JK1
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2003
- Posts
- 3,212
- Likes
- 200
For many years, even back when portable cassette players were the norm in the 90s, I argued that earphones not be included with portable players. The included ones are typically very low quality and seem like a total waste. Many are probably thrown in trash rather rapidly, or never used after they are tried once just out of curiosity. Aside from wasting resources and creating more trash, the included earphones encourage reviewers to test products using them, so a mediocre sounding player with slightly better included earphones gets a higher rating than a much better sounding player with more horrible included headphones. Also very bad is that some stick with using the included earphones and never use better earphones.
Why do manufacturers feel a need to include earphones? Do shoe manufacturers feel a need to include a pair of low quality sox in the box with their shoes? Do makers of writing paper feel a need to include a low quality pen in the package with the writing paper? Many products that use removable AA or AAA batteries have batteries not included written prominently on the front of the package. Why can't an mp3 player have earphones not included written prominently on the front of the package?
Some manufacturers included higher quality earphones with the player, however even those better ones typically weren't great, and increased the price of the player.
I have thrown away some included headphones and earphones, and have others that should be thrown in the trash but haven't been.
Including a case or skin with the player would be so much more useful than low quality earphones, as most people already have quite a few headphones and/or earphones, but don't already have a case for the player, as each player model has different dimensions and buttons in different places, so the case must be made for that specific model.
Why do manufacturers feel a need to include earphones? Do shoe manufacturers feel a need to include a pair of low quality sox in the box with their shoes? Do makers of writing paper feel a need to include a low quality pen in the package with the writing paper? Many products that use removable AA or AAA batteries have batteries not included written prominently on the front of the package. Why can't an mp3 player have earphones not included written prominently on the front of the package?
Some manufacturers included higher quality earphones with the player, however even those better ones typically weren't great, and increased the price of the player.
I have thrown away some included headphones and earphones, and have others that should be thrown in the trash but haven't been.
Including a case or skin with the player would be so much more useful than low quality earphones, as most people already have quite a few headphones and/or earphones, but don't already have a case for the player, as each player model has different dimensions and buttons in different places, so the case must be made for that specific model.
