Griffin TuneBuds Mobile for iPhone, $22 shipped
If you're looking for noise-isolating earbuds that also include a microphone and a play-pause-skip control, OnSale.com has the deal to beat.
For the last couple weeks, I've been playing with Griffin's TuneBuds Mobile. Compatible with iPods but designed with iPhones in mind, the TuneBuds combine noise-isolating earbuds with a talk-ready microphone and a play-pause control.
I like them. A lot. They're not perfect, but I was all set to tell you that they're worth the $39.99 list price. Then I remembered my job title and went digging for deals. And sure enough, I found one: OnSale.com has the Griffin TuneBuds Mobile for $16.99, plus $5 for shipping.
The TuneBuds come with three pairs of rubberized earbuds so you can get the best fit for your ears. I particularly like the nylon-coated cord, which helps prevent tangles. To that end, I wish Griffin supplied some kind of plastic cord wrap, but at least you get a zippered carrying case.
The earbuds include an in-line microphone for phone conversations. A small button lets you answer incoming calls or send them to voice mail. When not pulling phone duty, the button can play or pause your tunes, or skip to the next song.
How's the sound quality? To my ears, excellent, though I'm the first to admit that I'm not the best judge of audio fidelity. All told, I think that this is a great earbud headset solution for the iPhone, especially for a mere $22--less than you'd pay for some noise-isolating earbuds alone.