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Apple Earbuds (White with Gray Earbuds)
By: Apple Average Rating: 3.0 Total Reviews: 399
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 On: 2008-04-02
I bought these earbuds on recommendation. I would return them but stupidly I threw away all my information about returning. I find them hard to insert and I use them in bed so that makes them even harder. The exchangable buds are very hard to pull off and when I pulled one off, the whole apparatus came out and it wont stay in anymore. Bad purchase....Apple In-Ear Headphones- M9394G/C
 On: 2008-03-17
When I got my iPod Shuffle, I was given as a gift a cute little carrying case made just for the Shuffle, big enough for the player -- and a set of earbuds. But I had renounced earbuds long ago because they never stayed in my ears. Ever. The buds that came with my Shuffle did actually stay, and they sounded okay, but they hurt. A lot.
I went to the Apple store and explained my predicament. I could not afford to spend more than fifty dollars, so the UEs and Shures were out of my range. The employee handed me these and told me I could bring them back in fourteen days if I didnt like them. But I did! The smallest "caps" are perfect for my ears.
Once you get them to fit correctly, the sound quality is equal to that of much more expensive buds. As a bit of an audio purist, I was very happy that nothing was overblown or distorted. The highs and mids are balanced and clear. And there is plenty of bass. This is just my opinion/taste Im throwing out there, but I find that a couple great songs for testing the various ranges are Toploaders cover of "Dancing in the Moonlight" (higher) and Donovans "Season of the Witch" (lower). If anything sounds muddled, tinny, or just absent, the buds are not correctly fitted.
These are wonderful. Please, just give them a try. Get them straight from the Apple Store. Check out the reviews on how to put them in correctly. Experiment with different sizes. These very well may not work for you. If they dont, take them back. But if they do, it may be the best forty bucks youve ever spent.
 On: 2008-02-09
work great. not too durable if you like to wrap the wires around your iPod & carry it that way.
On: 2008-01-18
By the meaning "Slap" means that they go very loud to those that dont know the meaning of the Bay Area slang. Very good headphones and very loud
On: 2007-11-29
I was given these headphones as a gift in October 2005 prior to leaving for Iraq. I used these headphones the entire 22 months that I was deployed, 16 of those months were in Iraq. I found them useful for almost any activity that I did. Listening to my iPod in bed, sitting in my chair watching movies on my laptop, running on the treadmill at the gym etc and Ive encountered no problems with them. The sound quality is fantastic. Treble, bass, outside noise reduction ... you name it. Ive owned several other headphones...some similar to these and others that are enclosed. Its almost December 2007 and theyre still in as good of condition as when I first got them.
On: 2007-11-21
I recently picked up a pair for $15 shipped from the marketplace. My previous pair was an akg k 26, but there were some RMA difficulties so I figured Id shop around for a new pair of IEMs. I also looked at the creative ep 630 and the sennheiser cx300.
I picked the apples because theyre cheap, because they match my ipod, and because the headphone jack design causes minimal strain to the headphone jack of my ipod. Ive had problems with older jack designs. A pair of sennheiser PX200s I had had a straight plug, but after owning them for a while the sound started going out on one side, making it necessary for me to push on the headphones to get stereo sound. L-shaped jacks are unbalanced, so after time they can apply pressure to one side of the headphone jack leading to a broken headphone jack and a broken player :(
The headphone jack is a vertical design, so it avoids the problems of headphone jack damage with L-jacks. And it has a little sleeve so that the cord isnt bent at an extreme angle. Its little stuff, but it goes a long way.
Before buying them, I figured that the sleeves probably wouldnt stay in very well, so I picked up a set of rounded senn cx300 sleeves for $5.
Got the items within a week. At first I had a hard time getting a fit. The included sleeves have a very gradual slope, so they slide out of the ear very easily. I had a pair of koss plugs that I modded with drugstore earplugs, and they had the same problem.
The senn cx300 sleeves stay in a lot better because the material is more grippy and because it has a steeper slope.
However, the default sleeves, I just discovered, sound incredible. They coat the entirety of your ear, so when the music is playing they also transmit sound. They reverberate bass. Its really something. The bass is very deep but not boomy, and the mids and highs are very clear. Very well-balanced in general.
And I think Ive discovered the secret to these earphones. In-ear-headphones such as these apple headphones, the koss plug, and expensive models from shure and etymonic, are all subject to the stethoscope effect. Wearing these headphones youll hear noise rustling against the cord, youll hear yourself breathing more, and youll hear yourself chewing really really loud. IEM headphones really arent that great for active wear. For exercise, its better to get a regular pair of over-the-head headphones.
These headphones are meant for what IEMs are best for: noisy stationary environments such as subways and libraries. So they werent designed for active wear, they were designed for stationary wear. And listening to them in optimal settings, theyre the best sounding headphones Ive ever heard. Theyre easily better sounding than the default apple earbuds, but theyre also much better than the AKG K 26, the Sennheiser PX200, and the AKG K 240 (a $100 headphone btw).
In conclusion, just so long as you understand the limitations that are inherent in the design of this class of headphones, this is a really really incredible pair of in-ear-monitors.
 On: 2007-10-22
I have been using these for several months. I am constantly having to deal with them popping out of my ears. I dont think the sound quality is all that great, either. Overall, I am just not happy with them.
On: 2007-10-08
This is an AMAZING product, the headphones block noise from the outside and if you select the correct rubber ear-plug there is no way that they come out during workout. I run everyday and they dont even move during the whole workout
On: 2007-10-05
After reading some of the positive reviews for these headphones, I decided to give them a try. Unfortunately, I just cant get them to stay in. I took the advice of previous reviewers about fitting the headphones correctly into the ear, and it just doesnt work for me. No matter what I do - tug on the upper part of my ear, twist the headphones, jam them in - they just never want to stay in my ear. Im using the smallest adapter too. The right one will sometimes stay but the left one for some reason always pops loose. Its incredibly annoying when youre lifting heavy weights and have to keep stopping to jam your headphones back into your ears.
As for the sound quality, I think its terrible - sounds very tinny to me. That could be due to the fact that the headphones are never fully in my ears though.
I dont know why these headphones wont stay in - maybe because Im female and have a small ear canal. Not sure. But like I said, no matter how much I tug on my ear and try to jam and twist the headphones in, they just never stay. Oh well. I got mine on ebay for around $20, so it wasnt that much of a loss.
On: 2007-10-02
Ill admit that I dont know the first thing about sound quality but these are the only ear-phones I have ever owned that fit snugly and comfortably in my ears for long periods of time. I love them so much that I purchased these to replace identical ear-phones that I used (and abused) daily since December 2004. While it is true that quality decreases over time (thus the reason for purchasing this second pair), the same would be true of any brand abused for such a length of time.
I was surprised to read that some people thought that they werent ideal for the gym...I have used these jogging and while using fitness equipment with no difficulty at all. These ear-phones are meant to fit right inside your ear. My guess is that those customers are not positioning the ear pieces correctly. As for hearing the sound of the cord as you move, this can be true, but as mentioned, running the cord through your shirt solves the problem!
If traditional ear buds cause you great pain, simply do not fit your small ears, or stay put, then I recommend you give these a try!
On: 2007-09-29
the headphones were the best headphones i have ever used up until exactly one year later. the quality of sound decreased tremendously and Im disappointed that i have to buy another expensive pair of headphones. Like all apple products they break after a short period of time. I personally think apple purposely has their products not last long so consumers can re buy their products. Its smart but Im not falling into apples scam.
On: 2007-09-26
Theres really little to praise about the headphones. It is possible to carefully position them in the ear so that they are comfortable, but any movement dislodges them. Theres no way to tell the left from the right except to examine the teeny letter; worse, the little rubber bits that fit into the ear often rotate on the spindle. So its impossible to just put these on, each time they are taken off and replaced requires careful scrutiny and full attention. I often use my headphones to listen to movies in bed after my wife goes to sleep, and these headphones are very frustrating in the dark. The sound they produce is adequate but hardly amazing, and certainly not worth the poor usability.
These headphones seem very much like the designer cared a lot more about appearance than usability. Theyre pretty, but unlike most Apple products, these basically suck. Im going back to the Sony Fontopia Headphones, which arent as pretty but are better in every way that matters (including being cheaper).
On: 2007-08-29
I weighed the evidence presented in many of the reviews here, and decided to try these earphones. Im completely deaf in my right ear, and have a 50% hearing loss in my left ear, so Im either the perfect person to review this, or the worst. It all depends on your viewpoint.
It had been mentioned that these are not ideal for use while exercising. That needs a caveat. I use my iPod at the gym, but my routine is anything but rigorous. For cardio, I use the Life Fitness elliptical machine, which is the least "jarring" and least physically demanding of all the cardio machines at my gym. Used on that machine, the earphones were fine. They fit snugly, and remained in my ears during my time on the machine. I would imagine that if someone were jogging on a treadmill, that the earphones might have a problem staying in. But truly, they were a very snug fit, so I wouldnt be surprised if they worked fine in that envirmonment.
With regard to sound quality, I couldnt have been more pleased. I heard notes in some songs that Ive never heard before, and in other songs that had soft beginnings (Stevie Winwoods "Higher Love", for example), I was able to catch the song from the very first note.
I cant speak to the earphones not fitting because they fit me perfectly, using the set that came attached. There are three sets of rubber attachments for the earphones. Its certainly possible that some people will never be able to use these due to ear canal size. Thats too bad - theyre missing out on a great product. Perhaps Apple could come out with other fittings?
Some spoke about hearing the cord as it bounced against their chest, and I wasnt sure what they meant...but now I do! As the cord strikes your chest (or your back, wherever you have it dangling), a very light striking noise is heard in the earphones. If youre obsessive compulsive, youre not likely to get over that. Also, if youre listening to light music (new age, classical, etc.) or youre watching a movie on an 80gb iPod, you might notice that striking noise more than most. A very easy way around this is to run the cord through your shirt. Problem solved.
This is a terrific product. Im very, very pleased to have purchased it.
 On: 2007-08-28
I know about the fit issues but I really got them to fit pretty well. It is really the sound quality that is lacking. I think there were some issues around the level that the originals could be played at that Apple worried about. Once again the lawyers win. We the non-idiot percentage of the population must suffer because the idiots can not use the volume control on their Ipod. It is a sad state of affairs.
On: 2007-08-28
I weighed the evidence presented in many of the reviews here, and decided to try these earphones. Im completely deaf in my right ear, and have a 50% hearing loss in my left ear, so Im either the perfect person to review this, or the worst. It all depends on your viewpoint.
It had been mentioned that these are not ideal for use while exercising. That needs a caveat. I use my iPod at the gym, but my routine is anything but rigorous. For cardio, I use the Life Fitness elliptical machine, which is the least "jarring" and least physically demanding of all the cardio machines at my gym. Used on that machine, the earphones were fine. They fit snugly, and remained in my ears during my time on the machine. I would imagine that if someone were jogging on a treadmill, that the earphones might have a problem staying in. But truly, they were a very snug fit, so I wouldnt be surprised if they worked fine in that envirmonment.
With regard to sound quality, I couldnt have been more pleased. I heard notes in some songs that Ive never heard before, and in other songs that had soft beginnings (Stevie Winwoods "Higher Love", for example), I was able to catch the song from the very first note.
I cant speak to the earphones not fitting because they fit me perfectly, using the set that came attached. There are three sets of rubber attachments for the earphones. Its certainly possible that some people will never be able to use these due to ear canal size. Thats too bad - theyre missing out on a great product. Perhaps Apple could come out with other fittings?
Some spoke about hearing the cord as it bounced against their chest, and I wasnt sure what they meant...but now I do! As the cord strikes your chest (or your back, wherever you have it dangling), a very light striking noise is heard in the earphones. If youre obsessive compulsive, youre not likely to get over that. Also, if youre listening to light music (new age, classical, etc.) or youre watching a movie on an 80gb iPod, you might notice that striking noise more than most. A very easy way around this is to run the cord through your shirt. Problem solved.
This is a terrific product. Im very, very pleased to have purchased it.
On: 2007-08-25
Yes they take a few more seconds to insert into your ears then the normal apple earphones, but the bass is easily noticeable and for me, the bass is an important part of my music. I was hearing instruments that I didnt even know existed in a particular song. Voices of artists are crisper and clearer as well. These may not be good for exercising as they can be easily accidentally pulled out of your ears.
On: 2007-07-24
To those who have taken the time to explain how you manage to keep these in your ears - thank you. I read your how-tos with care and tried my best to make these work.
However, try as I might, these only stay in my ear for 5-10 minutes tops. They slowly work their way out and it isnt until I notice that my favorite bass heavy track is missing everything I listen to it for that I realize theyve worked their way out again.
Ive replaced them with the Bose in-ear head phones Bose® In-Ear Headphones which do much less to block out noise, but much more to maintain high quality sound regardless of whether they are inserted just right. Ive also found the Bose in-ear headphones stay in when Im riding riding trails with my mountain bike. I never tried riding with these Apple headphones as they dont stay in as I sit at my desk.
On: 2007-07-09
The headphones are a lot better than the ones you receive with an ipod, but the problem with them is that they SUCTION into your ear, so its kind of scary feeling. Thats why i give them a 4 instead of a 5, but they are great for running because they dont fall out. Also, for the person who is worried about losing their hearing, you cant hear ANYTHING BUT the music, which I also find scary. But they are terrific headphones, so i recommend them for the runner like myself.
On: 2007-06-23
1 - I loved these headphones ... it took several tries but once I got the feel for them I loved the sound. The sound and bass are great once you have them snuggly secured in your ears. They do cancel out a lot of background noise. If you are patient and spend some time working with them they will amaze you.
2 - I dont like the headphones that come with the iPod ... they are large and uncomfortable ... these earbuds; once mastered, were soft, comfortable and sounded awesome!
3 - One of the ear pieces broke in half with no hope of fixing it after very light use ... maybe a few months after I got them.
4 - They are too expensive for how fragile they are.
5 - If you have the money ... they are great! I recommend them for anyone who can afford to lose the money they invested in them ... I havent replaced mine ... I want to ... but I really cant afford $80 or so a year for headphones ... BUT ... they honestly are much superior to the headphones that come with the iPod.
On: 2007-06-19
Ill echo everyone else...they DO NOT STAY IN YOUR EARS. And the sound is almost devoid of any bass. I even played with various equalizer settings to no avail. Did anyone at Apple test these before they released this product????
On: 2007-06-15
If you small ears holes like i do this is not the product for you. I used the smallest rubber pieces it had and it would not stay in even though i was sitting still. So I cannot imagine if i was trying to run. This was a true waste of my hard earned money
On: 2007-06-13
Are they better than the default iPod ear buds? Yes. Are they worth the $50 I paid (now $40 on Amazon)? No. They sound good, but the problem is that they fell apart after only a few months of regular gym going. Maybe something with the sweat? I dont know. The actual sound-producing portion would no longer stay attached to the part that goes in your ear. Disappointing.
On: 2007-06-10
I read the reviews before I bought this product. I worked in industry for years and am very familiar with how to insert earplugs so I figured these would work for me. Wrong! I tried each size and different positions, but never could get them to stay in my ears. In addition, the sound quality was not impressive. The stock buds that came with my ipod provide much better sound quality. The M9394G/Bs have "tinny" high end response and the bass has no "umph" at all.
On: 2007-06-10
I replaced some semi-new Sony earbuds with these and i must say that these headphones are far superior to my old ones. The sound quality is amazing. One truly notable thing is that these headphones have the best bass output of any earbuds i have bought in my life. Whats more: these earbuds are $10 cheaper than the Sony ones. I almost say that they rival some of the $300 Bose headphones in sound quality - no kidding. A minor downside is that they can be a little uncomfortable
If you want a great pair of headphones that doesnt cost three legs and an arm, buy these. You wont regret it
On: 2007-06-09
When I first upgraded to these earphones over the included iPod earphones, I was very pleased with the improved sound quality. I will say this - for the price, these earphones offer pretty good sound.
Unfortunately, in a portable environment, "good sound" is not enough. This products cons by far outweigh the good sound, and cause me not to recommend it.
- I could not run with these in. Even if you are not a runner/jogger, trying to run even briefly (to catch the train!) with these on is bound to frustrate you.
- Even though there are three included earbud sizes, I could not get a fit where I was truly happy. I tried different combinations of the same size/different sizes in different ears, but the fit never stayed snug for long; it would loosen up and I always had to readjust. Annoying.
- The rubber earbud covers are not durable. I tore one accidentally, even though I had removed it several times before and was not using excessive force.
- If your ear is even slightly wet (because its raining, because its hot out, or because you just had a shower), getting these buds to stay in is a nightmare. Come on Apple, this is not practical.
- Unreliable. After a mere 8 months, the left earphone died. Not uncommon with Apple iPod earphones, by the way, but I thought this pair would be more reliable than the ones that come with an iPod.
All in all, the sound might make you happy, but I find the design impractical for the everyday application of wearing them outside. Sound is not the only factor in designing a quality portable audio device, and I fear Apple got more wrong here than right.
On: 2007-05-30
When I first got these, I thought they were terrible - really tinny sound with no bass. But then I read Steve from NJs advice and tried it - much better. You need to put them in a bit, not just sitting in your ear like the old Apple iPod ones. I switched the plastic pieces to the smallest one and pulled up on the top of my ear when I put them in and the sound improved dramatically. You wont hear much of anything outside your ears though, which is either good or bad, depending on your situation.
On: 2007-05-18
After owning 4 different pairs of earbuds (and test-driving a whole bunch more) since Christmas, these are absolutely without question the best product out there. They fit perfectly the first time I put them on, but without that feeling that you have added insulation to your ears. Other manufacturers misconstrue this as "noise reduction" when in fact everthing sounds muffled like you attached cotton balls to the earbuds.
I have been using these earbuds for over 2 hours non-stop - skipping between movies, t.v. shows, audiobooks and, of course, music. The sound is clear but not tinny. Everything sounds rich and warm without being overwhelming. They are extremely comfortable and blow away the original ones that came with my unit. For a while I began to think my ears were deformed because the original earbuds kept falling out (my husband said my ears were missing a piece). Now I know better.
The price is a little steep I agree. However, if youre gonna invest $249.00 or however much in an Ipod and heaven knows how much more in downloads, than it would only stand to reason that you would want the best sound possible. Otherwise, why bother owning one in the first place?
These are simply terrific and I hope everyone out there who has ears as apparently deformed as mine will go and buy a pair. You will be ecstatic with the results.
On: 2007-05-13
These are the most comfortable earbuds we have found. They cancel out all surrounding noises. I do have to use a larger size cover when I am sweating, other times I use the smaller covers.
On: 2007-05-10
Ive purchased and tried several Apple brand headphones, as well as several other brands, in the past three years. I have to say that these are the best iPod earbuds Ive ever used. The fit perfectly and sound quality is fantastic!
The only thing is... I got lucky with these babies. From comparing some of the other reviews with my own experience, I can only say that the fit and experience you will get with these is very hit or miss. I am lucky enough that the small and medium size covers both fit my ears perfectly.
When I first bought them figuring out how to put them in my ear took a minute... but after that it was all golden. When they fit correctly, and you figure out the fit, they dont budge at all. I walk several times a week with these and they never shift or fall out.
The only problem Ive had with these, and the reason they get a 4, is when trying to store them in my pocket or purse. The covers like to slip off when not in use... but not nearly as badly as the foam covers for most earbuds do.
So, in conclusion, if you dont mind having to return them if they dont fit your ear correctly, you should definitely try them. Once the fit is right... they are utterly fantastic.
On: 2007-04-04
Total waste of money, especially if youre a runner, or do any kind of workouts. These buds will fall out of your ears in seconds.
On: 2007-03-20
As an amateur musician and musical gourmand (note: I mean gourmand, and not gourmet) I care deeply about musical quality and how it sounds when it strikes my ear drums.
Moreover, I care that the digital tunes flowing forth from my Gen 4 iPod into a set of earphones are:
1.) clear,
2.) reasonably reinforced with bass, and
3.) the earphones stay in my ears come hell or high water.
The M9394G/B Earbud fails utterly on counts two and three, and does count one only passably, thus getting the "2 star" rating of Amazon user dissatisfaction.
Lets start with fit: These little buggers come with three sized sets of "bud cups" - elfin, normal, and Jared pre-Subway. Not being a pixie or a giant, I could only use the "normal" set. When "correctly" inserted, they produce good, clear sound, and reasonable bass for a little bud. However, if you move, do not move, or perhaps merely think about moving, the bud begins to slip, slip away, un-cupping your ear canal and letting 95% of the bass bleed into the atmosphere. Just to be sure Im describing this phenomenon correctly, I just slipped a bud in my right ear. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6... yes, its slowly sliding out. Ouch.
Now, the sound. As I previously said, the bass starts out decent and then fades away into nothingness. Whats left is a world without bass, and that is a world I do not want to live in.
Surely, there must be better ear bud designs, and these are not those. Save your 35 bucks and go get a better reviewed set of phones.
On: 2007-03-15
I bought these headphones soon after they were released, and was extremely pleased with them. As many professional reviewers have noted, their design priority of directing sound into your ear rather than maximizing their volume produces great results, when worn correctly.
However, I recently bought the Griffin EarThumps, which follow the same design philosophy, but are LESS THAN HALF the price of Apples. When I did a direct comparison, with constant volume coming from my Mac, the Griffins volume is DOUBLE that of these.
The day of these headphones has passed. Kudos to Apple for having the value advantage over competitors like Shure for a time, but as of the time of this writing, they have been bested by Griffin.
On: 2007-03-10
The iPod Earbud Headphones I ordered are excellent. The comfort of these earphones is great compared to the standard ones you get with the iPod. The sound that comes out of them is rich with very little if any distortion. The bass comes through very well and immerses you in the music. For the price you cannot beat them.
On: 2007-03-04
The best review I have read on these headphones was, "The opposite of good". Read it, for I couldnt have said it better myself.
From my experience, it takes an act of God to actually fit these perfectly in my ear. Its as if I have to wait for the stars to align before i can hear the sound at its finest. Jogging? You can absolutely forget it. Youd be better off jogging in roller blades. Every step pulls at the ear piece and kills the sound quality. I literally jogged a hundred feet before i just put the ipod in my pocket.
The sound, when ever so perfectly placed in my ear, is great. The problem is, getting it to fit perfectly in your ear is like building a house of cards. We can apparently put human beings on the moon, but we absolutely cannot figure out how to make great headphones. This is yet another dissapointing headphone. Whenever I purchased my $300 iPod, I never thought I would delve into the frustrating world of buying headphones. Unfreakingreal.
On: 2007-02-27
My experience:
I wanted new earbud headphones so I sat down at the computer to do some research. I have always liked the look of these apple earbuds, and I read with some trepidation all the negative reviews. But then I read the few glowingly positive reviews, the ones with the expicit instructions about how to insert the earbuds, and I thought, "Sure, I can do that. Im no dummy."
Fast forward to today. Walking home from school and listening to my I-Pod am everyday faced with this decision: do I (a) just sit back and go with the flow as the music from my Ipod gradually becomes tinnier and quieter as the apple earbuds inexorably slide out of my ear canals. Or do I (b) continuously readjust the earbuds in my ear, stopping every 2 minutes to "pull my left ear upwards with my right hand...etc. (see numerous other reviews)," cramming the earbuds as deeply as I can into my ear canals, hoping against hope that this might be the time that they remain in place. Often, in order for the earbuds to remain in place I must push them so far into my ear canals that my ears feel "pressurized" like on an airplane or underwater. And yes, in case you are wondering, I did try every different size of cover.
During the brief moments when the earbuds are correctly situated in my ears, the sound quality is great. Maybe, as other reviewers claim, the only reason I am having such problems with the earbuds is because I have "oddly shaped ear canals." Perhaps. Perhaps. If this is the case then you had better hope that you too dont have "oddly shaped ear canals" or these earbuds will be completely useless to you.
Another problems with these earbuds is that the cord is very stiff. This makes jogging and such very difficult because instead of the cord swinging side to side it jerks at the earbuds. Also, because of the stiffness of the cord it transmits sound. As I walk, the cord brushes against my jacket and a "wooosh-woosh" sound is transmitted directly to my eardrums. I have not had this problem with previous earbuds I have owned.
By far these are the worst earbuds I have ever purchased. Unfortunately they cannot be returned once you put them in your ear.
I do believe that some folks have a great experience with these earbuds, but believe me when I say that I have had a terrible one. I read the reviews and played the odds and lost big. Buying these earbuds is, at best, a gamble. Maybe you will be one of the lucky few with ear canals condusive to these things, or maybe you will be like the rest of us and have them slide, inexorably, out of your ears at least once per song. There is only one way to find out, unfortunately, and by then you will be out your forty bucks.
Stay away.
On: 2007-02-17
I read all the reviews for these headphones and still bought them. I weighed the pros and cons and thought that I would give it a try. Most reviews said that the phones fit aucwardly in your ear and they wouldnt fit in correctly. After recieving them i spent nearly thirty minutes trying to find a comfortable psoition. They simply wouldnt stay in. I got online and read the review that suggested a way to fit them in your ear and that didnt work at all. I have a pair of sony ericcson headphones that are also in ear and i took the silicon tips off of them and put them on the apples and they fit fine. Sound quality was average. Some people say that they prefer the standard ipod headphones but all i have to say is that those phones are garbage. These in ear ones have reasonable sound with less thatn adequate bass. If your looking for some phones that will fill your head with a booming bass than deffinatley go with the sonys in ear model. Im sorry to say that Im dissapointed with these and I would buy the sony model if i had another chance.
On: 2007-02-07
I havent had the problem as others with the earbuds not fitting, however, I am not happy with sound quality that the earbuds provide. They isolate sound well, but the range of sound that these provide isnt really satisfying. I think its a little tinny, however I think most users wont be that dissapointed.
On: 2007-02-05
These in ear headphones are definitely an upgrade in sound from the standard earbuds that come with the iPod. Here are my thoughts on these headphones. When used properly the sound is much better when it comes to the lower frequencies, take your standard earbuds and push them into your ears and plug your ears at the same time, you will see what I mean. I have not used these while doing any kind of activity that would involve intensive motion or persperation so I cant say if they hold in your ears better than the standard buds. They seem to stay put when just wearing them around the house. I would have to say that these in ear headphones would be an ideal solution for those who want to listen to music while lets say mowing the lawn or using any other loud power equipment. These headphones are no different than a pair of earplugs so those of you are familiar with wearing them know that you cant really talk to people without hearing yourself inside your own head. You also notice some noise when you bump the cord around since the sound is going straight into your ear, think of it like if you have ever used a stethescope. These are also a great solution to those of us with nagging wives. What honey, I cant hear you right now!
On: 2007-02-03
I agree, I totally love, love, LOVE these headphones.
Ill admit, it took me a little while to figure out what size fit best and how to insert them - and at first I thought I got scammed - but once I figured it out, I realized how truly great they are. I can wear them for hours and they dont hurt or give me headaches. PLUS, b/c they block out ambiant noise almost completely, I listen to my music at about 50% of the volume I had to use on the reg iPOD headphones and hear it better.
The two things that bug me:
1. The are not good for working out with b/c they tend to get slippery and move around/lose their sound-proof hold in your ear.
2. They dont sell the rubber covers by themselves. I lost on of the best fitting size and am making do with the smaller size in one ear, because it annoys me to have to drop another $40 to get a replacement cover. (Maybe someone will read this and fix start selling replacement packs.)
On: 2007-01-30
Even if you jam these in, they do not stay in for >4 minutes. Not made for the human ear, perhaps cats would fare better. I heard a tip that if you cut the rubber you can get them to stay...I will be forced to try that if I cant return them.
On: 2007-01-14
These earbuds were the source of all my frustration while running. The only way these things might stay in your ears is if you glue or tape them in. I lost my mind with them for 3 days then got the Sennheiser MX70 earphones and have never been happier.
On: 2007-01-11
I just got the M9394G iPod earbuds as a gift, and I think the sound qualitly is awful. The two-year old earbuds that I got with my iPod originally sound better than this $40 pair. I originally thought I may have gotten a defective pair and returned them at the Apple store for a new pair but these too sounded like an old radio. Very tinny with no bass.
On: 2007-01-11
These are the worst earbuds I have ever used. Assuming you can get them to fit into your ear, the sound quality is deplorable. They are a waste of money.
On: 2007-01-06
These earbuds arent nearly as good as the ones that come packaged with the iPod. The bass quality just isnt there. I ended up sending them back.
On: 2007-01-05
I bought these headphones from apple after reading all of the reviews. I was hesitant, because of all the complaints. I still bought them, and as soon as I got them I tried all of the suggestions in these reviews... nothing. I continued for 2 hours, but still couldnt get them to work. I tried all sizes. Finally, it worked. Tips: wet them first. Lift ear up, stick in and twist, then let go of your ear, but still hold the earphones for a few seconds.
On: 2006-12-29
I got one of these at a walk-in electronics store for $50, I took them to my car and listened to mp3 player for one song before returning them 5 minutes after I bought them. The bass is terrable and the treble is too overpowering of the sound even with enhanced bass audio, it also sounded rather distant or muffled and are much worse than the earbuds that come with any ipod.
On: 2006-12-20
The sound is much better with these then the standard earbuds. But they are very difficult to use. If they were not so difficult to get them to stay in my ears I would give them a higher rating.
On: 2006-12-16
Apple service. Maybe I have gotten the one from the bunch, but apple ear buds stink! Mine quit working 3 months after I go them and apple says basicly "too bad, so sad."
Stay away from this!
by: harterman On: 2006-12-13
You can find these much cheaper now. My experience with these kind of buds is that fit is everything, and what sounds and fits well for one person will not for another. But these work fine for me. Sound quality comparable to buds that came with Ipod. Bass perhaps a little better and sound isolation much better because these fit into the ear canal. I also find these more comfortable.
I dont know why so many people knock the audio quality of ipod buds. Really good buds cost more than the Ipod, so you should not expect miracles in this price range. You have to compare these to similarly priced buds, and I find Ipod buds by far the best in their price range. Much clearer and brighter than the competition.
On: 2006-12-11
EDIT: I am downgrading these to 4 stars to make room for my upcoming review of the Sony 81. Good for the money, but I am floored by the high sound quality in the Sony 81, which really deserves the 5 star rating instead.
Initially, I expected these to be mediocre based on the price and name, but I actually like these better than the Shure and Sony earbuds I have tried since. These have what the E2C lack -- namely, bass response. Everyone talks about how you CAN get bass response with their favorite, brand....if only you get the fit just right. Prob is when moving around that perfect fit on a headphone will come a little loose. Those other brands/models fail at that point, because thin bass turns to none. However, these Apple earbuds have enough bass that they still sound great even when they wiggle out a bit. Its not like I am a bass freak (I dont even like rap). But you need low end for full sound, and these have it at a good price. I havent noticed any tradeoff at the high end either -- sounds good all around.
I suppose these could have improvements like durability, but I am giving it 5 stars for the overall value.
On: 2006-12-02
I bought these thinking they would stay in my ears better than the old ones, and they are way worse. They are uncomfortable when I put them in my ears, they dont stay in place, and my ears were hurting after the 10 minutes I spent pulling my ear around to get them in like the Apple website suggests. They felt really weird when I finally did get them in, like I was walking around with my ears plugged. I tried all the sizes too...Maybe its my ears, but I really really hate these, the old ones stayed in place much better. Plus theyre $40!! For what??
On: 2006-11-15
i used to have similar earphones but SONY after owning my second pair because they kept on breaking because of the weak cord...i decided to get these APPle Ones.....THEY ARE AWESOME!!!! i dont understand the 1 star reviews.....PEOPLE!! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO FIT THEM IN YOUR EAR CANAL...NOT JUST YOUR EAR!! ...anywayz once you find your fit...these things sound awesome...the bass is much higher with these than any other pair i bought and the cord is really resistant if that worries you. the only problem i guess...is that they are white and they get dirty easily...especially the chord......but its all up to you......THESE THINGS ARE THE BEST!!! preparey yourself for an awesome sound experience....expecially if u like BASS!!
PS: if you really want good sound...the Ipod doesnt provide as good a sound as a sony product......so the full potential of these earphones isnt with the use of the ipod.....i recommend a sony mp3 to go with these..
On: 2006-11-12
they fit fine but they ache horribly... i dont know why but i wouldnt recommend them
On: 2006-11-10
After reading some good and bad reviews I went ahead and bought them anyway. They will not stay in my ears, I tried the three different sized ear buds but non will do the job, very irritating.
So, I do not recommend them at all, too bad because if they stay in when you sit really still the sound quality is really good.
Aloha
On: 2006-11-03
The earbuds sound great but I have a problem keeping the little rubbery ends on. They are always sliding around and are never in position. It is a pain to keep turning them back in place every single time I put them on.
On: 2006-10-08
Why should we pay $10 more for a set of headphones that (1) has a good chance of coming loose becoming high-pitched and bass-less when it does, (2) takes 10 times longer to put in your ears than the regular Apple headphones, and (3) once in your ear, can become quite uncomfortable. The whole design is flawed. Also I rather have a dial to reel in the headphones instead of that stupid square which you need to hand-reel the headphones around. What was Apple thinking?
On: 2006-10-06
I read the reviews - I tried the methods for getting them to stay deep in my ear canal - I tried all 3 different size adjusters, but they wouldnt stay in. Actually, my right ear they would stay in nicely - my left ear they just wouldnt stay in. I did try different sizes in each ear, but they just would not stay in. They would slowly slip out and sound tinny and high-pitched, or when moving around at all, they would come out very quickly. When they did stay in (or, I held them in with my fingers) the sound was great - I think this is one of those cases where Apple puts form before function, violating the age-old design rule of form follows function...I recommend the Sony MDR-EX51LP in-ear headphones. The sound isnt QUITE as good - you do get great bass, but not quite as deep or balanced as the Apples. But, they stuck in my ears without a problem from the beginning.
On: 2006-10-04
Imagine your favorite song, playing as loud as you want, with the clearest sound that can possibly come out of retail headphones. Silent to everyone around you, the people are oblivious to what could be described as nothing less than an incredible audio experience.
Apples in-ear headphones stand out from all others, with their discreetly sleek design. The sophisticated, stylish, yet humble, trademark color scheme of white and light grey, coupled with the rounded shape of the earpiece, makes these headphones appealing to everyones eye. But most importantly, the sound quality is appealing to the ears.
Big things come in small packages. Apple has proven this with the iPod, whose playlist can rival the song collection of a radio station in a pocket. Expect nothing less with these headphones. Coming with three sizes of silicon fitting, they can fit comfortably in any size ear in a snap. A recent concern of mp3 player users is the risk of loss of hearing because of prolonged exposure to loud volumes. This is no concern for users of these headphones, because you get a clearer sound at a lower volume by not having to fight background noise with louder volumes. These earpieces double as padding, giving the feeling of a musical earplug--blocking out outside interference and cushioning heavy bass beats, keeping in the rich sound of low, deep bass and clear, high pitches. Using Apples in-ear headphones, youll never miss a beat with distracting outside noise or annoying vibration.
On: 2006-09-29
Bought these and used them once. Had to remove them when I found myself in dire need of some Excedrin Migraine. What do you get for your $39? Cheap, tinny, bass-less sound thats like being plugged into a busted Walkman. The buds themselves dont remain stable in the ear, so forget about using them while engaging in motion-involved activity (such as jogging, walking, head-bobbing, neck movement, etc). These are by far the worst earbuds on the market. How could Apple stoop so low? Dont be fooled! Do a Google search for these and youll find that the vast majority out there considers this a horrible product. Youve been warned.
I used to use Koss Earbuds, which were pretty good. I sold these iPod duds in favor of the XtremeMac In-Ear Headphones, which are the best ones available and worth the extra money.
On: 2006-09-27
I cant believe I paid $40 for these damn earbuds. Worst purchase I have ever made. Since the beginning the earbuds easily fall off your ear and diminish the sound quality when it does. You really have to push them inside your ear and the comfort is unbearable. The original headphones are much better and take it from me I know because I have tried alot of headphones out there and these by far have got to be the worst. I was really dissapointed when one of the earbuds suddenly died without any explanation. What makes me really mad is that I really dont use them that often. AGGHHH!!! If you are into sound quality try out the Bose Quiet Comfort Headsets. The sound is amazing and no other headphones come close to it. The name speaks for itself when it comes to comfort. Ill leave you with a last note...IF YOU WANT TO SAVE SOME MONEY, DONT BUY THESE HEADPHONES!!!
On: 2006-09-27
What a waste of money. Ive tried all three sizes of ear bud, and I cannot get them to stay in--I get them in properly but they pop out if I move my head. While they are in the sound is tinny and inferior to the original ear buds. Too bad the old version is only available in cheap knockoff form.
On: 2006-09-09
These ear buds are so much better than the ear phones that came with the iPod. The reason Im giving them 4 stars instead of 5 is the fact that they are hard to get used to. The challenging part is figuring the right fit with the three different sized ear pieces they give you. For a while I thought the medium size fitted me best, but my left ear piece kept falling out. Ive now come to terms that I have a large ear canal, haha, and use the large ear pieces.
I know the price is quite high and it took me a long time to decide to just go for it and buy them. Now that Ive figured out how they fit, I believe it was worth the $40.
I do recommend buying these ear buds. They have amazing bass response for such little things, its very cool.
If you decide to buy, dont give up on them too soon. Play around with the different sizes and get them to fit correctly, then youll love them!
To give you a perspective on my opinion, I would probably give the ear phones that came with the iPod 1 star compared to these. Earbud Headphones are the way to go!
On: 2006-09-09
I received my iPod Earbuds today and was looking forward to having some earphones that would not only sounded great, but would also stay in my ears. Unfortunately, this was not the case. In fact, since I couldnt even get these things to stay in my ears I cant rate the overall sound quality.
I tried all three earbud sizes and followed Stephens instructions to the letter, but I was still unsuccessful. I must have tried for 20 minutes to make these work. Finally my ears just couldnt take it anymore and I gave up. Perhaps my ear canal is just not deep enough.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.
On: 2006-08-28
I am amazed that these are in production, they suck so bad. I did not realize that "in ear headphones" meant that you had to shove the ear piece into your ear as far as you can to get anything close to proper sound. The smallest buds were too large for my ears, so I would shove it in there (hardly seems like a good thing to do to your ears) and create a suction (even worse). I few minutes later, if I had managed not to touch the cord and release it from my ear, the suction would release and I had to start all over. I tried all of the suggestions I found on the internet (upside down, wrap the cord around your ear, turning the buds inside out). Nothing worked. These just suck. DO NOT BUY THEM. I will post a better option when I find one.
On: 2006-08-20
I agree with the previous review. The fit in the ears is difficult at best. I finally just took off the outer earbud piece and stick the raw speaker in my ears. Now the volume in the left ear is almost gone after less than 3 months, and when I called Apple Support they tell me it is not covered since my IPOD is 10 days out of warranty. The fact that I bought these less than 3 months ago, separate from my IPOD made no difference to them. The claim on their website "All Apple hardware products, including clearance and refurbished products, carry a one-year Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship." is absolutely false in this case.
You can be sure I will switch brands for my next set.
On: 2006-08-17
1.) Design is bad. Once youve mastered the art of ear bud placement
and the contortionists moves required, youve thrown your back out.
You shouldnt need to "aerobicize" to put on headphones, sorry.
2.) Sound is okay. Nothing a cheaper and more "wearable" earphone couldnt beat.
3.) Like a few of my other reviewers, the left bud dropped to
50% volume first, and as of today has dropped to 20%.
Ive tried switching left with right, and no doubt it is the buds.
Of course, it could just be that my ears are poorly designed.
Ill make sure and return them as well.
Too bad that a great system like the IPod cant come up with a better product than this.
On: 2006-08-16
I mean seriously I have tried a few different headphones and these have blown me away. I would only say there is one con and it is minor. The design of the plug in cord is straight so after time, wrapping the headphones around the mp3 player constantly will cause the straight-in design adapter to have some wear. My friend with the same headphones has had to place a piece of tape around his. You just have to be careful not to put to much pressure on the cord. But besides that they are awesome! The fit and sound is amazing. I also have owned the cheaper Sony Fontopia headphones that these headphones are similar and i think compatred to by amazon- and believe me, the extra 15 or 20 bucks is so worth it.
On: 2006-08-05
Proper insert : Good bass, good treble, blocks external noise.
Bad insert : No bass, VERY HIGH TREBLE!
I find this product has better sound quality than any other earphones, that is if you insert it correctly.
On the other hand however, is it just me or the fact that when you slightly come in contact with the cord (ie: walking, jogging), you add more unnecessary fake-bass and even hear the sound of your biting when you have your meal. I find it rather uncomfortable and annoying.
On: 2006-07-31
I was ready to return these 3 minutes after I first tried them because of the horrible sound (too much treble and no bass at all) and the fact that they would not stay in my ears.
Then I did a little research, found Stephens instructions on how to insert them into my ears properly, and was amazed at the difference. They stay in just fine and the sound is amazing...there is even plenty of bass!
I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 because I think the instructions that came with them should address this issue. I shouldnt have to go to a 3rd party website and read customer reviews just to find out the proper way to fit them into my ears.
On: 2006-07-30
No matter how you insert these in your ear, the sound quality is tinny and overly bright. For $40, you expect an upgrade over the standard Apple headphones. These sounded worse. There is a way to fiddle: When you put the headphones into your ear canal horizontally and let the cord snake out through the gap above the lobe, some of the tinniness disappears. (This may be what those more favorable reviews are getting at.) However, the gain is marginal at best and if you jog, its impossible to maintain the earphones in that position without constant adjustments. Apple should go back to the drawing board.
On: 2006-07-23
I like them and would and do recommend them. They are not perfect, however, and can be a bit of a pain to get and keep in your ear. Once there though... they sound amazing.
On: 2006-07-23
Ill admit that I was not satisfied with the standard ipod ear-phones that came with i-pods. However, the in-ear headphones are not only not worth the $40, I believe they should immediately retracted from the market. I noticed some of the other reviewers commented that the reason I can not manage to fit them in my ear is because I have an irregular shaped ear-canal. However, as I did some extended research to see if my ears were in fact "irregular", I found more people aggreeing with my stance that these earphones do not fit and were extremely uncomfortable. So perhaps what you need are irregular ears in order to get a perfect fit. I have spent so much time trying on each of the sizes and pulling and pushing and twisting and sincerely trying to make these earphones fit that my ears hurt.
As for the sound quality, aside from the fact that it is clear and blocks out some outside noise, I dont find anything spectacular about these headphones. I own many pairs of headphones and I actually prefer to have less sound quality if my I could listen to music or go for a jog or turn my head 10 degrees without these sophisticated head-phones falling out of my ear. Its quite ironic that theyre called in-ear.
On: 2006-07-11
I find it strange that after so many negative review, theres exactly enough 4- and 5-star reviews to fill the first page on the Amazon site. There should be a way to prevent Apple employees, and stockholders from making false claims on here.
Anyway, I bought these headphones a couple months ago to replace the original iPod headphones which I threw in the trash after the little foam covers popped off for the 10,000th time. I thought to myself, "surely Apple has recognized the design flaws and made an improved product by now." Well, they got rid of the flawed foam covers, but introduced a whole new set of problems. First off, these headphones simply did not fit. Yes, I tried the arm-over-the-shoulder-ear-pulling thing. Yes, I tried changing the cover sizes. No matter how much pulling or screwing into my ear, they would never stay put. At least I could wear the old headphones jogging or working out without having them fall out. These would fall out when I turned my head just sitting at my desk. The sound quality was not great, although I could well imagine this was due to the poor fit.
Another problem I dont see mentioned often on here, is that you really need to clean your ears immediately before using these headphones, or the headphones will clean them for you. Not pretty.
The deal-breaker for me was after about a month and a half of moderate use, the left speaker suddenly became even more tinny than before and dropped about 80% in volume. So in the trash these went and I bought a non-Apple brand of in-ear headphones (Philips) for about half the price that has none of these problems and excellent sound quality and havent looked back since.
If Apple put as much effort into the construction of their products as they do into the packaging and advertising, theyd be unstoppable. As it is, these are overpriced, non-functional headphones and should be recalled by Apple.
On: 2006-06-30
this headphones deliver great sound definition and a lot of bass, if you use them correctly. overall, a great buy!!!
On: 2006-06-28
After buying these, I am more than convinced that the people complaining of poor sound from these are not fitting them into their ears properly. If you dont shove them in your ears and seal them in there well, they sound awful. However, if you get them in there and get a good seal, they sound absolutely amazing for $40 ear phones.
I was able to get a good seal by using the large rubber pieces (it comes with 3 sizes: Small, medium and large) and doing what other people have suggested on here. Pull up on the top of the ear and insert the ear bud. You should notice that the room noise has significantly decreased around you. If it hasnt, you dont have a good seal and it just simply wont sound good. However, once you get a good seal, youll definitely enjoy it. Its not uncomfortable by any means. I had a 2 hour flight to Cancun last week and had these in the entire flight and actually would forget I had them in sometimes.
The only draw back is that if you have kind of odd ear canals, these ear buds may become unsituated and start to loosen the seal a bit. Especially if you tug on the cord a bit or if you try to go running with these in. This happens to me sometimes. However, not often. All I do is push the ear bud back in and get great sound again.
If you have an oddly shapped ear canal, Id suggest you not buy any in-ear earphones because you wont be happy with the sound unless you get a good seal inside the ear. However, the sound of these earphones compares to much more expensive earphones (like the ones around the $100 - $150 range) but for over half the price of those. Theyre definitely worth a shot. If you find them falling out a lot or youre not getting a good seal in the ear even after youve tried all the ear pieces and tugging and pulling on the ear, just return them and find some headphones.
Overall, Im happy. Could they be designed a tad better? Sure... They could design them so they create a better seal and makes it easier for the user to insert them to get that seal, but what couldnt be design better these days?
On: 2006-06-13
I was a little leery about purchasing these earphones due to some of the negative comments regarding the fit. But the standard issue headphones that came with my iPod were too big and hurt my ears. So, I thought that I would give these a try for myself. I had no problem with the fit right out of the box (the medium size). They fit very snug almost suction-like into the ear. They stayed in place, they didnt hurt my ears at all and the sound is very good.
On: 2006-06-10
first of all, these in-ear headphones sound quality is spectacular, no arguing at all. the silicone buds completely isolate the outside noise, block the speaker in the ear, and by these, speakers produce a magnificent bass quality. a very, very important indirect positive effect of this, is the longer battery use by the increased volume feeling. there are a lot of reviews telling the impossibility of the placement and poor sound quality. these are nonsense, results of misuse only. the headphones must be placed tightly into the ear, not as loose as regular ones. they can easily be used even in small ears, like mine, so dont hesitate about that. well, the only negative and crucial part of these, is the price tag.
by: prometheusa1 On: 2006-06-08
I just wanted to echo what several others here have said. These iPod in-ear headphones are really remarkably functional, sleek, and reasonably priced -- but only if youre patient in learning how to insert them correctly.
With that said, its important to know what youre purchasing before you invest in these. While they dont go *all* the way into the ear canal, they go significantly farther than any other headphone youve likely encountered thus far. Because of this, they can feel awkward at first and even uncomfortable if theyre not placed properly.
Thankfully, each set comes with three different sized earbud tips: small, medium, and large. Just adjust the tip size for your comfort, then insert them by gently pulling up on your outer ear and placing the earbuds inside the ear canal.
One reviewer commented that he/she didnt want headphones that you have to be a "contorsionist" to place. In fact, this simply isnt the case. While its true that you cant just pop them in, it takes no more than 10 seconds extra (total) to gently tug up on your ear and put these in. No fancy moves or acrobatics are required -- you just need to straighten out your ear canal first to make sure the earbuds dont fall right back out.
With all of that said, Im really pleased with how this item has worked for me. Theyre a cinch to put in and remarkably comfortable if you take the time to size them as the instructions recommend. After the first few times, you put them in without even thinking about it.
Pros: The bass provided by these earbuds is a *significant* improvement over the iPods standard in-the-box headphones. Clarity is also improved because of the products location in the ear canal. This has the added bonus of a nice noise-cancelling effect, allowing you to listen to your music clearly and without the distraction of outside noise. I really enjoy the snug fit -- youre really free to move about while not worrying about these plopping out and hitting the floor or jiggling about around the outside of your ear.
Cons: The price may seem a bit steep to some. If you find them cumbersome to fit, or are nervous about having something actually *in* your ear, you might look elsewhere.
Overall, a fantastic and reasonably-priced piece of technology to accompany your iPod. While its undeniable that other, more expensive headphones exist, I suggest giving this one a try first. I cant see paying $100+ for another product until you at least give these a shot first. And again, be patient -- start with the smallest tip for the buds, insert them, rinse and repeat until you find the size that works best for you. Highly recommended.
On: 2006-06-07
I just wanted to echo what several others here have said. These iPod in-ear headphones are really remarkably functional, sleek, and reasonably priced -- but only if youre patient in learning how to insert them correctly.
With that said, its important to know what youre purchasing before you invest in these. While they dont go *all* the way into the ear canal, they go significantly farther than any other headphone youve likely encountered thus far. Because of this, they can feel awkward at first and even uncomfortable if theyre not placed properly.
Thankfully, each set comes with three different sized earbud tips: small, medium, and large. Just adjust the tip size for your comfort, then insert them by gently pulling up on your outer ear and placing the earbuds inside the ear canal.
One reviewer commented that he/she didnt want headphones that you have to be a "contorsionist" to place. In fact, this simply isnt the case. While its true that you cant just pop them in, it takes no more than 10 seconds extra (total) to gently tug up on your ear and put these in. No fancy moves or acrobatics are required -- you just need to straighten out your ear canal first to make sure the earbuds dont fall right back out.
With all of that said, Im really pleased with how this item has worked for me. Theyre a cinch to put in and remarkably comfortable if you take the time to size them as the instructions recommend. After the first few times, you put them in without even thinking about it.
Pros: The bass provided by these earbuds is a *significant* improvement over the iPods standard in-the-box headphones. Clarity is also improved because of the products location in the ear canal. This has the added bonus of a nice noise-cancelling effect, allowing you to listen to your music clearly and without the distraction of outside noise. I really enjoy the snug fit -- youre really free to move about while not worrying about these plopping out and hitting the floor or jiggling about around the outside of your ear.
Cons: The price may seem a bit steep to some. If you find them cumbersome to fit, or are nervous about having something actually *in* your ear, you might look elsewhere.
Overall, a fantastic and reasonably-priced piece of technology to accompany your iPod. While its undeniable that other, more expensive headphones exist, I suggest giving this one a try first. I cant see paying $100+ for another product until you at least give these a shot first. And again, be patient -- start with the smallest tip for the buds, insert them, rinse and repeat until you find the size that works best for you. Highly recommended.
On: 2006-05-28
Before buying these headphones, I read through many of the reviews here. The main complaints:
1) Tinny sound
2) They fall out
The end result of these complaints were usually returns and denounciations.
Well, I say: Give these a chance! Read through the directions on how to insert them! They are *in-ear headphones*; the way that you put them on are obviously different from the way you put on regular earbuds.
It certainly may take some getting used to, but once you get them fitting properly the sound is completely amazing!
What I love about these headphones:
1) Wonderful noise-cancelling ability. I cant hear a thing with music blasting in these.
2) BASS! Wow, totally didnt know some of my songs could sound like this. Cant wait to use these to watch movies.
3) Snug fit. After a while, I barely notice that theyre there.
4) Aesthetic appeal. These look great with your iPod.
So please, dont be so quick to return these. Give them a shot! Itll be worth it!
On: 2006-05-24
I just picked these up as I found the standard ipod headphones good but lacking in low end bass.
I was horrified at first how nasty the more expensive earbuds sounded, but searching around found Stephen "svogelpohl"s review which had perfect instructions on how to fit them - Ive been listening for a couple of hours now and other than a quick re-fit theyve been amazing - in fact youll want to listen to all your favourite songs again due to the fantastic quality - not only in the bass but the mid and highs too, and the stereo seperation is head and shoulders over other headphones Ive tried.
Just so you dont have to scroll through 10+ pages of reviews to find the instructions, here they are:
---8<---
If you are trying to insert the RIGHT headphone, use your LEFT arm and put it over your shoulder, behind your head, and grab the top of your right ear. Pull your ear upward so as to "straighten" out your ear canal. Then insert the headphone and swivel it in a circular motion to slide it into your ear. The orientation of the chord from the ear plug should be downward just like with the ear-buds. Once they are in you should be able to pull lightly on them and they will not move. If when you pull on them they move, then you either have not put them far enough in your ear or you should try a different size cup. I would recommend trying all three sized cups and use the one that fits the best. Do the similar thing for the other headphone and you should be good to go.
As a note, if you buy a pair of earplugs, they have a similar (albeit better then mine) instruction on how to insert them into your ear. You will see that you get a much snugger fit and better seal if you lift your ear as described here. I hope this helps and gets those one-star reviewers to change their mind!
---8<---
Hope it works for you as it did me!
On: 2006-05-23
Let the wealth of one-star customer reviews for the iPod In-Ear Headphones serve as a warning flag before you add these to your Shopping Cart--to quote a previous reviewer, this product really is an "ear-dud." Variations in human ear design aside, one really shouldnt have to be a contortionist to insert a simple pair of headphones. I tried every size attachment and still wasnt able to wear these as designed (and thats only a guess, as the products instructions are anything but--you shouldnt have to track down an online FAQ or tutorial on how to properly wear headphones). When they were able to stay put for a few minutes, the sound quality was tinny and hissy at best. Needless to say, these have been returned.
On: 2006-05-17
I bought these earphones feeling very optimistic about the audio experience I was soon to have. I already knew that there were three sizes of ear buds, so I should have no problem finding the size that would be the best for me. Sadly, this became the problem that made these earphones unusable. I guess I must have some type of a mutant/alien ear passage or something, but none of the three ear bud caps fit my ears. Each of them would slide out only after seconds. I took a great deal of effort to secure them in as well, but no luck. Be aware of these. Theyre not exactly cheap either. If you plan on buying these, keep the receipt in close proximity.
On: 2006-05-16
Yes, YMMV... I bought a set of these a couple of weeks ago to replace my failed Sony EX71s. That will be a topic for another review! My Sonys failed and it was the second or third set this year.
I sometimes sleep in my earbuds. When I have trouble getting settled down at night, Ill put them in and use my iPod to help drive the days activities from mind so I can rest. Ive been using my iPod as a sleep aid for two or three years now. Its very effective for me.
Sonically, the iPod earbuds are better than average. In comparison with the Sony EX71s, I find them a bit fat in the mid-range frequencies and maybe not quite as smooth sounding as the Sony earbuds. But, they are not bad-sounding at all. Just a bit different that what I was used to and certainly plenty good sounding for the price. The highs are clear and the bass full and tight.
The trick with these earbuds, like any earbud, is to ensure the proper latex shell is installed so that the earbuds fit snugly, but not too tight. A loose fit is bad! Then, on insertion (be careful or youll put pressure on your eardrums -- uncomfortable) "wiggle them around a bit" (technical terms) to get them properly seated.
I like how the shells fit tight against my head. These earbuds are well-designed (like every Apple product Ive owned) and the strain-relief for the buds themselves are well-constructed and should protect the leads against flexure. They are comfortable to wear while reclining.
When properly inserted, youll find the sound quite good. If the iPod earbuds are not properly seated, then the leaks will suck the bass right out them and they will not sound good at all. Some experimentation may be required.
Now for my only complaint, and the reason for only three stars -- my iPod earbuds work out of my ears as I wear them. As I said before, I often wear my earbuds when sleeping or resting, so this may be a special situation. But after a few minutes, maybe a half-hour, I lose the high-quality sound and find that theyve worked out of my ears just enough to break the seal.
I dont wear them when Im sitting up, preferring to use regular speakers when Im at the desk. So, I cant say how they will perform when the wearer is in an upright position. They may be fine.
So, my opinion is that they are a better-than-average sounding headset, definitely well-designed, but they dont stay seated for me. So, as I said, YMMV... but theyre worth a try and the price is reasonable.
On: 2006-05-14
Ok, so after reading reviews I was somewhat leery of getting these, at over thirty bucks a pop. The Phones that came with the Ipod sucked, and broke. The wires came out of the plug thingy and I thing sparks came out at the phone part after dropping them into a bucket of water while washing the car. Which leads me to needing new phones. After putting the small ends on, they sound great! And fit my ears just fine thank you very much. Usually the in ear phones hurt the hell out of my ears, but these are ok. The sound isnt bad, I dont think its tinny or no base, but I dont listen to base infused music so, whatev. I would recommend people to get them only because they dont suck and are able to be customized.
On: 2006-05-14
Do not waste your money on these headphones. I bought a pair, and after only limited use, the left speaker died. I dont mourn the loss, as even with the smallest size bud, they didnt fit right.
I was disappointed. Everything else Ive ever bought from Apple was excellent. These, though, were a waste.
On: 2006-05-07
I think this might be my first one-star review.
Two iPods and I never was thrilled w/the ear buds that came w/either. The sound was pretty decent, but never stayed in my ears. Ever.
These looked like a good solution. 3 different size adapters - how could they not fit somehow? The first size seemed to fit just fine. Not great, but fine. I never even tried the other sets.
Why? Because the sound was sooooo horrid. Apple told me, at purchase, that the quality was the same as what came w/the iPods - its just how they fit in the ears was the difference, but they are WAY off. Id rather have the original set that didnt stay in my ears to have the tinny sound, no bass music that came out of this new set.
I got them today. They go back tomorrow.
On: 2006-04-29
Wow. These are by far the best earbud/in-ear headphones that I have used (granted I havent used all that many, but they still sound great.) Now there are probably many people out who have heard bad reviews on these headphones, but the fact is that those people were most likely NOT USING THEM CORRECTLY. You MUST, MUST, MUST, MUST and I cannot say it enough times, MUST really push them INTO your ear canal. Of course you dont want to push them to the point that it hurts, but to work correctly they have to make a seal in your ear. Once you do this, they sound great.
On: 2006-04-27
The first time I got these out of the box and put them in my ears, I was very disappointed. The sound was tinny, and there was NO bass at all.
Annoyed at spending the money, I went on the apple website and found an FAQ on how to fit these headphones.
Result?
Excellent sound quality, crisp and clear from bass to treble.
Recommended thoroughly. But why isnt that FAQ included in the box???
On: 2006-04-25
My first impressions of these headphones was fantastic - and i got them for a bargain. The problem is, its all fine while i was sitting very still, the bass is warm and the EQ across all ranges is pretty balanced for such small headphones. As soon as i started moving they kept falling out, i found myslef walking around looking very wierd as i kept pushing things back into my ears. Even with some real pressing and setting, they still seem to just fall out - any size of bud i use. My real problem though (and this might be true of all in-ear headphones - but any movement my body makes or anything that touches the cord is passed straight into my ear drum (because you need your ears to be open to balance pressures between the inside and outside of your body - its called your Eustachian Tube) anyway, every footstep thunders in my ears, great is you just use them for commuting but it was just horrible running with them in.
Dissapointed - are all earbud headphones like this?
On: 2006-04-21
I bought these headphones a couple of months ago and I must say there is simply no comparision between these amazing headphones and the horrible ones the iPod comes with! The fact that these go so deep into your ear takes a little getting used to but, after a while you find normal headphones uncomfortable. When you move you get a scraping noise from the headphones moving against your shirt which is kind of annoying. I like the fact that these headphones come with various sizes of earbuds so you get the best fit possible. overall these headphones are great!
On: 2006-04-14
My husband dropped his headphones in a cup of coffee and needed a replacement pair for his ipod Shuffle. We got him these for his birthday and so far they have exceeded expectations.
Pros:
+ comes with different-sized interchangeable earbud pieces for different-sized ears
+ comfortable
+ stay in place during average workouts
He uses them primarily when lifting weights and running on the elliptical machine. They stay in place well, but we cannot vouch for running in atmospheric conditions (i.e. wind, rain) or while doing high-impact exercises that may result in these falling out.
Best for indoor exercising at home or at the gym. A good buy overall.
On: 2006-04-11
The original headphones supplied with my Ipod Shuffle proved disappointingly fragile and seriously lacked bottom end, probably due to the tiny size of the Shuffles output amplifier and power source, so I thought Id give the Ipod Earbuds a try. Rather than hooking into your ear like the standard headphones, you have to wedge the Earbuds into your ear canals, the rubber sleeves around their periphary creating a seal and thereby blocking out a good amount of external noise. Upon initial testing I was pleased to find that the Earbuds do generate substantial bass. Now dont get me wrong, Im not a bass maniac its just that the Ipod Shuffle with standard headphones doesnt really have any, so I was pleased in this respect. Unfortunately, theres a little too much bass with the Earbuds, combined with a general softening of the midband and a splashy top end. I know these are tiny in ear headphones and are subject to limitations, but they are just not as well balanced as the originals. However, they do block a lot of external noise due to the seal they create with your ears. This was definitely a plus but turned out in the end to be for me anyway the biggest design flaw of all. Because the phones are fitted so tightly into the ears, any movement of the cord or contact with clothing is translated into a sound akin to sticking your head out of a car window at speed and is transmitted directly into your ears. In my humble opinion, if you are considering these headphones for use whilst walking or jogging, and are you not into listening to bass heavy music then Id seriously consider an alternative, the Sennheiser CX-300 perhaps.
On: 2006-04-08
Stephen from NJs review made these happen for me. I can get em in just right now, and they sound fantastic- especially with the iPods Loudness eq setting.
My first impressions of these were not good. Tinny, thin... no bass. And then I figured they have to get in there really far like earplugs and they sounded much fuller. Then I read the online reviews here and came across the above mentioned review and now theres almost too much bass and fullness. They are worth every penny if you can handle the tight earplug feeling.
On: 2006-04-02
I bought these because I thought theyd be better than the headphones that came with my Nano-they are actually quite inferior. I keep them as a spare only. The sound is really harsh, grating, with little to no bass. The different eq settings barely made any difference. I since bought the Sennheiser CX 300S in-ear monitor-these rule! For less that $20 more you get vastly, I mean vastly superior sound quality. As a matter of fact, when I first got the Sennheisers I thought they sounded a little muddy, then I turned off the eq and like magic perfect sound, perfect balance. I really feel kind of ripped off by Apple on these.
On: 2006-03-22
The idea of upgrading the earphones on your iPod is an excellent one. The cheap ones that are included with an iPod do not do much to enhance listening pleasure. They just kind of make noise.
The sound quality out of these Apple iPod Earbuds is very good. Not excellent, but very good and a good value for $39. Others have gone in to much more detail on this topic, so we will move on.
The down side really is the fit. Even with the three sizes of adapters to choose from, I could only get the buds to stay in one of my ears, and that was only if I held still. The other ear simply popped it out within 15 seconds of installation. None of the ear pulling or contorting changed this inevitable result. Earbuds have to be inserted in to the ear canal to sound good, otherwise they sound worse than the basic iPod ear buds. Overall, sound quality- 4 stars, fit 2 stars.
What to do if they dont fit? I returned them to Amazon for full credit (I love Amazon!) and purchased the Entymotic Research 6i earbuds. They have two choices for ear adapters- one of which is foam that will mould to any shaped ear. These sounded a bit better than the Apple earbuds, but are about twice the cost. Make sure to get the 6i, not the 6. The 6i has more bass and higher output than the 6.
On: 2006-03-21
Small, versatile and fully featured, this is an excellent option for the average music listener and for someone who is always on the go. Thank you apple!.
On: 2006-03-18
I read all of the reviews for these headphones before buying them, and have had mixed feelings about them myself. First of all, they produce much better sound than the OEM iPod headphones, but I did have some difficulty at first getting them to stay in. With the largest "bud" they finally do stay in and close off almost all outside sound... given that Im not moving too much. I tried to wear them to the gym once, and they are impossible to keep in my ears when trying to work out. My recommendation would be to get these for your desk, the subway ride, the plane ride, anywhere that you wont be moving too much and want better sound and decent noise blocking... and stick to your original headphones while at the gym.
On: 2006-03-16
Ordered these because the supplied earbuds dont fit and keep falling out. There may be one person out of a billion whose ears suit the hard round buds. The new ones fit a lot better but the sound quality was very poor with a hissing sound. Did a test with the family and everyone prefered the old ones. Sent these back (amazon had the nerve to deduct $5 from the refund) and now waiting for Sennheisers px 100 in white. Also the Shure earbuds are great if you can afford the price. ipods rule but their earbuds are garbage.
On: 2006-03-13
I was looking for a new pair of buds to replace the stck ones that came with my iPod. I do most of my listening on Sennheiser PX 100s, but traveing on trains and planes, etc. I needed something more closed. After comparing I chose the Apples over the Sony 51s, mainly due to the coments about the Sony wires, etc.
I will say that I am more than pleased with the Apple buds. I tried all three pads and surprinsgly found the largest fit best. I did the ear pull trick and they made a tight seal. The sound quality is very good with excellent separation of instruments. Now, Im not an audiophile, but for my classic rock, blues and country these things sound really good. For the price, I am pretty happy so far.
While the canal phones are not for everyone, these Apples do sound very good for the price. Give em a shot! I did and was very happy.
On: 2006-03-12
I bought these headphones thinking they would stand up to the same musical quality as all the other apple products I own, however i was sadly mistaken..
The sound quality is dreadful. I have no idea how they passed through product control. There is no bass whatsoever..
You are likely to get a better sound from those free headphones they provide you on transatlantic flights...
On: 2006-03-11
these earnuds sound great when you use the right size of the ear adapters that come with the earbuds. they need to be placed deep in the ear for them to fit snug and air tight. Believe me... they sound great. I know there have been complaints about them not sounding awesome. This is probably due to improper placement within the ear. The only draw back is they seem a little fragile and i am so afraid of breaking them because they do feel really light and the chord is thin. A friend of mine easily tore one of the rubber ear adapters when putting them on so they are a bit fragile.
On: 2006-03-07
These things sound like you are listening to music inside a tin can. Wheres the bass? In fact, where is that stereo sound that the first iPod headphones had? And I hate the way these feel in my ear. That flimsy piece of rubber is so uncomfortable that I wouldnt wear these even if they had decent sound. Definitely not worth the money!
On: 2006-03-05
I know that there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the Apple In-Ear Headphones. The fact is, that they are actually pretty good earphones. The sound is quite balanced with slightly artificial treble, but a nice natural bass which is much more pleasing (in my opinion) that heavy artificial car subwoofer-like bass. The bass wont be heard UNLESS THEY ARE INSERTED PROPERLY! Try the different ear pieces and the lifting up the top of your ear method mentioned by Stephen "svogelpohl." That will give you a better seal. If perfect sound isnt an issue and you just want very good isolation at around this price, you might consider some of the Sony fontopia models which give a good seal, but have overwhelming bass and very little treble or mids, which isnt to my personal taste. If you listen to rap or metal, it might be okay. Also, take a look at other in-ear types of headphones. I have never tried them, but Sennheiser makes a cool looking pair with very high reviews for $70. I trust Sennheiser in general because I have a pair of their headphones and theyre great!
On: 2006-03-03
I have small ears, and these fit perfectly. I thought they had very good sound. Unfortunately, after about six months (and I dont use the iPod that often) the right one broke, and so now I have to buy a new pair. These are pretty expensive to replace on a regular basis, and so Im not sure what kind to buy. Perhaps if these were stored in a good case they would last longer, but that takes a lot of care.
On: 2006-03-02
Very little bass, hence too much treble and they dont stay in the ear.
Shure at this price much better sound except the wire is too thin and breaks easily.
On: 2006-02-28
I purchased these ear buds thinking that itll stay in my ears better than the earphones that came with my iPod when I was running. I was WRONG. From reading past user reviews, I tried all their tricks - pulled my scalp back when inserting them, changed out the different size rubber casings multiple times, etc. - and no matter what I did, the ear buds kept on falling out of my ears when I moved. When I sat still, they seemed to stay in place but the sound quality wasnt THAT much better than the regular earphones. Save your money!
On: 2006-02-26
nah, these earphones dont fit in your ears too well. they have three sizes but they dont quite stay in your ear. also, if your the athletic type. there is no way in hell you should consider these. try sonys hook around the ear type. way better.
On: 2006-02-24
I had the regular ipod headphones that came with my nano, but the left ear broke. Then I bought the ipod earbud headphones, theyre awsome; they dont fall out easy like those other jokers say, use the right size and your fine. The bass and sound quality is much much better than the standard ones. They are the most excellent headphones Ive ever owned.
On: 2006-02-20
Comfort/Fit: The ear buds do not fit in my ear. They fall out whenever i slightly move my head.
Sound: Since it doesnt fit, I pushed pushed it in tightly just to hear how it sounds. The sound is clear. There is very little bass even with my iPod EQ at the bass setting. Since it is an earplug, outside noise is canceled slightly. I get better sound from my $10 Sony earphones i bought at walmart.
On: 2006-02-07
Apple should be embarassed to put their apple on the bottom on this item. I am not happy with my recent purchase of this product. I think the sound quality is great. The whole in ear concept is pretty cool. Some things I was totally against how you can not RUN with then in your ears. If you try to run with them far in your eas there is no chance they will stay in your ears. Also, if you take them in and out to talk to people every so often they start to scar after a while. YOU CAN NOT HEAR PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE IN YOUR EARS AND THE MUSIC IS OFF. I would not reccoment this product i think it is one of the worst products apple has put out.
On: 2006-02-07
As soon as I opened the packaging I could tell by the cheap plastics that these were not going to be worth the money. The sound quality was actually pretty good, but it just felt like Apple used the cheapest materials available. The Sony headphones in the same price range are much better.
On: 2006-02-07
I was wearing these around with the mediums on, and the sound quality was shockingly bad. I couldnt believe it. Tinny, no bass, falling out. I went online to see if there were other people venting, and in the process I was fiddling with the different sized covers. I switched to the smalls and did the ear-pull thing. Now theyre in and theyre what I expected when I first bought them, if not better. The main drawback is obviously the hit-or-miss fit. That being said, once in properly, they beat the hell out of the OEM earbuds.
On: 2006-02-06
Things to think about when getting headphones/earbuds:
A great review from a traveler who is a headphone stickler.
Short:
Pros: They sound great with good bass.
Cons: If you sing to yourself, phones that plug into your ears are not for you.
Things to think about when getting headphones/earbuds:
If you want headphones to wear with a collared shirt:
1) You need headphones that are not connected. I founf the Nike Flight headphones to the best. I love them - great bass, cool looking, incognito, etc; but, the two ear pieces are connected by a behind the head band. If wearing a T-shirt, this is great. If wearing a collared shirt at the airport, everytime you turn your head, the rear band hits your collar and knocks the headphones off of your ears.
If you want to sing to yourself while wearing headphones/earbuds:
1) Dont buy in the ear type or "plug type" earbuds. They plug your ear and when you sing - it sounds like you are singing through your ears. Put your fingers all the way in your ears and sing and you will know what I mean. It takes all the fun out of singing as loud as you can in the rental car in the middle of podunt ohio.
If you wear headphone inside your shirt so they arent seen.
1) When I travel, I put the headphones on inside my shirt, I string it down the onside of my shirt, up out of my pants, under my belt, and into my pocket where my ipod lives. The problem comes when the unit has a 1 meter cord. The 1 meter cord is too short by about 6". I am 58".
On: 2006-01-31
Until recently when I lost them, I had been using a pair of Earbuds for about a year. Those reviews for this product that warned against an impossible good fit haunted me. I tried all three different size pads, but even with the medium size that fit best, it was frustrating how they would only really stay put for about a minute or so, even if I was basically just sitting still reading. I would really jam them in there, too -- they have to be, to get any real bass at all -- and theyd just slide back out again.
So, then I lost them, and decided to find something different. I ended up buying off of here Sonys MDR-EX71SL/WK Fontopia Headphones instead. Immediately upon first use, I was very much impressed. They comfortably go into your ears and stay put, even while walking. I havent tried jogging or anything like that yet with these, but already I can tell they will fare quite well. At any rate, they are a highly superior product compared to Apples Earbuds and I recommend them. No, theyre not Apple, but Apple doesnt necessarily design each and every product they manufacture as well as they do others.
On: 2006-01-30
these were purchased to replace the original 3g ipod headphones. you cant run with these,you cant even eat or drink with them on if theyre inserted properly every swallow sounds like its going through your head . running outside they block everything out (hazardous) thr only thing theyre good for is blocking out everything on the couch or on a plane. thats not why i bought them.the sound is good but the uses are limited. im really disappointed
On: 2006-01-29
These are the worst earbuds on the market. Plain and simply put they dont fit -- none of the three sizes -- and they dont make anything sound better than my original earbuds that came with the iPod. I returned them after two days of trying and trying and trying to give them a chance. Overall review: S for suck.
On: 2006-01-29
It took 2 days, but I finally got these to fit properly. I was having trouble because my ears stick out a bit, so I was worried I would have to return them. After reading all the reviews, I learned how to put them in I am much more satisfied. Im ecstatic. The major difference is in the bass and the noise-canceling effect. I cant even hear the keyboard as Im typing this and the volume isnt really that loud. Thanks everybody!
On: 2006-01-27
I just sent in my Shure E2c earphones in for service this week, and needed a stop-gap solution for the next few weeks. My girlfriend dug this pair of headphones (still in their original packaging and in new condition) out from her desk drawer and said "Keep them - They suck".
I put them in and gave them a try; the sound quality was excellent. They were nearly on par with my $90 Shures. I used to do audio engineering, so Im super-picky about sound quality. These were great headphones - the girlfriend was crazy; simple, end of story. Well...
The next morning I popped them in to headed off for work. I have a 10 minute walk to the subway, and it was then that I realized that the headphones do indeed "suck", and hard. Every movement of the cord produced great "whooshing" sounds drowning out the music. The Realistic wire headphones that came with my Tru-Value Walkman in 83 would be far superior to these if youre moving at all - just pathetic.
Once I got on the subway and sat down, everything was fine - great sound. Got off and headed for my office - WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH. God, are these awful.
If you plan on sitting perfectly still while using these headphones, go nuts - these headphones are a steal. If you plan on walking, jogging, working out, or biking, you should keep shopping - Your money would be better spent by taking two twenties and sticking one out of each ear.
On: 2006-01-26
I got really excited when these babies finally arrived after reading all the reviews. At first plug-in I had my set that came with the IPOD and listened to those for about 10 seconds. Then I put in these and listened. My face probably looked like the kid who heard there was no Santa Claus. The bass dropped clear off the picture and the overall sound was extremely tinny (o.k. maybe tiny too). In desperation I tried jamming them in my ear canal in all possible manners as indicated by other reviewers. When I got them to finally sound acceptable I replaced them with the original pair to check the sound difference. Again I was dissapointed. I then tried every size ear cap and had the same results. Maybe if I have my ear canals surgically reconstructed to properly match the delicate form fitting shape of these finicky earphones they will sound like they were designed to. Otherwise, these were not an improvement. I will continue to try to get a good sound out of these before I finally toss them but should I really have to try THAT hard to make headphones sound good? I dont think so.
UPDATED REVIEW ONE DAY LATER I really wanted these to work so I tried again. Most people will probably have the same experience I originally had. The second day I got them to sound about the same as my original set except I really had to jam those suckers in pretty deep. There really was not an improvment over my original set but I thought they might actually cut out more outside noise than the others. Helpful in airplanes, while cutting the grass etc. They basically are going to fit like tight earplugs when you finally get them to sound good. Considering day two I would change my original one star rating to a three but I dont think I can. I wouldnt buy these expecting a monumental improvement over your original set.
On: 2006-01-21
I just received my Apple iPod Earbuds and the minute I tried them out, I knew it was the best money I could have invested in my iPod.
I have very small ear canals and the standard earphones that came with the iPod were extremely uncomfortable and were constantly falling out even though I tried Steves tips of how to insert them properly.
These earbuds are so comfortable you dont even feel them in there. Also, the sound quality is absolutely amazing. It blocks out any external noises (note: dont wear them driving...yes I know you already know this).
The earbuds come shipped standard with the size medium earpieces already on the earbuds. I immediately switched them with the size small (what a perfect fit for my tiny ear canals. FYI I am a 36 year old woman...not a young child). Just line up the size tab (S,M,L) that are on the earpieces with the groove on the earbuds and Voila, heaven to your ears.
If you are unhappy with the standard earphones that came with your iPod, I highly recommend you invest in these earbuds. They are well worth the money. :)
On: 2006-01-17
I got these to replace the ones that shipped with my nano, which were OK, but pretty uncomfortable. I looked at and tried a few other brands (Sony, Panasonic, others I dont remember) and none of them were really great. They all mostly suffer from poor bass or were very uncomfortable. A few like the Sony pair had irregular lengths for the cord. I guess youre supposed to wrap it in back of your head and only listen to your stuff on your left (which annoyed the hell out of me since my nano always rides in my jeans coin pocket). And the cords were either ridiculously short or long. All that said, these are probably the best I tried. But not perfect. Heres a run-down:
The Good
)Pretty comfortable when worn properly. MUCH more comforable than the stock iPod buds.
)Great dynamics. Especially highs and mids. These have a great range and sound better than much more expensive phones Ive heard. Even sounds great at very low volume.
)Match the iPod look and style.
The Bad
)The bass can be lacking. If the buds shift a little out of your ear, all of a sudden youre in tin town. If you cram them in there really good, the bass is there, but Id never describe it as "booming".
)Can be cumbersome to get it in your ear properly, and seems to want to fall out pretty easily.
) THIS IS MY LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT THESE EARBUDS. When you have them crammed in your ear correctly, it creates an ear plug-like seal. Unfortunaly, this means that every little move, bump, or shift of the cord BOOMS in your ear. Its EXTREMEMLY distracting. Just breathing moves the cord along my shirt which creates pretty loud thumping. If youre going to listen to these perfectly still, youll be good. Otherwise, it can be an issue. I cant imagine trying to use these at the gym or while jogging.
Overall, for the price, I dont think youll find a better set of ear buds.
On: 2006-01-13
Ive got a $100 Sony surround sound headphone set, and when adjusted properly these headphones sound just about as good. A GREAT BUY! VERY MUCH WORTH $40! The BEST headphone investment you can make!
On: 2006-01-10
1) I bought these and trust me, I want to like them. I generally love all other Apple-branded products. Ive concluded that my ear canals are just differently sized than most other peoples. I cant get a secure fit with any adapter.
2) Once theyre in, they sound great. Dont need much power to get good clear sound.
3) When theyre in, I constantly hear my body noise or the sound of the earphone wires rubbing up against anything. I assume this is a problem with all in-ear earphones, but nobody seems to mention it. This experience makes me hesitant to try out the $100+ in-ear earphones so Im glad I only spent ~$30 for these.
4) All that said, theyre not perfect, but still better than the included earphones.
On: 2006-01-05
I thought these were great when I first got them, the sound was much better than the standard ipod headphones. I was one of the lucky ones that was able to get a good fit with them, so they didnt fall out. Even so, they still werent all that comfortable.
The sound quality does fade with time. I finally figured out that this was due to a buildup of earwax (yuck!) over the speaker grill. Not at all easy to get clean, but if you do, the sound comes back.
On: 2006-01-05
I bought this item because I like to use my ipod on the treadmill; I run and walk and was tired of other products not staying put--this one is great for that reason. I also love the fact that I dont get outside noise!!!!
I am most pleased with the different sizes that come with the product. I started using the med, but switched to the small and realized they block even more noise out. Its like having ear plugs in playing only what you want to hear.
Great product!
On: 2005-12-31
These usually dont stay in your ears. The reason is, they made the rubber tips, waaaaay too soft and flexible. They cant grip onto anything because theyre too smooth.I tried everything!I used Stephans advice and pulled up my ear.Didnt work.I tried rotating the tips.Didnt work.I tried wearing them uside down.Didnt work.I am getting a pair of Sonys to see if they work.I wouldnt buy these.These headphones are the first apple product that I really dont like.
On: 2005-12-28
These headphones do not fit! This is the first time I have felt ripped off by Apple. Im sorry, but I wont just shut up about it. If Apple is so great, why dont they design a premium pair of headphones that fits everyone? I dont know if I have "tiny ear canals," but honestly, it is no fault of my own. If Apple wanted to show a higher degree of engineering, they should hav | | |
