Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What do you think about the EarPods?


  • Total voters
    183
Not sure which option to choose in the poll but I can add some things.

They're not exactly revolutionary since there is another similar to this. Dare I say they copied the Bose IE earbuds?

http://worldwide.bose.com/productsupport/en/web/ie_headphones/page.html

I only mention the Bose because I've never seen another headset (until now) that are similar to the design. I'm a BIG fan of the fit of these since they're better than earbuds but not quite in ear monitors.

I hate in ear monitors because they make a seal in your ear that is very uncomfortable. I tried them for working as well and the seal kept breaking. The seal breaks on IEMs easier than earbuds fall out of your ears by far.

So the design isn't revolutionary but now that this style is going to be seen everywhere, and I have no doubt that people are going to rave about them, other manufacturers are surely going to be designing headphones like this.

They're going to need a new product category also since they're not quite earbuds and not quite in ear monitors.

----------

I don't suppose this one can beat Apple's IE headphones, right?

It won't but comfort will be the deciding factor for these.

----------

Also, ended up voting for the top option. It's no combustion engine but the design is underrated.

It's revolutionary in the sense that this good design is going to make good sound more affordable and more accessible for more people now.
 
I don't know how I feel about them just yet. I have a pair of iBeats by Dr. Dre that I got about a month ago that do have an in-ear seal, and also have a mic. So it will probably be a few months before I even test the ear pods out anyways.
 
Not sure which option to choose in the poll but I can add some things.

They're not exactly revolutionary since there is another similar to this. Dare I say they copied the Bose IE earbuds?

http://worldwide.bose.com/productsupport/en/web/ie_headphones/page.html

I only mention the Bose because I've never seen another headset (until now) that are similar to the design. I'm a BIG fan of the fit of these since they're better than earbuds but not quite in ear monitors.

I hate in ear monitors because they make a seal in your ear that is very uncomfortable. I tried them for working as well and the seal kept breaking. The seal breaks on IEMs easier than earbuds fall out of your ears by far.

So the design isn't revolutionary but now that this style is going to be seen everywhere, and I have no doubt that people are going to rave about them, other manufacturers are surely going to be designing headphones like this.

They're going to need a new product category also since they're not quite earbuds and not quite in ear monitors.

----------



It won't but comfort will be the deciding factor for these.

----------

Also, ended up voting for the top option. It's no combustion engine but the design is underrated.

It's revolutionary in the sense that this good design is going to make good sound more affordable and more accessible for more people now.
Bose is overpriced, anyway.
 
Bose is overpriced, anyway.

Completely, but for someone like me who hates in ears and earbuds it's a considerable option to pay a premium for mediocre sound but a great fit.

I don't own them by the way... not anymore.
 
The problem with the old Apple headphones (and really anything is ear) is the lack of a tight seal. If you don't design the seal right you automatically lose bass and some high frequency (sparkle, think cymbals).

If these new earphones seal better around the ear canal then the majority of listeners will like them. I have custom professional IEM's and these will sound horrible if I don't insert them in the ear right. It really just boils down to fit. :cool:
 
A family member bought some today. Got to use them for a good hour or so.

They're night and day better than the old earbuds. They're no high end headphones, but I challenge anyone to find rival quality in $30 earbuds (meaning not in-ear, on-ear, or over the ear headphones). You just won't find it. And trust me, I've used tons and tons of earbuds because I like the convenience but not the discomfort or inconvenience of the other styles.

A huge improvement.
 
I am thinking the sound is going to be so-so, maybe on par with what the earbuds of the past have been. I just cannot see them costing what they do and being amazing Bose quality headphones.

That being said, on design I cannot wait to try them. I am surprised Apple stuck with the uncomfortable, very hard plastic ones that I never used because they fell out of my ears for so long. So I am excited to see how they feel and work. I think they will be fine for everyday music listening.
 
I am thinking the sound is going to be so-so, maybe on par with what the earbuds of the past have been. I just cannot see them costing what they do and being amazing Bose quality headphones.

That being said, on design I cannot wait to try them. I am surprised Apple stuck with the uncomfortable, very hard plastic ones that I never used because they fell out of my ears for so long. So I am excited to see how they feel and work. I think they will be fine for everyday music listening.

The sound is more than so-so and a huge improvement from the earbuds. Of course they won't sound like high end earphones. That said, Bose is overpriced junk with too much bass most of the time.

They feel incredible. Very comfortable.
 
After about a day with them...

Pro:
- I was just listening with them casually after going through an initial test-run, and I was listening to a piece with a short, strong bass section. These earbuds almost feel like they produce (or project) a lower range easily, and I was able to hear parts of this song that I was never able to in the past.

- The remote is definitely better than the older style; clicks are much easier to feel, and there is almost feedback-y in how using it feels.

Con:
- The older earbuds fit my ears well; these actually need the weight of the cord on them, or else they fly right out. For instance, if I have the cord between by body and a messenger bag strap, if the strap gives full slack to the earbuds, they are firm enough right now that they have flown up and out of my ear.

- I bike regularly with earbuds in, and if it's windy enough, (like this morning) the stem holes facing forward seem like they're amplifying the noise of the wind, rather than reducing it.

(let's not start a discussion on biking with music playing - I have hearing issues and I've found that it's easier to hear important things when the dominant sound in my ear isn't the wind)
 
I agree, I like being able to hear what's around me. That's why I like earbuds, but being a semi-audiophile I'm consistently disappointed by the sound of them.

These are some kind of hybrid between bud and in-ear but I agree... much better than before. I'm very happy with them. Perfect for day-to-day use without being conspicuous (on-ear headphones) and without the the noise isolation of over the ear and in-ear.
 
I agree, I like being able to hear what's around me. That's why I like earbuds, but being a semi-audiophile I'm consistently disappointed by the sound of them.

These are some kind of hybrid between bud and in-ear but I agree... much better than before. I'm very happy with them. Perfect for day-to-day use without being conspicuous (on-ear headphones) and without the the noise isolation of over the ear and in-ear.

Why were you disappointed? Too little bass?
 
I was referring to general earbuds. They usually sound like crap. Just general bad sound quality.

I love the EarPods so far.

What about the bass of the EarPods? Is it a lot? Is it too little?

If you have listened to the Klipsch S4i or Beats by Dr. Dre, can you please compare the amount of bass?
 
Last edited:
What about the bass of the EarPods? Is it a lot? Is it too little?

If you have listened to the Klipsch S4i or Beats by Dr. Dre, can you please compare the amount of bass?

Beats are junk. Compared to the S4i, bass-wise, it probably has the same amount, but the EarPods are more tube-y or boomy. The EarPods aren't ridiculously skewed to bass, but it's certainly an obvious intention to have more bass. They also don't have the clarity that S4i has. It's also important to remember that EarPods don't have the ear seal that S4i do.

Hope that helps.
 
Does anyone know how much sweat proof are these?

I remember shorting out my last pair of headphones that came with my iPhone while at the gym.. awkwardest thing ever.
 
Does anyone know how much sweat proof are these?

I remember shorting out my last pair of headphones that came with my iPhone while at the gym.. awkwardest thing ever.

They have multiple orifices, probably not a good idea.
 
I got a set of these today and used them on a 3 mile run, I am very very impressed with them. They stayed in my ears very well, and were quite comfortable. The sound was very clear.

These are a definitely a winner.
 
I had a chance to demo a pair yesterday at Apple Store. Comfort and sound are 100% better. Buy 'em you'll love em.
 
crappy poll.
anyway, the new 'pods are a decent improvement over the old ibuds. definitely better bass.

but no where near as good as the Apple dual-driver in-ears. (which they shouldn't be, for the price.)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.