I've been using my ipod for about a month now and I am very curious if anyone knows the manufacturer of the ipod earbuds. I have a problem that the ear buds are just too big for my ears, however when I bear with that problem I think that they sound great.
So I went out and tried to find a better head phone for portable use (jogging and aerobics). I was able to try out the Koss Porta pros at a shop and the Grado SR60s. I found the Porta pros to be muffled and inferior to the sound of the ipod earpbuds. I found that the Grados might have had the best sound that I have ever heard, but they would be too big and the open architecture would probably bother people around me. I tend to listen pretty loud.
Over the past month I've read this forum daily in order to get some new insight and upon reading so many recommendations for the KSC 35 I opted to get a pair and have been using them for about 2 weeks. I'd have to say that I've been a little underwhelmed with the sound. I tried out the ipod earbuds once again this morning and I was blown away by how much better they sounded than the 35s; better separation and a more distinct base. The 35s sound muffled by comparson.
I'm probably unique in this opinion, the 35s seem to be so overwhelmingly liked by everyone here. I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile so i just might be missing something. Great sound must be in the ear of the beholder.
My conclusion is to find out the manufacturer of the ipod earbud and see if I can buy a smaller size, however I'd be ecstatic if I could match the sound of those Grados in a trulely more portable and closed headphone.

trying cutting a hole in the center of the pads covering the KSC-35's drivers. Only about the size of a dime or so.

I'm having a hard time though believing that the earbuds that come with the I-pod can beat one of the best (if not the best) budget headphones available...

I've heard the iPod earbuds briefly. Don't underestimate them, they're actually the best-sounding stock headphones of any type I've heard. I didn't have my 35s to compare them w/ at the time, but I did compare them to my V6s. The V6s had decidely better separation, soundstage, clarity, etc..., as one would expect. But I could see them giving the Koss cheapies a bit of a challenge.

Yeah, those darn things are huge. I mean they probably sound great in comparison to most other 'buds, but for goodness' sake, I felt like I was sticking china saucers sideways into my ears.

Uncomfortableness was one of the major reasons I gave up my Grado RS-1s: the notorious "Grado Ear Burn" (think along the same lines as "rug burn"...yeeah) was just too much. Much too much. This is supposed to be leisure and pleasure, not hearing loss and intense general discomfort.

I remember I used to play my Game Boy with Sony earbuds for extended periods; after a while, it felt like I had an ear infection or something. Very unpleasant and I can't imagine Apple's included ones would be any better, considering they stretch the ear even more.



- Matt

Mr. Jobs does have some respect for good audio so I would have expected those buds to not be so terrible. Maybe you need to go higher, to maybe the Sony 888 or Ety ER6.

Quote:



Thanks for the advice. I am cutting as soon as I finish.

I'm not sure if it will improve their sound much, but you describe them as sounding muffled...that should un-muffle them a bit . but yeah, if those don't work then who knows, you might just want to try the ety ER6. it should sound just great, and it'll isolate as well.

Whoa............the stock iPod earbuds sound better than the Koss KS-C35s? Not to these old ears they don't! While very smooth sounding with good bass response, the top end is completely missing (old ears?). They sound VERY muffled to me. And the size of those things is another drawback..........man, you'ld have to be Dumbo to fit those babys comfortably. I tried the Sony 888s and the Koss C35s..........both offered a significant improvement in sound quality, with the nod going to the KSC-35s because of a bit more clarity and detail. I tried the Ety ER-4s also, but even though the amp in the iPod is rated at 30mw per side, it wasn't nearly enough to drive the Etys with any authority. That's why I picked up the ER-4Ps last week. However, the iPod I used was my son's, and I haven't ordered one yet. I'm waiting for a fix for the iPod "whine" that has many people perplexed.

I just could not listen to the iBuds. Maybe I'm just used to the sound of the mx500s. I'll give them another try, but I doubt I'll change my mind.

Ok, I just listened to them again. Yeah, they suck.. hah just kidding..Actually, I'm not. They just lack the detail and clarity of the mx500s. The highs sound a bit rolled off.. So I basically totally agree with joelongwood. Listening through the iBuds is like listening to music through earmuffs.

What did you guys like about them again? And this isn't some big joke is it?

joelongwood, a little birdie told me to wait and buy an iPod after January 7

MacDef,

What is supposed to happen after January 7? I might have to use my compusa replacement warranty..

Hey, you're not alone. I thought the KSC-35's sounded like poopoo, too.. Good for a cheap headphone, though. But overall poop.

Thanks for the tip, MacDEF. I think I have enough toys to tide me over till then.

Quote:




what do u guys mean by the sound of the koss ksc-35 is "muffled"?

cuz i planning to get the koss ksc-35 soon... is it worth it? or get the ety er6?

Quote:



Not me...........I don't find them "muffled" at all. Smooth and clear here.