The good:The Zagg Z.buds offer a rugged, utilitarian design that seems very durable, and plenty of eartips of varying shapes and sizes are included in the package. The cord is wrapped in cloth and available in a choice of four colors; bass is extra heavy.
The bad:The Zagg Z.buds can have a tendency to slip out of the ears, and the bass is overpowering at times. Not the best choice for eclectic listeners or those who prefer a really bright and crisp response.
The bottom line:The Zagg Z.buds with mic offer a rugged design and plenty of bass for iPod owners who are looking for earphones with built-in playback controls.
Given the popularity of the iPhone, it's no wonder we're seeing more and more earphones with integrated mics and controls for the device. In the same price range as Apple's own In-Ear headphones ($79), you have the Zagg Z.buds, a rugged set that offers an extra thick cloth-coated cable and a wider array of eartips. While these earphones present a nice balance of comfort, durability, and sound quality, though the latter is not on par with Klipsch's comparably priced Image S4.
The Zagg Z.buds utilitarian look might not be for everyone, though the ability to choose from four color options (black, red, pink, or yellow) should broaden the appeal somewhat. The plastic earpieces are attached to an extra long, cloth-covered Y-cable that doesn't come to connect until nearly 30 inches down. Here, Zagg includes three detached ball sliders that can be used to prevent tangles and adjust the span of the Y. The cord terminates another 26 inches down in a reinforced, silver-plated L-plug.
Since 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. Full Bio
