Able Planet PS500MM

Design

Both sets of headphones are a bit blah. The Apple headphones are white and clean and were once chic. Now their charm has been laid to waste by their rampant proliferation. The PS500MMs are decent enough, but don’t have any flair to them.

In terms of durability, the PS500MMs win this match-up by a long shot.

Able Planet PS500MM	Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones

Frequency Response

The PS500MMs have a bit of an issue in their high end. The Apple headphones have a much more even frequency response throughout the whole frequency spectrum.

Able Planet PS500MM	Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones

Distortion

The PS500MMs had very low distortion levels. The Apple headphones had a bit of an issue with their low end.

Able Planet PS500MM	Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones

Tracking

The PS500MMs have a bit of a spike in their tracking towards the high end. If they hadn’t had that, the two headphones would’ve had similar tracking scores.

Able Planet PS500MM	Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones

Isolation

The PS500MMs have better isolation than the Apple headphones. Since you’re more likely to use the Apple headphones on the go, it’s more important that they have isolation (and they don’t).

Able Planet PS500MM	Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones

Comfort

Both sets of headphones are slightly uncomfortable. While the PS500MMs get more comfortable over time, the Apple headphones pop loose.

Wear
Able Planet PS500MM	Apple iPhone 3G S Headphones

Verdict

In terms of being just headphones, we think the PS500MMs are better. In terms of being a set of headphones with a mic, we think the PS500MMs are better. The Apple headphones are better for portability, obviously.