iPhone headsets

Upgrading your iPod's headphones is the easiest way to improve your on-the-go music listening. But when it comes to the iPhone, upgrading isn't as simple a task, because the iPhone's stock earbuds are more than just headphones. They include an inline microphone for talking on the phone, and an inline controller for taking and ending calls and for basic music-playback control. In addition, the iPhone's recessed headphone jack means that not all headphone plugs will fit. If you've already got a favorite set of headphones, we recently reviewed a number of headset adapters that add the microphone and controller button along with an iPhone-compatible plug. But if you're in the market for new headphones and want those features built-in, you need a true iPhone headset.

I tested a number of different iPhone headsets from Etymotic Research, Maximo, Skullcandy, Ultimate Ears, and V-Moda. Each is essentially one of the company's existing headphones reworked to provide the requisite iPhone-compatible plug, microphone, and control button. All offer improvements in audio quality over the iPhone's stock earbuds. I tested the audio quality, microphone performance, usability, and comfort of each model. One admitted shortcoming of my testing: I wasn't able to put the microphones on these headsets through a worst-case scenario; for example, on a loud plane or on a Midtown NYC street at the height of rush hour. However, I tested them in an office with a decent amount of machine and fan noise, and each did an admirable job in that environment.

Canal-what?

With one exception, all models forego a traditional earbud design in favor of an in-ear-canal ("canalphone") or canalbud approach. These designs actually fit in your ear canal to provide better noise isolation than earbuds; they often produce much better audio quality, as well. However, because they partially seal off your ear canal, like earplugs, a phenomenon called the occlusion effect can make your own voice sound odd--to yourself--when talking. This doesn't really affect audio quality for those on the other end of your calls, but it can be a bit disconcerting at first on your end. I bring this up here because these headsets are designed specifically for talking on the phone. Canalphones and canalbuds can also suffer from cable noise--bumps and scrapes to the cables can travel up the cables to your ears, where they can sound quite loud. But for many people, the improved sound quality and noise isolation more than offset these potential issues. (See our article on in-ear-canal headphones for more information on canalphones and canalbuds.)

Skullcandy iPhone FMJ [canalbud]

The iPhone FMJ (US$80) is the iPhone-headset version of Skullcandy's $60 Full Metal Jacket. Available in matte black, brushed chrome, and polished silver, the iPhone FMJ's aluminum earpieces use a unique design that's thin at each end but fairly wide in the middle. Some people may find that this wider section helps keep the earpiece in the ear; others may find it uncomfortable. (Tip: if you're not a fan of the FMJ's skull graphics, avoid the black model, on which they're the most noticeable.) The cables feature a clear-plastic covering over "aluminum foil" (Skullcandy's description) casing; cable noise is moderate. The easy-to-use microphone/controller pod is a 1.2-inch cylinder on the left-hand earpiece cable.

For more Mac news, visit Macworld. Story copyright Mac Publishing, LLC.