I agree. I used to use them for a bit when I first got my phone and I didn't have a pair of reliable iems. Isolation and cable noise were bad so they were far from ideal as something to listen to on the go considering I take the train everyday but the sound itself is very inoffensive. In fact, I think they're good enough to warrant not buying replacement ear buds unless you really want an upgrade.

Depending on how the Earpods sit in one's ears, they're anything but boomy or V-shaped. When pushed against the ears, they certainly sound off and boomy.

The last iterations of the older iBuds were actually very decent sounding, but, as noted, in my case, they, like all other earbuds in the past, would always fall off. However, unlike the Earpods, when I pushed those iBuds against my ears, they were pretty decent indeed.

A lot is often said about isolation, and quite rightly so as most people use IEMs/buds when out and about, but it seems many people in these forums still fail to realise that isolation is not always desirable. People using phones in a quiet environment may well prefer non/low-isolating phones and appreciate being aware of their surroundings.

One great aspect of earbuds is that they're supremely comfortable—you literally don't feel you have anything in your ears—, and another overlooked aspect is that these types of phones allow your ears to breathe, more important when using phones for long stretches on a daily basis.

Depending on how the Earpods sit in one's ears, they're anything but boomy or V-shaped. When pushed against the ears, they certainly sound off and boomy.

^This for me too.  They're quite position sensitive probably because of the hard surfaces (much like a far less punishing FAD Piano Forte) and the fact that they need to fit half of the universe's ears.  I thought these were good from the first time I tried them on, and even bought a pair retail since I wasn't getting a new phone anytime soon.  Considering the compromises they had to make with these (cost, universal fit, they probably made them 'open' on purpose), they're quite the achievement.  And I think they look super-cool too from a design standpoint.   

These are at least the third generation. They've gotten better over time. I've got gen 1 from 2005 and they're not very good. They do, however, have great midrange detail retrieval and they sound remarkably uncolored for being of an inverted U in frequency response... and for being buds. I have no experience with the newer stuff.

Clockwise from upper left: gen 1, gen 2, gen 3.


Apple also makes shallow penetration IEMs, if I remember. How are they?

I feel that the earpods are not very detailed but I have accepted that as a fact so I'm not really sure if I hear the veil. I really do appreciate the more accurate tone and image with Dirac though. I notice with various "open air" IEMs the Dirac works well to give a more coherent sound.