nuances, and preserving their long term hearing more than you do.

Wow... and you're telling this to someone that has played musical 4-5 musical instruments for the past 20 years? I didn't realize that I knew so little about music...

[SMC0007]

One time in band camp I stuck a flute in my puzzy.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Wow... and you're telling this to someone that has played musical 4-5 musical instruments for the past 20 years? I didn't realize that I knew so little about music...

I don't really have a stake in this either way. I am curious though, do you also snub your nose at home theater surround sound systems in favor of TV speakers? Pretty much the same thing.

[Sportstudi]

Originally Posted by SMC0007

One time in band camp I stuck a flute in my puzzy.

Excuse me??

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I guess some people value actually hearing their music like it's supposed to be heard, with a full dynamic range and all the nuances, and preserving their long term hearing more than you do.

I would agree with this. For the longest time I just listened to generic headphones. Then a couple years ago I got Bose earpieces for my iPod, it was such a dynamic difference. It's enough to tide me over for now, but eventually I'd like to move up to the next level for listening pleasure.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Wow... and you're telling this to someone that has played musical 4-5 musical instruments for the past 20 years? I didn't realize that I knew so little about music...

I don't believe I claimed you didn't know anything about music. I'm sure there are plenty of musicians out there who, for example, have never listened to a single second of music on headphones in the first place. The two are fairly different.

That said, I'd hope most of those knowledgeable musicians such as yourself wouldn't be so foolish as to say something like they should "shoot themselves" if they ever spent over 100 bucks to get a nice pair of head phones that would enhance the audio quality and protect their ears.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I've played music for the vast majority of my life too.

[bobatundi]

Originally Posted by BGMaverick9

I would agree with this. For the longest time I just listened to generic headphones. Then a couple years ago I got Bose earpieces for my iPod, it was such a dynamic difference. It's enough to tide me over for now, but eventually I'd like to move up to the next level for listening pleasure.

I believe that's known as "aural pleasure."

[MaVs 41 BaLler]

God dangit, I'm still using those jelleez I got from walgreens.

I want me some G-money.

When was the last time they gave something at the AAC? Like some t-shirts.

[Rhylan]

JVC has an in-ear phone called the "Marshmallow" which is comfortable because it has a foam piece, which inadvertently makes a pretty good seal if you put them in right. Not nearly as perfect as what some of you guys are talking about, I'm sure, but they do a really good job of blocking out noise on airplanes. They're definitely awesome for the $20 they cost.

[Rick41]

I'm fine with my $12.99 Phillips earphones.

[Ninkobei]

sennheiser 457s ftw. best $50 I've ever spent.

[SMC0007]

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I have some of those insert in ear bose headphones. Very nice they are.

[bernardos70]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

I've listened to the real thing.. Give me a break..

Ok, but I expect you back at the office at 15 past 12 and not one minute later!