Picking up an iPhone 3GS was a pretty big deal for me. It was my first official carrier smartphone and it was the first time I had ever signed up for a long-term data plan. It was also then that I found out my trusty V-Moda Vibe II’s just wouldn’t work with the new phone. Something about the iPhone’s hardware had changed, and the 3.5mm jack I was sporting on my Vibe II’s needed a change. I sent the Vibe II’s off to be replaced and wondered what I was going to do for two weeks without earphones. The packaged Apple headset was a joke, but I also remembered reading something somewhere about a newer, sleeker in-ear model that worked with the newest iPhone. Armed with this bit of info and a desire for something new and shiny, I marched myself to the nearest FutureShop and bought myself the gorgeous Apple In-Ear Headphones…only to return them seven days later.
Something Nice
My folks brought me up under the notion of “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. So let me start off with the good stuff: these earphones are gorgeous and they deserve to be packaged with the iPhone instead of being bought separately for $80.00. They look great and somehow more hi-tech because of the three sets of matted, snowy-silver tips on the earbuds. I also really, really liked how the playback keys, volume control, and microphone were all just below the right earphone. I still had to hold the headset mic right up to my mouth to be heard properly, but at least all of the keys were easily accessible. This last bit isn’t iPhone-specific, but I also think it’s worth mentioning that these headphones worked perfectly with my 2009 MacBook Pro — mic, volume controls, and all.
As for the sound, they sounded pretty darn good, although I found I couldn’t really get the isolation I was used to with my Vibe II’s. I didn’t expect a vacuum seal, but the fit always felt too shallow. I did appreciate the length, though. They were about or at the same length of the default iPhone headset, which happens to be a fantastic length. You could keep the iPhone in your pocket with just enough cable slack to move around — except I always regretted it when I did.
Free cable noise with purchase
I really, really wanted to like the Apple In-Ear Headphones. Part of it must have been because I had just purchased a MacBook Pro and my Macuriousity was running on overdrive, but it was also because I wanted to believe that Apple could finally make some kickass earphones after so many years of plain white buds. It’s just too damn bad that the cables are so noisy on the In-Ears — so noisy they banged against my chest like a second, unwanted heartbeat with every step.
The earphones were fine at rest, but whenever I got up to do anything that involved movement (or, you know, live my life…) the cable noise was so bad that it just ruined all of the fun. I couldn’t even invert the earphones by winding the wire above my ear and plugging the earbuds in upside down because they were just too big and the wire didn’t look like it could take much stress.
Conclusion
I realize that this isn’t one of my more thorough reviews, as it has been a while since I’ve used the Apple In-Ear Headphones. Fortunately, I did remember exactly why I returned them and thought I’d write a quick review to warn possible buyers. The In-Ears are gorgeous and they wouldn’t be too bad if they were packaged with the iPhone, but for an $80 “sold separately” purchase I found the cable noise (microphonics, I think it’s called) to be unbearable. Until Apple makes the buds small enough to be inverted, or does something to the cable to absorb some of the shock, I’d stay clear of the In-Ear Headphones even if they are really, really, really good looking.
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The Apple In-Ear Headphones are available from your local Apple Store or Best Buy for around $80.00.
I purchased this pair of headphones myself and, thankfully, received a full refund upon return.
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TAGS: Apple, headphones, tips
