If you hear stuttering, and not *distortion*, doesn't that indicate that the wire leading into that bud is damaged, and not that the bud is blown? Academic, I know, but I've had *that* happen a lot of times. I've never blown the actual speaker inside the bud. 😱 Especially considering that the iPod doesn't get that loud to begin with...the max volume setting is way too loud for me to listen to with earbuds, but I have accidentally played through them at that volume for a few seconds, several times, because my iPod was hooked up to the car or stereo and turned up to full to simulate line level.... 😱