If you've followed on Instagram, you'll know I've been busy traveling and moving(?) to Japan! With that, I've had to pack up everything again including most of my players, tools, and MiniDiscs.
One of my favorites that I've had since 2011 or 2012, are the Yamaha EPH-100. These small, 6mm-powered IEMs sound WAY bigger and better than they have any reason to. Yamaha really worked their magic with these tiny drivers!
These were different. With a "Hi-Res" certification and better tuning, the 11mm drivers pumped out a full range of sound including, but not limited to, large quantities of bass.
They came in a great case with an array of tips and a nice 2-pin cable, but I swapped out the stock cable because I needed a TRRS 3.5mm connector to take advantage of the Sharp Auvi/1-bit balanced output. You can read more about that in this post I wrote.
On a whim, I decided to try out Marshall's newest on-ear headphone, the Marshall Major V, thinking that if I didn't like it, someone in my family definitely would!
Since I couldn't do a repair video, I realized I've had quite a few conversations and messages about what I use when I'm listening to MiniDiscs.
Note - like the video - this is not a sponsored post - these are my headphones and IEMs that I've purchased. Links to Amazon may be used to help support the site. Besides, some of these are so old they aren't even sold anymore =)
While some people are adding BlueTooth dongles so they can use their wireless headphones and 'buds, I'm keeping it old school and staying wired.
Sometimes it can lead to a bit of a tangle with the remote cord + headphone/IEM cord, but I really appreciate this more "period appropriate" set up.
Since portable MiniDisc players/recorders don't have as powerful dedicated amps like in a home setup, I have to put down my "main" headphones which include the large, over the ear BeyerDynamic DT770 Pro and the Audeze LCD-X.
In this post, I'll talk about what I'm using for my MiniDisc listening, including getting some TRRS cables for a balanced output on the Sharp Auvi/1-bit units.
IEMs
For portability, nothing beats IEMs if you want to use wired earphones. Prices can vary from the new, impressive "Chi-fi" contenders to multi-driver custom IEMs that can cost $1,000s of dollars.
Not only are they compact, they're built for travelers. I have a small grey pouch that I wind these up into and it's smaller than most TWS earbud cases! They feature a nice little "jack hook" that helps keep your cables tidy, and a small raised bump near the right earphone cable so you can tell which side is which by touch alone. Great for listening in the dark or dim lighting.
They came with interesting tips, too! They had double and triple-flange tips that helped with passive noise reduction and a secure fit. It really is a shame they don't make these anymore, because I'd love a backup pair of these, or their big brothers that had detachable cables (EPH-200).
Next up are another old, but great pair - the JVC HA-FX99X. JVC or Japan Victor Corporation, was known for a lineup of bass-forward headphones and IEMs called "Xtreme Xplosives" that were designated by an "XX" logo. Many of these headphones were muddy and focused on pleasing bass-heads.
I've had these since 2014 and they still sound great for vocals, vocal trance/EDM, and Jpop/Kpop. Mids and Highs aren't overshadowed by bass, but bass and sub-bass are there when you need it.
These have thick, high-quality cables, though they aren't detachable. I've enjoyed these for more than 10 years, and they're still going strong!
In the words of Monty Python, "and now for something completely different".
The Etymotic ER3XR were part of Etymotic's attempt at appealing to more consumers with a slight bump in the lower frequencies for a more fun sound. Since Etymotic can sometimes be known for "cold" or "analytical" tuning, these sounded like a better version for me. 
Etymotic is also famous/infamous for their deep insertion requirements. Their "brain tickling" stock tips weren't my style, so I went with some SpinFit CP240 double-flange tips. These fit the stem and had a way more comfortable fit in-ear, while still providing some good passive noise isolation.
I changed out the cables as well - more on that at the bottom of the post - since I was considering using these with my Sharp balanced output players, but also bought a standard TRS cable for other devices.
Overall, they are still a bit on the cold side for my tastes, but I still enjoy them for compact listening on the go.
Last on the IEM list is the 7hz Legato. These premium-feeling IEMs feature dual dynamic drivers (6mm and 12mm) and, as you can imagine, the potential for massive bass is there.
Now, these are my go-to IEMs when listening to any of my Sharp units that have a balanced output. They have a powerful sound that definitely can be too bass-heavy for some, so I use sound modes or EQ to tone them down a bit. Still, bass and sub-bass are always standing by and ready to deliver whenever the music calls for it.
Another great setup for vocal trance and Kpop/Jpop, but they aren't that portable since they're a bit bulky/heavy and I have a larger case to keep them protected. A long flight where you're stuck in one place for a while is a great time to whip these out.
Headphones
As mentioned at the top, I have some great headphones for use at home, but their impedance is just too high to use with a smallish (typically 3mW to 10mW max) amp that's inside a portable player.
I always prefer over-the-ear headphones because my ears do stick out a bit and I think they're more comfortable.
I chose them based on reviews and of course because you can use a standard 3.5mm headphone cable. Yes, they can be used via BlueTooth (and can last up to 100 hours?!), but that wasn't my use-case. I wanted something portable that sounded good.
Well, I was shocked when I plugged these in and heard them for the first time! They feature 40mm drivers and only fit on-ear, so I didn't think the seal would be good enough for bass and comfort, but surprisingly, I got both! I really couldn't believe these little headphones could sound good and be comfortable for my ear type.
Yes, I did test out the BlueTooth for a bit and there is a nice app to control the EQ and button/joystick features, but I am mainly using these wired and may use the BT occasionally. They also can charge via wireless on a charging pad!
Cables
I am absolutely NOT going to go all audiophile on you and tell you the differences between silver, oxygen-free, graphene, or coat hanger wires as speaker cables. I wanted to get new cables for aesthetics and because of the 3.5mm TRRS requirement.
These are the cables (TRS) I used for the Etymotics. Choose carefully since they offer quite a few options from the standard 3.5mm TRS to 2.5mm balanced TRRS. The stock cables were... fine but introduced some noise when rubbing on clothing, etc. They include a clip to alleviate that, but I don't need an excuse to have some fun with a new cable!
OpenHeart makes some nice cables in tons of varieties and I believe (it's been awhile...) I got these to replace the standard 7hz Legato cables. Again, tons of options, so double-check before ordering.
Top Hifi audio store is the go-to for 3.5mm balanced headphone cables. They make a ton for very specific headphones as well. When I ordered, they double-checked with me to ensure I knew I wanted a 3.5mm TRRS cable (not common).
Well, there you have it! That's my current selection of IEMs and headphones I use for portable listening. I'll post a video on YouTube with the same info and would love to hear in the comments what you're listening to!