Purebuds Digital Earphones
Starting at: $49.99
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Jasmine France
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
The good: The Purebuds earphones offer an innovative "reverse-sound" feature that causes less stress on the ear, and they come with uniquely designed eartips that allow you to tweak the audio profile. They also deliver clear, open sound.
The bad: The Purebuds earphones only include one size of each sleeve, so some users may not achieve a good fit. These may not be the best choice for active users, as they don't appear to be moisture resistant. The earbuds don't offer noise isolation, and the bass-boost tips tend to muddy the low-end.
The bottom line: If you like to attune your listening experience to your mood and have a vested interest in protecting your ears, the Purebuds earphones are an excellent option--but active types and bass-addicts should steer clear.
Of almost all gadgets, earbuds have the least surface area to work with, which means external design innovations are often incremental and minute. Color and style are the most noticeable physical characteristics that manufacturers tweak, but neither has an effect on the performance of an earphone. So, what's a new company to do in order to stand out? Make an earbud with an innovative design that influences sound quality. That's precisely what Amazing Tech Products has done with the Purebuds earphones, a $50 product with uniquely shaped eartips that affect audio output. Add to that some internal technology ... Expand full review
Of almost all gadgets, earbuds have the least surface area to work with, which means external design innovations are often incremental and minute. Color and style are the most noticeable physical characteristics that manufacturers tweak, but neither has an effect on the performance of an earphone. So, what's a new company to do in order to stand out? Make an earbud with an innovative design that influences sound quality. That's precisely what Amazing Tech Products has done with the Purebuds earphones, a $50 product with uniquely shaped eartips that affect audio output. Add to that some internal technology that purports to protect your hearing, and you've got a pretty intriguing set of earphones.
On first glance, the Purebuds earphones don't look that different from your standard iPod earbuds. Two round, white discs contain each miniature speaker, and a 45-inch white cable descends to a 3.5mm L-plug. Unlike most stock earbuds, these 'phones feature an uneven Y cable meant to be worn behind the neck, which may or may not appeal to you. Also, rather than chintzy foam sleeves, the Purebuds include three sets of silicone tips, each in a different shape. The varied design is meant to offer diverse sound profiles. There's a flat, donut-shaped sleeve to simulate surround sound; a double-flange-style tip for bass boosting; and a narrowing, contoured fitting that offers more general or full-range sound.
Each eartips only come in one size, meaning not everyone will be able to achieve a comfortable, secure fit. During testing, we found the Purebuds to be reasonably comfortable, but not necessarily secure--particularly with the surround-sound sleeve attached. The earphones are probably not the best choice for active users, but then again, that's not necessarily what they're made for. They're certainly not sweat-resistant; slits in the earbuds reveal the inner speaker in a couple of spots, which no doubt contributes to their open sound, but also ensures that moisture will find its way to the speaker. It also means there's a little bit of sound leakage, though no more so than with stock earbuds.
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Compare selectedSince 2003, Jasmine France has worked at CNET covering everything from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices to MP3 players. She currently cohosts the Crave podcast and spends the majority of her time testing headphones, music software, and mobile apps.
User Reviews
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"I can hear the music and my surroundings" By LeahMichelleTaylor
Pros: The sound doesn't feel as if you're taking off years from your hearing and you can also hear what's going on around you. The cord's design prevents becoming tangled while running.
Cons: The earbuds are exposed somewhat, especially with the surround-sound tips, so if you're running a full 26 mile marathon, your sweat might come into contact with the hardware. I haven't had an issue yet though!
Summary: I was just getting used to being annoyed while running and working out by my earphone cord when I got my hands on these Purebuds. What a difference! Unlike the traditional 'Y,' this cord is designed with a short left side and a longer right, allowing the cord to stay ... Expand full review
"Impressive set of Earphones." By Benmk
Pros: I plugged my Purebuds into my cell phone the sound is down right AMAZING. I listened to everything from Johnny Cash to Eminem. I tried Ipod touch and listened to the same songs the music sounded better but its designed for music.
Cons: I have thus far used my earphones to listen to Itunes on my laptop, the quality from my laptop left some to be desired but it is a three old laptop
Summary: I received my Purebuds Earphones on March 19th. I have thus far used my earphones to listen to Itunes on my laptop, the quality from my laptop left some to be desired but it is a three old laptop. However I plugged my Purebuds Earphones into my mobile phone (Samsung ... Expand full review
Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Headphones Type: Headphones - Binaural
- Product type: Headphones
- Design: Ear-bud
