Comments on: ZAGG introduces Z.buds earphones http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/ Playing with cool gadgets in the ongoing search for the Coolest Gadget Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:48:13 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Miles http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-375098 Miles Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:25:23 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-375098 These headphones definitely have a good design and the earbuds stay in your ears, atleast for me better than an other I've owned. But they are poorly assembled. The first pair I bought worked for about 4 weeks before the connection at the plug started going out and one earbud stopped working. So I sent mine back to get a replacement took awhile to get them back and this one had a bad connection at the volume control, audio would cut in and out unless the control was at just the right spot :/. After all that Zagg charged me for the replacement because "they did not recieve it" within 20 days which according to UPS tracking they did. Although to their credit they are refunding me the money. If these were put together properly they would be excellent headphones but as it is they won't last especially if you plan on using it on a daily basis. These headphones definitely have a good design and the earbuds stay in your ears, atleast for me better than an other I’ve owned. But they are poorly assembled. The first pair I bought worked for about 4 weeks before the connection at the plug started going out and one earbud stopped working. So I sent mine back to get a replacement took awhile to get them back and this one had a bad connection at the volume control, audio would cut in and out unless the control was at just the right spot :/. After all that Zagg charged me for the replacement because “they did not recieve it” within 20 days which according to UPS tracking they did. Although to their credit they are refunding me the money. If these were put together properly they would be excellent headphones but as it is they won’t last especially if you plan on using it on a daily basis.

]]> By: TL http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-372673 TL Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:45:24 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-372673 FYI My wife and I are on our 3rd pair of zbuds each and needless to say I would not make this purchase again. Again let me state I'm on set number 3 and the playback button has now failed after 3 weeks of use. The first set’s playback button failed, the second sets playback function failed and eventually stopped working altogether(AFTER 2 WEEKS of use). I don't understand how they could make such a poor product. I do not work in an extreme environment I'm at a desk all day nor do I workout with these headphones yet time and time again they fail. I'm thankful we got the warranty, but what good is it if the product last less than a month. The design of the zbuds are great and when they work you receive a good sound, but I would not suggest buying them unless you enjoy speaking to their customer support and making trips to the post office to ship them back. FYI
My wife and I are on our 3rd pair of zbuds each and needless to say I would not make this purchase again. Again let me state I’m on set number 3 and the playback button has now failed after 3 weeks of use. The first set’s playback button failed, the second sets playback function failed and eventually stopped working altogether(AFTER 2 WEEKS of use). I don’t understand how they could make such a poor product. I do not work in an extreme environment I’m at a desk all day nor do I workout with these headphones yet time and time again they fail. I’m thankful we got the warranty, but what good is it if the product last less than a month. The design of the zbuds are great and when they work you receive a good sound, but I would not suggest buying them unless you enjoy speaking to their customer support and making trips to the post office to ship them back.

]]> By: burnedbyzagg http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-372020 burnedbyzagg Thu, 28 May 2009 20:27:25 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-372020 I’ve had 4 in total, 2 of the original design and 2 of the new design. They have all failed. The mic switch stopped working on 3 and the volume control failed on one. The mic switch and volume control are cheaply made snap together plastic units with cheap solders and loose wires inside. They will fail over time. There is noticeable play in the wires going into these units. They are not sealed and not even resistant to weather. Wait until they do a complete redesign of the mic and volume units and actually send some people out in the field for a few months to real world test these things, let alone some good old stress testing in the lab. The cable system is great and the sound is great but until they get the switch and volume control design correct don’t waste your money. Chech out the ILOUNGE post too. Similar comments by them also. I’ve had 4 in total, 2 of the original design and 2 of the new design. They have all failed. The mic switch stopped working on 3 and the volume control failed on one. The mic switch and volume control are cheaply made snap together plastic units with cheap solders and loose wires inside. They will fail over time. There is noticeable play in the wires going into these units. They are not sealed and not even resistant to weather. Wait until they do a complete redesign of the mic and volume units and actually send some people out in the field for a few months to real world test these things, let alone some good old stress testing in the lab. The cable system is great and the sound is great but until they get the switch and volume control design correct don’t waste your money. Chech out the ILOUNGE post too. Similar comments by them also.

]]> By: Evan http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-364361 Evan Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:09:30 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-364361 POOR, POOR, POOR. I bought these after seeing the 2009 CES design and innovation.... yadda, yadda award, thinking that these would have to be the king of aftermarket, mid-price, hi-fidelity, iPhone-compatible headphones. Boy was I wrong. The first pair never worked right, then eventually failed. The replacement pair lasted about two weeks of just normal, daily use before failing. So, what failed? On the first pair, the answer/hang-up or play/pause button never worked. That was frustrating, but I decided to suck it up. within about two weeks though, the connection between the cord and the 1/8" jack must have dislodged, as one channel just stopped coming through. If I manipulated it just so, I could get it to play, but would have to hold it in some awkward position to get it to work. So, I called ZAGG and told them what happened. They offered to replace them, but when I mailed the Z-Buds in, I got an email telling me that they were out of stock, and I would have to wait three weeks to have the replacement shipped. That was frustrating, and so I wrote their customer service representative an email saying that I was disappointed that I had spent a fair amount of money on their product, and that I essentially had only a semi-working pair of Z-Buds for a matter of days, but had purchased them nearly two months prior. I also expressed my skepticism about the quality of their product, and wondered whether the new pair would eventually fail also. The customer service representative replied with some trite, canned response aimed at dismissing me and my concerns. So I let it go. The new pair arrived about 10 days ago, and they worked as they should, until today. Now, the connection between the cord and the jack has failed in a new and amusingingly odd way. Now, if I bump or nudge the jack or its housing, the Z-Buds think I'm pressing the pause/play or answer/hang-up button. You can imagine how frustrating that is, when the headphones just hang up on people. So, my opinion is that the design and manufacturing of these is trash. They may well be made of tin foil and chewing gum, judging by their hold-up value. To be fair, when they are working, the sound quality is very good. Unfortunately, the Z-Buds will last about as long as the flavor in the chewing gum that holds their internal parts together. POOR, POOR, POOR.

I bought these after seeing the 2009 CES design and innovation…. yadda, yadda award, thinking that these would have to be the king of aftermarket, mid-price, hi-fidelity, iPhone-compatible headphones.

Boy was I wrong. The first pair never worked right, then eventually failed. The replacement pair lasted about two weeks of just normal, daily use before failing. So, what failed? On the first pair, the answer/hang-up or play/pause button never worked. That was frustrating, but I decided to suck it up. within about two weeks though, the connection between the cord and the 1/8″ jack must have dislodged, as one channel just stopped coming through. If I manipulated it just so, I could get it to play, but would have to hold it in some awkward position to get it to work.

So, I called ZAGG and told them what happened. They offered to replace them, but when I mailed the Z-Buds in, I got an email telling me that they were out of stock, and I would have to wait three weeks to have the replacement shipped. That was frustrating, and so I wrote their customer service representative an email saying that I was disappointed that I had spent a fair amount of money on their product, and that I essentially had only a semi-working pair of Z-Buds for a matter of days, but had purchased them nearly two months prior. I also expressed my skepticism about the quality of their product, and wondered whether the new pair would eventually fail also.

The customer service representative replied with some trite, canned response aimed at dismissing me and my concerns. So I let it go.

The new pair arrived about 10 days ago, and they worked as they should, until today. Now, the connection between the cord and the jack has failed in a new and amusingingly odd way. Now, if I bump or nudge the jack or its housing, the Z-Buds think I’m pressing the pause/play or answer/hang-up button. You can imagine how frustrating that is, when the headphones just hang up on people.

So, my opinion is that the design and manufacturing of these is trash. They may well be made of tin foil and chewing gum, judging by their hold-up value.

To be fair, when they are working, the sound quality is very good. Unfortunately, the Z-Buds will last about as long as the flavor in the chewing gum that holds their internal parts together.

]]> By: Chad http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-363574 Chad Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:22:00 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-363574 I have to agree with all the bad reviews mine fell apart pulling it out of the box, snapped the cheap quality mice bad together and after a few uses the right side stopped working. Customer service is rude, blame you for their crappy product not working and then want to charge you to replace it. Chad I have to agree with all the bad reviews mine fell apart pulling it out of the box, snapped the cheap quality mice bad together and after a few uses the right side stopped working. Customer service is rude, blame you for their crappy product not working and then want to charge you to replace it.

Chad

]]> By: Edwin http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-360740 Edwin Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:59:47 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-360740 Hi Chris, Thanks for the prompt reply. Maybe you can keep in touch with Vik and Pierre to see if you can help them out. Cheers! Hi Chris,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Maybe you can keep in touch with Vik and Pierre to see if you can help them out. Cheers!

]]> By: Chris ZAGG Rep http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-360624 Chris ZAGG Rep Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:35:22 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-360624 I know for a fact that we have not received any Z.buds made out of plastic. The Z.buds are housed in aluminum and shouldn't be breaking in half. I have actually tried to pull them apart physically and was totally unsuccessful. I honestly don't know what the problem is, but I am going to talk to our VP of Sales and see what he says about it. I will try to get your buds replaced if you would like. Just let me know. -Chris I know for a fact that we have not received any Z.buds made out of plastic. The Z.buds are housed in aluminum and shouldn’t be breaking in half. I have actually tried to pull them apart physically and was totally unsuccessful. I honestly don’t know what the problem is, but I am going to talk to our VP of Sales and see what he says about it. I will try to get your buds replaced if you would like. Just let me know.

-Chris

]]> By: Zagg Z.buds review (external) » Coolest Gadgets http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-360614 Zagg Z.buds review (external) » Coolest Gadgets Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:30:50 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-360614 [...] spin recently. Just to jog your memory in case you have heard of this familiar gizmo, we covered it last November, although the comments left in our post did not seem too favorable as users have complained about [...] [...] spin recently. Just to jog your memory in case you have heard of this familiar gizmo, we covered it last November, although the comments left in our post did not seem too favorable as users have complained about [...]

]]> By: Edwin http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-360612 Edwin Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:12:56 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-360612 Vik, Pierre: Hmmm, that's strange. You're right, most review sites say that it is built in a pretty sturdy manner. In fact, we just did an external review (http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20090120/zagg-zbuds-review-external/) on the Zagg Z.buds, and the reviewer says the earbud body is made out of metal and not plastic. Maybe you guys got shortchanged on the initial batch, or the reviewers got a separate unit - who knows? Either that, or Zagg actually acknowledged their mistake and created better batches. Chris from Zagg, any ideas what's going on? Vik, Pierre: Hmmm, that’s strange. You’re right, most review sites say that it is built in a pretty sturdy manner. In fact, we just did an external review (http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20090120/zagg-zbuds-review-external/) on the Zagg Z.buds, and the reviewer says the earbud body is made out of metal and not plastic. Maybe you guys got shortchanged on the initial batch, or the reviewers got a separate unit – who knows? Either that, or Zagg actually acknowledged their mistake and created better batches.

Chris from Zagg, any ideas what’s going on?

]]> By: Pierre http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-359432 Pierre Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:46:18 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-359432 Broken after 2 weeks ! No warranty! I have had mine for a bit over 2 weeks now and the cheap plastic buds split in half. As I have read many posts, it seems to be a common issue, therefore in my mind it looks like a factory defect. I contacted Zagg support and they will not replace them as they are 5 days out of the 30 day warranty. I live in Australia and although they took 2 weeks to arrive, they count the order date as the start of warranty !! I will rate these as very average headsets, although sound quality is not bad, it’s not something to rave about !! Broken after 2 weeks ! No warranty!
I have had mine for a bit over 2 weeks now and the cheap plastic buds split in half.
As I have read many posts, it seems to be a common issue, therefore in my mind it looks like a factory defect.
I contacted Zagg support and they will not replace them as they are 5 days out of the 30 day warranty. I live in Australia and although they took 2 weeks to arrive, they count the order date as the start of warranty !!
I will rate these as very average headsets, although sound quality is not bad, it’s not something to rave about !!

]]> By: Vik http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-359430 Vik Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:25:22 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-359430 what a piece of junk - broke in one day ... the earbud split in two !!! I know reviews are saying that they have good build quality - I would disagree - really cheap feeling in hand ... cable is nice but that's about it .... Zagg will return but is still charging me shipping for sending me a crappy pair of earbuds - DO NOT BUY THESE !!! Sorry Chris .... what a piece of junk – broke in one day … the earbud split in two !!! I know reviews are saying that they have good build quality – I would disagree – really cheap feeling in hand … cable is nice but that’s about it …. Zagg will return but is still charging me shipping for sending me a crappy pair of earbuds – DO NOT BUY THESE !!! Sorry Chris ….

]]> By: Chris ZAGG Rep http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20081121/zagg-introduces-zbuds-earphones/comment-page-1/#comment-355472 Chris ZAGG Rep Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:47:46 +0000 http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/?p=18681#comment-355472 Thank you for posting this information! We as a company are very proud of this product and feel that consumers are getting a great deal. If anyone should have any questions, please feel free to email me at evangelist@zagg.com. Thanks! Thank you for posting this information! We as a company are very proud of this product and feel that consumers are getting a great deal. If anyone should have any questions, please feel free to email me at evangelist@zagg.com. Thanks!

]]>