Apple In-Ear headphones hands-on

Click for a slide show of the Apple In-Ear headphones w/ microphone.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

Better late than never. Apple's $79 In-Ear headphones, promised back in September with a projected October release, showed up on my desk this morning with an apologetic look.

I've only been listening for a few minutes, but so far, it looks like Apple has delivered a worthwhile pair of headphones. They don't quite have the crisp, high frequency detail of the Etymotic HF2 headphones I had at my desk, but they blow away Apple's stock earbuds (not too difficult a feat) with a buttery low end and pleasant mids and highs.

We're happy to see that the headphones work just fine with the iPhone, despite the fact that Apple's online store doesn't advertise the product as iPhone-compatible. More specifically, we found that the headphones and microphone are compatible with the iPhone 3G (we'll have to dig up a first-gen model), but the clicker and volume controls don't seem to cooperate.

(Update: On the iPhone 3G and first-generation iPhone, the headphone clicker seems to work fine for playing, pausing, and skipping tracks, as well as answering/ending calls, however, the headphone volume control clicker is unresponsive. For the first-gen iPod Touch, the headphone's clicker, mic, and volume controls are useless, but the headphones themselves work just fine. The Apple iPhone 3GS is capable of supporting both the remote clicker and volume controls.)

We'll update this post after more testing and have our full review up by the end of the day. In the meantime, check out our Apple In-Ear Headphone photo gallery.

Editor's note: CNET's full review of the Apple In-Ear headphones is now available.

[DarkHawke]

I hope they'll prove more compatible with the iPhone in further testing, or failing that, perhaps a firmware upgrade. Touch controls are all fine, good and spiff, but unless you enjoy digging out your touch screen music player/phone from whatever (hopefully) secure place you've put it just to control common functions, some form of remote, tactile control is essential.

[bigmc6000]

If the volume controls don't work I'm not buying them - end of story... I'm bummed too - I had them on my Christmas wishlist - they came right off when I read this.

[etslee]

Please address compatibility with ipod touch gen 1.

[mert165]

Sorry, wont happen. If you notice that the headphones in the picture above have 4 contact sections (three white stripes). This is because the controls require additional contact points for the controls. iPhones, 2 Gen touches and Nanos have the contacts. 1st gen touches don't. Look inside the headphone port. Not enough contacts.

[cnet.aaron]

I have a feeling that there is no way to add compatibility with iPod touch gen 1. The first generation was not design with microphone functionality in mind, and thus the jack does not have the required connectors.

[tcr071]

What? Are you serious? How can Apple release a headphone device that doesn't have full functionality on the iPhone 3g?? The only reason I would buy headphones from Apple is because all the features would definitely work with my iPhone but now I know that isn't the case.

Kind of ridiculous to release a product that won't work on your flagship device.

[totorototoro]

Because they are designed for the iPod. Are you serious? Everything Apple releases has to satisfy your individual needs? Let me guess, you also can't understand the new 24" Cinema Display because it doesn't work with your G4 Powerbook :p

[kswa1987]

this was exactly the sort of compatibility i expected. the volume control buttons are new with the current generation of ipod touch so i wouldnt expect them to work on the original iphone or iphone 3g.

what irks me is that apple can't say on its website something akin to "the headphones, and the pause / play / skip functions work, but not the volume."

even though i'm one of the apple faithful i regularly get upset about their lack of communication concerning issues such as these

[mrgoodall]

dude are you serious? youre comparing a $79 pair of headphones against something costing per your link, $174.52 - $179.00? All Etymotic does is earphones. Thats like saying WalMart doesnt have as wide a selection of Mens Suits as Men's Werarhouse. Get real man, please. Do the Etymotics have touch controls? and do all the stuff Apple does? okay then, so judge each thing on its own merits.

[joevai52]

Calm down; he wasn't ripping the apple headphones. He was just pointing out that there are better sounding options out there... you get what you pay for. He's informing people that are looking for great sound that these headphones are much better than the stock ones, but they still aren't perfect. If I was looking for the best possible sound, I would appreciate the information.

[ark_v2]

It all indicates Apple isn't the one producing the headphones by itself.
BTW, Sony makes not only desktops, laptops and mp3 players, it sells TVs, Blu-ray players, DVD players, home theaters, videogame consoles, and so on; their headphones are awesome, the new flash-memory players come with high-end buds and sony's cheap models blow a lot of more expensive models from other companies.

[audiodonald]

To answer your question, yes, the Etymotic HF2 do offer the same in-line microphone and clicker control as these headphones, however they don't include volume control. As far as sound quality is concerned, I agree that these sound very good for the price. The fact that I have to reach for a $180 pair of headphones to find something that sounds better only strengthens that point.

[bart6425]

If you ask me, they should just sell the headphone's casing for like 40 bucks, people would still buy them just so that when they walk on the street they'll have the comfort of people around them thinking they have an apple product. I mean it's all show anyway.

[saticie24]

I can now complete my holiday shopping list with the new Apple's $79 in-ear headphones. I love it!

I recently bought the new ShareBuds MX twin stereo earphones (provides a fun and easy way for sharing my favorite songs on my iPhone 3G with my boyfriend) from http://www.sharebuds.com
Very impressive!

I almost gave up waiting on Apple. Are they available in Apple retail stores yet?

Great and timely review. Thanks, Donald!

[LTS3]

I really, really, hope the volume controls work with my first gen. iPod touch. If not I'll be looking elsewhere, for sure.

[audiodonald]

I just updated this post with compatibility results for both gens of iPhone and the first gen Touch. iPhone users only lose the volume control. Clicker, volume, and mic don't work at all with the first gen Touch.

[tipoo_]

this means that Ipods will never ship with "good" stock headphones, Apple will want to charge 80 bucks extra for users to buy these.

[myles taylor]

(shrugs) You get what you pay for. If you want good headphones, you pay for them. If you want an iPod, you get stock headphones. They make 90% of the people who buy iPods happy, so they'd be wasting good headphones on people who don't care, and probably have to charge more. I'm glad I have the choice.

[myles taylor]

I'm not surprised that the 1st gen iPod Touch doesn't get some of the more advanced features, but I wish it did. It makes me want to trade in my 1st gen for a new one, but a few spiffy features aren't quite worth it.

[Shaymojack]

Two things kill these earbuds for me: The lack of support for the iPod touch on the buttons, and the same way the wire goes into the jack at the end. This design has been bad for everyone I know that's used the stock earbuds, the wire pulls out and becomes exposed pretty easily.

[joeya7x]

Well right now im laying off these earphones... look great and ill take Donald Bell's word that they sound good, but if the functionality isnt complete with the iphone 3G, well thats a major defect. Im sure maybe an update cant give full functionality with the iPhone 3G.....Hopefully...

[tcr071]

I still cannot believe they would release a freaking product where the volume controls won't work on either iPhone. I suppose in typical Apple fashion they will release a NEW pair of $79 in-ear headphones where the volume controls DO work and expect you to buy the same product again.

[docster87]

Okay, why on the earth would somebody take 11 photos of these headphones (several of the freaking box/packaging) and NOT ONE SINGLE photo of the actual microphone part????? Are you people serious? I mean, either add one additional pic of the microphone part or remove a pic of the packaging to make room! All I wanted was to see the microphone part, sounds like a volume switch of some sort was added - but no, out of almost a dozen pictures, not one of that part! Amazing.

[audiodonald]

Good point. I just uploaded an extra image to the end of the gallery showing the remote control close up. The microphone on the flip side isn't much to see beyond a pinhole.

[papzadsl]

I'm a satisfied Etymotic er6-i user since 2005, so I know what we're talking about here. Just to tell you how much I appreciate those earphones, let's say I still use them. How many of you could tell the same for their own headphones?

So, what I'd like to read from the author is: what about the noise isolation factor? Is it comparable to the one provided by the er6-i (I'm assuming you tried them out sometimes, due to your job, at least).

Besides: I use foam tips, because I find them to be more isolating and fitter on my ear canal than the silicone ones. Are Apple's silicone as much comfortable as them?

I don't know the Apple stores you have over there, but here in Italy the retailers don't let you plug headphones in your ears to give them a try.

And, once and for all: this earphones won't ever work 100% (aka: volume controls) with the iPhone 3G for a simple reason: the iPhone 3G jack lacks one connector ? in case you haven't noticed, it's not a firmware-related isssue.

Hope to read from Donald.

[lmt07]

I do not know much about headphones and how they work but is it true that the iPhone 3G lacks a connector like papzadsl says? Aren't the connectors the white stripes on the pin? If so, these headphones have 3 connectors, just like headphones that shipped with the iPhone 3G. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but that makes me think volume controls could be fixed with a software update.

[drumby04]

Had they shipped these before my headphones that came with my 1st gen iPhone had been done in by the washing machine, I probably would have gotten a pair.. but I think I'll probably stick with my Etymotic HF2 set. ;)

[ark_v2]

I just watched the review. I have a question for Donald; my friend wants to finally upgrade her stock hearphones (thankgod) after she used my CX-500 for a while and she watched the apple's In-Ear phones review. But which would you say are a better deal in terms of sound quality, these apple buds, shure's E2c, SE110, or UE Super Fi.3?

[audiodonald]

If your friend has no use for the iPod remote and microphone features, I'd say the Super Fi 3 would be my next in sound quality, personally. The two pairs of Shures you mentioned offer excellent detail, but they're a little flat in the low end by comparison. Another thing to bear in mind is that all three pairs of headphones you mentioned are designed to be worn with the cable wrapping up and over the ear--which not everyone enjoys. Apple's headphones are a little less intrusive in this regard, and much lighter, especially when you account for the weight of the wider gauge of cable used for all three headphones you mentioned. On the upside, those three headphones come with a two-year warranty instead of Apple's one-year warranty, which offers some additional peace of mind if she's reluctant to put down $80 for a pair of headphones. Have I successfully evaded your question? Apple's have the best bass response of the bunch, in my opinion, along with the best style and best comfort. UE would be my second choice, as far as value for sound quality, without coming across too flat. Between the E2c and SE110, it's a toss-up. The SE110 are a little more comfortable because of the black foam ear tips and the smaller aperture, but the E2c are a little cooler looking, I think. I'm sure you'll get a lot of other opinions on this, but that's my two cents.

[ark_v2]

I think she will go with the UE. Se says she prefers detail and a lot of bass makes her dizzy.
Thanks a lot!

[Rob490]

Question for Donald

Can you please compare them to the V-moda vibe 2 (that can be a great prizefight) but if not just a quick rundown would be great i know you touched on this a little on the review but a bit more detail would be great as im stuck between these two

Thanx in advanced

[audiodonald]

You're right, that would be a good prizefight. From a comfort/design perspective, the Vibe 2 are at least 2-3 times heavier than the Apple In-Ear, due to all the metal casing on the earpieces and the mic/clicker. All that weight can be uncomfortable on your ears, plus, it places extra strain on the cables. Also, if you have small ears, the aperture on the Vibes is wider than Apple's, which can but more pressure within the ear. Sonically, the Vibes have heaps more low-end, just not the kind I like hearing, personally--muddier frequencies, like someone just maxed all the lower bands on a graphic EQ. Some people prefer this sound. It's definitely a matter of taste. The Apple's still offer plenty of bass, it's just a little restrained and defined than the Vibe. It's more than you'll hear on most sets from Etymotic and Shure, which tend to strive for a more balanced sound. As far as mids and highs, I thought the Apple In-Ears offered better clarity than the Vibe, but part of that might be the fact that those frequencies weren't crowded out by the booming lows of the Vibes.