Headphone News

We've just finished our review of the Apple M9394G/C headphones, otherwise known as the Apple iPod In-ear Headphones. Our final thoughts? Well, in terms of usability and portability, they only have one flaw. Unfortunately, it's a fairly annoying one: the headphones tend to slide around or pop out of place if you're moving. They're so keen to shift around because they fit inside your ear, but outside of your ear canal. The movement is especially annoying, since in-ear headphones are meant to be mobile. Of course, if you're reading this, chances are you're more interested in how they tested in audio quality.

If you were expecting audio quality equivalent to two cans linked with string, then prepare to be surprised: the iPod headphone don't totally suck. In terms of the target iPod audience (not audiophiles), these headphones fit the bill. One failing point, however, is how they play bass. Lower frequencies are really underemphasized, and will sound a bit muted. A bigger issue, however, links back to the iPod headphones' tendency to fall out of place: unless they're in correctly, bass will almost disappear, and overall distortion shoots up a lot.

Overall, we were surprised the iPod headphones held up at all. Again, though they're clearly not for audiophiles (or those who can't stand to wear that ubiquitous white cable) they do offer enough for the typical user, at a price that demographic won't balk at.