Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
There are a number of sub-$50 in - ear phone available , including extremist - budget models such as the $ 20Altec Lansing Muzx Mesh MZX106W ( ) . However , most good example in the sub-$50 price range are missing the useful inline remote / mike faculty you ’ll find on more - expensive models . And even among those example that do have a distant and mike , such as the $ 40Radius Atomic Bass 2 + Mic ( ) , the distant itself often includes only a individual ( gambling / Pause / Call / End ) button , rather than the new three - button fashion that includes volume ascendancy . For that reason alone , the $ 50iLuv iEP515stands out — this is the least expensive three - button headsetMacworldhas review . But the iEP515 is more intriguing when you believe that it ’s ofttimes uncommitted for around $ 20 , making it even less expensive than an supererogatory set of Apple ’s ubiquitousEarphones with Remote and Mic .
The iEP515 is a canalbud - style headset , which means it split the difference in excogitation between traditional earbuds and in - ear - canal ( “ canalphone ” ) role model . ( See our in - ear - canal phone primer for more details . ) Since they fit part in the ear canal , canalbuds block some external racket and take to form an acoustical seal that improve basso performance . However , they do n’t block as much auditory sensation as true in - ear - duct models , and , as with those model , get a proper fit can be foxy ; the corduroy can produce unwanted microphonic stochasticity in a listener ’s ear ; and using the headset social occasion can be unearthly due to theocclusion effectof have your ear secure while talking .
The iEP515 ’s ball-shaped earpiece have a two - stratum design , with a combination of chrome - finish plastic and clear - over - chrome plastic ; each earpiece sports a protruding nozzle onto which the eartips attach . The spirit is a little date stamp — Apple stopped producing clean - plastic designs long ago — but not bad , and most people wo n’t spend much time looking at the earpieces . A smutty overseas telegram drop dead each earpiece from a gray - plastic piece that provides a bit of overseas telegram - strain relievo . The earpiece cables dissent in length — the correct - hand cable is longer so it can be worn behind your neck , with the main cable routed down the left side of your body . Just below the left / good cable junction is the three - push remote module , which is a small larger than most I ’ve tested but has release that are very easy to differentiate . The cable terminates in a straight 3.5 mm ( 1/8 - in ) miniplug . The iEP515 ’s included accessories are minimum : gray , silicone eartips in small , average , and large size , along with a shirt clipping .
In use , I found the iEP515 relatively well-heeled , with a shallow conniption that nevertheless allows for an prosperous — if uncomplete — seal . The iEP515 furnish less isolation than most in - spike , but still enough to help you tune up out ambient disturbance when euphony is playing . I did ascertain that microphonics were trashy with the iEP515 , though wearing the earpieces “ up ” with the cable routed back over my ears helped , as did the include shirt snip . My only other ergonomic complaint is that the cord is a little brusk , especially if you be given to keep your iPhone or other equipment in your good pocket or in a bag that hangs low .
Considering the $ 50 listing price , I found the iEP515 ’s sound tone serious . But for a street cost of $ 20 , it ’s downright impressive . Balance is good overall , with a low - frequency emphasis that can be a bit bloated at times but does n’t overwhelm the midrange . Audio detail is temperate , and although the high frequencies lack some energy and sparkle , they have a suaveness that keep them from sounding abrasive . In totality , it ’s loose to try all the instrumental voice in music , but without some of the textural detail found in better headphone — the iEP515 ’s sound was always pleasant , if not truly high fidelity . On the microphone front , audio sound reasonably distant and miss dead body compare to the iPhone 4 ’s internal microphone , but it ’s okay for headphone calls .
Given its $ 20 street price , I compared the iEP515 to the said Muzx Mesh , and found that the iEP515 offers better balanced and tight bass , superior midrange detail , and more - large treble — it ’s a solid improvement over the Mesh . When I compared the iEP515 to the $ 40 Radius Atomic Bass 2 , my observations were very similar — although the Atomic Bass is also superscript to the Mesh , the iEP515 is better balanced and more detailed than the Atomic Bass . I also revisited the $ 70 Nocs NS200 ( ) . The NS200 ( now available at street prices just under $ 50 ) offers a better sense of silence between note , as well as ranking midrange and in high spirits frequency detail , but the NS200 ’s bass can be boomy and eminent frequencies can sound rough compared to the iEP515 . Overall , it ’s not clear that the NS200 is deserving the price agiotage over the iEP515 .
Macworld’s buying advice
When I first received the critical review sample of the iEP515 , I did n’t see much to be stimulate about , but the combining of a $ 50 list price and a three - button remote suggested that the production was worth a flavor . Indeed , my testing showed that while sound quality is far from arrant , it ’s appropriate for a $ 50 pair of headphones , making the iEP515 a comparatively cheap way to get a three - button distant and upstanding auditory sensation . But once I realized that the iEP515 can be had for an Andrew Jackson at street price , I find it much more interesting : The iEP515 is a outstanding prospect to replace Apple ’s earbuds , or if you ’re just looking for something that will be inexpensive to replace if lost or damage . At $ 20 , the iEP515 is very gentle to recommend .
R. Matthew Ward be in St. Louis and savor the fine things in life story : solid food , drink , Apple production , and well - reproduced music . you could find his thought on these and other case onhis personal web log .
