Griffin EarJams - iPod Earbud Attachments *Review*

[IpodSF]

After hearing about Griffin Technology at the 2003 MacWorld SF Event I was at, I look out for new Griffin products every so often. Last Christmas I received a 4th generation Apple iPod. After listening to my iPod for a of couple weeks, I decided I needed a sound improvement however I didn't have much to spend. I went online and took a look at Griffin's website to discover a new product named "EarJam's". These EarJam’s were supposed to improve the sound overall and greatly improve bass response. All for $15. I decided I would buy a pair, because at $15 I could not resist. The Griffin sales rep was very nice.



I placed my order and within 3 days I received a package from Griffin Technology. My EarJam’s had arrived and in a nicely padded envelope. As soon as I pulled the EarJam’s from the envelope I noticed the EarJam’s were packaged in professional blister packaging. I grabbed my scissors and cut the packaging open. Upon opening of the package I noticed a nice and simple Griffin case that came along with my EarJam’s. I was surprised to find an extra such as this with a product that costs as little as it does. Not only did the EarJam’s kit include the case but it included three different ear piece sizes for the EarJam’s to fit any size ear.



Once I removed the EarJam’s and case from the packaging I grabbed my iPod and iPod buds. I turned my iPod on and started listening to songs. Alright, now I clicked the EarJam’s in place which took me all of about 1.2 seconds . I then placed the earphones in my ears to take a listen. I was impressed with what I was hearing! It's amazing that such a non technical product could provide the sound improvement it did for only $15. This is a product that is worth closer to $35 or $40. Griffin really did some research on this and it was a very cleaver idea to "dome" the sound like the EarJam’s do to create the better sound. I recommend this product to anyone who is looking to better their iPod sound for under $20.

One thing I did notice which I'm not sure is the case with everyone else however the EarJam’s I got would not fit in my ear. They kept slipping out after a few minutes. I tried all of the sizes yet the slipping did not stop. I'm not sure why this was the case although I think it's because the earpads were not firm enough. This was the only negative I had about the product. Everything else is top notch however this was infact a problem. Now, they were very comfortable for the minutes they stayed in. So comfortable infact I almost did not notice they were in my ears. Possibly upgrading the ear pieces to a firmer piece would fix this problem.

Either way, this is an all around GOOD product. It would be excellent but the slipping out issue was the problem for me. I'm sure you could buy some other ear piece say from Etyomtic or Shure for about $10/$15 and attach it to these and that would bring the price to $25-$35 but as I said earlier the sound these EarJam’s produce is worth around a $35-$40 improvement over the standard iPod ear buds.

I really think this would be an excellent product the more I think about it if these EarJam’s were to feature a firmer ear piece. I will look into it and let you know.

Overall, I recommend these EarJam’s from Griffin Technology to anyone with standard iPod ear buds looking for a decent sound improvement at a great price!

[justanotheruser]

I've got their radioshark and powermate...both very interesting products. I wasn't completely happy with them, though...the radioshark feels very cheap...and my first powermate actually broke (despite looking pretty sturdy). Also, their drivers are kinda buggy. They show potential nonetheless...

[IpodSF]

.........

[Max Minimum]

Are these designed specifically to fit the ibuds or will they fit other buds as well? It'd be interesting to see what they might do for the bass of the CM7's.

[IpodSF]

Originally Posted by Max Minimum

Are these designed specifically to fit the ibuds or will they fit other buds as well? It'd be interesting to see what they might do for the bass of the CM7's.

Just the standard iPod earbuds.

[kramer5150]

Not to sound too harsh... but are they really worth $15 if they fall out?

I just got e2cs and the rubber OEM tips stick and adhere to my ears very well. It creates a really tight seal, oil from my skin doesnt seem to deter anything. They stick slightly better than the black sillocone tips of my EX51. Maybe EX51 or e2c tips would grip better?

Garrett

[elephant6rawk]

I recommend this product to anyone who is looking to better their iPod sound for under $20.

...or you could just spend a couple bucks more and buy the PortaPro 2's, which are a gajillion times better than the iBuds.

The stock buds are utter, utter ass. If the EarJams are an improvement, what does that make em; just plain ass?

[Aptmunich]

iPodlounge reviewed them and weren't impressed and before you start questioning the iPodlounger's audio experience, they have upgraded all the way to UE-10's so have some experience I believe.

Nonetheless if they work for you, hope you can sort out the slipping-out problem.

[IpodSF]

Originally Posted by Aptmunich

iPodlounge reviewed them and weren't impressed and before you start questioning the iPodlounger's audio experience, they have upgraded all the way to UE-10's so have some experience I believe.

Nonetheless if they work for you, hope you can sort out the slipping-out problem.

I don't doubt iPodlounge. I took a look at the review and it looks as if they weren't impressed but they sure were not dissapointed. They pretty much feel what I thought about this product.

I'm telling you, if these EarJams just had firmer ear pieces they would be a big hit!

[fr4c]

they may seem like a nice alternative to people who want better sound but insists on sticking with the white buds.

seriously, with $15-$20 for the cost of the EarJams, you could get a mx500/550. and i promise you they sound 10x better, no matter how many silicon plugs you put on those iBuds.

[philodox]

Originally Posted by elephant6rawk

The stock buds are utter, utter ass.

Maybe to our standards, but I'd have to say that the apple earbuds are the best stock headphones that I have ever heard to come with a portable player. You want to hear 'utter ass' buy any CD player or any other MP3 player and listen to what comes with it.

[Stornn]

Originally Posted by philodox

Maybe to our standards, but I'd have to say that the apple earbuds are the best stock headphones that I have ever heard to come with a portable player. You want to hear 'utter ass' buy any CD player or any other MP3 player and listen to what comes with it.

Some iRivers come with MX300s - Way better than the iBuds

[philodox]

Originally Posted by Stornn

Some iRivers come with MX300s - Way better than the iBuds

Have you actually compared the two?

Anyways... I'm just saying that they arent the sum of all fears or anything. My wife quite likes hers and they are a huge step up over the ones she was using before. I was quite suprised when I auditioned them. I figured they would sound horrible... they did not.

[IpodSF]

Originally Posted by philodox

Have you actually compared the two?

Anyways... I'm just saying that they arent the sum of all fears or anything. My wife quite likes hers and they are a huge step up over the ones she was using before. I was quite suprised when I auditioned them. I figured they would sound horrible... they did not.

..... and the EarJams make them sound even better.

[Layerfire]

hmm i think that the mx 500 truly suck ass, they are uncomfortable and have bad highs and distort alot.