What's with the white earphones?

[musichound]

I always wondered with all the good headphones that are available, why do most people listen to their iPods with the inferior earphones that it came with? I mean they don't sound too bad, and they improved a bit but they do sound quite tinny compared to most others. Since I got my 5.5G the white earphones it came with have been put in a drawer and I do not plan to ever use them.

What are your reactions?

[archurban]

why? because of no burden. it's come with ipod. just take it out when I go out without thinking. yeah, sound is just OK. on the street, sound quality is not important. is it? even when I drive a car, I'm not concentrated on listening. are you? so ipod bud is ok to go to anywhere. of course, I have bunch of expensive earphones. they're only for special place. otherwise white bud is very easy to go with.

[musichound]

See for me sound quality is very important. For the street I invested a mere $20.00 and purchased Koss the plug earphones.. They sound somewhat better and they do not fall out of my ears. They are also very compact like the white earphones. Eventually I will get the Shure E2C.

[archurban]

let me tell you some. Shure E2C I have use for more than year. it's blocking 70%~75% outside noise. yeah, it's good phone. but it's not for the street. you won't hear anything at all. you should watch out when you walk. there are bunch of cars. don't you? there are people having experiences which almost hit by car because they wear isolating earphone they can't hear what's going around. or for workout in the park, you shouldn't use it. but it's ok at gym. it's no dangerous. therefore, in-ear is totally for indoor use or when you sit down somewhere for long time. then it's OK. otherwise I recommend you get open ear phone.

[jedk]

I always wondered with all the good headphones that are available, why do most people listen to their iPods with the inferior earphones that it came with? I mean they don't sound too bad, and they improved a bit but they do sound quite tinny compared to most others. Since I got my 5.5G the white earphones it came with have been put in a drawer and I do not plan to ever use them.

What are your reactions?Lots of people like to be seen as owning an iPod, hence they use the white earbuds to 'show off'... personally I'm like you and have never used the included earbuds. I'd rather have better audio and not broadcast that I have an iPod...

[baggss]

See for me sound quality is very important. For the street I invested a mere $20.00 and purchased Koss the plug earphones.. They sound somewhat better and they do not fall out of my ears. They are also very compact like the white earphones. Eventually I will get the Shure E2C.

The E2Cs are nice, but not worth the money, IMHO. For everyday use, the white ones are fine....

[mnhnhyouh]

I use Shures all the time. With the E2 I used previously, if I used the small foam inserts I could still hear well enough to walk out and about, but you did have to take a bit more care. The Shure E500 are more isolating as the only foamies with them are bigger... but I still wear them out and about. The only other headphones I use are some Senn PX200 in the office and Senn HD555 at home where size and wind catching are not a problem.

I thought the E2 so worth the money that I just forked out to buy the E500. They are probably not worth the money, they are not 4 times as good as the E2, but they are very sweet.

My white buds got a few listens to, just so I did know how they were, and have been in a drawer ever since.

h

[VipFREAK]

Lots of people like to be seen as owning an iPod, hence they use the white earbuds to 'show off'... personally I'm like you and have never used the included earbuds. I'd rather have better audio and not broadcast that I have an iPod...

That's the funny part though. To me they look like they have a "please mug me" sign pasted all over them instead of "show off". lol

I still find it hilarious that my $8 Senn MX400 blows away the OEM apple buds. xD

[jedk]

That's the funny part though. To me they look like they have a "please mug me" sign pasted all over them instead of "show off". lolThat's true...

[Kristiano]

Partially because it's convenient and they don't know better.

I used to think the white iPod earbuds were pretty fine but after I got my Etymotics...

:p

[jhollington]

Let's also not forget that of the millions of iPods sold, many (probably the majority even) are being sold to people who are not sophisticated music listeners... There are a multitude of people out there who either can't hear enough of a difference to care, or don't even really know there is a difference.

Many of these are the same folks who buy a 60Gb iPod and load four albums onto it... ;)

I started out with the white earbuds, but ditched them for the Koss in-ear model and later the e2c's largely because I didn't like the look of the white (even leaving aside the obvious "I have an iPod" factor, they're just not "subtle").

The sound quality of the in-ears is better, but in my own listening experience I don't find the e2c's that much better than the Koss to be worth the price difference (they're noticeably better, just not enough to justify the price difference).

Plus, earphones are items that you either have to handle with kid gloves or be willing to replace on a regular basis. The included white earphones are pretty disposable for casual use.

[toothpaste]

let me tell you some. Shure E2C I have use for more than year. it's blocking 70%~75% outside noise. yeah, it's good phone. but it's not for the street. you won't hear anything at all. you should watch out when you walk. there are bunch of cars. don't you? there are people having experiences which almost hit by car because they wear isolating earphone they can't hear what's going around.


That is an interestingly funny theory you have. I don't know about you but I don't walk on the street, it's for cars. I walk on the sidewalk. When I do cross the street I pay attention like anyone should. I live in New York City, crazy cab drivers, buses, trucks and just plain insane drivers. Which leads me to my point, you should always pay attention to where you are walking and be aware of you surroundings. So to say that isolating phones cut off your common sense makes no sense.

As for the experiences of people "nearly" being hit by a car, that could happen without listening to music so I don't see what the point of that statement was unless it was used as a scare tactic.

[neb]

After spending ~£200 on a brand new iPod the average consumer would begrudge spending another £50 on a new pair of earphones. Like Jesse said, they probably would not recognise the difference in sound quality so it is not something they have considered. I know people like this.

I have a pair of Shure E2c and I hardly ever use them.

[musichound]

Lots of people like to be seen as owning an iPod, hence they use the white earbuds to 'show off'... personally I'm like you and have never used the included earbuds. I'd rather have better audio and not broadcast that I have an iPod...

This is exactly how I feel about this.

[bdb]

White earbuds are now a fashion trend. They're not just Apple anymore - many companies ship their products with white earbuds, and many third-party earbuds are popular in white.

Granted, Apple started the white earbud trend, and it was marketing brilliance - it was outrageously conspicuous, and initially it broadcast to the world that you had an iPod. It still means you have an iPod about 90% of the time now.

Of course, the reason people use the original earbuds with anything is that they don't know the difference or don't care. Money certainly can be an issue, particularly for kids who were given the iPod as a gift. Earbuds for about $20 are only slightly better, and really good earbuds are quite expensive, and all in-ear.

I don't like in-ear buds, because they can make you quite obtuse. I've heard it termed something like "iPod deafness". But that's another topic...

[jwc110869]

My wife has a pair of Senn's, which I got her after her stock buds bit it. She insisted on having earphones in white, which the px100s are. Some people just like white...............

[bdb]

My wife has a pair of Senn's, which I got her after her stock buds bit it. She insisted on having earphones in white, which the px100s are. Some people just like white...............Its not exactly right that the PX100s "are white" - they come in white as an option. The original PX100s are silver & black - I probably wouldn't have bought them if they only came in white.

[VipFREAK]

Its not exactly right that the PX100s "are white" - they come in white as an option. The original PX100s are silver & black - I probably wouldn't have bought them if they only came in white.
I understand any business that would follow the "bandwagon trend" to make money I'm just glad they had the class to have black as their standard. Their PX series is one that is apreciated in a market that doesn't have a lot of options.

[baggss]

That is an interestingly funny theory you have. I don't know about you but I don't walk on the street, it's for cars. I walk on the sidewalk. When I do cross the street I pay attention like anyone should. I live in New York City, crazy cab drivers, buses, trucks and just plain insane drivers. Which leads me to my point, you should always pay attention to where you are walking and be aware of you surroundings. So to say that isolating phones cut off your common sense makes no sense.

As for the experiences of people "nearly" being hit by a car, that could happen without listening to music so I don't see what the point of that statement was unless it was used as a scare tactic.

Just because you pay attention doesn't mean the majority of the world does. Don't forget, you, and all your personalities, are special.....;)

[antiditz]

With me it's not so much that I can't recognize the difference in sound quality; it's more that I can't be bothered. I have my 3G ipod for, what, three years now? and I'm still using the stock Apple buds. Yes, there are better options out there, but for now, these are serving their purpose.

Re. the fashion statement thing, I think that is true, especially among younger users. I know of several people (and I've seen plenty on the subway) who don't have iPods, but use the white Apple earbuds anyway, even on a discman, just for the initial impression. Lame, but it's true.

[archurban]

That is an interestingly funny theory you have. I don't know about you but I don't walk on the street, it's for cars. I walk on the sidewalk. When I do cross the street I pay attention like anyone should. I live in New York City, crazy cab drivers, buses, trucks and just plain insane drivers. Which leads me to my point, you should always pay attention to where you are walking and be aware of you surroundings. So to say that isolating phones cut off your common sense makes no sense.

As for the experiences of people "nearly" being hit by a car, that could happen without listening to music so I don't see what the point of that statement was unless it was used as a scare tactic.

it's maybe your case. don't try to persuade people from your case. I just say general by case. so you live in NYC. but don't walk? WTF? you say 'walk on the sidewalk'? I have seen a lot teen who aren't really paid attention when they are listen to music on the street. they use cellphone when they drive, even listen fxxx ipod as well. of course, some 20s do, too. it's very dangerous. whatever you say, true is true. isolating phone is block your attention when you are concentrated on listening anyway. I also mentioned you should be careful when you put those kind of phone. last sentense, you mentioned, then it doens't make any sense? what are you elementary student?

[jwc110869]

Its not exactly right that the PX100s "are white" - they come in white as an option. The original PX100s are silver & black - I probably wouldn't have bought them if they only came in white.

Its funny you say that. White is all I ever see on the shelf, at most electronics stores. I'd love to know which version sells more.

[pohatu771]

The same reason people use those crappy black ones that come with their portable CD players.

People who go from listening to the radio with all the static to using less-than-perfect earbuds are still improving.

I use Apple In-Ear Earphones, and I don't really need, or want, anything better.

And in my area, being mugged isn't really a concern. Everyone knows everyone...

Actually, the last murder in my town (murder being much more serious than petty theft, but the only crime I know stats for) happened in the 1780s. That's about forty years before it was even a town.

[bdb]

Its funny you say that. White is all I ever see on the shelf, at most electronics stores. I'd love to know which version sells more.Interesting question; I thought I'd compare some sites but didn't come up with much. I think Amazon sorts by popularity, and they list the black/silver model first (but that may be because they've carried it for a longer time). Circuit City only lists the white ones.

I imagine most people wanting something that old-school would prefer black anyway. :)

[JMG]

The white ones are nice and cheap and probably allows the ipod to be sold at a slightly lower price. Sound quality is less than spectacular, and the cheap foam earbuds aren't very comfortable and fall off too easily. But don't the newer ipod's come with the better earbuds now?

[musichound]

The white ones are nice and cheap and probably allows the ipod to be sold at a slightly lower price. Sound quality is less than spectacular, and the cheap foam earbuds aren't very comfortable and fall off too easily. But don't the newer ipod's come with the better earbuds now?

I have the newer ones. They might sound slightly better but they are still not up to par as most other earphones. What beats me is is when I see people with a G2 or G3 ipod and they are still using the same white earphones. I would think after continuous listening, a person would want something with slightly better audio quality. Please note I am not stereotyping because they are many who prefer to use other earphones. But I feel if a person uses them just to be image concious, that is slightly pathetic.

[Derek McNelly]

Hmm... Well, I like to use the stock earbuds when I skateboard, I use some over the ear ones for general walking, and my EX-71s for when I'm just sitting around or riding in the car somewhere. All depends on the situation.

[toothpaste]

it's maybe your case. don't try to persuade people from your case. I just say general by case. so you live in NYC. but don't walk? WTF? you say 'walk on the sidewalk'? I have seen a lot teen who aren't really paid attention when they are listen to music on the street. they use cellphone when they drive, even listen fxxx ipod as well. of course, some 20s do, too. it's very dangerous. whatever you say, true is true. isolating phone is block your attention when you are concentrated on listening anyway. I also mentioned you should be careful when you put those kind of phone. last sentense, you mentioned, then it doens't make any sense? what are you elementary student?

It doesn't make sense. Your original post was hard to read and so is this one. You speak of generalities while I speak of an actual case. I have fact you have theory. So instead of making things up like you, I am convincing people from personal experience that actually happened. So don't be upset and start with the insults.

If you must insult me at least form some kind of coherent sentences and thoughts that are spelled properly, punctuation would also help.

[toothpaste]

Just because you pay attention doesn't mean the majority of the world does. Don't forget, you, and all your personalities, are special.....;)

So the lack of common sense is now due to listening to an ipod? What's next? What crazy thing are people going to blame the ipod for? Being mentally challenged has nothing to do with listen to music while walking down the street. A moron is a moron. So to say that people walk in the street, or have near hits because they are listening to music is stupid.

Come now baggss, you can't tell me you believe this b.s. either. The poster I quoted would be a perfect example of not taking responsibility for their own action. "the ipod made a car hit me", "the ipod made me walk in the street", morons.......

[bdb]

Well to be fair, you have two senses that you use when out and about, to detect if danger is approaching - hearing and sight. By using in-ear buds, you effectively turn off one of them. Probably not the most important one, but still one of two nonetheless...

And even if you're the most brilliant freakin' mind in the world, you're still walking around complete idiots who drive huge hunks of metal, often aggressively, while barely paying attention. :)

I've been teaching my daughter to drive lately, and I don't know how many times I've had to point out that what someone else is doing is obnoxious, careless, and/or illegal. Its like she's surrounded by drivers trying to be the example of what not to do.

[hyroboarder]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bFHW2J8ZXP0

yeah i saw that happen and when asked later, the man said he was wearing shure e2c headphones and forgot to use more than one sense when crossing the street.



But anyway, the white earbud thing is so annoying, but it is true that the majority of ipod buyers couldn't care less if there music sounds like 30 dollar buds. Another thing, I told this kid that I was getting new headphones for my ipod bc the ipod packins suck, hes like are you f-ing kidding me? The ipod headphones are amazing and have great sound. I had a nice chuckle after that.

[musichound]

But anyway, the white earbud thing is so annoying, but it is true that the majority of ipod buyers couldn't care less if there music sounds like 30 dollar buds. Another thing, I told this kid that I was getting new headphones for my ipod bc the ipod packins suck, hes like are you f-ing kidding me? The ipod headphones are amazing and have great sound. I had a nice chuckle after that.

And this is exactly the point I am trying to make. I come across people also who say the white earbuds sound great. I find it funny also but I say to myself they are sure missing out on something. :shake:

[mrdantownsend]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bFHW2J8ZXP0

Meet Joe Black?

[miniMAMF]

I've always found the apple earbuds to be very uncomfortable. They fall out, and the sound is tinny and lacks bass (a similar problem with most cheap earbuds). For $40, I use a pair of Sony "around the neck" folding headphones, and they sound much fuller and richer.

I guess I always assumed that no one used the headphones that are included with their DAP's, but I can't be sure. If I see someone with big cup headphones and a tiny Samsung mp3 player, it's pretty clear that person cares about sonic quality. It seems only iPod owners use the included phones, a brilliant marketing move by Apple. And for included buds, they're better than most, but it's not a big investment to get much much better.

To me, it's a little akin to buying a DVD player with component video and surround sound and plugging it into a TV through the coax cable that has a red colour shift. It's not using your product to its potential. Ditto for the 60GB or 80GB owners that have 4 albums on their iPods. But hey, whatever makes you happy.

As for the in-ears, I have been using the e2c's for about a week now, and love them. And as far as reports of complete obvilion while wearing them, I tend to agree with toothpaste. I got them so I could listen at a more reasonable level while commuting to and from work. I am still quite aware of my surroundings, and like Officer Jim told us in the 2nd grade, I look both ways before crossing the street. The great thing is when the crazy guy is yelling about Jesus on the corner of Yonge & Dundas, I remain obvilious to his ranting (no offence to non-ranting Christians).

[bdb]

The great thing is when the crazy guy is yelling about Jesus on the corner of Yonge & Dundas, I remain obvilious to his ranting (no offence to non-ranting Christians).The bad thing is when the nice woman behind you is trying to get past, kindly saying "excuse me" but getting increasingly annoyed because you're just standing there like a dumb jerk, you're oblivious to them as well. This happened to me shortly after I got my in-ears, and I haven't worn them since (except in airplanes, where they're fantastic).

[Ohio Trekker]

I usually wear the stock buds when I'm out and about just so I can save money for the good stuff when I'm at home or sitting in a plane for hours at a time type situations where I don't have to exercise caution. They aren't the greatest sounding in comparison, but when out and about use of the additional sense of hearing gives me an edge. I can be walking around a store and still hear conversations, or riding my bike and hear the deer rustling through the woods waiting for the most inoportune time to dash out on the trail in front of me! I honestly don't care what color my headphones are, as long as they serve their purpose. And in my book even the stock buds do that albeit in white!

For those who think it suffices to look both ways before crossing the street, consider the number of times people have been mowed down on sidewalks, or cars have driven into store fronts, and for that matter, do you think those people who have just been in an accident planned it that way?

It's all a matter of odds, and anything you can do to increase your's reduces your chances of being a victim of Darwinism! What works for me may not work for you and to each their own!

[miniMAMF]

The bad thing is when the nice woman behind you is trying to get past, kindly saying "excuse me" but getting increasingly annoyed because you're just standing there like a dumb jerk, you're oblivious to them as well. This happened to me shortly after I got my in-ears, and I haven't worn them since (except in airplanes, where they're fantastic).

Fair enough, but I'm in Toronto. No one kindly says "Excuse me" and waits for you to move. Around here, they mutter "Excuse me" under their breath while they brush on by.

Boy, that sounds cynical...:o

[jhollington]

Actually, to be fair it depends on the neighbourhood, but realistically that doesn't happen much out on the normal streets in any city.

However, I tend to be a bit annoyed by people who wear earphones of any kind everywhere they go, like the folks who will actually walk up to a grocery store clerk and complete their entire transaction without so much as even turning down their volume (much less removing their earphones).

Maybe it's just me, but I'm very conscientious about taking off my earphones when I'm going to be anywhere around people who might want to interact with me, like going into a store (even when wandering the aisles), getting onto transit, or even in an elevator with other people.

Out on the street I really have no issue when I'm just walking about, as there's really no expectation of interaction with the people around me, but I tend to think it rude to have earphones on when there are other people in close proximity that might want to actually talk to you, or when there's a need to pay attention to your surroundings.

[miniMAMF]

jhollington

I agree completely. When I went into the grocery on my way home yesterday, I did pause my ipod when I went to the checkout, but didn't remove the earphones, since they are a bit of effort to re-insert. Just the same, I could hear the clerk say Hi just fine and I could say "Thanks" without it sounding like yelling.

But once on the transit, or walking around, that's where the ambient noise is such that in-ears are most useful.

Oh, and my comment about Torontonians was meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek. Guess it didn't register on the internet sarcasm meter. Torontonians (and I have been one for 33 years) can be cold and heartless sometimes, but for the most part, we're a very friendly bunch. Since I have been using in-ears, I've been very conscious of making room for others while on the crowded transit - as I have always been, but moreso now that I can hardly hear if someone does say "Excuse me."

[camille]

everything has to match doesn't it? why not i just get black iPods since my portable cans are of the black variety (which i have and do)

i guess i strayed a bit there. i gave up on trying to convince people not to use the iBuds; it's just too much work. i'll just listen to my eggos and everyone else will just groove on it...:cool:

I'm now peeved of people having the backlight constantly on and then complaining that the battery life is too short...:shake: :rolleyes:

[XiMiX]

Just because you pay attention doesn't mean the majority of the world does. Don't forget, you, and all your personalities, are special.....;)
That's very cynical dont you think?
Am i the only one that thinks baggss is a very angry person?
just chill, everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it. You shouldn't take it so personally.

[XiMiX]

So the lack of common sense is now due to listening to an ipod? What's next? What crazy thing are people going to blame the ipod for? Being mentally challenged has nothing to do with listen to music while walking down the street. A moron is a moron. So to say that people walk in the street, or have near hits because they are listening to music is stupid.

Come now baggss, you can't tell me you believe this b.s. either. The poster I quoted would be a perfect example of not taking responsibility for their own action. "the ipod made a car hit me", "the ipod made me walk in the street", morons.......
Finally! once i got to the end of this thread i was going to say it if someone else didn't.

[XiMiX]

I've always found the apple earbuds to be very uncomfortable. They fall out, and the sound is tinny and lacks bass (a similar problem with most cheap earbuds). For $40, I use a pair of Sony "around the neck" folding headphones, and they sound much fuller and richer.

I guess I always assumed that no one used the headphones that are included with their DAP's, but I can't be sure. If I see someone with big cup headphones and a tiny Samsung mp3 player, it's pretty clear that person cares about sonic quality. It seems only iPod owners use the included phones, a brilliant marketing move by Apple. And for included buds, they're better than most, but it's not a big investment to get much much better.

To me, it's a little akin to buying a DVD player with component video and surround sound and plugging it into a TV through the coax cable that has a red colour shift. It's not using your product to its potential. Ditto for the 60GB or 80GB owners that have 4 albums on their iPods. But hey, whatever makes you happy.

As for the in-ears, I have been using the e2c's for about a week now, and love them. And as far as reports of complete obvilion while wearing them, I tend to agree with toothpaste. I got them so I could listen at a more reasonable level while commuting to and from work. I am still quite aware of my surroundings, and like Officer Jim told us in the 2nd grade, I look both ways before crossing the street. The great thing is when the crazy guy is yelling about Jesus on the corner of Yonge & Dundas, I remain obvilious to his ranting (no offence to non-ranting Christians).
the cool thing about using sony is that if you use their store, they can give you a replacement agreement for like and additional $15 dollars. Two sets of excellent, comfortably, mind (not ear-drum) numbing headphones for only $55 when normally one costs $40? A-thankyou ;)

[Jokieman]

hich leads me to my point, you should always pay attention to where you are walking and be aware of you surroundings. So to say that isolating phones cut off your common sense makes no sense.

As for the experiences of people "nearly" being hit by a car, that could happen without listening to music so I don't see what the point of that statement was unless it was used as a scare tactic.


You won't be able to hear me walk up behind you, You won't even hear me #### the hammer back on the .45, Hell, you may not even hear me when I ask for your wallet, your Ipod, and your Watch. But I'm pretty sure you'll hear the bang when I pull the trigger, if only for just the split second before you die.

The sentence I highlighted is nonsensical. You can't pay attention to your surroundings if you can't use your ears to hear what might be happening behind you, since, if you're human like the rest of us, you don't have eyes in the back of your head.

P.S. You're entitled to your opinion, but ultimately, your opinion is wrong in this case, and you gamble needlessly every time you try to prove it. Of course it doesn't matter to me what happens to you due to your own stupidity. What matters to me is that you accused someone else of not making sense when you yourself made even LESS sense with the statement I highlighted.

[musichound]

<<<Off Topoc>>>
I'm sorry if one of you found this thread placed in the incorrect forum. My intent was not to focus on how the earphones actually sound, but on a higher level on people's interraction with the way they use them. Hence, this is why I picked the lounge. Of course, the mods and admins reserve the right to place these threads as they see fit.

[Shufflez]

i use the white stock ones when i don't need to worry about it getting damaged, scratched etc. basically for every day use. I just use the color white because my nano's white and i think white's a sexy color LMAo

[Eric Lewis]

its just apple branding!

[bootsie]

I cannot afford to buy $50+ headphones after buying the ipod.

Plus, I don't really use headphones anyway, I have a $600+ system in my car, so that is where my main use is.

[misper666]

the idea that not wearing noise cancelling headphones will somehow prevent someone sneaking up behind you with a gun is highly amusing! not all muggers wear wooden clogs!!

i think if you're in that kind of place then either, not having anything on your worth stealing, or better still, choose a better route or mode of transport would work much better.

this is a really funny thread 'cos being honest, i bought an iPod 'cos of it's fashion & simple modern design - & now i am one who would say ditch the white earbuds! the difference being, iPod is concealed most of the time. we also live in a world where thieves are usually stupid & don't normally know the value of things. for example, swapping the cheap (white) earbuds for an expensive set of audiophile head/ear phones (possibly worth more than than the iPod itself) that a thief probably wouldn't recognise.

the whole 'you shouldn't be wearing them 'cos of a thief behind you' argument is slightly wrong 'cos in an area like that, your sight & your brain play a much more important role, even when not listening to headphones. on foot there is not much difference. on the road however, say, cycling, you bascally assume that all drivers behind you can see you, but not all are paying attention. i have to admit i cycle with headphones when i shouldn't.

[jhollington]

The irony of walking around with Shure e2c's or better earphones and they not being recognizable is rather funny, and that thought has occurred to me a number of times as well.

In my case, my biggest issue with the white earphones is that it doesn't seem a natural colour for earphones, and therefore they stand out regardless of whether it's about advertising that you're carrying an iPod or not. I prefer the more subtle look of a black cord, particularly since I'm usually wearing darker clothing.

As for the question of situation, I'm pretty careful about wearing any kind of earphones if I'm cycling on the street, but if I'm on a bike path, particularly in a more secluded area (low bicycle traffic), then that's a different story entirely... Even bike paths that are shared with pedestrians are less of an issue, since you're usually overtaking the pedestrians, not the other way around...

[iluvmusic]

Folks don't know the difference. Folks can't afford to upgrade. Most people use them in their cars. There are all kinds of reasons.