Monster iFreePlay Cordless Headphones for iPod shuffle 2G (Silver/Black)

Amazon Customer Reviews

(2 out of 5)

Wait for version 2.0

I gave this product two stars to acknowledge my appreciation for a great idea. After all, any product that eliminates a dangling cord at the gym has something going for it. Unfortunately, the execution didn't live up to the promise.

First, the sound is among the worst I've ever experienced from a set of headphones (even from the cheapest ones). The highs are muted. The mid-range is muddy. The bass is flaccid -- that is, I can sometimes tell it's flaccid when the right speaker doesn't happen to be buzzing loudly due to distortion. All in all, an abysmal listening experience.

Second, the product is simply cheaply made and feels incredibly flimsy in your hand. While my little orange Shuffle clicked into place with certainty, everything else about the phones feels like the company spared every expense. Am I nitpicking? I don't think so. When you pay 50 bucks for a set of headphones, you expect a level of quality commensurate with that price. But if you didn't know how much they cost, the iFreePlay phones feel and sound like headphones in the 12-dollar range.

Finally, I again want to say how much I like the idea behind these headphones. It was a pleasure to click my Shuffle into the little dock on the left earphone and go through a gym workout without a dangling cord catching on any of the equipment. And if the sonic quality these headphones produce was even merely competent, I'd be satisfied. But the sound is just unacceptable.

I feel bad because I know how even one negative review on Amazon can have a profound effect on the future of a product. And my review may severely retard sales of the iFreePlay. But Monster should have spent far more time in focus groups and quality control before releasing this product. They should also cut the price in half.

The bottom line: I'll wait for another company with higher standards to make a similar product. Or I'll wait for Monster to get its act together.

(4 out of 5)

Perfect Wireless Solution

Let's face it. Until Apple starts manufacturing an Ipod with bluetooth capability, wires are just a necessary evil...until now. Monster has blended great sound with true wireless portability. I am normally not one to write a product review, but I just can't let such a great produt hang out there with such an awful review. The other guy must have gotten a bad pair, which is a shame because these things are great! Of course they are not on par with my Etymotic high ends, but they defnitely hold their own with other wired headphones I have owned within the same price range, and they are are far better than anything Sony has in the $50 price range. I read a number of reviews on Apple's store site which praised these things,so I figured I would take a chance despite their first review on Amazon being anything but positive. Man am I ever glad I did. They blew me away as soon as I put them on, tight bass and clear highs. And there's no cord to get tangled in my gym equipment. If it weren't for the geek factor (They look kind of silly, and I wouldn't wear them in public.) I would have given them 5 stars easily.

(2 out of 5)

Too many issues for me

I was disappointed when I recieved this item, although the concept is great. First, one of the audio cables that was supposed to be hidden inside the headband part was sticking out right above the ear, and it was impossible to get it to slide completely back in. Perhaps a QA miss here.

However, the main problem with these headphones is that there are no adjustable features. There is no way to tighten the fit around your head or ears. As a result, it loosely hung around the back of my head, resting solely on my ears for stabilization. If there would be a way to control the headband length or the tightness around the ears, I would have kept this product. As it is, I am returning it for a refund. Probably bigger-headed people would not have as much of a problem (my head size is 7.5, which is large for a woman, but probably small for a man).

(3 out of 5)

Cheaper alternative

If you want to save yourself some money, just clip the ipod shuffle to a baseball cap and wrap the excess cord around the ipod. Bingo! You've got yourself a cordless ipod.

(2 out of 5)

Headphones don't stay in place

I got tired of the earbuds that come with the iPod shuffle falling out of my ears all the time, and the cords getting tangled up.... so when I saw these cordless phones I thought they'd be perfect. I read all the reviews, and decided to take a chance. I'm really glad I didn't pay full price for them, as I do have problems with them. Some negative reviews mentioned them being too small, but my problem is that they're too big..... I have a small head and they simply do not stay put. Fortunately, I have long hair and put it up in a ponytail when I go to the gym to work out. I hook the back of the headphones over the top of the ponytail, and this is the only way they will stay in place. Even then, they slip around and I am frequently having to reach up and adjust them. I don't know what I'll do if I get tired of long hair and cut my ponytail off!! I simply won't be able to use this at all. Also, I find the weight difference between the two sides annoying. The designers should have done a better job compensating for the weight of the iPod. The sound quality is fine with me; I don't expect great sound from inexpensive little earphones. If they would only stay put, I'd love them.