Comments on: Apple’s new in-ear headphones: comparison, impressions, and FAQ http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/ Editor and technology critic in the midst of founding a new web startup: gdgt. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:44:30 -0800 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Katie http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112865 Katie Mon, 10 May 2010 20:12:42 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112865 The most used apple ear phones fit in my ear just fine. i love them The most used apple ear phones fit in my ear just fine. i love them

]]> By: Review: Apple In-Ear Headphones | Jonathan Davies http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112688 Review: Apple In-Ear Headphones | Jonathan Davies Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:59:17 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112688 [...] originally purchased them after Ryan Block posted positive thoughts on the headphones [...] [...] originally purchased them after Ryan Block posted positive thoughts on the headphones [...]

]]> By: Ernie Varitimos http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112515 Ernie Varitimos Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:29:27 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112515 I'm going to give them a try. I'm gobsmacked that there aren't more and better choices given to popularity of iPods and iPhones. Seems there's a great biz opportunity there for someone to come up with a line of perfect iPhone/iPod headsets. I’m going to give them a try. I’m gobsmacked that there aren’t more and better choices given to popularity of iPods and iPhones. Seems there’s a great biz opportunity there for someone to come up with a line of perfect iPhone/iPod headsets.

]]> By: T http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112493 T Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:30:44 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112493 I bought a pair of these at the Apple store and was disappointed with them. Maybe mine are defective though. The bass is better than the std ipod headhones, but generally sound muddy. I plugged them into my TV's surround system and found something odd. Transformers (2007) was playing via Dolby PLII. When I plugged in the premium iphone headphones, only the music/foley sounds were audible. When I clicked and held the headphone's pause button, the full audio could be heard. This made me think the pause-button works via frequencies or my unit is defective. Anyone else seen anything like this? I bought a pair of these at the Apple store and was disappointed with them. Maybe mine are defective though. The bass is better than the std ipod headhones, but generally sound muddy.

I plugged them into my TV’s surround system and found something odd. Transformers (2007) was playing via Dolby PLII. When I plugged in the premium iphone headphones, only the music/foley sounds were audible. When I clicked and held the headphone’s pause button, the full audio could be heard.

This made me think the pause-button works via frequencies or my unit is defective. Anyone else seen anything like this?

]]> By: Alric http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112470 Alric Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:16:36 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112470 Many thanks for the review. Maybe my headphones were defective but I disagree with the "punchy" bass. Mine have almost no bass at all. Maybe I was spoiled by the V-modas which have good bass but muddy mids and highs. The Apple in-ear were the complete opposite excellent mids and high but pretty much non-existent bass. Many thanks for the review. Maybe my headphones were defective but I disagree with the “punchy” bass. Mine have almost no bass at all. Maybe I was spoiled by the V-modas which have good bass but muddy mids and highs. The Apple in-ear were the complete opposite excellent mids and high but pretty much non-existent bass.

]]> By: Good times | RobotSkirts http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112468 Good times | RobotSkirts Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:22:52 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112468 [...] have given out. I was considering purchasing some high-quality in-ear headphones and after reading Ryan Block’s review of the new ones from Apple, I decided that was the way to go. They are in very short supply though. I ended up calling the [...] [...] have given out. I was considering purchasing some high-quality in-ear headphones and after reading Ryan Block’s review of the new ones from Apple, I decided that was the way to go. They are in very short supply though. I ended up calling the [...]

]]> By: Kevin http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112467 Kevin Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:43:37 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112467 Everytime I've worn some type of in-ear headphones like these, I find them completely useless because if I have gum in my mouth, or eating some chips, all I can hear chewing (just like if you plugged your ears with your finger tips). Do these, and other like headphones, suffer from this problem? I've never seen it mentioned in any review (mostly in reviews of Shure's sound isolating earphones). Everytime I’ve worn some type of in-ear headphones like these, I find them completely useless because if I have gum in my mouth, or eating some chips, all I can hear chewing (just like if you plugged your ears with your finger tips). Do these, and other like headphones, suffer from this problem? I’ve never seen it mentioned in any review (mostly in reviews of Shure’s sound isolating earphones).

]]> By: Aakash Bapna http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112462 Aakash Bapna Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:15:30 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112462 Hey Ryan, your review clears most of my doubts about these in-ear headphones. Which iPhone did you use while testing, 3G or the older 2G ? any idea will they work with 2G iPhone as its jack is little bigger. Hey Ryan, your review clears most of my doubts about these in-ear headphones. Which iPhone did you use while testing, 3G or the older 2G ? any idea will they work with 2G iPhone as its jack is little bigger.

]]> By: aaron http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112454 aaron Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:33:52 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112454 also... even cheaper... sony ex85-lp... strange cord shape... but damn... they hit hard and sound good also… even cheaper… sony ex85-lp… strange cord shape… but damn… they hit hard and sound good

]]> By: inwoo http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112453 inwoo Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:57:08 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112453 i'm looking for a foam tip solution.. let me know if those comply tips work! i’m looking for a foam tip solution.. let me know if those comply tips work!

]]> By: oakie http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112452 oakie Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:13:40 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112452 @James: "Any idea if Shure’s foam tips will fit on these? Thanks for the review!" Based on the flared profile on the base of the Apple units compared to the slim, unflared profile of Shure's, I would have to assume no. (The flared tip on the Apple headset is due to the mesh caps having a larger external diameter on the exposed end and serves to hold the silicone flanges onto the earpiece) BUT... Comply is the manufacturer of Shure's current foam tips, and you can order them for many different brands of canalphones/IEMs. I have a set of Sony EX71's whose tip profile looks very similar to the new Apple In-Ears with the flared end. I'm still waiting for my Apple In-Ears to show up, but once they do, I'll attempt to fit the Sony silicone tips onto them to see if they fit; if so, I'll be ordering a set of the Comply tips for use with them. Oh yeah, you can order Comply tips here: http://www.earphonesolutions.com/cotieaforshv.html @James: “Any idea if Shure’s foam tips will fit on these? Thanks for the review!”

Based on the flared profile on the base of the Apple units compared to the slim, unflared profile of Shure’s, I would have to assume no. (The flared tip on the Apple headset is due to the mesh caps having a larger external diameter on the exposed end and serves to hold the silicone flanges onto the earpiece)

BUT…

Comply is the manufacturer of Shure’s current foam tips, and you can order them for many different brands of canalphones/IEMs. I have a set of Sony EX71′s whose tip profile looks very similar to the new Apple In-Ears with the flared end. I’m still waiting for my Apple In-Ears to show up, but once they do, I’ll attempt to fit the Sony silicone tips onto them to see if they fit; if so, I’ll be ordering a set of the Comply tips for use with them.

Oh yeah, you can order Comply tips here: http://www.earphonesolutions.com/cotieaforshv.html

]]> By: Douglas http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112450 Douglas Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:59:33 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112450 Thanks for the review and Q & A, Ryan. Your description of the awful stock iphod/phone buds experience was like reading my own thoughts. Finding an affordable, quality pair of headphones/mic for my iPhone has been impossible until now; I'm looking forward to trying these out. Thanks for the review and Q & A, Ryan. Your description of the awful stock iphod/phone buds experience was like reading my own thoughts.

Finding an affordable, quality pair of headphones/mic for my iPhone has been impossible until now; I’m looking forward to trying these out.

]]> By: John http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112448 John Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:25:47 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112448 They seem very nice, but the apple online store says 2 to 3 weeks to ship :( They seem very nice, but the apple online store says 2 to 3 weeks to ship :(

]]> By: Manoa http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112447 Manoa Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:17:33 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112447 I was just in the Apple Store, San Francisco, yesterday and they did not have them. Tried Ala Moana store last week, nada. Is the only way to get them online? I was just in the Apple Store, San Francisco, yesterday and they did not have them. Tried Ala Moana store last week, nada.

Is the only way to get them online?

]]> By: Dale http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112446 Dale Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:31:19 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112446 I have the old "premium" Apple brand earphones and I have to say they're the best I've owned so far. I'm sure these are even better. The included iPod earphones are completely useless. I have the old “premium” Apple brand earphones and I have to say they’re the best I’ve owned so far. I’m sure these are even better. The included iPod earphones are completely useless.

]]> By: George http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112445 George Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:54:01 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112445 Thanks for the review, but there's one key piece of information that I haven't been able to find anywhere on the net: Does the microphone work on the 2nd gen iPod Touch for voip calling (i.e. Fring)? Or did Apple limit the functionality to just recording voice memos? Thanks for the review, but there’s one key piece of information that I haven’t been able to find anywhere on the net: Does the microphone work on the 2nd gen iPod Touch for voip calling (i.e. Fring)? Or did Apple limit the functionality to just recording voice memos?

]]> By: James http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112443 James Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:16:06 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112443 Any idea if Shure's foam tips will fit on these? Thanks for the review! Any idea if Shure’s foam tips will fit on these? Thanks for the review!

]]> By: Mike http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112441 Mike Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:54:51 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112441 I recently bought a pair of Sennheiser CX500's for about the same price to use with my Touch. The sound quality is awesome (not sure if they're dual driver), but the wire isn't shielded all that well and I get some thumping when I walk. Did you notice any such issues with these? I recently bought a pair of Sennheiser CX500′s for about the same price to use with my Touch. The sound quality is awesome (not sure if they’re dual driver), but the wire isn’t shielded all that well and I get some thumping when I walk. Did you notice any such issues with these?

]]> By: Wifiguy http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112438 Wifiguy Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:39:33 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112438 Hey Ryan, I seem to have bad luck with Apple ear phones in general. About 3 months of use, they one of the ear pieces stops giving out audio all together. Do these 'feel' sturdier, as in better insulation or build quality? Thanks. Hey Ryan, I seem to have bad luck with Apple ear phones in general. About 3 months of use, they one of the ear pieces stops giving out audio all together. Do these ‘feel’ sturdier, as in better insulation or build quality? Thanks.

]]> By: dtbrady77 http://ryanblock.com/2008/12/apples-new-in-ear-headphones-comparison-impressions-and-faq/#comment-112437 dtbrady77 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:49:17 +0000 http://www.ryanblock.com/?p=1401#comment-112437 Wonder how they stack up against the Shure SE110's - closer in price point than the E4c's. Wonder how they stack up against the Shure SE110′s – closer in price point than the E4c’s.

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