In a time when the Apple iPod and iPhone are the most prevalent and advanced portable media players, why must their headphones be left in the technological stone age?
I have three main complaints about Apple’s headphones:
- Comfort
- Sound Quality
- What I like to call PAF (Public Annoyance Factor)
The main focus of my rant today is the third, and what I think is the most important problem with Apple’s headphones.
Apple gives a free pair of earbud headphones with all of their iPod devices, and 95% of people use them. While these headphones may suffice for most people, those who don’t like the sound quality or comfort have the choice to upgrade.
Who doesn’t have a choice is the person sitting next to the iPod user. As I’m writing this right now, the train is almost completely silent, except for the tinny sound of drums and symbols. Where is it coming from? I look around for someone with a radio playing. No, it’s someone with an iPod and Apple headphones. I can only imagine how loud it most be for them if I can hear hear it from five seats away. It’s as if the headphones we’re designed to send more music out of the headphones, than to the person using them. Next time you’re on the bus, or in the library or some other place where silence is appreciated and hear the faint sound of music, look around, chances are it will be someone listening to an iPod.
My suggestion to Apple is to please change their earbud headphones from the hard form factor, which let half of the sound produced escape from the back of the set. Instead use the earbuds with the soft silicon or rubber tips. They’re more comfortable, have been sound quality, and most importantly, they keep the sound where it belongs, in the ears of the listener and not those around them.
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