Review: iLuv Neon Sound iEP335 Earbuds

by Bill Palmer

iLuv’s latest earbuds are aimed at getting not only your attention, but the attention of all who see you wearing them. As their “Neon Sound” name suggests, they come in a choice of high profile colors ranging from neon yellow to orange to hot pink. They include flat and wide rubber band-like cables, which are typically only found on much more expensive earbuds, to help ensure they can be seen from across a room.

That left me wondering, before I even tried out the Neon Sound, whether it was merely a stylish gimmick or a legitimate product. In the process of my listening tests I realized that it’s very much the latter. These are some of the better sounding earbuds I’ve tested in the $35 range, sounding clear on the high end and respectable on the low end; the bass manages to be present without being muddy, which in this rage is a somewhat rare combination.

Further solidifying the seriousness of the Neon Sound (model number iEP335) is the fact that it comes with three button playback and volume control along with a microphone, an increasingly important feature in the iPhone era but still not nearly common enough on lower priced earbuds.

So what’s not to like? Most earbuds with different-sized included rubber tips can be swapped out within seconds, whereas it took me close to a full minute to attach the smaller sized tips here, thanks to the large posts. But that’s something that you’re unlikely to have to do more than once during the lifetime of the product, so it’s a minor sideshow detail. The only central detail to worry yourself over is whether you want earbuds that are this outlandishly colored. But for those who have second thoughts about being so overly visible, iLuv also offers the Neon Sound in an all black model.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 • Price: $34.95 • iluv.com

About Bill Palmer

Bill Palmer is Editor in Chief of Beatweek Magazine. His editorial contributions include interviews with musicians and iPhone industry coverage.