Apple's EarPods Receive the Teardown Treatment

[MacRumors]

The teardown experts at iFixit are undoubtedly itching to get their hands on the iPhone 5 later this week, and in the meantime they've decided to bide their time by taking apart Apple's new EarPods to see how the earphones compare to their predecessors. Overall, the teardown reveals a significantly revamped design with greater durability in the form of better-sealed components and increased cord strain relief features.

Among the most interesting changes is a move to paper cones surrounded by a polymer, shifting away from the all-plastic design seen in the previous headphones.

- Apple's switch to paper-based speaker cones may be the source of their advertised improved low and mid-range response.

- We also discovered that the speaker basket has a much more refined look than previous models (see comparison in next step), with a fine mesh covering the back and symmetrically-placed vents. The basket is a critical component, as it must be rigid to maintain consistent sound quality while still being open enough to not inhibit movement of air behind the vibrating diaphragm.

Early reviews of the EarPods indicate that they perform significantly better than the stock headphones included with previous iPhone and iPod models, but still fall far short of higher-quality offerings available from other companies. Apple is including the EarPods with the iPhone 5 and the new iPod touch and iPod nano, and is also selling them as a standalone $29 accessory.

Article Link: Apple's EarPods Receive the Teardown Treatment

 

[MultiMediaWill]

Can we get a iPhone 5 teardown?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Can we get a iPhone 5 teardown?

You need to ask iFixIt.
So with all those guts I guess they sound better but will they kill our ears like the old ones? I think that is a common complaint.

 

[STiNG Operation]

Wonder how these compare with quality Bose MIE2 ect.(yeah I understand the difference in price, just looking for some sound comparison) xD

 

[GenesisJLS]

The important question is: how is the sound quality on those things? I can't wait for a real audiophile to do a test on them.

 

[venusboy]

Yes but will it survive a go in the washing machine ????

 

[skemez1]

I would like to see a frequency response chart comparison between the old and new earbuds/earpods

 

[Baklava]

Teardown of iPhone 5, please.

 

[HOMBRESINIESTRO]

Is it too sexual that I like it to put something in my ear the Jonathan Ive has designed?

 

[TheBuffather]

I have a pair of V-Moda's Remix Audio in-ear headphones on the way, and I am looking forward to comparing the sound. All in all, the EarPods have got to be a huge upgrade over the previous ones... which royally sucked.

 

[you people smh]

I'm calling FAKE!!!!

Apple would never put a line on the iBud...i mean earpod.

Clearly a photoshop job and a bad one at that.

(any news on a teardown of the free travel case? It's so awesome and convenient because when i am traveling i don't use my ipod at all, not in planes, trains or automobiles...)

 

[Pakaku]

I have a pair of V-Moda's Remix Audio in-ear headphones on the way, and I am looking forward to comparing the sound. All in all, the EarPods have got to be a huge upgrade over the previous ones... which royally sucked.

It doesn't matter if it's a huge upgrade, but the sound quality is still terrible..

 

[adildacoolset]

I know why ifixit haven't done the iPhone 5 yet even though it was unboxed. Every part was leaked so they saw no need

 

[TheBuffather]

It doesn't matter if it's a huge upgrade, but the sound quality is still terrible..

You've used them already?

 

[fel10]

I will probably won't use it when I get the iPhone 5. Will stick with my BOSE and Klipsch

 

[AngerDanger]

Among the most interesting changes is a move to paper cones surrounded by a polymer, shifting away from the all-plastic design seen in the previous headphones.

Well, there's a sentence that I never thought would be described as interesting. We aren't exactly getting a lot of:

 

[Tankmaze]

those negative reviews on the earpods... meh.
if its better than the previous one, its good enough for me.

 

[gusping]

But.... Will it blend?

 

[motorazr]

If they sound better than previous models, I'll be happy to have passing-grade backup speakers .

 

[phillipduran]

You've used them already?

Mine were delivered today. The sound quality is quite nice. I ripped a CD with some good audio testing tracks and I like what I'm hearing so far. I'll be doing a lot more listening tonight.

What I don't like is that these earpods seem to have about 25% less sound volume level than the previous Apple earphones. Normal listening volume with the earpods is within the last 3 tics of max volume. The old earphones were just a bit over 50% volume and they were crazy loud at 80%+. Some of the lower volume songs I have are difficult to hear when at max volume with the earpods.

 

[Rogifan]

The important question is: how is the sound quality on those things? I can't wait for a real audiophile to do a test on them.

for $29 my guess is they're decent but nothing like higher end headphones. I'm sure they're loads better than what Apple shipped before and decent enough to ship with iphones/ipods.

 

[Born Again]

Paper cones?!

How very Bose - like

Cheap!

 

[SatManager]

Mine were delivered today. The sound quality is quite nice. I ripped a CD with some good audio testing tracks and I like what I'm hearing so far. I'll be doing a lot more listening tonight.

Did you find them to be more comfortable than the older style?

 

[G4DP]

Paper cones?!

How very Bose - like

Cheap!

Well yeah, they get wet, you are screwed. You have spend another $30 with Apple to replace the.

 

[dearfriendx]

I bought a pair this morning and have been using them for a few hours. Listening to alternative rock, hip hop and rap, classical and metal. They have a great range. A lot better sounding than the previous earbuds. Bass isn't overpowering like Dre Beats, yet present. They are very comfortable to me at least. They didn't fall out on the treadmill. Cord is a little bit thicker and what seems less prone to tangling. The remote is also a lot easier to click and has larger areas to click. Definitely worth an upgrade.

For $29 I think these are a viable option.