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Apple's earbuds are neither the best sounding nor best fitting earbuds on the market. They do have two things going for them: they are relatively cheap and have a really nice remote and microphone. Acoustibuds might be the answer for those who don't like the way normal earbuds fit or sound, but don't want to shell out $100 for a nice pair.

Acoustibuds are small pieces of flexible silicone rubber that fit over most standard earbuds to channel the sound directly into the ear. This silicone rubber fits into the ear and helps to prevent the earbud from falling out. They may look like a gimmick, but how do they feel and sound after 9 months?

Apple's earbuds with Acoustibuds were tested over a period of 9 months and compared with KRK's Rokit 5 studio monitors, Grado's SR60's over the ear headphones, and other sport headphones. They were tested in many different environments from quiet libraries to noisy airports. Testing was performed during many types of activities like running, mountain biking, hiking, driving, and reading.

The Acoustibuds perform almost flawlessly in every situation. They stayed in the ear with almost no accidental pullouts, which could not be said for normal earbuds on their own. While the tester is on the third pair of Apple's earbuds, the Acoustibuds look brand new after 9 months of hard use. They are easy to keep clean with a little soap and water. The only real negative is that they can come off or slide around on the earbuds when they are in a confined space like a pocket.

Although they may not sound as good as the studio monitors or the Grado headphones, it would take an audiophile to notice a major difference between them. After a two week break-in time, they became more comfortable than all other headphones, including the Grados.

For those who are hard on their headphones, don't want to spend $100 on a better pair, or are tired of the Apple earbuds falling out, Acoustibuds could be the answer. Every ear is different and requires testing and a break-in period to see if they work, but these can't be recommended more highly. The Acoustibuds come in two sizes and are available at Amazon for $10.

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