Best Earbuds for iPod
Much to the delight of many, Apple has re-invented the way music is enjoyed. For listeners and even those who prefer not to listen, iPod is a change for the better. Those who love their music can keep it to themselves without “sharing” it with unwilling participants via earbuds or headphones. And of course, the best earbuds for your iPod will make it even cooler. Yes, we know, iPods come with earbuds; and they’re okay to get you by, but if you’re a true music lover, you’ll definitely want to up-grade.
You’ll also want to distinguish between earbuds and full in-ear headphones also called ear canal headphones, for comfort and sound quality. Earbuds, because they sit just outside the ear canal and have dynamic drivers, do not need a good seal to deliver the sound that is generally expected from them. They also don’t block out as much external ambient noise. This can be a pro or a con depending on where you spend most of your iPod music listening time.
No matter how much you spend, because of this inherent feature, earbud headphones do not match the quality of higher-end full in-ear earphones. However, for the price difference, they can be a great backup and may be a safer choice in many applications where some audio awareness of your surroundings is advantageous; like around light rail trains. (A young mom was hit and killed recently in Portland, OR by an on-coming light rail train because she was so engrossed listening to her iPod she didn’t hear, or apparently think to look for, the approaching train before she stepped onto the tracks to cross them.)
The best in-ear iPod headphones feature high noise isolation and overall better sound quality. For music tastes ranging from classical to country to Black Sabbath, among the best headphones for ipod are Shure, Westone, Monster, Audeo, and Denon. These 5 provide sound isolation up to 44dB, allowing you to enjoy your music at a much lower volume setting – something you might want to consider if you’re a very frequent iPod user. Otherwise, hearing aids may be the next audio device you’ll be investing in.
The Sennheiser CX400-II is also a good choice for under $100. It has a straight down cable design and produces very good sound. This product was launched recently by Sennheiser as their premium earbud. They succeeded. For under $30 the Denon AH-C252K earbuds are the best earbuds for iPod.
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On the other end of the spectrum, if your bankroll will allow it, the UM1 for $109 have the best cables in the industry. Made in the USA, their design provides the most comfortable fit next to the Westone 1 earbuds, which retail for $139. The Westones are the best for sound, comfort, and fit under $200. The UM1 and Westone 1 differ from the other earbuds in that they feature balanced armature drivers instead of the usual dynamic driver.
The best earbuds for ipod reviewed here are definitely a big step up from the standard issue Apple buds and are more affordable than the super high-end in-ear headphones. These will render a big performance increase without blowing your budget. You and your wallet are, of course, the final authority on what constitutes “best”.
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