Archive for category Headphones

Review: Klipsch Image S4i Headphones for iPhone

The Klipsch Image S4i ($99) are stylish, bass-heavy headphones that have an Apple-friendly three-button control/microphone dongle that works with the iPhone and other “i” and Mac products. And even at $99, we found that the excellent audio performance of the S4i along with the included accessories and stylish design make the headphones somewhat of a bargain.

For a pair of mid-tier priced headphones, the Klipsch S4i deliver the audio goods, besting even some more expensive headphones. The S4i’s strongest audio characteristic is an impressive level of bass that can be felt as well as heard. Lovers of hip hop and bass-driven music will be more than satisfied with the S4i’s.
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Top 20 iPhone Headphones (Best of iPhone)

*Updated 3-6-2010*

1. Klipsch X10i Headphones for iPhone

The Klipsch X10i ($350) headphones offer premium comfort and sound quality, albeit at a premium price. The X10’s are one of the smallest and lightest full-featured headphones currently available for the iPhone. They weigh in at a light 10 grams and come with 5 different-sized sets of Klipsch’s Countour ear gels (3 sets are double-flanged). In terms of sound reproduction, the X10’s perform well across the spectrum with an especially meaty low end. The silicone eartips offer a tight, snug fit, and provide passive sound isolation. The headphones come with a quarter-inch adapter for non-iPhone and iPod music players, an airline adapter, a cleaning tool for ear wax removal, a faux leather carrying case, and a small pouch carrying case.

Helpful links

Official website for Klipsch X10i earphones

CNET review (non-iPhone version)

iLounge X10 review (non-iPhone version)

Engadget review

Amazon.com: Klipsch X10i

2. Etymotic hf2 iPhone-Compatible Headphones

While many headphones are tweaked to be bass heavy, the Etymotic hf2 ($155) headphones are designed to deliver precision sound quality. With equal parts low, mid, and treble, listeners can discern the sizzle of high hats as well as the growl of the bass guitar. The hf2s come with 2 different-size sets of triple-flanged silicone eartips as well as a set of foam eartips that many people who have trouble with in-ears seem to gravitate to. The hf2 earphones sport a 4-foot cable that comes with the requisite microphone and call/music control button. Included accessories are a filter cleaning tool (for earwax), an extra set of filters, and a carrying case.

Helpful links:

Official Etymotic hf2 website

iLounge review

CNET review

Amazon.com: Etymotic hf2 earphones $155

3. Klipsch S4i

The Klipsch S4i ($99) are part of the still rare class of iPhone-compatible headphones that include volume controls along with a microphone and call/music button. The headphones are made from a black glossy plastic with chrome accents that goes perfectly with the black iPhone 3G and 3GS. The S4i’s sound reproduction is bass-heavy but not overbearing and should please fans of modern pop music. The Klipsch S4i’s come with 3 sets of rubber silicone eartips, a cleaning tool for earwax, and a carrying case.

Helpful links:

Official website for Klipsch S4i

CNET review

iLounge review (non-iPhone version)

Touch My Apps Review

Amazon.com: Klipsch Image S4i $99

4. V-Moda Vibe II Headphones for iPhone

V-Moda knows how to build stylish headphones, and in this area, the V-Moda Vibe II ($120) don’t disappoint. Made out of stainless steel and available in two colors (black and rouge), the headphones have a two-tone design and a X-shaped framework that fits over the earbuds. In terms of sound, the Vibe IIs are tilted toward a powerful low end. The headphones are a step up in terms of sonic clarity of the previous generation of V-modas, but not quite in the realm of premium headphones. The Vibe IIs have a durable design, with its stainless steel earbuds, fabric-covered cord, and bendable headphone plug that prevents cracking from repeated used. Included with the earphones are 4 different-sized silicone eartips as well as special earhooks that give the headphones more stability for use in sports activities like jogging. Also included is a stylish leather carrying case.

Helpful links:

Official website for V-Moda Vibe II

CNET review

iLounge review

Cult of Mac review

Amazon.com: V-Moda Vibe II $120

5. Ultimate Ears Super.fi 4vi for iPhone

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Volume Controls of Apple In-Ear Headphones Work With iPhone 3G S

One of the previous drawbacks of the Apple In-Ear Headphones was that the volume controls on the microphone dongle only worked with iPods. iPhone owners were left out in the cold. Not true anymore–at least for owners of an iPhone 3G S. Previous versions of the iPhone are still not supported.

With the Apple In-Ear controls, you can also play/pause or answer/end a call with a single click, go to next track with a double click, or go back a track with a triple click.

Links:

Review of Apple In-Ear Headphones

Apple In-Ear Headphones at Apple.com

Cut the Cord: Stereo Bluetooth Will Bring Wireless Headphones to the iPhone

Motorola S805 Bluetooth Headphones

Motorola S805 Bluetooth Headphones

The coming addition of stereo Bluetooth connectivity in the iPhone 3.0 update will finally allow iPhone owners to go wireless with their headphones. Many wireless Bluetooth headphones like the inexpensive Motorola S805 Bluetooth headset ($40 at Amazon.com) are designed for use with cell phones and include built-in microphones and call answering capabilities.

Of course, Apple, with its Made for iPod program, may require Bluetooth headset makers to pay special licensing fees in order for their hardware to play nice with the iPhone. All I know is, I’m looking forward to cutting the cord.

Review of Apple In-Ear Headphones

Apple In-Ear Headphones

Before they even shipped, the new Apple In-Ear Headphones ($79.00) stood out on paper thanks to their dual sound drivers, a feature usually found in headphones that cost $200 or more. But do they sound as good as their more expensive competitors? For the most part, yes. We’ve found the sound performance to be full, detailed, and well rounded—although lovers of over-the-top bass will be disappointed. They are impressive for their price point, making them a good value. If you’re looking to upgrade your iPhone headphones, the Apple In-Ear Headphones are a big step up from the default iPhone headphones and outclass similarly priced third-party competitors.

Fit and Comfort

Apple includes three sizes of silicone ear-tips: small, medium, and large. Because everyone’s ears are different, it’s tough to judge the quality of fit other than on a person-by-person basis. In my initial tests, none of the ear-tips formed a good seal. But trying again, I discovered a little wiggling was required to place the tips properly. This caused a dramatic improvement in not only the snugness of the headphones, but thanks to a good seal, also in the overall sound quality.

Extra Ear Tips for Apple In-Ear Headphones

I tested the earphone during a 20-minute jogging session on a treadmill, and they stayed stuck in my ear throughout. The ear-tips are comfortable to wear during long listening sessions: I had a two-hour podcast-listening marathon, and the earphones did not leave any soreness or irritation in my ear. (*Update* It’s not recommended you use Apple headphones while working out, as they are, from my experience, easily water damaged.)


Sound

Thanks to the dual sound drivers, the Apple In-Ear Headphones deliver detailed, balanced sound. The drivers work much like a tweeter and woofer in a floor speaker–separating the highs and lows allows each to be heard more distinctly, as opposed to the muddled sound produced when all frequencies come from a single speaker.

Apple In-Ear Headphones

The Apple In-Ears deliver a good amount of bass–I could feel the physical thump that’s telltale of good bass–but it’s obvious that Apple’s goal is to deliver clear, well-rounded sound. Those looking for headphones with bass-heavy sound should look to another brand like V-Moda or the Shure E2Cs. However, these bass-heavy headphones sacrifice nuance to deliver the full low end. For those who listen to a wide range of genres (like me), it’s just as important hear the acoustic guitar as the bass drum.

Overall, the sound of the Apple In-Ears is much superior to that of the default iPod and iPhone headphones. Music sounds more full-bodied, with both highs and lows strong and distinct. The In-Ear’s eartips go deep into the ear, delivering a closer, more intimate sound. The sound isolation not only keeps ambient sounds out, but keeps the sound from the headphones in your ear and not dissipating outward.

Noise Isolation

The Apple In-Ears tend to muffle sound rather than deliever pure sound isolation. While listening to music, all but the loudest ambient noises disappear. But with the gaps in the music or podcasts, people talking nearby can be faintly heard as a muffled, indistinguishable conversation.

Compatibility With the iPhone

Apple does not officially list the In-Ears as iPhone-compatible, but every feature of the headphones works with the iPhone but the volume controls. The Play/Pause/Answer button works just like the button on the default headphones. The quality of sound from the microphone was on par with that of the default headphones.

Apple In-Ear Button

Durability

The durability of the In-Ears is their most worrisome aspect. As a heavy user, I’ve been through two pairs of default iPhone headphones, and it appears the In-Ears are made from the same material. The cord, in particular, tends to get frayed, exposing bare wires. And speaking from personal experience, in the past, the headphone plug has not been strong enough to endure repeated accidental yankings from the headphone jack. If you are a rough, heavy user of your headphones, expect to pay for replacements in the future. My pace seems to be around every 8 months or so.

Conclusion

The default iPhone headphones are adequate for the casual listener, but many iPhone owners turn to third-party headphones for superior sound quality and sound isolation features, sometimes at a big hit to their wallet. The dual drivers of the Apple In-Ear Headphones deliver that superior sound quality, and they do it at an affordable price. The combination of quality with a low price point make the In-Ears a true bargain, one that will most likely force other companies to decrease their prices on premium headphones as well. We can highly recommend the Apple In-Ear Headphones.

Apple In-Ear Headphone Ear Tips

Tech Specs

  • Frequency response: 5Hz to 21kHz
  • Impedance (100Hz): 23 ohms
  • Sensitivity (100Hz): 109 dB SPL/mW
  • Weight: 0.4 ounce (10.2 grams)
  • Four-conductor 3.5-mm audio jack

Notes:

How long is the cable?

54.9 inches, about an inch shorter than the default headphones.

Does the Button and Microphone Work With Apple Laptops?

Yes, you can use the button to play and pause tracks on the current generation Macbooks (the generation released in late 2008). The volume button and microphone work as well. The button and volume controls don’t work on previous generations of Macbooks.

Will a firmware upgrade make the volume button work for the iPhone?

*Updated* Volume button now works with the iPhone 3GS, but not supported with iPhone 3G.

Links:

Official website for Apple In-Ear Headphones

Apple In-Ear Headphones at Amazon.com

CNET Reviews Apple In-Ear Headphones

CNET got a hold of the new Apple In-Ear Headphones and gave them a positive review, rating them an 8.0 out of 10, stating:

If you own an iPhone, in all seriousness, spend an extra minute to sand off those + and – symbols and you’ve got the best fully-functional iPhone headset for under $100.”

Check out their video review below.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvd7UjQCUbg

I’ve got a hunch that the volume controls will one day work with the iPhone as well.

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Apple In-Ear Headphones Now Shipping

New iPod In-Ear Headphones Inside Case

The new Apple In-Ear Headphones are now available for purchase online at Apple.com for $79.99 with free shipping. The headphones were originally slated for an October 2008 release.

The most exciting feature of the heaphones are the dual drivers in each earpiece–a woofer and a tweeter. This feature is normally found in much more expensive headphones, although we’ll reserve judgment on Apple’s quality until we can review them ourselves.

Button for Apple In-Ears

The headphones also feature a microphone and a control button with three buttons: volume adjust, play/pause + call answer button, and record voice memo button.

No word yet on whether the volume controls and the voice record will work with the iPhone, but it seems likely.


Link:

Apple In-Ear Headphones with Dual Drivers at Apple.com

New Etymotic HF2 iPhone-Compatible Earphones

Etymotic hf2 iPhone and iPod Touch earphones

The new Etymotic hf2 noise-isolating earphones ($179) are now available. The earphones feature a microphone and play-pause button like the original iPhone headphones.

Etymotic hf2 Play Pause Button and Microphone

The earphones have a 4 ft. cable and come with assorted eartips along with a filter tool with 2 replacements and a storage pouch. They work with both the original iPhone and the 3G, as well as the Blackberry Curve and other devices with a 3.5-mm 4-contact phone and stereo plug (like the newest iPod Touch and Nano).

Etymotic hf2 in Ruby Red

Etymotic claims the hf2s have the same audio response as their well-reviewed Etymotic ER-4 earphones. About.com’s Home Recording review blog gave the ER-4s 4 out of 5 stars and had this to say:

The Etymotic ER-4 earphones has become one of the most talked about earphones for accurate sound reproduction. A favorite of many sound engineers and artists for both on-stage and off-stage monitoring, the Etymotic design – and the research that went into it – is the basis for most in-ear monitoring options today. These earphones are true audiophile quality; and with the optional ER-4p to ER-4s converter, they can be used with professional-grade headphone amplifiers for even greater quality.

Links:

Official page for Etymotic hf2 Earphones

The Etymotic hf2s at Amazon.com

Bargain: iPhone Headphone Adapter for $0.99 (w/ free shipping)

iPhone Headphone Adapter

For those still rocking a first-gen iPhone, Meritline.com is offering a a headphone adapter for $0.99 with free shipping. The coupon code to use is EACAIOFF, and the deal ends after 9/22/08 or after the first 300 customers.

The adapter allows for any headphones to connect to the first-gen iPhone’s awkwardly recessed headphone port that so many complained about. The 3G iPhone’s headphone port was redesign to avoid this problem.

Click here for link to bargain.

New Shure iPhone-Compatible Family of Headphones

Shure MPA SE102MPA iPhone Sound Isolating Headphones

Shure has introduced a new line of sound-isolating headphones that include a detachable microphone/control cord that is compatible with the iPhone.

Prices start at $119.00 with the Shure SE102MPA. (Note: A press release from Shure said this model would be selling for $99.00, but their own store tells a different story. Apparently, Shure has pulled a stunt like this before.)

The SE102MPA includes a drawstring pouch and three sets of ear tips for different size ears.

The MPA family of headphones include four models with a large range of prices.

It’s interesting to note that the $429.99 Shure’s have a dedicated tweeter and woofer, much like Apple’s new $79.99 in-ear headphones. If you’re wondering how these two headsets stack up on a specification basis, check out the following table.

  Shure SE420MPA Apple In-Ear
Price $429.99 $79.99
Sensitivity 109 dB SPL/mW 109 dB SPL/mW
Frequency Response 20Hz to 19kHz 5Hz to 21kHz
Impedance 22 ohms 23 ohms
Drivers Tweeter and woofer (Dual TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers) Tweeter and woofer (Custom two-way balanced armature)

I’m going to wait for the reviews on the upcoming Apple in-ear headphones, but you can see why I’m excited for them. At a price point of $79.99, they could do some serious profit margin damage to other third-party headset companies.

It still really bothers me that Shure is sticking to a detachable dongle for the microphone/control functionality. It shows a lack of dedication to the iPhone.