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Seeking the Perfect iPhone Earbuds Replacement

Here's what I bought - UEs super.fi 4vi

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I ended up buying the Ultimate Ears super.fi 4vi for $120 shipped.

First impression: they're very light, seemingly well made, and look really nice.

First sound impression: I don't think I've seen this mentioned before but I didn't realize that the sound insulation (the earplug aspect) actually amplifies the noise associated with body movement. I can hear every thump of my stride when walking, movements of my upper body, ears presssurizing when I swallow, etc. Although the plugs help to isolate the noise outside, I hear everything inside.

Sound quality: very nice. I'm not an expert and I've only listened to a few other earphones (shures and apple), but I can say these sound very good. As far as how they compare with the apple earbuds, both sound good, but you can't really compare because one is sound isolating and the other is not. Are the UE's significantly better sounding than the apple earbuds? I'd say no.

Functionality: For my purpose, listening to my iPhone on my commute to work (bart), these are perfect. The train noise and other people's conversations are all blocked out. Internal noise is not an issue, since I'm not moving much during my ride. The controller (answer/pause and skip) is nicely located. However, it is just as difficult as the apple earphones to skip a song (you have to double click really fast), which is probably associated witht he iPhone, not the earphones.

Overall: They're very nice and fit my need. Are they worth the $$? I'm leaning towards no.
 
drugs! said:
i looooove my ultimate ears super.fi 5 pros

in your budget, id check out the super.fi 4. I haven't heard them but i stand by ultimate ears products. Additionally they are iphone compatible... with the mic and stuff

DO NOT GET SHURE IN EARS. they sound like absolute garbage
Click to expand...

Yes, unless you consider build quality and sound quality to be irrelevant and pointless characteristics of headphones, do not buy anything made by Shure.

"Drugs!" is absolutely correct, my SE530s sound like utter and complete garbage. If anyone has any sweet Koss 'buds that cost between a nickel and a buck, let's talk trade!

The so-called professionals largely disagree with you, "Drugs!":
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/shure-e500pth-sound-isolating-earphones

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/shure-se530-sound-isolating/4505-7877_7-32327764.html
 
Shure SE530

I've listened to the Shures SE530s at Macworld and they do sound incredible. I'm not an expert by any means, but there definitely is an audible difference between how these sound and the lower end models, including the apple earbuds. If money was no object, I'd get a pair of these.
 
I do own the vmoda vibe in-ear headphones and I really do like them. they're not the most neutral headphones I guess (very bass and low mid range focused) but if you listen to bass heavy songs they are very fun to listen to. for iphone owners there is the vmoda duo which basically is the vmoda vibe with a mic and control thingy.

if you are interested in my personal review of the vmoda vibe you can check it out on my blog (just finished writing it) :)
 
mcdj said:
http://cgi.ebay.com/iPhone-earphone...yZ111693QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Pros
1. Same exact drivers/sound identical to Sennheiser CX300 (tighter, less boomy bass than V-Moda, still big bass though, much clearer mids/crisper highs than V-Moda).

2. CHEAP!

3. Mic/button unit same size as iPhone.

4. Stylish black aluminum jack with silver rings

Cons

1. Build quality slightly lower than regular Sennheisers, mostly in the cord dept. The jack does not have a rubber grommet around the cord junction and since the housing is aluminum, it may eventually cut into the cord. The cord is relatively tangle free however.

2. No case/pouch/trained rodent to hold the buds for you.

3. extra set of flanged tips are made of crappy silicone. They're described as free anyhow. Still too much to pay for them.

I'm continually amazed at how many people have been lulled by V-Moda's schtick. They sound like 20" Jeep speakers with a blown tweeter. Sennheisers have a full rich fun sound with big bass, solid mids and crispy highs.
Click to expand...

It amazes me when people ask which are good earbuds, you recommend these and people see the price and immediately write them off and buy $100+ earbuds. lol

These were the best deal I've found in years on any product. It kind of felt like getting a lambo for the price of a mustang. I have two pairs of these now (one in case I lose the other) and the sound quality constantly amazes me. Great for music and movies/tv shows alike. Yeah the cord isn't as nice as the more expensive options, but everything else is just as good, if not better.
 
Earphones Eh...

i think vibe duos are ok. raptor headsets/earplugs are ok too. But not too sure if it's available or sold in the US.
 
bombtrack said:
Yes, unless you consider build quality and sound quality to be irrelevant and pointless characteristics of headphones, do not buy anything made by Shure.

"Drugs!" is absolutely correct, my SE530s sound like utter and complete garbage. If anyone has any sweet Koss 'buds that cost between a nickel and a buck, let's talk trade!

The so-called professionals largely disagree with you, "Drugs!":
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/shure-e500pth-sound-isolating-earphones

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/shure-se530-sound-isolating/4505-7877_7-32327764.html
Click to expand...


please cite audio review sources, not technology

i checked out the shure e2c's and the e3's. So let me restate, do not buy shures in the 100-200 range
 
also, thread starter guy


did you just say that the UE sound quality was the same as that of the apple ear buds?
 
Shap said:
It amazes me when people ask which are good earbuds, you recommend these and people see the price and immediately write them off and buy $100+ earbuds. lol

These were the best deal I've found in years on any product. It kind of felt like getting a lambo for the price of a mustang. I have two pairs of these now (one in case I lose the other) and the sound quality constantly amazes me. Great for music and movies/tv shows alike. Yeah the cord isn't as nice as the more expensive options, but everything else is just as good, if not better.
Click to expand...

I agree. The eBay earphones sound incredible considering the price. I don't have genuine Sennheiser CX-300s to compare them to, but I can't imagine that the sound quality can be much better.
 
Best iPhone Earbuds?

Hello There,

Can anyone please recommend me iPhone earbuds (i can answer calls) that have excellent audio quality. I am looking into range ($50-$150). I like the Bose ones, but they dont have a mic.

Please recommend.

Thanks,
Eagle101
 
i received the iphone FMJ's from skullcandy today and they are awesome. Check em out.
 
davidjearly said:
Get the Ultimate Ears. They are worth the extra cash.

Here they are for $130 on Amazon.

David
Click to expand...

Looks good but for that price I'd want a microphone as well ;)
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Just got the V-Moda Microphone ear buds and so far they are working out great. Love that you can change songs and play pause right on the headphones. Sound quality doesn't seem as good as the Shure's recommended above, but definitely good quality for the average listener.
 
A lot of great suggestions

I work for a little start up company that manufactures custom earbuds. I’ve actually tried most on here with the exception of a couple. Check us out www.freqonline.com. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly. We offer a custom fit as well as microphones, etc... I apologize in advance for those whom feel this is a solicitation, but I truly believe in our product.

Oh yeah, and our prices rock!
Jon
 
iPhone-Karaoke

I hope they work on getting some Karaoke apps in iPhone. It seems this thread is going in that direction :)
 
JTFreQ said:
I work for a little start up company that manufactures custom earbuds. I’ve actually tried most on here with the exception of a couple. Check us out www.freqonline.com. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly. We offer a custom fit as well as microphones, etc... I apologize in advance for those whom feel this is a solicitation, but I truly believe in our product.

Oh yeah, and our prices rock!
Jon
Click to expand...

Thanks,

It's nice when people admit they are trying to sell something, it just kinda makes it easier...

I have one question: how's the durability/thickness of the chord as compared to say the Shure's?
 
Cords

The cords we typically use are relatively the same as you see on most high end earbuds, even the Shure's. Currently, we are testing the braided cords, which I favor, for the look with silver shells is awesome. Heavy-duty cords are offered, but not really necessary. It really depends on your use. What is your use?
 
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