Pro Audio Equipment

Vintage Microphone

Good Quality Iphone Earbuds Significantly Improve Your Listening Experience

Much has been written over the years about the anemic earbuds Apple ships with its iPods; they’re often considered the product’s Achilles Heel. When you look back from the original iPod to the most recent iPod Touch, the device itself has changed substantially, but those cheap white earbuds are virtually the same. Someone looking at an original, 2001 vintage, white iPod with its click scroll wheel and tiny monochrome display sitting next to a current black, glass and polished chrome iPod Touch would be hard pressed to find much of a family resemblance between the two. Put the earbuds that shipped with each of these iPods side by side, and there’s little difference to be seen.

Since 2001, the included earbuds have been good enough, at least for many people. In all fairness, Apple is under pressure to keep the price of their players competitive, so it’s not unreasonable to make the choice to ship buds that are good enough for most people, and leave it to the more demanding customers to upgrade to higher quality headphones.

That iPod DNA is very evident in the iPhone as well, and no-where as obviously as the iconic white earbuds that Apple includes. The same ones that are so mediocre on the iPod sound just as mediocre on the iPhone.  Upgrading is a slightly different story with the iPhone, though. While audiophiles have no qualms about moving to full headphone sets with a portable music player, they are reluctant to do so with a phone (even though it is also being used as multimedia player).  So the upgrade of choice for iPhone users is typically a high quality set of replacement earbuds. There are a lot of manufacturers trying to take advantage of this market and it’s not hard to move into territory where the experience is actually worse than Apple’s freebies. Keeping that in mind, here are a few pointers to look for when shopping:

• Replacements for the OEM earbuds from Apple list for around $30. It goes without saying that third party earbuds cheaper than this are probably not going to be an improvement.
• For ultimate iPhone functionality, make sure the replacements include a microphone and inline volume control. A noise-canceling mic makes for noticeably clearer calls.
• Ensure the jack is compatible with your model.
• Look for multiple bud adapters to ensure a good fit.
• A wide dynamic range and quality speakers give bass a boost.
• A tangle-free cord will make your life much easier.

About the Author

Al Holden writes reviews on electronics (mainly audio products) for several audiophile publications. His recent series comparing OEM Apple iphone earbuds to a number of third party options was particularly well received and is considered recommended reading for anyone who isn’t happy with the buds included with Apple’s iPods. Al has also written several pieces about the challenge of finding iphone cases that don’t end up ruining the visual appeal of the device.

where can I find the Value of some old vintage Microphones and radios that I own?

What have you got? Do an eBay search of the makes and models that you have and watch the auctions.

Turner Crystal 22X Vintage Microphone

Vintage Microphone with Stand $38.00 36134 Features: -Vintage microphone with stand. -Constructed of 50 pct polyresin and 50 pct calcium carbonate. -Jazz up your d cor with this replicated vintage microphone on stand....

16 Elvis Presley In Santa Hat With Vintage Microphone Wooden Nutcracker $49.99 Elvis Presley With Vintage Microphone Nutcracker Item #EP0115 Officially licensed product Features Elvis in a Santa hat holding a vintage microphone and a teddy bear Dimensions: 16"H x 6"W x 4.5"D Materials: wood, cloth For decoration only...

25 Shiny Silver Vintage Style Microphone Table Accent $49.99 Microphone Table Accent Item #36134 Vintage-style microphone replica Silver/Black finish Material(s): Polyresin/Calcium Carbonate Dimensions: 24.5"H x 6.5"W x 7.75"L...

Audiophile Stereo Equipment Video: Vintage Sound Recording and Reproduction DVD (1943) $4.99 This detailed technical film explains through animation, diagrams, and footage of recording equipment how sound is recorded for motion picture films. There are many interesting scenes of how this engaging process works, including shots of the narrator of the film shown actually recording the soundtrack in real time. As the film will explain in more detail, photographic light valves imprint the fil...

Vintage Style PC Microphone with Stand Record Your Audio Notes!This PC microphone is unique and will add a sense of style to your desk. This PC microphone has a vintage look, just like microphones used in the 50's! With the 3.5 mm audio jack, you can use this with any sound card!...

Vintage Style Noise Cancelling Microphone for PC Step back in time with this Retro Style Vintage Noise Cancelling Microphone for PC! The cool retro styling of this microphone recreates the look of the 1950's with modern features for Internet chat! It features a 3.5 mm connector, omni-directional polar pattern, and 2.2 K Ohms. The classic look of the 1950's "Elvis" style can be yours in a noise cancelling microphone for your PC!...

USB AM/FM On the Air Radio Vintage Mic Style his USB On the Air Radio is a Retro Microphone style AM/FM radio which lights a bright On the Air LED when turned on! There's no need for batteries, simply plug into your USB port! Put on your desktop and listen to sports radio, talk radio and mariachi music on the AM dial and Rock, Pop, and Hip Hop on the FM dial!...

Vintage Microphone - IMAX - 36134 36134 Features: Jazz up your decor with this replicated vintage microphone on stand Material: 50% Polyresin, 50% Calcium Carbonate Food Safe: no Dimensions:7.75"(W) x 6.5"(D) x 24.5"(H)...

Blue Microphones Bottle Cap B7 Retail Kit - Cardioid Large Diaphragm Single Backplate $599.00 The Bottle Caps are our innovative system of eight interchangeable capsules, each offering the recordist a different tonal characteristic and pickup pattern. From airy highs to larger-than-life lows, the Bottle Caps capture anything from vocal to bass, wind instruments to horns and everything in between with a level of detail and clarity found in only the most expensive and rare vintage classics. ...

Blue Microphones Cactus Tube Microphone Kc $2,499.00 In the tradition of the world's best (and most expensive) vintage vocal microphones, The Cactus delivers a commanding, intimate presence and larger-than-life detail. The amplifier design is a transformer-balanced single vacuum tube sub-miniature pentode in a triode mode, along with the highest quality hand-selected electronic components to insure low noise and minimal distortion. At a distance, Th...

The Vintage Microphone Handbook $30.53 No Synopsis Available

Vintage $31.5 Vintage

Nady PCM-100 Condenser Microphone $64.99 Cardioid polar pattern High quality back electret condenser microphone PCM-100 Condenser Microphone User guide Warranty card Foam padded plastic carrying case Metal Microphone 2.63" x 6.75" < 1% 30 Hz to 18 kHz > 1 Kilo Ohm PCM100 www.nady.com This vintage retro-look styling microphone has advanced state-of-the-art acoustic design, perfect for multi-purpose studio, recording, broadcasting, or live performance theater, concert applications. -36 dB ±2dB Electret 127 dB 1.43 lb Cable XLR Nady System, Inc PCM100 PCM-100 Condenser Microphone Desktop PCM Nady

MXL V67G CONDENSER MICROPHONE $119.95 The MXL V67G Condenser Microphone is often described as having a sound that is "old school tube mellow." Designed mainly for vocals, the V67G mic combines Class A FET circuitry and a transformer-coupled output for a smooth, open, and pure sound. The MXL V67G mic comes through with killer vocals even in front of a busy mix. The condenser microphone's great stage appeal is partially due to its round gold-plated grille and distinctive, vintage body. You'll be amazed by the sound this cleverly designed MXL microphone provides and pleasantly pleased with the price.**Requires phantom power to operate.**

Audio-Technica AT4060 Tube Microphone $1187.12 40 Series Vintage pure condenser tube microphone with cardiod polar pattern. This mic provides the coveted sound of valve design without compromising the specification standards demand by today's recording standards.Requires phantom power.

Audio-Technica AT4047 Condenser Microphone $699 The Audio-Technics AT4047 Condenser Microphone is designed for professional recording and critical applications in broadcast and live sound. Transformer-coupled output and a specially tuned element provide sonic characteristics reminiscent of early FET studio mic designs. The AT4047 mic has exceptionally low self-noise, wide dynamic range and high SPL capability. It sports a vintage silver-matte finish on the microphone and shock mount. Audio-Technica includes a protective case and AT8449/SV shock mount with the AT4047 microphone.Requires phantom power.