MRP:
1600
Digit Rating: Good
4/5
NA
Features:
NA
Performance:
NA
Value:
NA
Design:
PROS
- Great sound for the price
- Surprisingly strong bass considering it's not an in-canal design
- Inexpensive
- Includes small carrying case
CONS
- Design still doesn't fit everyone
- Doesn't block out any external noise and some sound leaks out
Summary
Apple's new EarPods are the better-fitting, better-sounding earbuds iPods and iPhones should have had all along.
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Related reviews:
After 11
long years, not counting a very minor mid-cycle update, Apple has
finally completely redesigned its trademark white earphones that come
bundled with every iPod and iPhone. And with good results. In fact,
Apple may have achieved the impossible: The EarPods ($29 direct, if
purchased separately) actually deliver some bass punch, without
resorting to an in-canal, rubber-tipped design that accumulates ear wax
(ick). Despite Apple's claims, the EarPods still don't fit everyone. But
for doing what the Apple earbuds should have done all along—providing
good sound quality and comfort on a budget—the EarPods are an easy
recommendation.
Concept and Fit
Remember that the goal here isn't for Apple to deliver a high-end pair of earphones that compete with our favorites from AKG, Sennheiser, or Shure. Instead, the question is, are the EarPods good enough that you won't feel like you need to upgrade immediately? And if they break and you need another set, or if you're looking to replace a worn pair on an older iPod or iPhone, should you get these, or head to Amazon or Best Buy and pick up a different pair?
Remember that the goal here isn't for Apple to deliver a high-end pair of earphones that compete with our favorites from AKG, Sennheiser, or Shure. Instead, the question is, are the EarPods good enough that you won't feel like you need to upgrade immediately? And if they break and you need another set, or if you're looking to replace a worn pair on an older iPod or iPhone, should you get these, or head to Amazon or Best Buy and pick up a different pair?
Let's talk about the unique design
first. The EarPods are made
entirely of white plastic. They look custom molded, thanks to the unusual earbud shape. Apple claims the idea is to build the diaphragm out of both rigid and flexible materials, which minimizes sound loss, while adding acoustic vents in the stem of each EarPod to improve bass. A few inches down the right earbud wire, you'll find inline call controls that will work with all iPhones; you get prominent volume buttons and an indented multi-function button.
entirely of white plastic. They look custom molded, thanks to the unusual earbud shape. Apple claims the idea is to build the diaphragm out of both rigid and flexible materials, which minimizes sound loss, while adding acoustic vents in the stem of each EarPod to improve bass. A few inches down the right earbud wire, you'll find inline call controls that will work with all iPhones; you get prominent volume buttons and an indented multi-function button.
The EarPods are compatible with any
device with a 3.5mm headphone jack, including all iPads, iPods, and
iPhones, though Apple says some models may not support the inline volume
controls. Apple includes a small plastic carrying case that takes a
little work—you need to wrap the earbuds in, then the inline controls,
and then the wire around the edges—but it's a nice touch and infinitely
preferable to untangling them every day on the subway.
First welcome surprise: The EarPods fit
and don't fall out, at least for me. Not everyone has this problem, but
for whatever reason, the original Apple Earphones (not to mention many
Bluetooth headsets) have never stayed in properly. I guess I'm lopsided,
but the right earbud always falls out, which is one of the reasons I
prefer in-canal earphones and over-the-ear headphones to earbuds. The
EarPods are the first ones I've tried that are made entirely of plastic
yet still stay put. On the other hand, my editor tried them, and they
wouldn't stay in her ears. We'll call the fit a toss-up, but certainly
not the sure thing Apple implies.
Performance and Conclusions
Second welcome surprise: Bass. In my tests, Muse's "Uprising" had all the kick drum and midbass rumble it was supposed to have. In Metallica's Mastered-For-iTunes "Hate Train," I could still hear the kick drum even with the guitars crushing down, albeit barely. On The Knife's "Silent Shout," our standard bass test track, there is actually some decent tail "boom" on the 808 kick drum, although some details in the bass synth behind the kick drum are a bit lost and distorted at higher volumes.
Second welcome surprise: Bass. In my tests, Muse's "Uprising" had all the kick drum and midbass rumble it was supposed to have. In Metallica's Mastered-For-iTunes "Hate Train," I could still hear the kick drum even with the guitars crushing down, albeit barely. On The Knife's "Silent Shout," our standard bass test track, there is actually some decent tail "boom" on the 808 kick drum, although some details in the bass synth behind the kick drum are a bit lost and distorted at higher volumes.
Okay, there's still not much low-end
extension. Hip hop, rap, and other electronic music lovers, not to
mention classical listeners looking to vibrate their skulls with a pipe
organ's low notes or rumbling timpani rolls, should stick with an in-ear
rubber-tipped set—even an inexpensive pair, because the tight seal you
get automatically enhances those frequencies. But there actually is some
low-end extension, which is surprising, particularly once you turn up
the volume. The only thing I worry about here is that while the EarPods
can get pretty loud, they don't really punch until you turn 'em up,
which is not good for your hearing. Watch the volume dial and add a
little EQ if you need more bass.Apple EarPods
Otherwise, the EarPods sound fine, but
by no means exceptional. You don't get a lot of midrange or high-end
detail. In fact, from the midrange on up, they sound a lot like the
original Apple earbuds, though they're a bit smoother and more detailed.
There's also some slight audible harshness in the upper midrange, but
it's not offensive. And that's expected for less than $30. Metric's
"Youth Without Youth" had tons of energy, and didn't distort at all
(besides what it was supposed to do). Ludovico Einaudi's "A Fuoco"
lacked a sense of air around the instruments that you'd get with
higher-end earphones, and you don't hear the little noises that indicate
a bow on strings, but at least the piano and violin sound smooth and
natural.
Note that there's also some sound
leakage that people nearby will hear. It's a bit more than you'll get
with in-canal earbuds, but a little less than with the regular Apple
earbuds. Also, for the same reason, the EarPods don't block out much
external noise; if you want something that minimizes train or airplane
noise, for example, go with an in-canal design or a noise-cancelling
pair.
Finally, for phone calls, voices sounded
fine in both directions, with a warm tone in the earpiece.
Transmissions through the inline microphone were clear and well
balanced, if slightly muffled.
So the EarPods aren't perfect—far from
it—but in most cases, you're not paying for them since they come with
iPods and iPhones. And many missteps can be forgiven with a $29 price
tag. Our budget Editors' Choice earphone pair, the AKG K 350 sound
better all around, particularly with midrange and high-end detail and
low-end bass extension, but they also costs a lot more. Apple is still
selling the original "classic" earphones for the same $29. Steer clear
of those and grab the EarPods instead; you'll be glad you did. Even
better if they came with your new iPod or iPhone.
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