Nice detailed review.
 
I don't know if is available on ios, but on android i use the app Jays Headset Control to adjust the function of the remote buttons. Now I can change tracks by pressing the buttons, but change volume by holding the buttons.
 
And is you really hate the color difference between the headphones and your phone, you might consider buying version 1 of the pistons, which are silver. I only own the silver version, so I don't know if there is much difference in quality, but I think these sound great.

Thanks, great that you appreciated the review! I'll be sure to scour Apple's AppStore in search of "Jay's Headset Controls", although I'm sceptical regarding whether Apple would actually allow users to configure remote buttons. They seem to be pretty comfortable with their locked ecosystem of apps, and really Android are unrivalled when it comes to "configurability".

Don't get me wrong - I think my SpaceGrey iPhone is just as exquisite as my golden Xiaomi Pistons. However, if I had gotten the golden iPhone, the pistons would blend in almost seamlessly with the phone, appearing more or less like stock headphones.

I have, however, been wondering if the original Xiaomi Pistons are as good as the 2.0 version. I would definitely recommend that you buy a pair of the 2.0s, just to see the difference. Could you describe the audio, and possibly even the materials used in the original Pistons?

Wow... just wow... Amazing review. I think I'll buy the same headphones again, only due to this review.  

What an awesome, detailed review.
 
The original Piston doesn't have the clarity and treble that the new one has, but the sound signature is somewhat similar.
 
Since Xiaomi makes Android phones, I don't think they will ever fully support the iPhone on their earphones, because Apple uses their own connector standard for controls/mic. You never know. Maybe Piston 3.0 will someday.

Thanks, it means a lot that you both appreciated the review. Banjoanton, I might just very well buy another pair as well!

Bhazard - It's great to see someone who has used both the original and the 2.0s. I agree with you on that Xiaomi probably won't add Apple's own connector standard in Pistons anytime soon, but on the other hand, they did include support for the mic, and play/pause in the 2.0s. Also, we've got the iPhone 5S coming to China Mobile now for the first time ever, which will surely boost both sales and popularity on the shores of the Yellow Sea.

Pistons 3.0 might very well be about the connector. I see them eventually as a evolution rather than a revolution, where things like the stock tips, cord, and possibly the volume control is revised/improved.

Wow. I'm impressed. I don't think I've ever written any review with such attention to detail. Also, I love your pictures.

Thanks, "thatBeatsguy"!
My review fades in comparison with yours - it is one of the better reviews I have read in all my life when it comes to headphones. Your extensive review was actually why I bought my Xiaomi Pistons in the first place. Thank you for all the kind words.

Sadly my original Xiaomi Pistons broke. (After about 4 months)
The same problem that I have with almost every headphone. After a while, 1 side of the earphones does not work anymore. The cable seems to crack just above the jackplug.
 
So I decided to order the gold version.
Hope these will hold out longer.

I don't know exactly how good the durability on the Xiaomi Pistons 2.0 are compared to the originals, since my pair is just around three weeks old. However, I would say that the audio one is enough of a reason to order the 2.0s.

Excellent review. I got my piston from beexz.com and blown by the sound quality for price of 25USD

You got a fake pair according to this image: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ppXOMuvqL.jpg

The design you are calling "fake", TonyTheTerrible, is in reality the old Xiaomi Pistons cardboard design. I'm unsure whether or not Xiaomi has altered the design of the box, but I can assure you that my pair of headphones are real, and from before the point in time when fake Xiaomi Pistons flooded the online markets.

Thank you for the information, I was just going off of what the distributor posted on Amazon. I hope others become better informed as well.
 
Oh, and I did buy a pair after reading your review and a few others.