Start off by saying my gripe…Apple AND other not bargain basement but not expensive headphones never last! UGH. I use them often and go through a few pair a year.
First of all, any luck returning Apple headphones to the Apple Store after a few months wear??? I actually got my phone/headphones through Costco.
Secondly, this new adapter jack for models 7 and up…our family members have had NO luck with either of these situations:
- Purchasing alternative adapter jacks (non Apple) for back up jacks - they don’t work…no sounds comes through or cuts in and out.
- Have you purchased new headphones to use with the Apple adapter jack with any luck? S attempted a moderate pair of headphones but will not work with the Apple jack.
If the Apple headphones were reliable beyond a few months I would purchase them again for replacements. But I’m not up for only a few months wear out of them!
Is wireless my only answer???
Will take any product suggestions. We were them for walking/running along with stationary wear.
I buy cheapo earbuds ($5) so don’t care if they last. The Apple ones don’t stay in my ears. I do have a pair of hand me down non Apple wireless ones that S gave me when he got another pair. But, most often I still use the cheap ones.
I find you assessment of Apple earbuds different than mine. I think that they last much longer than any others I’ve bought. The problem is usually me. I lose them before they wear out. But, the ones I haven’t lost have successfully survived washing cycles and drying cycles multiple times. The pair I have now are probably 2 years old and still work great. I’m also a heavy user as I travel for business and use them to sleep with in hotels.
I’ve not had any issue with the apple jack solution as I don’t need it because I’m using the lightning connected ear buds. However, I did by a belkin adapter so I could charge and listen at the same time on oversea flights and it works really well.
We still have iPhone 5s with a standard headphone jack so I can’t address the adapter problem.
I can say that my son has cheap Skullcandy earbuds. $10 or less. They accidentally go through the wash in his pants pockets at least once a month and they just keep working. The current pair are over a year old. I used to get after him for not being more careful when I pulled them out of the washing machine, but they seem to wash at least as well as his clothing does, so what can I say?
@BrianBoiler , the lightening connector = adapter jack.
I’ve been using the provided Apple Ear Pods that came with my 8+ and the provided connector. I’m on my second pair of ear pods since getting my phone in February 2018 and now have no sound coming out of one ear pod. That’s what always happens - one ear pod goes out. No incident of putting them through the washer/dryer - just use them, wind them up and put them in my purse.
I’m not opposed to cheap ear buds if they work with the connector/jack - but so far they have not.
I suspect if you walk in with your story to an Apple store they will replace them. Sounds like a defect. I’ve never had any go bad, my son the Android user goes through 4 pair of aftermarket earbuds a year with the problem you describe. And the $19.99 a pair do no better than the $39.99 versions for him.
I’m not gentile on my stuff either. They end up tied in knots in my briefcase (I usually have 3 in there for some reason). Two with lightning connectors (the Apple 7 on up connector) and one standard RCA (pre Apple 7).
On the record, not a fan of the Lightning only connector as it does require an adapter to listen/charge at the same time and that cost me almost $40. Not a fan of wireless, because 1> they look like I’ve Qtips sticking out of my ears and 2> I know I’ll somehow forget to charge them when I’m on a 14 hour trip to Japan and 3> I’m absolutely sure I’ll lose one of them.
@abasket, the first pair of Apple earbuds I had the same thing happened - one ear stopped working.
I know you don’t want to go wireless, but the air pods have much better sound quality. I was concerned I might lose them because there isn’t any wire connected to them, but that hasn’t been an issue. They stay charged a long time.
@abasket
I have an iPhone 7, and I use both the Apple wired ear buds and bluetooth wireless ear buds (another brand).
I’m not sure what you mean by adapter jack. Can you link?
@abasket
Ah, got it. Yes, I have that type of adapter (the one you linked) and I have not had any problems with it. I use the adaptor with an off-brand wired ear bud. Panasonic? This is my “spare pair”.
However, I mostly use these, without a problem:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMTN2AM/A/earpods-with-lightning-connector?fnode=28250e6f0496a071a5cfbcb4d1c14e467dec3c2170d426c7a14d2acacf1b81f047cb63360e74220f167f60a3d286dca4b7955f2e7d0170d9810fe93de56640cd68cc81b778e9f9c72026f48fc21245913f28268ad640c669e952b8bc4bd4464ad145acc279e3e0efe9dde196e715bd64812da0bcd09babde2d5defdc7ed3cf76
The product that is absolutely cursed for me is this one:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLJV2ZM/A/belkin-35mm-audio-charge-rockstar?afid=p238%7CsWdJS3oBG-dc_mtid_1870765e38482_pcrid_246387003261_&cid=aos-us-kwgo-pla-btb-3pp–slid–product-HLJV2ZM/A
I have gone through two of them, and both stopped working. I refuse to buy another one! I thought it was a great idea so I could plug in my power bank AND have my headphones in. I play Pokemon Go while I walk the dog and listen to audiobooks or podcasts — Pokemon Go burns thru battery power, even on battery save mode.
I was VERY resistant to getting wireless earbuds, but finally broke down and bought an inexpensive pair. My kids gave me the nudge, and I have to admit, I like them. Naturally, you have to remember to charge them!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079JGNQP8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
There might be other brands that are better suited for running. These work fine for walking the dog, and gardening.
@Midwest67 , yes your first link are the ones I have now gone through two pairs of - one ear always goes dead!
Is there any reason you think your wireless link ones won’t work with running??
@abasket
No, no reason except I’ve never run in them.
There are inexpensive wireless ear buds that have that extra loop that goes over the ear. I don’t know if those are less likely to fall out on a run? But, it seems like good fit would be extra important for runners.
I think I’ll have to defer my recommendation to the other runners on the board. I’ll speak up for the walkers and the Pokemon Go players. 
I also wear them lots for walking.