So, I've just sent in ear-impressions for a pair of UERMs; I own the mighty HD800s; I own the outrageously expensive—though admittedly the best phone I've heard to date—FAD LAB I. And I also own several excellent $1000(+) phones, along with the truly EXCELLENT HD600s.
Yet, my love for the Earpods increases by the day…and this after having owned them for 1.5 years. The Earpods are the only phone I've always allowed myself to abuse—really,
really abuse—and, after all this time, they look (almost) as good as new.
But it isn't 'just' the excellent build, the non-microphonic cable, the excellent ergonomics, and the fact they even have a mic and playback controls (play, pause, volume up/down, next/previous track & fast forfard/rewind!), an IEM that can easily be used with non-Apple devices (without an adaptor), but the EXCELLENT SQ these £25 phones deliver (quite a bit cheaper in the US these days, probably).
These may not have the greatest extension on both ends of the spectrum, but they're fairly linear and even have quite impressive soundstage—likely due to the several vents they have, and the fact they're canal phones (aka earbuds) and not IEMs—and very, very good timbral qualities.
Interestingly enough, I have never been able to use "earbuds"—they would always, without exception, fall off—…that is, until I found the Earpods 1.5 years ago.
Seems to me Apple did their homework on these phones way better than most people would know… or would be willing to admit.
Yes, I love the Earpods to bits…and I happen to use them a hell of a lot. Who would have thought? Certainly not me...just 1.5 years ago.
http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/The+Misunderstanding/2vdcvO?src=5
