Apple iPod In-ear Headphones Review - Intro

The Apple M9394G/C headphones are the iPod headphone replacement option from Apple. These headphones are a staple everywhere, thanks to the popularity of the iPod and the high rate at which the packaged-in headphones break. It's virtually impossible to walk down the street and not see at least a few white cords swinging around a commuter's neck. Since the serial number isn't recognizable or intuitive, we'll be addressing these headphones by their other moniker, the one on their box: iPod In-ear Headphones.

Given their target audience -- people with iPods on the move -- we were surprised the Apple In-ear Headphones fell out of place so easily when we walked around. They won't outright fall out of your ear, but even weak tugs will cause them to shift around. Their portability is enhanced by their compact size, however, and the case they come with is great for keeping your cord from getting wrinkled.

In terms of audio quality, these headphone typically performed somewhere around average. They had some real problems with bass distortion, so those who like bass-heavy music should keep this in mind when shopping. Also, they were surprisingly mediocre in terms of isolation; in-ear headphones typically act like ear plugs, keeping out most external sound. They did control leakage really well, however, meaning those around you won't be able to hear your music, even if it's at a very high volume.

The Apple M9394G/C headphones are currently available for $30.