Apple Earbuds (White with Gray Earbuds)
by Apple Computer
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Our Price: $64.18 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple Earbuds (White with Gray Earbuds)
Customer Review: Fantastic headphones, if you're careful to insert them correctly...
Summary: 5 Stars
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 you're patient in learning how to insert them correctly.
With that said, it's important to know what you're purchasing before you invest in these. While they don't go *all* the way into the ear canal, they go significantly farther than any other headphone you've likely encountered thus far. Because of this, they can feel awkward at first and even uncomfortable if they're 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 didn't want headphones that you have to be a "contorsionist" to place. In fact, this simply isn't the case. While it's true that you can't 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 don't fall right back out.
With all of that said, I'm really pleased with how this item has worked for me. They're 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 iPod's standard in-the-box headphones. Clarity is also improved because of the product's 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 -- you're 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 it's undeniable that other, more expensive headphones exist, I suggest giving this one a try first. I can't 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.
Customer Review: quick learner
Summary: 4 Stars
So, I got my mini, raved about it, but I soon discovered that the earphones hurt my ears after half an hour or so of listening. Even more, they needed to be used with volume over 50% in a relatively quiet room, and while commuting, 75%, in order to cover road and engine noise.
So, after complaining for a while, I got these. At first I tried some Sonys, played at the same volume level (the -then- usual 50%). They also were in-canals, and were recommended to me by a mate. I found them bulky, with a leather strap to get them to hang by the neck. Anyway, I said, if they do sound better... I plugged them, tuck them in, pressed play and suprise oh surprise! they had an extreme amount of treble.
After toying a bit with the EQ settings, I settled for R&B, wich boosted bass without eating the treble out, like BASS BOOSTER seems to do, so mi iPod was set to R&B when I pressed play... the amount of treble coming out of the Sonys was so much that I started toying again with the EQ settings, and after a while I settled to TREBLE REDUCER, can you believe? Once set to that EQ, I found that, amazingly, they sounded JUST LIKE the mini's included earbuds.
So I get these to replace the not-so-comfy-after-fifteen-minutes earbuds. When I first tried them on, I got a sonic explosion from the player: it was too loud. And the sound was kind of bass-less and distant. I cursed, thinking I made one of an unlucky bussines. Then I gave it a tought, swapped rubber covers (from medium to small, tough I haven't tried with the L ones), investigated new ways to attach them and voilá! I was surprised about how nice the bass sounded.
Played some tracks previously heard with the included earphones, setting EQ to R&B, and really, the bass was immediately noticed, clear and thick. A change to the better side of the situation, since I could hear music at 20% volume, on the same ambiance as before, blocking most of the external sound and at the same time having much more bass as with the original ones.
As a result, I think with this phones I'm saving ear, just because I don't have to play it with the volume at 100% to hear something.
An anecdote depicts it: first time I found my right fit (small caps, confortably tucked inside my ears) I was in bed reading; I kept reading until past six o'clock in the morning. I had the volume way down, until almost no volume bar could be seen, and I could still hear music, with bass and all, clearly to these new phones.
Sure, the bass won't make your chest tremble like a pair of Technics speakers, where would you get the power for it?
Customer Review: Your Mileage May Vary
Summary: 3 Stars
Yes, YMMV... I bought a set of these a couple of weeks ago to replace my failed Sony EX71's. That will be a topic for another review! My Sony's 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, I'll put them in and use my iPod to help drive the day's activities from mind so I can rest. I've been using my iPod as a sleep aid for two or three years now. It's very effective for me.
Sonically, the iPod earbuds are better than average. In comparison with the Sony EX71's, 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 than 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 you'll 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 I've 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, you'll 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 they've worked out of my ears just enough to break the seal.
I don't wear them when I'm sitting up, preferring to use regular speakers when I'm at the desk. So, I can't 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 don't stay seated for me. So, as I said, YMMV... but they're worth a try and the price is reasonable.
Customer Review: Unnecessarily harsh reviews
Summary: 4 Stars
I always find it helpful to know something about the person writing the review. I am male, 40 years old and teach at a technical college abroad. I use my iPod at work to shut out the office noise. I also travel quite a lot and will certainly use it on the log flights.
I have read probably 80% of the reviews on this site and quite a few of other sites a well. I was certainly put off from buying the apple in ear buds.
Fortunately or unfortunately the country that I live in 10 months of the year has limited choices and these were available where Sony, Panasonic and Shure are not. So I went with the Apple.
I am very glad that I did. I had done my research by reading the reviews first and thanks to all of you who have figured out the bugs before me.
I followed the instructions about how o put them in from all of you and won't waste space reiterating how it is done.
It took me less than 5 minutes to get the best position figured out and fittings on . I have mine in upside down with one large and one medium fitted.
They sound really good and quite a bit of the outside noise is blocked out foiling the evil noise making plans of my co-workers. I have not experienced any bass problems and have fiddled a bit with my EQ only because it was recommended here. I ended up turning it off. Everything I have sounds fine. I listen mostly to class rock and roll.
Having said that they stay put while walking around and head movement. Jogging might be out, but the exercise bike at the gym poses no problem unless I accidentally pull on the cord. Recommend putting the cord under the shirt to prevent cord pulling.
Seems to me that a lot of people got the home and panicked before getting them fitted correctly.
All told I am satisfied with them and glad I bought them. I think the number of negative reviews here skews the truth about these and I would say if you are thinking about getting them don't let the negative reviews here have too much of an effect.
They are a little more easy to come out than the regular buds and a little more trouble to get in, but once the are they are superior. There may be better phones pout there, but for the money I am glad I have these.
Customer Review: I'm hard of hearing, and these earphones improved my "iPod experience" dramatically
Summary: 5 Stars
I weighed the evidence presented in many of the reviews here, and decided to try these earphones. I'm completely deaf in my right ear, and have a 50% hearing loss in my left ear, so I'm either the perfect person to review this, or the worst. It all depends on your viewpoint. <grin>
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 wouldn't be surprised if they worked fine in that envirmonment.
With regard to sound quality, I couldn't have been more pleased. I heard notes in some songs that I've never heard before, and in other songs that had soft beginnings (Stevie Winwood's "Higher Love", for example), I was able to catch the song from the very first note.
I can't 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. It's certainly possible that some people will never be able to use these due to ear canal size. That's too bad - they're 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 wasn't 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 you're obsessive compulsive, you're not likely to get over that. Also, if you're listening to light music (new age, classical, etc.) or you're 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. I'm very, very pleased to have purchased it.