Apple EarPods USB-C analysis: fashionable, modern, however sonically unremarkable wired earbuds
Apple EarPods USB-C: Two-minute analysis
Reader, I would really like you to solid your ideas once more to the 2010s, presumably even the noughties – I’m constructive a number of you must have fond reminiscences of plugging your wired Apple earbuds into your iPod, and even maybe an early-gen iPhone. And my ideas was solid once more to this exact interval as shortly as I acquired my palms on the Apple EarPods USB-C. These wired earbuds couldn’t fit your iPod anymore, nonetheless they’ll work with just about any stylish handset – Apple or not – attributable to their USB-C connector. Nevertheless do these buds merely open a window to the earlier, or do they craft a strong sonic experience of their very personal correct?
Correctly, to look out out, let’s start with sound prime quality. Possibly unsurprisingly, you’re not going to get next-level effectivity from the Apple EarPods USB-C; after all, they solely worth $19 / £19 / AU$29. Nevertheless for in all probability essentially the most half, they do nonetheless present ample audio. I hardly felt that treble was too grating or that whole sound was tinny – a problem that a lot of low price rivals are accountable of. On prime of that, you get an trustworthy serving to of bass – even when it’s not ultra-clear or ready to stretch to extreme depths. Given these moreover assist Apple lossless audio, at a glance they seem respectable for primary audio prime quality – nonetheless let’s drill into the small print.
I tried listening to Youthful Blood by The Naked and Properly-known and shortly acknowledged one key topic. {The electrical} guitar that blares all via the observe is meant to have a well-defined place inside the mix – inside the lower-mid fluctuate, separated from the bass – to uphold the observe’s extremely efficient, full-sounding profile. Nonetheless, it truly didn’t sound all too distinct, coming by means of barely muddied with sounds inside the low-end – a problem that you just gained’t experience with among the many best wired earbuds.
And speaking of that low-end, you’re not going to be blown away with extraordinarily clear prime quality. For instance, I carried out Nevertheless what an thought by Pino D’Angiò and the enduring, funky bassline was uncharacteristically muddy. This muddiness just about smothered D’Angiò’s clear, deep vocals, cluttering the soundstage. No matter that, exact bass ranges are respectable – you get a secure amount of low-end weight for some super-cheap wired buds, even when readability isn’t top-drawer. You gained’t get tasty sub-bass though. I tried listening to The Boys Are Once more In Metropolis by Yung Gravy and although sub-bass was audible, it lacked its imposing, ground-shaking enhance.
The scarcity of chunk was moreover apparent with treble parts in Rains as soon as extra by Solji and the vocalist’s extreme notes – no matter avoiding the abrasiveness some low price buds inflict – failed to realize their grandiose, showstopping potential, sounding barely dulled and restrained.
One factor that I actually really feel diminishes the listening experience significantly is certainly nothing to do with audio prime quality, though. That’s correct: I’m talking in regards to the match of the Apple EarPods USB-C. These earbuds don’t have eartips, so that you simply don’t get an accurate seal with them. This looser match signifies that sound isn’t utterly concentrated and the buds will typically actually really feel as within the occasion that they’re falling out of your ears. This can be pretty irritating everytime you’re on the switch; I found myself readjusting to get a further cosy actually really feel a bit too often for my liking. It is value noting, though, that some might uncover carrying buds with eartips for extended intervals uncomfortable – so your impression of the match itself will fluctuate counting on personal need.
A a lot much less debatable flaw of the comparatively unfastened match of the EarPods is that it permits a lot of exterior noise to seep by means of. As soon as extra, the dearth of eartips removes what’s often a passive defending layer, so I often heard colleagues talking in my office or vehicles zooming by whereas on walks. If shutting out the broader world is a major priority, I’d merely counsel not grabbing these – there are increased wired decisions for noise isolation, identical to the SoundMagic E80D or low price wi-fi buds with energetic noise cancellation, identical to the Earfun Air Skilled 3.
Nevertheless on a constructive remember, these are a extremely elegant pair of wired buds – the reality is, a lot of funds rivals can’t even come shut inside the kind division. They are a good bit heavier than a lot of rivals at 1.1oz / 30g, nonetheless they under no circumstances felt heavy in-ear or irritating to placed on for longer listening intervals. The drivers are encased inside the conventional white shiny housing that Apple followers will seemingly be properly accustomed to. The wire may be slim, rounded and by no means too harmful of an offender when it comes to cable noise – which stays to be noticeable, nonetheless not overwhelming. The USB-C connector proper right here may be pleasingly compact and under no circumstances acquired in the best way through which after I used to be holding my phone.
Lastly, the included controller is fashionable and well-sized, though it did sit a bit rigorously to my cheek – if it was barely further down the wire it could possibly be good. It consists of amount and play/pause controls for music and taking phone calls, along with a mic. And in the case of prime quality, the mic is pretty customary. Vocals had been decently clear on a voice recording and phone title, although there’s some noticeable static inside the background – one factor that’s typical for cheap and even some a lot much less low price buds.
So, on the end of all of it, the place do I stand on the Apple EarPods USB-C. Did they provide a gratifying, nostalgic journey for me? Sure, they nonetheless have the token Apple attraction, fashionable appears and minimalist design, and the wired look is aesthetically pleasing, for my part. Nevertheless did they impress me in the case of audio prime quality? Correctly, not pretty. The soundstage is a tad messy, with gadgets often failing to find a outlined pocket to play in. Nevertheless having acknowledged that, there’s not an extreme quantity of tinniness or unpleasantly aggressive treble sounds that you just get with a lot of low price wired buds. Whole, then, the Apple EarPods USB-C are pretty secure given their low price – that is when you possibly can deal with their lack of ear options.
Apple EarPods USB-C analysis: Value and launch date
- $19 / £19 / AU$29
- Launched in 2023
The Apple EarPods USB-C launched in 2023 and are the tech massive’s debut inside the wired USB-C world. Most likely essentially the most participating points about these buds is their super-low price. They’re accessible for merely $19 / £19 / AU$29 – that’s in-line, or cheaper than a lot of rivals. It’s possible you’ll solely get them in a single coloration, White, nonetheless that was no topic in my information, given the shiny, good look suits them to a tee.
Apple EarPods USB-C analysis: Specs
| Drivers | Dynamic |
| Weight | 1.1oz / 30g |
| Frequency fluctuate | 20Hz-20KHz |
| Waterproof rating | Not mentioned |
Do it’s important to buy the Apple EarPods USB-C?
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Choices | Participating, slim controller with secure mic, lacking noise isolation though. | 3.5/5 |
| Sound prime quality | Audio is ample and by no means too tinny nonetheless can lack separation and readability. | 3.5/5 |
| Design | Very elegant minimalist design although match will seemingly be too unfastened for lots of. | 3.5/5 |
| Value | Whole prime quality might be not top-class, nonetheless these are value their ultra-low price. | 4.5/5 |
Buy them if…
Don’t purchase them if…
Apple EarPods USB-C analysis: Moreover ponder
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Apple EarPods USB-C | Skullcandy Set USB-C | SoundMAGIC E80D |
| Value | $19 / £19 / AU$29 | $31.99 / £29.99 (about AU$50) | $44 / £39.98 / AU$66 |
| Drivers | Dynamic | 9mm dynamic | 10mm dynamic |
| Weight | 1.1oz / 30g | 0.53oz / 15g | 0.56oz / 16g |
| Frequency fluctuate | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz | 15Hz – 22kHz |
| Waterproof rating | Not mentioned | IPX4 | Not mentioned |
Apple EarPods USB-C analysis: How I examined
- Examined for one week
- Used inside the office, at dwelling and whereas on walks
- Listened using every Apple Music and Tidal
I examined the Apple EarPods USB-C over the course of 1 week. I used them whereas using Apple Music on the iPhone 16 along with with Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. I moreover carried out tunes on Spotify and watched video content material materials by means of YouTube. I examined the EarPods USB-C inside the office, at dwelling and whereas out on walks near busy roads.
When listening to music I carried out tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which accommodates songs spanning various genres – though I moreover spent hours blasting bangers from my personal library. When acceptable, I in distinction these buds to the equally priced Skullcandy Set USB-C, with a view to increased assess audio prime quality, comfort and parts of design.
- First reviewed: November 2024
- Study further about how we test
