Comments on: Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 27 May 2012 00:39:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Dave Henniker http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-64993 Dave Henniker Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:35:26 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-64993 I've had numerous in-ear headphones or earphones since the first .mp3 players came out and these are not only the most expensive, they're the worst by far. Virtually zero bass, even with bass boost enabled on my iTouch 64GB. Mid range and treble sounds oddly distorted, too - a sort of unpleasant phasey effect. I reverted to older earphones, cheap JVC or the previously purchased ones from Amazon, Sennheiser with mike and switch. Can't adjust the volume with these unlike the Apple ones but you can click to pause, hold to enable voice control, double click for next track, triple click for previous. Forget the Apple branded ones - like Don Henley says 'Packaging is all there really is". I’ve had numerous in-ear headphones or earphones since the first .mp3 players came out and these are not only the most expensive, they’re the worst by far.

Virtually zero bass, even with bass boost enabled on my iTouch 64GB. Mid range and treble sounds oddly
distorted, too – a sort of unpleasant phasey effect.

I reverted to older earphones, cheap JVC or the previously purchased ones from Amazon, Sennheiser with mike and switch. Can’t adjust the volume with these unlike the Apple ones but you can click to pause, hold to enable voice control, double click for next track, triple click for previous.

Forget the Apple branded ones – like Don Henley says ‘Packaging is all there really is”.

]]> By: Tony http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-51996 Tony Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:09:11 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-51996 Yup, like Dan, I have to disagree with the review. I have the Shure SE530's, and Etymotic ER4P's, among other non-earbud headphones (Sennheiser, Grado), and the Apple In-Ears are very, very good. I sometimes use them for techno music production on my laptop (when I'm away from the studio), and they are definitely very detailed and balanced, without being overly fatiguing, like the Etymotics sometime are. An incredible value for $80. Now if only the remote Yup, like Dan, I have to disagree with the review. I have the Shure SE530′s, and Etymotic ER4P’s, among other non-earbud headphones (Sennheiser, Grado), and the Apple In-Ears are very, very good. I sometimes use them for techno music production on my laptop (when I’m away from the studio), and they are definitely very detailed and balanced, without being overly fatiguing, like the Etymotics sometime are.

An incredible value for $80. Now if only the remote

]]> By: Dan http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-47066 Dan Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:06:23 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-47066 As a audio engineer, I own about a dozen different sets of earphones and in-ear 'phones. My favorite, by far, are my sure SE530s. I have some Sennheiser cx400s which are good workhorses, but lack the finesse, clarity and stunning accuracy of the Shures. For convenience, I bought the Apple's, as I wanted something I could use with the phone for calls. I found the sound to be quite clear and beautifully clean, but like many, no matter how I tried, the stock Apple tips never made a good seal. The seal is absolutely essential to getting bass out of a balanced armature design. For you non-engineers, just trust me that if you don't have a proper seal, you will have no bass. In my case, I think the trouble had to do with the largest size being a tiny bit too small, and the silicon being too rigid, yet slick, so they left small airgaps and were easy to remove. I tried using some foam tips from a third party, but their large was more of a medium, and never came close to a snug fit. Like Michael above, as an experiment, I dug around in my ear-tips from my Shure's and tried their rubber tips which are about the same size as Apple's large tips, but made of a more pliant and slightly sticky rubber. OMG, what a transformation. Suddenly the sound blossomed, the bass became rich and well balanced, and the "top-heavy" sound was totally mellowed into a rich, well balanced and incredibly detailed presentation. Make no mistake, these are the best 'phones under $200 I have ever heard. The bass is deep and warm, very detailed, and totally lacking fuzz or buzz that I can hear in the Sennheiser set. Follow Michael's advice, and look at getting tips from a better headphone. The trick is it has to have a soft rubber base that can expand over Apple's slightly larger stub. Some tips, like the Shure foam tips, have a rigid plastic sleave in the tip to keep it's position correct, and these won't expand over the larger Apple posts. As a audio engineer, I own about a dozen different sets of earphones and in-ear ‘phones. My favorite, by far, are my sure SE530s. I have some Sennheiser cx400s which are good workhorses, but lack the finesse, clarity and stunning accuracy of the Shures. For convenience, I bought the Apple’s, as I wanted something I could use with the phone for calls.

I found the sound to be quite clear and beautifully clean, but like many, no matter how I tried, the stock Apple tips never made a good seal. The seal is absolutely essential to getting bass out of a balanced armature design. For you non-engineers, just trust me that if you don’t have a proper seal, you will have no bass.

In my case, I think the trouble had to do with the largest size being a tiny bit too small, and the silicon being too rigid, yet slick, so they left small airgaps and were easy to remove. I tried using some foam tips from a third party, but their large was more of a medium, and never came close to a snug fit.

Like Michael above, as an experiment, I dug around in my ear-tips from my Shure’s and tried their rubber tips which are about the same size as Apple’s large tips, but made of a more pliant and slightly sticky rubber.

OMG, what a transformation. Suddenly the sound blossomed, the bass became rich and well balanced, and the “top-heavy” sound was totally mellowed into a rich, well balanced and incredibly detailed presentation.

Make no mistake, these are the best ‘phones under $200 I have ever heard. The bass is deep and warm, very detailed, and totally lacking fuzz or buzz that I can hear in the Sennheiser set. Follow Michael’s advice, and look at getting tips from a better headphone. The trick is it has to have a soft rubber base that can expand over Apple’s slightly larger stub. Some tips, like the Shure foam tips, have a rigid plastic sleave in the tip to keep it’s position correct, and these won’t expand over the larger Apple posts.

]]> By: Michael http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-35800 Michael Thu, 21 May 2009 14:49:16 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-35800 I picked up a pair of these a coupld of months ago, looking for good sound quality at an "affordable" price until the iPhone 3.0 OS comes out with Bluetooth stereo. I like the placement of the mic better than the standard earbuds which kept snagging on the collar of my shirts. Everyone I talk to says that they can hear me very well even in the car with the windows/sunroof open. I found the sound quality very good, much better than the standard iPhone earbuds although no where near as good as my Etymotic ER6i. I tried all 3 of the silicone eartips and also had trouble getting them to stay in my ears. I was actually ready to give up on them when I remembered that I has purchased spare silicone tips for my ER6i's. Although it was a bit of a tight squeeze I was able to put the Etymotic tips on the Apple headphones and I will have to say that the difference was amazing. I was finally able to get a snug fit in my ear canal and got them to stay put. The bass tightened up, the highs got crisper, the mids stood out, and the sound stage expanded so that the music really felt like it was inside my head. It's still not the sound quality of my Etymotics but it is as good or better than every other headphones I have tried. If you already own a set of these and don't like what you are hearing then I would suggest investing $15 in the Etymotic tips. As others have pointed out its all about getting a good seal. Michael I picked up a pair of these a coupld of months ago, looking for good sound quality at an “affordable” price until the iPhone 3.0 OS comes out with Bluetooth stereo. I like the placement of the mic better than the standard earbuds which kept snagging on the collar of my shirts. Everyone I talk to says that they can hear me very well even in the car with the windows/sunroof open.

I found the sound quality very good, much better than the standard iPhone earbuds although no where near as good as my Etymotic ER6i. I tried all 3 of the silicone eartips and also had trouble getting them to stay in my ears. I was actually ready to give up on them when I remembered that I has purchased spare silicone tips for my ER6i’s. Although it was a bit of a tight squeeze I was able to put the Etymotic tips on the Apple headphones and I will have to say that the difference was amazing. I was finally able to get a snug fit in my ear canal and got them to stay put. The bass tightened up, the highs got crisper, the mids stood out, and the sound stage expanded so that the music really felt like it was inside my head. It’s still not the sound quality of my Etymotics but it is as good or better than every other headphones I have tried. If you already own a set of these and don’t like what you are hearing then I would suggest investing $15 in the Etymotic tips. As others have pointed out its all about getting a good seal.

Michael

]]> By: ZAGG Z.buds Earphones for the iPhone — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-31917 ZAGG Z.buds Earphones for the iPhone — The Gadgeteer Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:00:53 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-31917 [...] have engineered the Z.buds to compete with Apple’s In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic in all categories; multi-function remote, in-line microphone, volume control, and price point. [...] [...] have engineered the Z.buds to compete with Apple’s In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic in all categories; multi-function remote, in-line microphone, volume control, and price point. [...]

]]> By: Tim http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30495 Tim Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:18:59 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30495 Anybody able to make it work with Fring for the iPod Touch? I haven't yet, this would be a deal breaker for me. Anybody able to make it work with Fring for the iPod Touch?
I haven’t yet, this would be a deal breaker for me.

]]> By: Jeff http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30120 Jeff Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:21:24 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30120 I think it might take a while for some other people to get use to it since you have to plug it right inside your ears. It slips out very slowly so u have to adjust it from time to time. but they sounds great with added bass compare the regular iphone headphones. It works both on iphone and itouch 2nd gen(not for 1st gen), the mic is much better and louder than factory headphones that come with iphone. U can use it to record voice on itouch 2nd gen. The volume control works both on itouch and iphone. click once to pause/play, twice to forward a song track and click 3 times to reverse a song track. I think it might take a while for some other people to get use to it since you have to plug it right inside your ears. It slips out very slowly so u have to adjust it from time to time. but they sounds great with added bass compare the regular iphone headphones. It works both on iphone and itouch 2nd gen(not for 1st gen), the mic is much better and louder than factory headphones that come with iphone. U can use it to record voice on itouch 2nd gen. The volume control works both on itouch and iphone. click once to pause/play, twice to forward a song track and click 3 times to reverse a song track.

]]> By: Dave http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30081 Dave Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:52:33 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30081 Sorry folks for not keeping up with your comments. I've been bouncing around the US this week. My plan is to try these earbuds again, swapping out the silicon tips with other tips I have lying around (hopefully some fit). The goal is to get a better fit and hopefully a better sound experience. I also want to get Fring working on my Touch to test these earbuds w/Skype. I hope to provide additional comments this weekend. Dave Sorry folks for not keeping up with your comments. I’ve been bouncing around the US this week. My plan is to try these earbuds again, swapping out the silicon tips with other tips I have lying around (hopefully some fit). The goal is to get a better fit and hopefully a better sound experience. I also want to get Fring working on my Touch to test these earbuds w/Skype. I hope to provide additional comments this weekend.

Dave

]]> By: Alric http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30051 Alric Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:38:27 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30051 This was my experience the Apple In-Ear headphones. I have used multiple in-ear headphones including etymotics, V-Moda, etc. With the Apple In-ears I tried all silicone plugs in multiple in-ear positions. Getting a good seal gets you [b]some[/b] bass but not as much as other headphones. My previous set were the V-modas which have a lot of bass and probably accentuated the problem. I used them for about a week but was never satisfied because of the lack of bass and returned them. It was specially disappointing because the high and mid range sounds were excellent and allowed me to hear sounds in songs I've never heard before. My current heaphones are V-Moda 2s which are a little better than the previous V-modas. This was my experience the Apple In-Ear headphones. I have used multiple in-ear headphones including etymotics, V-Moda, etc. With the Apple In-ears I tried all silicone plugs in multiple in-ear positions. Getting a good seal gets you [b]some[/b] bass but not as much as other headphones. My previous set were the V-modas which have a lot of bass and probably accentuated the problem. I used them for about a week but was never satisfied because of the lack of bass and returned them. It was specially disappointing because the high and mid range sounds were excellent and allowed me to hear sounds in songs I’ve never heard before.

My current heaphones are V-Moda 2s which are a little better than the previous V-modas.

]]> By: compudude http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30046 compudude Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:34:43 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30046 So every professional reviewer states that these headphones offer phenomenal sound for the money, but stress that a perfect seal is critical, or else the sound will not be right and bass will be lacking. This reviewer admits that he could not get a good fit, and complains that the sound is not good and bass is lacking. Gee. What a shock. At least the photos and physical descriptions were good. It's a shame the reviewer couldn't get a good fit, but that doesn't make them bad headphones, it makes them bad for HIM. Size 13 Bruno Magli's aren't terrible shoes, they're fantastic... unless you have size 9 feet. Blaming the shoe or the manufacturer is not really fair. So every professional reviewer states that these headphones offer phenomenal sound for the money, but stress that a perfect seal is critical, or else the sound will not be right and bass will be lacking.

This reviewer admits that he could not get a good fit, and complains that the sound is not good and bass is lacking.

Gee. What a shock.

At least the photos and physical descriptions were good. It’s a shame the reviewer couldn’t get a good fit, but that doesn’t make them bad headphones, it makes them bad for HIM. Size 13 Bruno Magli’s aren’t terrible shoes, they’re fantastic… unless you have size 9 feet. Blaming the shoe or the manufacturer is not really fair.

]]> By: Tony C http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30040 Tony C Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:24:04 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30040 Counterpoint to the complaints about oversize packaging: Shoplifters Counterpoint to the complaints about oversize packaging: Shoplifters

]]> By: Philippe Radley http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30038 Philippe Radley Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:37:28 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30038 Why no mention of UltimateEars? I have a pair of super.fi 4 vi phones (list: $149 - the price at which they are sold in the Apple store, but available on the web for ca. $110) that provide excellent sound on my 3G and a remote to allow you to take calls or simply to interrupt playback. They come with a whole slew of earpieces and I have achieved a good seal with either the foam rubber or rubber ones. I can't see the point of this Apple headset if the sound is inferior, whatever the looks. Why no mention of UltimateEars? I have a pair of super.fi 4 vi phones (list: $149 – the price at which they are sold in the Apple store, but available on the web for ca. $110) that provide excellent sound on my 3G and a remote to allow you to take calls or simply to interrupt playback. They come with a whole slew of earpieces and I have achieved a good seal with either the foam rubber or rubber ones. I can’t see the point of this Apple headset if the sound is inferior, whatever the looks.

]]> By: mike http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30034 mike Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:32:47 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30034 h2o audio's waterproof phones much better for sound and fit many buds to fit all ears h2o audio’s waterproof phones much better for sound and fit
many buds to fit all ears

]]> By: Adam http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30030 Adam Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:47:17 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30030 They fit well for me. No volume up/down on iPhone... although it seems like a trivial firmware fix to me. Your own voice sounds muted if you have them both in your ears. Try talking with any sound isolating headphones in and you'll get an idea of what a phone call using these sounds like. Weird, but if you leave one ear out it's fine. They fit well for me.

No volume up/down on iPhone… although it seems like a trivial firmware fix to me.

Your own voice sounds muted if you have them both in your ears. Try talking with any sound isolating headphones in and you’ll get an idea of what a phone call using these sounds like. Weird, but if you leave one ear out it’s fine.

]]> By: nowhereman http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30024 nowhereman Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:07:31 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30024 they give you the same functionality you have with the original earphones...which means no volume control (yet) they give you the same functionality you have with the original earphones…which means no volume control (yet)

]]> By: Kelly O'Hara http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30023 Kelly O'Hara Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:46:48 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30023 I was curious, you say they work with the iPhone, but Apple still doesn't list them as compatible. I'm sure they work fine with the audio and mic, but I'm curious if they work with the volume control as well, since I'm thinking about something like this to control the music while riding a motorbike. I was curious, you say they work with the iPhone, but Apple still doesn’t list them as compatible.

I’m sure they work fine with the audio and mic, but I’m curious if they work with the volume control as well, since I’m thinking about something like this to control the music while riding a motorbike.

]]> By: nowhereman http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30022 nowhereman Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:40:19 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30022 I have had a pair of these since Christmas (present :-)) and you HAVE to get a good fit /seal (not insulting those whom have in-ear /canal phone experience). One thing you can try is substituting ear pieces from some of the Shure earphones (or perhaps others). I have a pair of E2C's and use the foam plugs which work very well on the Apple ear pieces. I use them on my 3G iPhone and use the bass boost on the iPod. I have had a pair of these since Christmas (present :-) ) and you HAVE to get a good fit /seal (not insulting those whom have in-ear /canal phone experience). One thing you can try is substituting ear pieces from some of the Shure earphones (or perhaps others). I have a pair of E2C’s and use the foam plugs which work very well on the Apple ear pieces. I use them on my 3G iPhone and use the bass boost on the iPod.

]]> By: Theoinpa http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30020 Theoinpa Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:34:51 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30020 I thought about buying these, but heard about the universally poor fit, and how important a good fit is to the sound quality. Funny it seems no matter what comes out, and what I try (and I have tried quite a few) I keep coming back to the Etymonics ER-6i’s. You can generally get them for under 100.00 most places and I just can’t find anything that gives me all they have; sound, size, isolation, comfort (if you get the 2 flange or foam-and they have a new no-squeeze foam earpiece I have heard good things about), and price point. I trust the gadgeteer for reviews by people who think like me so I was not sure about the Apple in-ear fit problems...Till now. Thanks! I thought about buying these, but heard about the universally poor fit, and how important a good fit is to the sound quality. Funny it seems no matter what comes out, and what I try (and I have tried quite a few) I keep coming back to the Etymonics ER-6i’s. You can generally get them for under 100.00 most places and I just can’t find anything that gives me all they have; sound, size, isolation, comfort (if you get the 2 flange or foam-and they have a new no-squeeze foam earpiece I have heard good things about), and price point. I trust the gadgeteer for reviews by people who think like me so I was not sure about the Apple in-ear fit problems…Till now. Thanks!

]]> By: RICHARD RABORN MD http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30018 RICHARD RABORN MD Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:52:58 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30018 IWOULD BUY THEM IF THEY WORKED WITH SKYPE ON MY I TOUCH IWOULD BUY THEM IF THEY WORKED WITH SKYPE ON MY I TOUCH

]]> By: Jake http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30017 Jake Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:49:21 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30017 i agree i spent less than that on a pair of sennheisers that sound awesome. i have the old in ear earphones and find their fit in my ear to be a little bit "iffy" i agree i spent less than that on a pair of sennheisers that sound awesome. i have the old in ear earphones and find their fit in my ear to be a little bit “iffy”

]]> By: Jackie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30016 Jackie Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:13:47 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30016 Add $20 and just get a Bose headphones...hehe Add $20 and just get a Bose headphones…hehe

]]> By: Mystech http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30014 Mystech Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:12:40 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30014 Yay, Apple... wasteful packaging, nigh-criminal aftermarket up-sells and reverse ergonomics; all at a premium price! :-) Yay, Apple… wasteful packaging, nigh-criminal aftermarket up-sells and reverse ergonomics; all at a premium price! :-)

]]> By: nomaded http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30012 nomaded Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:08:02 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30012 Not having tried these in-ear monitors, but having experience with others, I'm willing to bet the mediocre sound quality is from not having a good seal with the silicone ear tips. Do you know if other brand tips, like the ones from Etymotics or Shure will fit on these Apple earbuds? If so, you may be able to get better performance from a better seal/fit. Not having tried these in-ear monitors, but having experience with others, I’m willing to bet the mediocre sound quality is from not having a good seal with the silicone ear tips. Do you know if other brand tips, like the ones from Etymotics or Shure will fit on these Apple earbuds? If so, you may be able to get better performance from a better seal/fit.

]]> By: Ray Raddatz http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/02/02/apple-in-ear-headphones-with-remote-and-mic-review/comment-page-1/#comment-30010 Ray Raddatz Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:12:47 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11840#comment-30010 I thought that Apple was starting to buck the trend of wasteful packaging but it doesn't look like it here. I thought that Apple was starting to buck the trend of wasteful packaging but it doesn’t look like it here.

]]>