Comments on: First Look: Apple's new in-ear headphones

CNET's Donald Bell takes a look at Apple's new in-ear headphones for the iPod.

[SSchroader]

The 'news' is that IEMs (canal phones) with dual balanced-armature drivers are currently priced between $200-$350, so "hearing them" and reporting on how they compare with existing models is THE actual info we need. The prime feature of IEMs is isolation, so your attempt at Palin-Rovian misdirection regarding the room ambience was pathetic. Just say Apple wouldn't let me try them. Of course, it's pretty clear that you could also add "but then again, I wouldn't know what to listen for anyway." Typical cnet mediocrity.

[gornichecl]

Palin-Rovian misdirection....? wow. just wow.

[FatalAce]

hahahhaha
James Kim knew how to make good reviews

[warrenrichards10]

Tell me, do you practice writing with such inane crap, if you want super in depth analysis go somewhere else this ? cnet mediocrity ? is for the general public , you know, I bet you buy monster cables don?t you.

[maxwell_edison]

SSchroader: Here, let me help you with that stick - it can't be too comfortable wedged up your ass like that.

[jabberwolf]

Wow, those are just like um.... 50 other headphones that look exactly alike and have the same functions.

Why is this even news?

[melic]

Maybe you missed this part: With this [heaphone], you can adjust the volume, control music or video playback ? including play/pause and next/previous ? and record voice memos.

[ZephyrVolta]

I guess it's from Apple, so it's sales will probably better, and because it allows for recording on iPods, which is actually pretty cool.

[iwarrior-poet]

Anyone know (or willing to take an educated guess) if the microphone will work with the iphone for telephone calls?

[UKStory1355]

No one knows, I have searched all over forums and at Apple's website. They only mention that the controls work with 4G iPods. If they work with calls I'll buy these in a cocaine-heartbeat. If they don't, I'll stick with my Sonys.

[xZero2007x]

Think about it this way gentlemen: You guys have seen crowds of people in public always using the ipod stock buds, right? I mean, even working my first retail job at Best Buy a couple months ago, it became very clear that people rarely ever did opt for better earphones, even among the tech enthusiasts and such.

Apple has offered an in-ear bud for a while if I'm not mistaken, and some Bose earphones as well at their stores. If they offer their in-ear with decent sound with the competition in its price range, as well as throw in a mic and playback controls for those who weren't initially looking for sound quality, but rather just wanted the added features, think of the market they're creating! If anything, they have the biggest grasp on the portable media player market right now as well as the earphone market. If they can offer something enticing like this, they can, in theory (depending on how many people who don't care about sound go for the added features and the Apple name) open up the small earphone market and enlighten general consumers what they've been missing out on.

At least that's ran through my head after reading this article.

[chad.armstrong]

Had no idea until now that voice recording was now integrated in new iPods (except for the mic). Very cool.

[fooldog01]

I'm so surprised Apple would release an item that is overpriced for what it is and bank on brain dead consumers and trendy followers to gobble them up like they werent getting ripped off. Maybe they should start doing this with all their products...

[gornichecl]

uh, 1st gen iphone anyone?

[rnaoncfixd]

I'm not sure if you've shopped for headphones before, but they appear to be priced right online with other headphones of that caliber; specifically in ear head phones.

[RenoDavid]

Do the people that post this about every friggin' Apple product just cut and paste? We get it already! All Apple products are overpriced and bought by clueless, fashion-obsessed boobs! You happy now? Now, please return to your burrow...

[tipoo_]

better earphones dont make up for the only average audio chip in ipods.

[tech_junky48]

Somewhat less than average, if I recall correctly.

[daedbird]

My question is what generations of ipods the mic and volume controls these new buds will work on? I suspect that will only be this new generation, exc. for maybe the original ipod, but it would be nice if they worked on the last gen as well. Does this also mean an end to the buds with the FM receiver in them? Just curious

[tech_junky48]

I think the FM radio antenna was an add-on purchased seperately, which was an inline remote, not actually a set of earbuds. So this shouldn't effect it, as long as it has the throughput to send the signal from the buds to the iPod, not just the other way.

[melic]

I wonder if other earphone manufacturers can make use of the remote functions (without paying a license fee)?

[SSchroader]

Conflicting reviews of the iPod Nano (4th Gen):

CNet (Don Bell): "sound quality is only average"

PCWorld.com: "According to our tests, the latest iPod Nano improves its audio output as compared with its predecessor, jumping up a notch to receive a rating of Superior on the PC World Test Center's suite of audio tests. The Nano, together with its new Touch sibling, are our new leaders in our audio output results."

[RenoDavid]

Very interesting. Maybe the CNet reviewer just assumed they sounded the same as previous iPods...

[Mosephus]

If these are indeed dual armature driver in-ear headphones for $79, these are the best deal available. Proof will be in the pudding.

[LunaticSX]

@daedbird

"Does this also mean an end to the buds with the FM receiver in them?"

Apple still offers the iPod Radio Remote, and it's listed as being compatible with the new 4th Gen Nano as well as the Classic (they don't differentiate between the old 80/160 GB and new 120 GB ones, so it'd be all of them). You have to dig around on the Apple Store website a bit to find it, though. Obviously it's not one of their best sellers (personally, I carry a media player so I don't HAVE to listen to the d*mn radio). They're still on the racks at local brick-n-mortar Apple Stores, too.

[dexter_birdbrain]

"I have a theory about who's cooking up Apple's high-end earphones (any guesses?)"

Are you talking about Bose? They offer customized docking stations for iPod and I won't be surprised if they are doing these headphones as well...

[DavidMC99]

Do not believe the hype. They are not worth the money. The $29 set has better sound quality. I just purchased and returned this set for a refund. They sound like a tin can. If you like to hear bass, or you listen to hip-hop music, you will be very disappoint with the frequency respond. It really cut off the low-end of the frequency bandwidth.

The headphone looks good and come in a great-looking package, but Apple should have put the money in engineering the sound quality.

I will keep my Bose for home and use the ones shipped with my iPhone when I'm on the road.

David