Apple In-Ear Headphone Shocking?

kewl · Jan 13, 2009, 01:40 PM

Is it normal to experience intermittent small jolts of electricity from in-ear headphones? My regular earbuds never shock me. My new apple in-ear headphones shock me quite often, especially if I'm walking. I used to have some UE's and I vaguely remember the same thing happening.

I don't know if it's me, my clothes causing this, or a defect in the headphones. Anyone else have this issue?

scott523 · 04:06 PM

I got the shocks too, which I don't find it normal at all. I had the Bose in-ears before Apple's in-ears and they didn't shock me at all. I think it's the fact that Apple's in-ears don't have any magnets compared to most other headphones. The cause for the shocks is from the dry/cold air or even static build-up from your clothes but like I said, none of the headphones I've used shocked me before.

Also I found out the rubber piece connecting the cord to the earpiece was coming loose! Ended up returning them after none of the AppleCare support representatives understood what I was saying. They sent me regular iPod earphones, then sent me the previous old in-ear headphones..

gjw4u · Jan 13, 2009, 02:48 PM

I experienced the same phenomenon when using the Griffin in-ear 'TuneBuds Mobile' and wearing a wool overcoat. The cables are covered an additional nylon fabric layer. I contacted Griffin about this problem, and they assured me that I had a faulty pair, and suggested I return them. The store I bought them from replaced them with no hassle, but unfortunately I had the same problem with the new ones. It seems this problem does not occur, when wearing a coat made from cotton.

HiFiGuy528 · Jan 15, 2009, 07:03 PM

haven't felt it yet.

HiFiGuy528 · Jan 29, 2009, 05:59 PM

Holly *****! I got shocked today!!!!! Got it in both ears a few minutes apart. I was not moving or rubbing against anything. I was sitting at my wood desk in the office watching a video. WTF!!!!

jsauter · Jan 30, 2009, 10:28 AM

I have been getting this recently as well. It only happens when I am walking with my earphones and only on the left bud.

Kind of shocking!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kewl

Is it normal to experience intermittent small jolts of electricity from in-ear headphones? My regular earbuds never shock me. My new apple in-ear headphones shock me quite often, especially if I'm walking. I used to have some UE's and I vaguely remember the same thing happening.

I don't know if it's me, my clothes causing this, or a defect in the headphones. Anyone else have this issue?

HBarkhymer · Feb 5, 2009, 12:55 PM

I bought the headphones on Sunday and have been shocked in both ears, almost continuously, every time I've used them. Never had this problem with the V-Moda Vibes (did have other problems though, but nothing that hurt me physically). I am pretty sure I will return these. It's not like the sound is good enough to justify the pain.

k2snow · Feb 7, 2009, 07:36 AM

I have been extremely disappointed to not find these earphones in the stores, but I am glad that I have not yet purchased them because of the problem. I wonder what Apple will do to make this problem right?

How is the sound overall for you users?

alexbates · Feb 20, 2009, 03:33 PM

I don't even have the Apple In-ear headphones and I am still getting shocked. I am using my Apple regular headphones that came with my iPod Touch that I got about a year ago.

I just noticed it starting to shock me a few minutes ago. I was out playing basketball (its 43 degrees right now). My heaphones shock me about every 10 seconds. Its probably just the cold air buts its still really inconvenient.

TRON1138 · Feb 21, 2009, 10:06 PM

I too am getting shocked from the $79 dollar earbuds on an iphone 3G. I hope this doesn't casue any permament damage

aaquib · Feb 22, 2009, 10:07 AM

Same here. Especially when I'm outside, I get shocks quite frequently. It's addressed in the manual, so surely it can't be dangerous.

Sebby · Feb 23, 2009, 11:18 AM

I got a pair of these the other day and haven't been shocked yet. I read that quite a few experienced this problem - perhaps Apple have fixed it now?

spacka · Feb 26, 2009, 08:43 PM

wow this kind of puts me off buying them. at least at apple's price.

also, sorry if this isnt allowed but does anybody know if these ones on ebay are the real thing?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORIGINAL-GENUI...3A1|240%3A1318

cheers

spacka · Feb 26, 2009, 08:45 PM

oh right, no mic. my bad.

Sebby · Feb 27, 2009, 03:17 AM

That's the old model. Also, beware of places like eBay. If it's significantly cheaper than in the shops, the likelihood is that they're fake.

cbdoc · Sep 7, 2010, 10:35 AM

Same here. I already got a replacement pair, and after about 2 months of use, its shocking me again.

Happens when I'm walking, especially if its cold or windy...

BearsFan34 · Sep 7, 2010, 10:45 AM

Yep, I had this issue as well. Before my 1-year warranty ran out, I returned them for a fresh pair (which I intend to do every year...it's like a new pair of headphones every year!). Told them there was a problem with the clicker (which there honestly was) and also the "shock" issue.

Been on this pair of Apple IEMs now for about 4 or 5 months...no shocks yet, but with fall/winter approaching we'll see. I would typically get shocked every time I'd wear them to get groceries at the store I frequent; but I've been there a few times this summer & no shocking issues with the new pair.

Guess we'll see...

jackhdev · Apr 9, 2011, 11:32 AM

I've had this problem, too. We must be wearing them the wrong way.

johnnyturbouk · Apr 9, 2011, 04:43 PM

well, this is shocking!

i brought a pair but returned them as they were faulty and just paid the extra $$ for a pair of klipsch s4i... no regrets

Austin M. · Apr 9, 2011, 06:57 PM

I don't really care, they hurt my ears and disgrace music.

Jan 13, 2009, 01:40 PM	#1
kewl macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2007	Apple In-Ear Headphone Shocking? Is it normal to experience intermittent small jolts of electricity from in-ear headphones? My regular earbuds never shock me. My new apple in-ear headphones shock me quite often, especially if I'm walking. I used to have some UE's and I vaguely remember the same thing happening. I don't know if it's me, my clothes causing this, or a defect in the headphones. Anyone else have this issue?
	0

Jan 13, 2009, 02:30 PM	#2
scott523 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA	I got the shocks too, which I don't find it normal at all. I had the Bose in-ears before Apple's in-ears and they didn't shock me at all. I think it's the fact that Apple's in-ears don't have any magnets compared to most other headphones. The cause for the shocks is from the dry/cold air or even static build-up from your clothes but like I said, none of the headphones I've used shocked me before. Also I found out the rubber piece connecting the cord to the earpiece was coming loose! Ended up returning them after none of the AppleCare support representatives understood what I was saying. They sent me regular iPod earphones, then sent me the previous old in-ear headphones.. __________________ White 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook (2GB RAM, 500GB Seagate HD) - OS X 10.7.4; 640GB FreeAgent; 32GB iPhone 4S - iOS6; 32GB iPod Touch 4g (retired) Last edited by scott523; Jan 13, 2009 at 04:06 PM.
	0

Jan 13, 2009, 02:48 PM	#3
gjw4u macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Switzerland	I experienced the same phenomenon when using the Griffin in-ear 'TuneBuds Mobile' and wearing a wool overcoat. The cables are covered an additional nylon fabric layer. I contacted Griffin about this problem, and they assured me that I had a faulty pair, and suggested I return them. The store I bought them from replaced them with no hassle, but unfortunately I had the same problem with the new ones. It seems this problem does not occur, when wearing a coat made from cotton. __________________ ;-> gjw - iPhone 4 / iMac 27'' i5 -
	0

Jan 15, 2009, 07:03 PM	#4
HiFiGuy528 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2008	haven't felt it yet. __________________ ~Humans make Music, Music makes Miracles ~
	0

Jan 29, 2009, 05:59 PM	#5
HiFiGuy528 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2008	Holly *****! I got shocked today!!!!! Got it in both ears a few minutes apart. I was not moving or rubbing against anything. I was sitting at my wood desk in the office watching a video. WTF!!!! __________________ ~Humans make Music, Music makes Miracles ~
	0

Feb 5, 2009, 12:55 PM	#7
HBarkhymer macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2009	I am having this problem in both ears I bought the headphones on Sunday and have been shocked in both ears, almost continuously, every time I've used them. Never had this problem with the V-Moda Vibes (did have other problems though, but nothing that hurt me physically). I am pretty sure I will return these. It's not like the sound is good enough to justify the pain.
	0

Feb 7, 2009, 07:36 AM	#8
k2snow macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2008	I have been extremely disappointed to not find these earphones in the stores, but I am glad that I have not yet purchased them because of the problem. I wonder what Apple will do to make this problem right? How is the sound overall for you users?
	0

Feb 20, 2009, 03:33 PM	#9
alexbates macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Georgia, USA	I don't even have the Apple In-ear headphones and I am still getting shocked. I am using my Apple regular headphones that came with my iPod Touch that I got about a year ago. I just noticed it starting to shock me a few minutes ago. I was out playing basketball (its 43 degrees right now). My heaphones shock me about every 10 seconds. Its probably just the cold air buts its still really inconvenient. __________________ 2009 MacBook Pro 13"- 2.53GHz iPad 2 16GB Black iPhone 3GS 16GB Black Macrumors Scavenger Hunt: 0 points Twitter
	0

Feb 21, 2009, 10:06 PM	#10
TRON1138 macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2008	Shock Hazzard I too am getting shocked from the $79 dollar earbuds on an iphone 3G. I hope this doesn't casue any permament damage
	0

Feb 22, 2009, 10:07 AM	#11
aaquib macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada	Same here. Especially when I'm outside, I get shocks quite frequently. It's addressed in the manual, so surely it can't be dangerous. __________________ 13.3" MacBook Air 1.86GHz, 128GB SSD; 20" Cinema Display iPad 16GB Wifi
	0

Feb 23, 2009, 11:18 AM	#12
Sebby macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK	I got a pair of these the other day and haven't been shocked yet. I read that quite a few experienced this problem - perhaps Apple have fixed it now? __________________ iPhone 5 32GB \| iPad with Retina Display (4th Gen.) 32GB Wi-Fi \| Apple TV (3rd Gen.) \| iMac (Late 2012) 21.5"
	0

Feb 26, 2009, 08:43 PM	#13
spacka macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK	wow this kind of puts me off buying them. at least at apple's price. also, sorry if this isnt allowed but does anybody know if these ones on ebay are the real thing? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORIGINAL-GENUI...3A1\|240%3A1318 cheers
	0

Feb 26, 2009, 08:45 PM	#14
spacka macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK	oh right, no mic. my bad.
	0

Feb 27, 2009, 03:17 AM	#15
Sebby macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK	That's the old model. Also, beware of places like eBay. If it's significantly cheaper than in the shops, the likelihood is that they're fake. __________________ iPhone 5 32GB \| iPad with Retina Display (4th Gen.) 32GB Wi-Fi \| Apple TV (3rd Gen.) \| iMac (Late 2012) 21.5"
	0

Sep 7, 2010, 10:35 AM	#16
cbdoc macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2010	Same here. I already got a replacement pair, and after about 2 months of use, its shocking me again. Happens when I'm walking, especially if its cold or windy...
	0

Sep 7, 2010, 10:45 AM	#17
BearsFan34 macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL	Yep, I had this issue as well. Before my 1-year warranty ran out, I returned them for a fresh pair (which I intend to do every year...it's like a new pair of headphones every year!). Told them there was a problem with the clicker (which there honestly was) and also the "shock" issue. Been on this pair of Apple IEMs now for about 4 or 5 months...no shocks yet, but with fall/winter approaching we'll see. I would typically get shocked every time I'd wear them to get groceries at the store I frequent; but I've been there a few times this summer & no shocking issues with the new pair. Guess we'll see... __________________ 15" MBP Core i5, 750GB Hybrid HDD, 8GB RAM 64GB White iPhone 5, iPad (3rd Gen) White 32GB WiFi 16GB white wi-fi iPad mini Apple TV 3rd Generation 1080p
	0

Apr 9, 2011, 11:32 AM	#18
jackhdev macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2011	I've had this problem, too. We must be wearing them the wrong way.
	0

Apr 9, 2011, 04:43 PM	#19
johnnyturbouk macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: London	well, this is shocking! i brought a pair but returned them as they were faulty and just paid the extra $$ for a pair of klipsch s4i... no regrets __________________ 17" MBP 2011 16GB RAM 500 RAID-0 SSD 15" MBP 2010 8GB RAM/ SSD; 1phone 4S 32gb, IPADs; time capsule; var. gens ipods
	0

Apr 9, 2011, 06:57 PM	#20
Austin M. macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Washington	I don't really care, they hurt my ears and disgrace music. __________________ *On The Edge Apps - Gadgets, Apps, & Case Reviews*
	0


MacRumors Forums > iPhone, iPod and iPad > iPhone > iPhone Accessories

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Behind the neck and in-ear headphones for iPhone?	Draft	iPhone Accessories	4	Sep 4, 2012 04:39 AM
Apple in-ear headphones shocking me?	actorkid	iPhone	2	Feb 17, 2009 03:34 PM
Apple In-Ear Headphones - Error Viewing On store.apple.com	pismodude2	iPod touch Accessories	10	Dec 26, 2008 01:57 PM
New ZAGG Headphones of New Apple In-Ear Headphones	Packersfan27	iPod touch Accessories	1	Dec 2, 2008 05:45 PM
FS/Swap: Unlocked 8GB Apple iPhone with Apple In-Ear Headphones	Kardashian	iPhone Marketplace Archive	15	Apr 26, 2008 04:14 PM