An iPod user asked me why it's so difficult to distinguish the standard iPod earbuds, LEFT from RIGHT. She said that the letters L and R are too small, and that Apple could've color coded them instead (i.e. red for right).

Actually, it's so easy. Just glance at one earbud. If you see that the gray circle is to the left of the stem, then it's for the LEFT ear. Isn't that cool?

I wonder if this was intentional. It just makes so much sense.

Yeah. It does make sense.
It's quite harder with the in-ear buds though because the shape is nearly symmetrical and the indicators are on the stem itself.

Thats how I differentiate actually. Normally, my earbud is covered by the cushion foam (the L and R are hidden). All I have to do is peek at the marking whether its on the right or on the left.

W

hmmm... now how do you differentiate them in the dark? or when you cant find your eyeglasses?

with my aiwa earphones, the cord for the left earbud is shorter than the one for the right. that's what i use for my ipod. now that's good design.

... if only they sound as good as the ipod earbuds...

When it falls off my ear, then I know it's not right. Then I switch. *shrug* :P

On the cord of one of the earbuds, wrap a silver colored twisty wire (like the ones that wrapped around the cables of your Mac). I'm assuming a nearsighted person might actually notice a flash of light (from the shiny silver coating of the wire) or if not, you could go tactile and feel up which cord has the twisty.

You'll have to remember though, did you put the twisty on the left or right? :D I'd say choose right for right-handed people.

Cherrie


Originally posted by quicksilver
hmmm... now how do you differentiate them in the dark? or when you cant find your eyeglasses?

Even with the foam pads on, it's easy to tell left from right because the stem is not placed dead center but a bit off center to the rear of the earbud when facing the correct ear.

Now, does anyone know where I can buy replacement foam pads for the buds? I am using the second set of mine, and I don't want to use the buds without the foam padding.

Thanks!

Dante

Originally posted by dante
Now, does anyone know where I can buy replacement foam pads for the buds? I am using the second set of mine, and I don't want to use the buds without the foam padding.


Radio Shack carries a great set of blue covers (I don't know if they come in any other colors), but they aren't exactly foam, kinda like a no-slip rubbery thing. Radio Shack also carries the regular foam-y kind, as do some of the record bars, like Odyssey, or that one on the top level at Power Plant that I can never remember the name of, the one near the movie theaters.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, some Raon stores carry tons of them, cheap pa.

[Edited on 6-23-2004 by Adel]

Originally posted by dante
Even with the foam pads on, it's easy to tell left from right because the stem is not placed dead center but a bit off center to the rear of the earbud when facing the correct ear.


That's how I distinguish them as well.

Originally posted by Adel


Radio Shack carries a great set of blue covers (I don't know if they come in any other colors), but they aren't exactly foam, kinda like a no-slip rubbery thing. Radio Shack also carries the regular foam-y kind, as do some of the record bars, like Odyssey, or that one on the top level at Power Plant that I can never remember the name of, the one near the movie theaters.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, some Raon stores carry tons of them, cheap pa.

[Edited on 6-23-2004 by Adel]

Thanks for the tip, Adel. I'll check those stores out.