Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
It ’s become de rigueur to trace Apple’swhite earbudsas “ omnipresent ” and “ iconic”—and justifiably so . Not only are they almost inextricably join to the party ’s iPods and iPhones , but Apple revealed at its recent pressure outcome that it had shipped600 millionsets of the earpiece , a figure that almost for certain make them the most - used patch of gearing in the history of audio replica .
Beyond their omnipresence and iconic status , though , Apple ’s earbuds havefrequently been derided as offering sub - par sound . They ’ve alsooccasionally been praise — despite their mediocre sound quality compared to high - oddment headphones , it ’s awesome that they fathom as good as they do moot thatdesigning skilful earbuds is inherently difficult . ( Not to mention that Apple produces them at unbelievable exfoliation and includes them with many products at no extra cost . )
Apple has distinctly invested significant engineering campaign in its earbuds over the class . The product ’s account include several minor rescript , include the addition of a rubber ring to aid the earphone persist in place , and an inline remote / mike module innovate to complement the iPhone . The party has also made — with mixed results — two attempts at exchange premium , after - market place earpiece : the long - discontinued $ 39Apple In - Ear Headphones ( ) , and the still - uncommitted , $ 79 dual - driverApple In - Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic ( ) .
All of that is to say that it did n’t come as a shock whenApple introduced , alongside the iPhone 5 , a completely redesign rendering of its classic earbuds , the $ 29Apple EarPods . ( The name is a cute Gladstone ofearbudsandiPod , though it ’s one that ’s been used before by theearPodheadphone case . ) Still , though Apple is sleep with for its willingness to bring out both evolutionary updates and staring redesigns of its live products , it ’s large news in the audio human race when the most pervasive earbuds of all clock time get replaced with something that ’s supposedly much better — Apple says the EarPods have been in the works for three years andboaststhat the “ audio lineament is so superior , they rival high - end headphones that cost 100 of dollars more . ”
( In increase to being available as a $ 29 retail ware , the EarPods are also admit with the iPhone 5 , fifth - multiplication iPod touch , and 7th - generation iPod nano , but not the iPod shamble , which continues to let in the old Apple earbuds . )
Ear-gonomics
The retail version of the EarPods comes in typically minimalist , white packaging that shows off the Cartesian product in an included white - and - absolved - charge card causa . The case also acts as a bobbin for the EarPods ’ electric cord , which is slightly thinner than that of the previous Apple earbuds . The EarPods ’ inline remote / microphone faculty , locate on the correct - hand earpiece cable , is more or less tumid than that of the previous earbuds , with additional pains relief , bigger buttons that are easier to compact , and no seeable microphone hole . The three sections of the remote are easy to distinguish , and the buttons have firm , decisive action — this is probably the skilful in - line remote I ’ve used .
The mike , too , is improved compared to the one on old Apple earbuds . In my testing , the EarPods ’ microphone sound smoother and more born without sacrificing clarity ; the mic on Apple ’s older earbuds sounded a fiddling harsh in comparison . The EarPods ’ mike is even free-enterprise with the iPhone 4 ’s excellent internal microphone , make it one of the top inline microphones I ’ve quiz .
The left side of the split line has a cable slider , which , just like that of the premature Apple earbud headset and of the Apple In - Ear Headphones , can seize to the proper - hand cablegram to aline fit or to keep the schism cord together during depot . The connections between the cables and the earpieces have gain enhanced strain relief .
Ear pods
speak of the earphone , that ’s where most of the new action is . The EarPods ’ earpieces have an oblong , roughly teardrop - shaped silhouette rather than the orbitual visibility of the previous earbuds . This human body is the result ofApple ’s new design process for the EarPods , which was based on take ear belief of a large telephone number of mortal and creating an headphone that would best fit a full range of ears . The resolution looks a little foreign ( perhaps appropriate , giventhe pop - culture affiliation between “ pod ” and “ exotic ” ) and feature two grilles : one on the front face and another over the chess opening that directs sound into the auditor ’s ear . The back side of the earpiece ( aside from your ear channel ) , and , cleverly , the stem that top to the cable length both sport bass port that help oneself tune bass voice and midrange reply .
wakeless quality aside , one of the most usual complaints about Apple ’s previous earbuds was that they did n’t stay in listeners ’ pinna well . That flaw was irritating for the wearer , but it also intend that the earbuds were often positioned in a room that produced misfortunate sound quality . The new conception , at least in my ears , offers a much more secure and comfortable fit . The EarPods did n’t fall out due to teasing matter like gravitational force during normal use ( although a acute clout on the overseas telegram will bump an phone ) .
That tell , the EarPods ’ burst is still far from perfect , as I discovered when I used them during a workout . Within a minute or two , the correct phone would act upon its way out of my capitulum . Everyone ’s ear are unlike , and your mileage may be better or worse than mine , but I soon switch back to my trusty Koss KSC–75 ( ) for the rest of the exercising . Still , I found the fit of the EarPods was universe better than that of the old Apple earbuds , and I think that will be the case for most listener .
Because the EarPods conform to deeply in the ear than the previous Apple earbuds , and are designed to guide sound more directly into the listener ’s auricle epithelial duct , they also offer a bit more isolation from outside noise and they leak less effectual . However , when it comes to isolation and sound leakage , they still pale in comparison to truecanalphones and canalbuds , which form an acoustic seal in your ear .
The proof of the pudding
Beyond the good fit , Apple say the EarPods ’ clever new figure is designed to “ make a headphone that was the very sound it could be . ” In my initial test , I was quickly impressed with the EarPods ’ audio carrying into action . Bass was always a infirm place of the previous Apple earbuds : It was either nonexistent if you had a poor scene , or overbearing , muddy , and indistinct with a ripe fit . With the EarPods , bass is much clean , with decided tones , though it ’s still swampy and miss detail — the EarPods seem to attempt to compensate for a want of bass quality with an teemingness of bass voice quantity . Overall , this is solid bass voice performance for an earbud , but not up to the level of , say , an inexpensive canalbud or canalphone .
Midrange frequence vocalize decent enough and profit greatly from the improved bass dominance , although the clarity of the midrange does tolerate a bit from the presence of the EarPods ’ not - curb - enoughbass . Some instrumental role also seem to lack body , and thanks to limited midrange detail compared to better headphones , the EarPods are n’t as involving as those products . gamey frequence are the standout here , with a clear , rude speech sound that avert the harsh , crummy quality of the previous earbuds ’ treble , along with enough book to help them stand out against the EarPods ’ freshwater bass .
That all may sound like faint praise , but getting good performance out of earbuds is extremely difficult . For this style of headphones , at this price , Apple ’s EarPods are telling , and represent a fantastic acclivity over the previous model . In my experience review headphones , I ’ve found that good headphones enhance the listening experience , while bad ones get in the room of it . The previous Apple earbuds got in the way ; the EarPods instead fit right in the center of that kitchen stove — not enhancing the hearing experience , but not take away from it , either .
To better put the EarPods ’ performance in position , I right away compare them against several otherearbud(not in - ear - canal ) models . First , I render to the previous version of Apple ’s earbuds , which confirmed my initial impressions of solid advance . bass voice public presentation is clearly the older model ’s undoing , as it ’s too loud and too muddy , and it subvert midrange and mellow - frequency public presentation . Good riddance .
I also try out two more - expensive earbud models I had on deal for future review . The first was the $ 60Urbanears Medis Plus , which features tumid driver and a clever appendage that brace the earpieces against each pinna ’s antihelix , giving them a firm fit . I immediately noticed that the Medis offer a more clear-cut transonic photo , with much more transonic “ space ” between various instruments . Midrange oftenness were much more detailed and full - incarnate . The competition between the Medis and the EarPods did not ensue in a decisive win for the Medis , however : Although the Medis ’s bass bulk is admirably restrained compared to that of the EarPods , because the Medis ’ driver is not as closely couple up to the ear channel , low- and mid - deep frequency are much quieter than upper bass part , so the Medis ’s audio lacks body , especially compare to the ardent sound of the EarPods . The EarPods also offer gamy - frequence performance that ’s like to , or perhaps even better than , that of the Medis . Before the EarPods , I most oftentimes recommended the Medis as an choice to Apple ’s earbuds , but there ’s now a compelling argument that the EarPods pop the question the practiced value here — although they ca n’t match the Medis ’s secure fit .
secondly , I compare the EarPods to the most - expensive earbuds I ’ve used , the $ 199Bang and Olufsen EarSet 3i . The EarSet offers telling carrying out for earbuds — as it should at such a eminent price . High frequencies are crisp and detailed , and the midrange offer excellent clearness and point . The EarSet also offer a more - unafraid primed thanks to its impressively engineered spike come-on , which are adjustable at three points to keep each earpiece in place . However , once again , the EarPods have an advantage in low- and mid - deep replica due to their closer coupling to the ear duct . Although the EarPods overdo bass , the B&O framework sounds thin due to a deficiency of these bass part relative frequency . While the EarSet is impressive as a monstrance of what ’s potential with earbuds when price is ( almost ) no physical object , it also helps underscore the note value of the EarPods .
Bottom line
Most hoi polloi who finish up with a pair of EarPods will have received them practice bundling with another Apple product . While some of them will opt for better sound through third - political party headphones ( andMacworldwill go along to urge the purchase of third - party earphone for a solid upgrade in reasoned quality ) , many ( most ? ) the great unwashed will mirthfully take heed to the EarPods , never realize they ’re getting a much - ameliorate hearing experience compared to Apple ’s previous flip - Indiana .
If you do n’t have a Seth of EarPods , are they worth spending $ 29 for ? In the world of headphone , $ 29 is fairly inexpensive , and if you ’re simply look to upgrade from exist Apple earbuds , or to substitute a lost or low set , I can recommend the EarPods — they’re easily worth their retail price , especially weigh that they include an fantabulous inline remote / microphone module . likewise , if you ’re committed to using earbuds — because of their convenient size and deficiency of transonic isolation , for example — the EarPods are a worthy contender : Although there are earbuds available that are better overall , those models come at a importantly higher price , and they usually involve sacrificing a substantial portion of bass relative frequency . To ameliorate upon the EarPods ’ audio timber without spending a lot more money , you ’ll have to look beyond earbud - panache model to other types of earpiece such as full - size ’ headphone , canalbuds , and canalphones .
