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RightMACatU

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 12, 2012
1,423
1,132
192.168.1.1
The earbuds that came with my S4 are among the worst I've ever used; so much that I use the ones from Apple - although the volume control don't work, the sound quality is way better.

I’ve considered BT earbuds but my S4 requires too much love to maintain a simple BT connection in the car… not gonna endure this non sense with BT earbuds.

Any suggestions for a pair of earbuds with volume control and mic that will work with the S4 and provide descend audio quality for let's say under $50?

Thanks
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
I'm curious about this as well.

The GS4 factory buds don't stay in my ear very well so I'm using my Apple Earpods for running and gym sessions.
 

T5BRICK

macrumors G3
Aug 3, 2006
8,314
2,391
Oregon
With your GS4, I thought you had a lot more options when it came to 3 button headphones? I don't believe there are any with working volume on my HTC, so I've given up on the volume control and just use Apple Earpods.
 

Vegastouch

macrumors 603
Jul 12, 2008
6,185
992
Las Vegas, NV
I never use the factory earbuds. I like the way Skullcandy's fit in my ear as far a cheaper earbuds go. I dont have a GS4 yet but the earbuds that came with my GS3 arent bad. Yes i did use them once when i broke my SK's and had to get new ones.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,078
19,077
US
I never use the factory earbuds. I like the way Skullcandy's fit in my ear as far a cheaper earbuds go. I dont have a GS4 yet but the earbuds that came with my GS3 arent bad. Yes i did use them once when i broke my SK's and had to get new ones.
I second this.....I love my Skullcandy Titans. So much better than stock...even like them better than the earpods.
 

RoboWarriorSr

macrumors 6502a
Feb 23, 2013
889
52
I second this.....I love my Skullcandy Titans. So much better than stock...even like them better than the earpods.

How long do they last? Every time I use Skull candies, they blow out after about 4 months. After 4 pairs, got some JayBird ( their wireless so you care) and finally something that lasted 6 months and the lifetime warranty is helpful.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,078
19,077
US
How long do they last? Every time I use Skull candies, they blow out after about 4 months. After 4 pairs, got some JayBird ( their wireless so you care) and finally something that lasted 6 months and the lifetime warranty is helpful.
i have not had a problem with mine.....I have had my Skullcandy titans for about a year now.......
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
Any other suggestions for fully compatible GS4 earbuds.

I would like mic, volume, stop, start and s voice functionality to be maintained.

There is no shortage of fully compliant iPhone headsets so the fact that it seems like slim pickins for the S4 is surprising and annoying.
 
Last edited:

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
I hate the ear buds that came with my S4. However I'm weary of buying anything other than the Apple ones as I bought two pairs last weekend and they didn't work at all with my S4. The only headphones that work with my S4 are the samsung ones, the Apple ones and some over ear ones by we are the superlative conspiracy. The skull candy and Sony inner ear buds don't work. I get no sound. I know they are not faulty because they work with everything else, just not ny phone :mad:
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Any other suggestions for fully compatible GS4 earbuds.

I would mic, volume, stop, start and s voice functionality to be maintained.

There is no shortage of fully compliant iPhone headsets so the fact that it seems like slim pickins for the S4 is surprising and annoying.

It's not specifically the S4 it's android (specifically JB) that seems to have caused a lot of issues with android earphones.

I have a stack, (Klispch, Shure, Sony, Jays +) and despite using the manufacturers app the buttons rarely work properly, and the reviews of the apps speak for themselves with users reporting non functioning issues especially on JB devices.

Seriously the easiest solution for me was to buy a bluetooth headset / dongle that accepts any 3mm headphones and use that. So I bought a Sony SBH20 and can use ANY headphones then and all the functions of remote work directly from the SBH20 and can still make & accept calls too.

But yeah the headphone situation is a joke. This is the kind of fragmentation / support that frustrates consumers with Android.
 

sbddude

macrumors 6502a
Sep 27, 2010
894
4
Nor Cal, USA
Any other suggestions for fully compatible GS4 earbuds.

I would mic, volume, stop, start and s voice functionality to be maintained.

There is no shortage of fully compliant iPhone headsets so the fact that it seems like slim pickins for the S4 is surprising and annoying.

You can get an extender cord on eBay with 1/8" plug on both ends and the three-button remote and mic. Then you can use that with any earphones. I use some monoprice over the ear head phones.

Also look at the app "headset button controller".
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
I managed to get some skull Candy over ear headphones today and they work. I got them to let me test them out in the store this time.
 
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