Looking for earbuds with in-line mic and IOS controller with volume control

[geobrick]

I'm looking for something reasonably priced that are better than the earbuds packaged with an iPhone. I also want the convenience of the in-line controller that can do play/pause/skip and volume up and down (so I don't have to take the phone out of my pocket to pause or change the volume).

I'm not sure why these seem so hard to find or why sites like amazon, best buy and others don't seem to be able to filter for these features properly.

I'd go for either a 3.5 mm or lightning connector but I don't want wireless.

The best partial solution I've found are the Panasonic RP-TCM125. They are so good for the price but they lack a volume control.

I'm willing to pay more than the typical cost of the Panasonics or even more than the cost of the apple earbuds. For the kind of listening I'd be doing with the phone, I think anything over $70 wouldn't be worth it.

Does something like this exist? Please provide your suggestions.

 

[yong_shun]

You can consider 1More. They have in-line control that work with both Android and iPhone. Price is affordable

 

[geobrick]

Thanks. They look good. I just ordered the piston classic.
Is there one model you'd recommend over the others?

 

[yong_shun]

Personally i like 1M301 which gives very balanced and airy sound. It will give you a wow with that price. Not bass heavy. If you like bass heavy then triple driver or even quad driver.

 

[geobrick]

Maybe I'll try those too but I don't see the 1M301 on the 1more website. I see them on amazon's site though.
Why do you think they aren't on the 1more website?

 

[geobrick]

I ordered and received 3 different earbuds for comparison (plus my existing Panasonic RP-TCM125). For the price, nothing beats the Panasonics. The bass may be slightly pushed up but overall very good. They just lack a volume control.

I tried 2 models of 1More earbuds. The piston classics and the 1M301. Both cost $17 through Amazon.
The 1More piston classics are good for the price. All the controls work with my iPhone (volume up/down pause/play/skip). They're a little harsh in the upper midrange but overall better than the stock earbuds that come with the phone (especially for almost half the price)
The 1M301 earbuds are not as good in my opinion (but they may be defective). The airiness you describe sounds to me like a complete lack of low end along with a pushed up upper midrange. Very different than the piston classics. The reason I say they could be defective is the in-line controller isn't working properly. Play/Pause/Slip and volume up works but clicking volume down makes the volume go up. It's obviously wired wrong (which may be why the sound it off too - not sure). In any case, I plan to return them.

The last set I tried were the urbeats3 (with the lightning connector). These sell for 3 times the price of the 1More piston classic earbuds but their sound doesn't justify their price. They're fine. They play louder at the same volume level than the 1Mores (I suppose that means they're more efficient) but comparing at the same perceived volume, they're just a bit better than the 1More piston classics because their upper midrange isn't pushed up front like on the piston classics.

Thanks for the recommendation. The piston classics meet my needs for a functioning inline controller with volume/pause/play/skip that sound better than the stock earbuds at a better price. (I don't know that it's a plus, but the 1More packaging is insane - similar to Beats).

If Panasonic ever made a version of the RP-TCM125 with a full inline controller, that would be the winner.

 

[yong_shun]

The airiness you describe sounds to me like a complete lack of low end along with a pushed up upper midrange.

It is not a bass monster to be honest. It might be more suitable for those who like brighter sound signature. I am willing to sacrifice bass for good extension at the treble.

I don't know that it's a plus, but the 1More packaging is insane - similar to Beats

Yeap! 1More is never stingy in providing accessories and their packaging is really insane.

Glad that you found something that suit you in the end. Happy listening