Why do iphone users use the crappy earbuds?

[Oyeve]

Not to start another apple bash fest so I will post it here and not the other forum. Why do iphone users use the crappy white earbuds? Seriously, the iphone is a pretty good PMP but the earbuds are really crap. Why spend a buttload of money on devices and accessories but not on decent buds? I see literally 1000s of people in the course of my day at work or on my commute home and I see so many people with iphones or some igadget but 99% just use the crappy packaged earbuds. Why?

 

[PowerYoga]

it's free.

 

[Oyeve]

it's free.

So are you saying most iphone users don't care about audio quality?

 

[Printer Bandit]

quantify how crappy they are.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I think they're actually pretty good for what they are, plus I have at least 5 sets floating around that I might as well use for something. I believe the Apple earbuds are low-end Sennheisers, and have been for years. I have a few other sets of earbuds (including some UE TripleFis), but prefer the Apple ones for the gym and other situations where noise-isolating headphones would be disadvantageous. In many situations, proper IEMs are unsafe. In my opinion it's unwise as a matter of safety to walk down the street in an urban environment or ride a bus or subway with IEMs in, much less ride a bike. In addition, I find the wires reverberate and make a ton of noise when I am engaged in fast movement, like running.

 

[Oyeve]

quantify how crappy they are.

As in bad audio representation quality. My assertation is that the sound quality from the pack-in earbuds is of an inferior quality. being an audio enthusiest and having been an ipod user for many years I have never used the pack-in earbuds for any long period of time. 10 years ago I used the pack-ins that came with my ipod and quickly used many other headphones and earbuds as I found the sound quality to be pretty damn bad. Knowing that the ipod and now the iphones or even the touch is capable of very decent sound levels and seeing non iphone users using various quality of earphones and headphones but notice iphone users, for the most part, just use the cheap pack-ins. I always lamented that is was a trend thing or such but I have always wanted to know the real reason. Is it a status quo thing?

 

[nickbits]

The ones that come with iPhones/iPods hurt my ears otherwise I'd use them. I doubt my replacements have much better sound quality.

 

[Oyeve]

The ones that come with iPhones/iPods hurt my ears otherwise I'd use them.

But why would you use them? Other than the fact that they hurt your ears you state you would use them. Why?

Disregard, you edited your post after I read it.

 

[Eug]

I have Etymotics that cost me hundreds of $, but in all honesty I think the earbuds are "good" enough for most of the population, because they simply don't care, and free is good. In fact, I use the earbuds for my iPhone in some situations because they come with a built-in microphone.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I think there was research done on the headphones before and they concluded that it's good, just not as good enough as the more expensive ones.

 

[Ns1]

I have Etymotics that cost me hundreds of $, but in all honesty I think the earbuds are "good" enough for most of the population, because they simply don't care, and free is good. In fact, I use the earbuds for my iPhone in some situations because they come with a built-in microphone.

This. My iems are not good for every situation.

 

[gevorg]

Why?

ignorance is bliss

 

[TheStu]

They are included with the devices, and most people neither know better nor care to.

 

[Sheep]

So are you saying most iphone users don't care about audio quality?

The vast, vast majority of people in general don't care about audio quality.

You're using earbuds listening to lossy files on a device that may or may not have decent sound quality, quite possibly with a fair amount of background noise as well. The appeal is portable music, not sound quality in this scenario.

 

[Geekbabe]

Maybe I'm odd but I dislike earbuds, they never fit me correctly and seem to always be falling out of my ears.It might not be hip but I prefer headphones.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Not to start another apple bash fest so I will post it here and not the other forum. Why do iphone users use the crappy white earbuds? Seriously, the iphone is a pretty good PMP but the earbuds are really crap. Why spend a buttload of money on devices and accessories but not on decent buds? I see literally 1000s of people in the course of my day at work or on my commute home and I see so many people with iphones or some igadget but 99% just use the crappy packaged earbuds. Why?

They don't know better or haven't heard the difference 3-4 driver IEMs can bring? Or simply don't use the iPhone as a music player?

I personally have aural orgasms with my Westone 4R and UM3X RC. Eventually want to get customs, but I'm happy with these at the moment.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Because as a matter of fact, the pack-in earbuds of recent do have pretty decent sound... provided they fit properly in your ears. If not, you'll only hear shouty/bland/soul-less noise coming out of them.

It's a matter of fact that everyone hears differently, so just because you can't "hear" it doesn't mean they are bad.

Also as a matter of fact, I have used many IEMs up to the $200 price range, and in my opinions, for anything up to about $50, the packed-in Apple earbuds do sound decent (if not king of the pack). They aren't A++, but they do sound like a B+ or A-. It's also because they are free with the device that I think they are a bargain.

If anyone is serious about sound, they shouldn't play it through the iPod or iPhone anyway.

 

[sham63]

I think they're actually pretty good for what they are, plus I have at least 5 sets floating around that I might as well use for something. I believe the Apple earbuds are low-end Sennheisers, and have been for years. I have a few other sets of earbuds (including some UE TripleFis), but prefer the Apple ones for the gym and other situations where noise-isolating headphones would be disadvantageous. In many situations, proper IEMs are unsafe. In my opinion it's unwise as a matter of safety to walk down the street in an urban environment or ride a bus or subway with IEMs in, much less ride a bike. In addition, I find the wires reverberate and make a ton of noise when I am engaged in fast movement, like running.

I agree with this. I do not use IEMs because I like to be aware of what is going on around me. It is a good thing to be able to hear traffic noise easily. It is also annoying at work when someone is using IEMs and you are trying to get their attention.

 

[Kaido]

1. Free
2. Trendy (white is hot, ever visit NYC? it's very much a "style" thing there)
3. Most users don't care about quality, as much as "it functions"

So it's cool to have an Apple and show off your white earbuds, and they're free and they work. I like the built-in mic on the cable; unfortunately the earbuds do not fit my ears - they fall out.

 

[mmntech]

quantify how crappy they are.

They're not horrendous as far as prepackaged buds go. They lack any sort of punch to the audio though. Moving up to Senheisers or NuForces for example produces a far superior experience.

 

[Ka0t1x]

I use them at work, the only time I really play music through the iPhone:
1. They were free
2. They are open air so I can still hear if someone walks into the office or needs my attention (phone rings)
3. You can't really find much better (with included mic) for under $50

 

[Super56K]

I'm the opposite. I get a little annoyed when I see people in public (on bicycles, walking sidewalks/streets etc) wearing big cans or isolation plugs. It's dangerous to cocoon yourself from the outside environment. Audio quality isn't worth your safety or, worse, another person's.

And, loosely based off the original question, people in general don't care about audio quality. Second, the iphone/ipod are incredibly popular and everyone of them comes with a free set of white ear buds. It's natural to see them everywhere really.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Psshhh, iPad doesn't come with free buds. Just thought I'd let you know.

 

[Super56K]

Psshhh, iPad doesn't come with free buds. Just thought I'd let you know.

D'oh, I should know. I've owned two of them.

 

[runawayprisoner]

It's kinda weird that Apple couldn't just throw in a pair of those buds for the iPad considering how cheap they may actually be. But then again, I can see that from the way they are packaging the iPad, there really is no way to fit anything else into that box.