Friday, December 03, 2004
Griffin EarJams
The Griffin EarJams are simple iPod earphone accessories that attach to the standard Apple “earbud” type earphones adding a silicon pad that fits into your ear. Griffin’s marketing hype claims that they improve sound and comfort.
I purchased a pair of these $15 accessories to increase the effectiveness of the standard Apple iPod earphones (especially while motorcycling). The following are my findings.
First, let me set the stage. The standard iPod earbuds offer moderately good sound but are terribly uncomfortable. A problem with the iPod earbuds is that I (and many others) find them physically irritating to the ear after a short period pf time. This irritation is the physical size of the earbud pressing your ear not the sound. I regularly use the Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones with my iPod. The Bose offer far superior sound but are bulky and not appropriate for certain activities. For me this includes motorcycling and kayaking.
The Griffin EarJams come with three different sized silicon ear inserts and a small carrying case. In trying the EarJams I determined that contrary to claims the EarJams do diminish the fidelity of the iPod earphones. This is easy shown by playing the same track with and without the EarJams attached. In addition, while slightly more comfortable than the naked earphones I would not say that the EarJams are comfortable.
On the plus side, I believe the EarJams will be useful for a specific use of my iPod earphones. When traveling on my motorcycle (on the highway mostly) I enjoy listening to my iPod. With the regular IPod earphones placed under my helmet there is quite a bit of wind noise and outside noise. The EarJams reduce the outside noise that is allowed in. The loss of fidelity is not a big issue in this case because the wind noise and loudness of my motorcycle reduce the ability to hear minute details in the source anyway.
The case included by Griffin is really too small to be of much use. With effort I can stuff my Apple wired remote, earphones, and EarJams in it. The case is so small it will be easy to lose.
So bottom line. If you have (or better yet are) a iPod using motorcyclist the EarJams could be a low-cost accessory to improve your motorcycling listening. I believe a dedicated set of high-quality in-ear earphones will probably have much better sound but will cost much more. Durability of the high-end earphone may be an issue. I have ridden a couple of thousand miles wit my iPod earphones with no problems. This included riding in the rain.
Recommended: Christmas stocking stuffer for motorcyclist iPod user.
Not Recommended: All other uses.
I purchased a pair of these $15 accessories to increase the effectiveness of the standard Apple iPod earphones (especially while motorcycling). The following are my findings.
First, let me set the stage. The standard iPod earbuds offer moderately good sound but are terribly uncomfortable. A problem with the iPod earbuds is that I (and many others) find them physically irritating to the ear after a short period pf time. This irritation is the physical size of the earbud pressing your ear not the sound. I regularly use the Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones with my iPod. The Bose offer far superior sound but are bulky and not appropriate for certain activities. For me this includes motorcycling and kayaking.
The Griffin EarJams come with three different sized silicon ear inserts and a small carrying case. In trying the EarJams I determined that contrary to claims the EarJams do diminish the fidelity of the iPod earphones. This is easy shown by playing the same track with and without the EarJams attached. In addition, while slightly more comfortable than the naked earphones I would not say that the EarJams are comfortable.
On the plus side, I believe the EarJams will be useful for a specific use of my iPod earphones. When traveling on my motorcycle (on the highway mostly) I enjoy listening to my iPod. With the regular IPod earphones placed under my helmet there is quite a bit of wind noise and outside noise. The EarJams reduce the outside noise that is allowed in. The loss of fidelity is not a big issue in this case because the wind noise and loudness of my motorcycle reduce the ability to hear minute details in the source anyway.
The case included by Griffin is really too small to be of much use. With effort I can stuff my Apple wired remote, earphones, and EarJams in it. The case is so small it will be easy to lose.
So bottom line. If you have (or better yet are) a iPod using motorcyclist the EarJams could be a low-cost accessory to improve your motorcycling listening. I believe a dedicated set of high-quality in-ear earphones will probably have much better sound but will cost much more. Durability of the high-end earphone may be an issue. I have ridden a couple of thousand miles wit my iPod earphones with no problems. This included riding in the rain.
Recommended: Christmas stocking stuffer for motorcyclist iPod user.
Not Recommended: All other uses.
