Apple earbuds = worst ever?

[alana22]

I don't get why so many people choose to use these things. The sound quality is so so bad, the volume is too hushed and they always feel like they're about to fall out. What good is using 256k/320kbps mp3s if you're just going to listen to them through earbuds that strip the music of its true depth. The headphone aspect is the main area where Apple has obviously chosen form over function.

[thegrue]

I don't get why so many people choose to use these things. The sound quality is so so bad, the volume is too hushed and they always feel like they're about to fall out. What good is using 256k/320kbps mp3s if you're just going to listen to them through earbuds that strip the music of its true depth. The headphone aspect is the main area where Apple has obviously chosen form over function.

Part 1: Apple knows nobody who cares about sound quality will use their headphones. Why make them good?

Part 2: Let's face it: Half the people who wear the ****** headphones are doing so as a "look at me, I have an iPod", and the other half are too daft to know the difference between ****** headphones and good ones.

[Sir. Cheesecake]

Apple earbuds are crappy but the best earbuds I have used that have come with the product.

[Arisian]

the 3g headphones werent that bad, they were the best I had seen come with a product... they are professional grade headphones, but they werent horrible. Infact, while I was traveling/living in tibet I broke my ipod headphones and had to deal with teh chinese knockoffs for a whole year. I would have paid 50 bucks for a pair of ipod headphones at that point. All the headphones in the local electronics market sucked butt..


Thanks,
Arisian


Apple earbuds are crappy but the best earbuds I have used that have come with the product.

[K Wal]

I first thought my iPod Touch sounded like garbage until I used my Sennheiser HD 280 pro headphones and it sounded just like my macbook (not a good refference but atleast to me it was comparing apples to apples)

[ivi7]

I don't think Apple cares. They know if we buy Apple products we can jolly well buy the earphones/headphones we want. I am still waiting to buy a pair of Bose headphones :)

[parrotheadmjb]

they're good enough for me, because I don't feel like spending several hundred dollars on a great pair of headphones I know I will break.

[thegrue]

they're good enough for me, because I don't feel like spending several hundred dollars on a great pair of headphones I know I will break.

Or you could spend $40 on a halfway decent pair of earbuds that suck way less than the Apple piles of tripe.

[trevorlsciact]

I'm not an audiophile, as long as it sounds fine to me I'll use them. Plus I like to match brands. Rebok shoes, Gap clothes, Apple electronics :o

[PygmySurfer]

I don't think Apple cares. They know if we buy Apple products we can jolly well buy the earphones/headphones we want. I am still waiting to buy a pair of Bose headphones :)

It's not that Apple doesn't care, it's just not economically feasible. If they included anything better, they'd drive the price of the product up.

Bose? The included headphones are probably better! Pick up some Sennheisers or Grados, don't waste your money on overpriced Bose crap.

[rubeeen]

It's not that Apple doesn't care, it's just not economically feasible. If they included anything better, they'd drive the price of the product up.

Bose? The included headphones are probably better! Pick up some Sennheisers or Grados, don't waste your money on overpriced Bose crap.

thanks for the tip. i thought it was all in my head but bose really arent that great at all lol.

ive been looking for a nice set to take on the plane with me cause i cant hear a damn thing with those crappy apple ones. i litterally have to push them into my ears, and hold them, to hear anything on a plane.

[ivi7]

It's not that Apple doesn't care, it's just not economically feasible. If they included anything better, they'd drive the price of the product up.

Bose? The included headphones are probably better! Pick up some Sennheisers or Grados, don't waste your money on overpriced Bose crap.

I'll give them a try:)

[ShanePod]

Everyone looks for something different in headphones...

I for example love a heavy bass when others may not.
Also, some people prefer headphones over earbuds so it all comes down to what you persenally like best. I for one am happy that apple ships iPods with the earbuds they do. If you aren't satisfied with them, then you can always choose from thousands of other pairs of headphones that'll suit your distinct taste in sound that you like best.

[madmaxmedia]

They actually sound semi-decent to me with the covers on. But I don't use them day-to-day.

[beaker26]

Grado's all the way.

[pushateg7]

I actually found myself wanting them again after going through a couple of different low end and high end pairs.

Don't really feel like their worth 30.00 in store, but I do like them. Use them daily at work, they'll do.

Maybe it's just the shape of my ears, but what gets me the most is the fit and comfort. I love the way they fit.

[benzslrpee]

if they are so bad then why did you buy it? or better yet, why even post this question? how many cd/mp3/pvp players come with good earphones? all i've seen come with ok ones and if you decide that you think you can hear the difference between 256kbps and 320kbps then you can go pony up for whatever high priced cans you want.

earbuds are not form over function. it's a mobile product so it's easier to store and pack earbuds than headphones. their function is the lack of space it takes up in your pocket, backpack or what not.

to the guy wanting the Bose, read this http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html
then decide if you want to buy them.

[K Wal]

to the guy wanting the Bose, read this http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html
then decide if you want to buy them.

That was a good read thanks. Even though in my case it was preaching to the choir

[alana22]

if they are so bad then why did you buy it? or better yet, why even post this question?

I bought an iPod, and it came with the earbuds. I didn't purchase the earbuds seperately. I posted this question to see the opinions of others. It's generally what occurs on internet forums ;)

Anyway, nice to see most people agree. I think I will test out a pair of v-moda vibes or Sennheisers. Thanks!

[Dijo John]

I think Apple is leaving the market for earphones open and providing 3rd parties a better chance to sell their products.
The same thing could explain why they still leave the back of the iPods scratch-prone (so that cases and invisible shields sell more).

Maybe it's some understanding between Apple & the major accessory-providers.