Apple in-ear headphones - VERY DISAPPOINTING
I've been a user of the Sony EX-70 series for three years and found them comfortable, great sounding (fantastic bass and sharp treble, which I like) and well designed.
Unfortunately, my most recent pair just lost the right channel completely, so I had to replace them. I decided to try the Apple buds as they are the same price (actually a couple bucks more where I am).
Although it seems the drivers of the two products are identical, whereas it had been very easy to get a comfortable seal with the Sony buds, the Apple buds fail miserably in this regard. The result is that there's virtually NO bass when you don't get a good seal.
The reason a seal cannot be made seems to be that the rubber covers on the Apple buds are far too soft. Also, the shape is wrong, tapering too much.
The Apple buds also place the drivers deeper in your ear than the Sony buds, which increases the treble, so even when you get a good seal that great balance between treble and bass I experience with the Sonys is lost completely due to overpowering treble.
I tried using the Sony covers with the Apple buds, and it makes it easier to create a good seal, but the treble problem still exists.
I also prefer the Sony "behind the neck" cable style, as I often keep my headphones dangling around my neck when not in use. The "behind the neck" style also reduces pull on the wires, an effect which is made worse in the Apple buds because of the long cord length, which is inconvenient whenever the buds are used in conjunction with the remote control.
I wish I could get my money back and get another pair of EX-71SL white.
Unfortunately, my most recent pair just lost the right channel completely, so I had to replace them. I decided to try the Apple buds as they are the same price (actually a couple bucks more where I am).
Although it seems the drivers of the two products are identical, whereas it had been very easy to get a comfortable seal with the Sony buds, the Apple buds fail miserably in this regard. The result is that there's virtually NO bass when you don't get a good seal.
The reason a seal cannot be made seems to be that the rubber covers on the Apple buds are far too soft. Also, the shape is wrong, tapering too much.
The Apple buds also place the drivers deeper in your ear than the Sony buds, which increases the treble, so even when you get a good seal that great balance between treble and bass I experience with the Sonys is lost completely due to overpowering treble.
I tried using the Sony covers with the Apple buds, and it makes it easier to create a good seal, but the treble problem still exists.
I also prefer the Sony "behind the neck" cable style, as I often keep my headphones dangling around my neck when not in use. The "behind the neck" style also reduces pull on the wires, an effect which is made worse in the Apple buds because of the long cord length, which is inconvenient whenever the buds are used in conjunction with the remote control.
I wish I could get my money back and get another pair of EX-71SL white.
Comments
Personally, the buds don't work for me (they just slide out of my ears). but for my brother, they fit like a glove and stay in. You're just like me, our ears just don't completely work for them. I remember when they first came out, heard alot of good things about them, and I do think their sound is very good for its price, if it stayed in my ears it would have been better
Sennheiser PX 200
I ordered them from a website called OutwardSound.com for $10 less than what Sennheiser retails them for. They are hard to find other than ordering online. The best pair of portable headphones I have ever owned.
If you want to stick with earbuds the only thing I could suggest are Shure's E3c or Etymotic's ER-6. They're expensive but I've learned that you get what you pay for with headphones.
Oh yea, they are the Sony MDR-EX71SL Fontopia Headphones.
_thedustin
I paid $70 for Apple's In-ear earphones, thinking they would be worth the $70 I paid, and was greatly disappointed. This is the first time I have been upset with a purchase I have made from Apple. I hope it's the last!!
I was actually going to shell out $80 for the iPod earphones, as the ones that came with my dad's iPod were really cool.. Great sound.. But I decided I couldn't use the remote control (because my step-brother took my dad's iPod to Sydney with him last time he visited!! :CRY!!: ).
Jimzip
Originally posted by Jimzip
I have the same irk.
I paid $70 for Apple's In-ear earphones, thinking they would be worth the $70 I paid, and was greatly disappointed. This is the first time I have been upset with a purchase I have made from Apple. I hope it's the last!!
I was actually going to shell out $80 for the iPod earphones, as the ones that came with my dad's iPod were really cool.. Great sound.. But I decided I couldn't use the remote control (because my step-brother took my dad's iPod to Sydney with him last time he visited!! :CRY!!: ).
Jimzip
This is classic Apple - ALMOST getting it right, and forcing the consumer to purchase a 3rd party solution. iPod and iPod mini - great lightweight, compact design, elegant controls offer ease of use - but remember Apple- people LISTEN to them. I have no doubt Apple will continue to stubbornly include its inferior ear buds despite customer input (think of the one-button mouse). All that $$ into R&D and design, why not go the last yard and get it ALL right?
Originally posted by SerpentFruit
I have no doubt Apple will continue to stubbornly include its inferior ear buds despite customer input (think of the one-button mouse).
DON'T ever mention the one-button mouse. :P