When I got my iPhone, one of the first things I noticed were how uncomfortable the included earbuds were. While this didn’t come as a surprise to me, it was annoying, as the earbuds were the only headphones I owned that were iPhone-compatible. Well today, I received my newly repaired Etymotic ER-6i in-ear headphones in the mail. Immediately, I tried them with the my iPhone, and they worked.
Yes, the Etymotic ER-6i headphones do have the long headphone plug that is compatible with the iPhone’s recessed jack. Well, almost. The plug on the earbuds isn’t made to fit the iPhone, so you do have to make sure you push the plug in all the way, though it does work and the ‘buds stay plugged in. This is great, as the Etymotic ER-6i is my favorite pair of earbuds/in-ear headphones, as they’re small, provide great passive noise reduction, and have terrific sound quality. Of course, at $150, the ‘phones aren’t exactly a bargain (though Amazon has them for $73), but if you don’t need a microphone, they’re much better iPhone-comaptible headphones than the V-Moda Vibe Duo.
I'll have to (somewhat) disagree with Aaron here ;-)
I'm a big fan of the ER-6i, and of Etymotic headphones in general. That said, not everyone will like the ER-6i. They have great detail, but some people find them to be lacking at lower frequencies (read: not enough bass). In this respect, the Vibe Duo (and the non-microphoned Vibe), which offers much better bass response, will be "better" for some people. In addition, the ER-6i are true in-ear-canal headphones, whereas the Vibe models are "canalbuds"; the latter are more comfortable for some. (See our primer on these types of headphones: http://playlistmag.com/features/2007/01/canalphones/index.php).
That said, it's great that the ER-6i plug fits the iPhone!
While I acknowledge your points as valid, I do have to say that the common argument that the ER-6i has bad bass is a misconception. It doesn't have low bass, but equal bass. Most headphones have overpowering bass, and these keep it more equal (though the bass is higher than on the ER-6). So while bass-nuts wont like them, most people can get used to the more equal range on the ER-6i.
On a separate note, I'm flattered that a Macworld editor commented on my post!
I very quickly missed having the ability to squeeze my way to a phone call or new track, and returned V-Moda's Vibe Duo. Pretty major omission at this point.
Go back to one of the earlier items in iPhone Central where it was shown a method to remove part of the plastic from the plug to make some headphone fit the iphone.
I took this tip and applied to the ER6i and posted that this minor surgery allowed the ER6i to fit snug into the jack.
Aaron: To some extent I agree; Etys (and some other in-ear-canal models) often get criticized for a lack of bass response when what they actually lack is *visceral* bass response; the bass is actually there. (Although I prefer the ER-6i's higher-end ER-4S and ER-4P siblings in this respect.)
But my point was mainly that, whether we audiophiles agree with them or not ;-) some people won't be satisfied with the bass response of the ER-6i; at the same time, the Vibe is actually a very good headphone. So I don't necessarily agree that the ER-6i is "much better iPhone-compatible headphones than the V-Moda Vibe Duo [or Vibe]." The two offer very different sonic signatures, both very good for the price. (And there are other excellent in-ear-canal headphones at this price point nowadays, as well.)
And I say all this as a big Ety fan; I've got several pairs myself ;-)
I have the Etymotic 4p headphones. Anyone dared to try and shave the plastic to make these fit? I'm scared to! Also, the way the L shaped plug is made, I'm not sure that shaving them will work.
I'm still pretty upset that Apple couldn't figure a way to keep the esthetics of the case AND allow all miniplugs made in the last 30 years to fit.
Jim
I definitely want a set of Shure's or Ety's with a microphone and with the squeeze trigger (not only to answer/play/pause but also for the cool skip forward). Hopefully that will come.
However, I am tired of everyone claiming that the only reason for the recessed plug is aesthetics. I don't believe that.
I have had my iphone slide out of my front pocket while wearing the headphones and the cord caught it just inches off of the ground and did not unplug.
I don't know whether or not Apple knew what they were doing but the aesthetics issue makes no sense. I flat plug would have looked hardly different and saved a few millimeters in side the crowded iphone enclosure. I think the recessed plug is to make a more secure connection. Think Apple doesn't give that kind of thought to cable connections? Um, every hear of Magsafe?
the Bang & Olufsen A8 Headphones fit the iPhone perfectly if you slide the jack sleeve up a few millimeters.