Opinions - IEM's or NC on a plane - best?

[crossy]

Has anyone got any views on the best way to pipe music into ears when on a plane?

I've got a fairly decent (Shure SE535s) set of earbuds/earphones and I've seen some discussions elsewhere that the physical isolation of these kind of things are best for keeping out plane noise. And of course, they're eminently pocketable.

The other alternative would be one of these noise-cancelling headsets, like Bose QuietComfort 25's, (although I prefer the reviews on the PSB M4U2's). Downside of those - other than the price - is that these aren't as easy to schlepp around and you end up looking like someone auditioning to be a Cyberman.

If it makes any difference the sound source will be a iPod 5G playing ALAC files, running through a Fiio E18 amplifier. Not interested in wireless (BT) headsets, quite happy to have a wire dangling - assuming that the Kevlar-covered wire of the 535's isn't reclassified as a lethal weapon.

[virtuo]

With the right type of ear insert bit (not the technical name), specifically the correct size memory foam ones and not the rubber ones the Shures also come with.

I've done a couple of long haul flights with my Shures and not heard a thing aside from my music. They probably aren't quite as comfortable as over-ears over longer periods but I'd go with the decent in-ears every time.

[crossy]

Thanks for that - sounds like a good recommendation. Strangely enough I've got a lot of those "sleeves" (Shure's term for the soon-to-be-grubby part that goes in your ear), mainly because I found a place that had a sale on - so I've got the "christmas tree" like ones, the black (memory?) foam and the yellow sponge foam ones.

Think the comfort thing is a six-and-half-a-dozen type of question - because closed back phones can get a bit sweaty or the weight of the headband starts to become obvious. I sometime wear glasses so I guess that could also be a factor.

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

[virtuo]

No worries, I got a decent bag of inserts with mine but only the medium memory foam ones were "right", I've had the smoke alarm going off and not heard it before with those things in. Love my Shure's to bits, the cable does deteriorate around the flexy ear bit though, not cheap to replace!