Headphones and accessories for your iPod
The Apple iPod transformed the way we listen to music. Thank you Apple, the iPod changed the portable audio world for the better. No longer do we have to lug giant 10lb boom boxes around our shoulders just to have our mobile music with us. This article discusses iPod-oriented headphones and accessories that will make your iPod even cooler than it already is.
Go straight to recommended iPod products.
For iPhone-specific products, please see our expansive HeadRoom iPhone selection guide.
HeadRoom Recommendations: In-Ear Headphones for iPod
Although the stock Apple earbuds are not bad as earbuds go, you can get significantly better sound by upgrading your headphones. Headphone fabricator YUIN offers the PK2 earbuds, a premium treat with the best sound quality in the entire earbud category. In-ear headphones, as opposed to earbuds, boast improved noise isolation and often can provide stellar sound quality. The Maximo iMetal in-ears offer a moderate ambient noise seal, truly superb sound, and an easy in-ear fit priced under $49. Moving up the sonic and price ladder, Etymotic Research has long made outstanding in-ears and hold many original patents in the category; their Etymotic HF5 are excellent performers at the price while their ER-4PT is a high-end audiophile dream delivering maximum musical detail resolution at every frequency. In our HeadRoom opinion, one of the best headphones for iPod (perhaps the best 'universal fit' in-ear headphones overall) are the Shure SE535, a liquid and lush-toned in-ear listening experience with your audiophile 'lossless' or uncompressed iPod music.
HeadRoom Recommendations: On-Ear Headphones for iPod
For some listeners, the comfort and ease of an 'on-ear' headphone is preferred. If you're constantly on the go, it's important to think about a durable, foldable headphone ready for mobility. It's also key to choose headphones that are efficient enough to be well-driven direct from an iPod headphone jack, like these models: (see our listings below for 'amped iPod headphone' recommendations). All kinds of iPod listeners will enjoy the Sennheiser PX 200 II, which offer a smooth sound and fold into a compact size. The Polk Audio UltraFit 2000 provide a tidy iPod headphone alternative at an affordable price with surprisingly clear-as-a-bell sound and great 'sporting' fit at this price. Pictured at top is the wonderful Shure SRH 240A, Shure's 'entry level' full-size headphone delivering warm, clear sound in a sealed-back, very comfortable ergonomic design.
Your iPod sounds better with line-out adapter + headphone amp!
If looking for a premium iPod listening experience, consider adding a quality headphone amp. When you plug your headphones into the iPod, the headphones present an electrical load to the device, which requires energy from the iPod power supply. Fluctuations in the iPod's internal power supply voltage can degrade the sound. Unlike headphones, the input of a headphone amplifier has an extremely high input impedance and presents almost no load to the iPod. Additionally, by using an iPod line-out adapter accessory like the Sendstation 'Pocket-Dock', the CablePro Lite-EL, or the superb Reverie iPod docks, you can get a much cleaner and sonically superior 'line-out' signal to feed a headphone amp with amazing audio results. Our basic 'starter' HeadRoom Total AirHead portable headphone amp is perfectly suited for this use, while the HeadRoom Total BitHead headphone amp adds a digital USB input for computer use as well. A HeadRoom GigaBag case will keep your sweet portable headphone system tidy and safe while in transit.
HeadRoom Recommendations: Best Sound Quality Headphones for iPod
Perhaps the best 'bang for the buck' for iPod listeners seeking a high quality headphone, the Audio Technica M50 is tough to beat even at twice the price. At twice the price in an 'around-the-ear' full-size design, the AKG K550 offers a superbly even-toned sound, expansive depth and imaging ability plus a highly durable construction/build quality that's ready to jam on the streets, campus or while commuting. For listeners wanting to experience the very best possible sound quality for their mobile iPod'ing, the Ultrasone Edition 8 is touted as the "World's Best Portable Headphone" and it is hard to argue against the claim. Featuring unique rarified element, scratch-proof coatings and the very best ambient isolation / noise-blocking specs of any headphone on the market today, the Edition 8 delivers massive sound featuring deeply rich-toned bass and singing highs with a clear, focused midrange that's ideal for vocals and acoustic music. The full-size Beyerdynamic Tesla T5p rates at an extremely efficient 32 Ohms and sounds sweet and clean direct from an iPod. The simply beautiful Audio Technica ATH-W1000X delivers uncompromising closed-back dynamics from these venerable Japanese audiophile specialists. The unassumingly cool Sony MDR-Z1000 gives listeners solid isolation and a neutral, down-the-middle sound that is accurate and pristine with no headphone amp required. Naturally, all these top-end headphones will sound audibly better under the dedicated power and control of a great reference-quality portable headphone amp, like our HeadRoom Portable Micro or the HeadRoom Portable Desktop Amp/DAC unit, the World's Best-Sounding Portable Headphone Amp!
Check out more great HeadRoom headphone recommendations for your Apple iPod below.
