Well, to find out, lets start with sound quality.
But for the most part, they do still offer adequate audio.
I tried listening toYoung Bloodby The Naked and Famous and quickly identified one key issue.
And speaking of that low-end, youre not going to be blown away with incredibly clear quality.
For instance, I playedMa quale ideaby Pino D’Angio and the iconic, funky bassline was uncharacteristically muddy.
This muddiness almost smothered D’Angios smooth, deep vocals, cluttering the soundstage.
You wont get tasty sub-bass though.
Something that I feel diminishes the listening experience significantly is actually nothing to do with audio quality, though.
Thats right: Im talking about the fit of the Apple EarPods USB-C.
These earbuds dont have eartips, so you dont get a proper seal with them.
The drivers are encased in the classic white glossy housing that Apple fans will be well accustomed to.
It includes volume and play/pause controls for music and taking phone calls, as well as a mic.
And in terms of quality, the mic is pretty standard.
But did they impress me in terms of audio quality?
Well, not quite.
The soundstage is a tad messy, with instruments often failing to find a defined pocket to play in.
One of the most attractive things about these buds is their super-low price.
Apple EarPods USB-C review: Specs
Should you buy the Apple EarPods USB-C?
Theyre just decent sound-wise fine for cheap buds, but not good enough for the keenest of listeners.
Read our fullSkullcandy Set USB-C review.
You also get solid noise isolation and a comfortable fit.
Sure, the controller is a little fiddly, but otherwise these are a great pair of wired earbuds.
Read our fullSoundMAGIC E80D review.
I used them while using Apple Music on theiPhone 16as well as with Tidal on theSamsung Galaxy S24 FE.
I also played tunes on Spotify and watched video content viaYouTube.
I tested the EarPods USB-C in the office, at home and while out on walks near busy roads.
