It’s not easy to create earbud-style headphones that not only feel good in your ears, but also sit securely in your ears. That’s because everyone’s ears are different. Using optical scans combined with silicone molding, Apple designers created 3D models of various ear types to find a common shape across many different people. That shape led to the unique look of the new Apple EarPods. Unlike traditional circular earbuds, their design is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other earbud-style headphones.
They’re more stable and durable, too. Apple engineers asked more than 600 people to test over 100 iterations of the Apple EarPods. Testers ran on treadmills in extreme heat and extreme cold. They performed various cardio workouts. They were even asked to shake their heads side to side, up and down. The result: Apple EarPods provide stronger protection from sweat and water, and they’re remarkably stable in the ear. Which means they stay in, even when you’re on the go.
At the same time Apple designers were trying to define an ideal earbud shape, Apple sound engineers — acousticians — were focused on improving sound quality. First, they established a target sound for the Apple EarPods. That target: a person sitting in a room listening to high-quality speakers.
The biggest determinant of what you hear from any speaker is the movement of its diaphragm. The inward and outward motion is what creates sound. But earbud speaker diaphragms are typically made from a single material, which can limit sound output.
So Apple acousticians re-engineered an earbud speaker diaphragm with both rigid and flexible materials to minimize sound loss and maximize sound output. Adding to the superior audio quality are strategically placed acoustic vents. The most notable of these vents is the one located in the stem of each EarPod. It allows air inside the stem, which acts as an acoustic chamber, to flow out. So you hear deeper, richer bass tones. The overall audio quality of Apple EarPods is so impressive, they rival high-end headphones that cost hundreds of dollars more.
Learn more about Apple’s new EarPods here.
You shall be mine…
and mine
Nine hours and 40 minutes to go.
Watch out that shamless Samsung copies it in three months and claims that you can’t patented a earplug.
+100
1000
FU SLAVISH COPIER SHAMDUNG
They must have had quite a few testers out of Chatsworth. Those film shoots can combine all of Apple’s testing parameters including vertical and horizontal transitions.
Not a fan of earbuds of any kind.
Finally! I’ve been putting off buying nicer earbuds for way too long. These are included in the iPhone 5. Perfecto.
Great Video, Love Jony Ive. A little peek inside the genius that is Apple. What other company would do this in depth research for 3 years to design a pair of earbuds? Only One. APPLE!
Yep as it would take Bose and others 1 week of testing at a National Research Lab/Institute and off to the design department and voila! Ives is an A typical Brit. Full of it!
Yeah, but instead Bose spent years designing products that sound like shit.
I will put up my Bose against anything you can bring. Bose are designed to be used by end users who understand sound reproduction and reflex.
My 901’s set up up with a 12″ floor firing sub hooked to to my Cambridge amp are just fine thank you very much. P.S. I am a musician and DJ so easy with the cheesy comeback as I have tried just about every speaker brand up to 30K speakers.
Also own 5 other Bose products and not one complaint.
I would never use Bose with my setup. That is just wrong, they give off the highs to much. I love Bose to death don’t get me wrong, I still have 9 year old speakers that are in my entertainment room, but for producing music never use Bose.
You really are a prick, Pat. Why has Jony Ive’s nationality got anything to do with it? He’s acknowledged as one of the foremost industrial designers of this century, irrespective of where he comes from, and these phones were designed by a team of acoustic engineers, not Ive, so blow that out of your ass. After you’ve removed your head from it, of course.
Industrial design? iSheeps think that he is what you suggest he is but to claim that it took 3 years to develop these ear pods is hog wash! Tell me what product takes 3 years to design based on 5 work days per week and a large department being all in?
As for Jony, well the Queen did give him a Monarchist title but then again she gives those out like candy. Sir Elton John…. nuff said.
First, can you support your statement with facts or links that “it would take Bose and others 1 week of testing at a National Research Lab/Institute and off to the design department and voila!”?
Second, since you find it easy to bash on someone like Ive for his accomplishments, What have you done in your life that has made a difference and impact to millions of people around the world?
Can they be used on the 4S?
They can be used on anything with a 2.5mm jack.
It’ll be interesting to compare them with my in-ear phones; Mee M6 Sport/Shure SE215/UE TripleFi 10 Studio, which range from around $60 to $300.
Cheap Bluetooth headphones FTW
Who wrote this article? Is this from Apple, or a somewhat-independent reviewer? I’m confused. But very excited that Apple is tackling earbuds! It was one of the “doh — why didn’t we think of doing that” revelations of the last week. Way to go, Apple!
Good. I went through a ton of these headsets. I use them 8-9 hours a day and sweat BIG time. After my 4s ones went out I bought the same apple headsets but from best buy and bought their insurance. No questions asked they’ll trade me out for new ones within the 2 years no matter how mant times, if so I never learned the limit. I probably traded out 10 (or more) within the 1st year.
Now I have dr dre beat tours. Even traded these out twice since Febuary. I have terrible luck with head phones. Working outside all day in 100 degree heat. Thank best buy for their insurance though. Or I’d either be a broke man or headphone less. prolly headphone less. 🙂
I can’t wait to try these out.
same.
the old apple earbuds.. i have all but one of mine still in the wraps they came in. Never liked them… hurt my ears after a while.
ended up just buying cheap $20-30 earbuds and replacing them when needed.
Jonny Ive is the MAN! What a cool guy, such great designs.
The hell with PC’s and Androids and all the rest of the crap.
Has Samsung copied them yet?
Picked some up ths evening. Sound much better than standard issue. Using on my 4S. Nice bass fit is better maybe I’ll actually be able to run or cycle without them falling out.
It’s usuaully not the buds that fail, but the damn thin wire that gets screwed up. I got a noise canceling pair that has a overall thicker wire and it is the bomb. Don’t recall the model, but it is JVC hi def or something.
Here is the model number: HA-FXC51B
I’ll wait for more reviews, but if these are good, I’m definitely grabbing a pair. I love the current Apple earbuds for the awesome remote-control / mic, but I had to give them up because they sounded like crap and wore out way too fast. After a few months of heavy use, one of the two buds would start to die and go quiet, which is really disorienting. This happened to both sets I owned.
(The only third-party products with remote/mic were out of my price range.)
——RM