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Rivet Mobile Stereo Headset Review
Comparing it to the Apple Headset

Written by Ron Risman. July, 2007
The iPhone has been in consumer hands for less than a month and by now most of you know that the iPhone's headphone jack is not compatible with most 3rd party headsets, headphones or earbuds without an adapter.  A company named Rivet has introduced a new headset designed specifically for the iPhone. This Mobile Stereo Headset provides the same functionality as the included Apple headset - featuring an integrated microphone and answer/end switch on the earbud cord. This switch can also be used to pause and start a song that is playing or to skip to the next track by double clicking the switch.

While functionality of the Apple iPhone headset and the Rivet Mobile Stereo Headset is similar, the design of each is quite different as is the sound quality.

Let's start with the design differences.

Apple iPhone Stereo Headset
The stereo headset included with the iPhone is very similar to those that are included with Apple's iPOD music players, although the sound quality for music isn't as rich as the earbuds that were included with my iPOD Video.  The Apple earbuds do fit into the ear quite easily but always feel as if they're ready to fall out - and sometimes do.  The headset cord is 46" in length and integrates a microphone for taking calls. This microphone also doubles as an answer/call toggle or play/pause/skip track toggle when listening to music.  This one-size fits all length is adequate for most users as you can fit your iPhone comfortably in your pocket and still have plenty of cord.  However taller people or users that might want to place the iPhone on a lower pant leg pocket or further away on their desktop dock might find the cord a little bit to short.  Unlike the Rivet's lanyard-style design which is worn around the neck, the Apple headset ends tangled up in your pocket when not in use.

Rivet's iPhone Stereo Headset
The Rivet headset, while offering similar features, takes a very different and, for me, more comfortable approach.  Unlike the plastic round one-size-fits-all design of the Apple headset, the Rivet Mobile Stereo Headset is based on a comfortable gel tip that inserts into the ear canal.  This not only helps to isolate sound from noises around you, but allows the earbuds to fit more comfortably in your ear with less fear of them falling out.  Rivet includes 3 sizes of earbud gel tips to help insure a custom fit.  My review unit came with just one-set of gels and since I wasn't able to compare them to the other two that were missing I really don't know whether they were the small, medium, or large ones - but they did fit comfortably.

The cord of the Rivet headset is designed using a fabric coating, which is more flexible and less likely to tangle - according to the companies literature.  In every day use I found that they were indeed less prone to tangling, but not immune, as I was still able to magically get these tangled up after removing them from my pocket every now and then.

One of the nicest features of the Rivet headset and one that sets it apart from Apple's headset is the lanyard-style design.  Rivet has designed an size-adjustable loop in the middle of the headset cord that is placed behind and around the users neck, leaving the microphone laying between the collar bone and chest and the earbuds resting over each shoulder halfway between the shoulder blade and chest when not in use. (See photo #5).  Since this middle loop area is adjustable I was able to bring the microphone closer by giving the earbuds more cord length, or move it further away by giving the earbuds less cord length.  The length of cord you provide to the earbuds is controlled by a slide adjustment on the cord itself.  This slide adjustment can also be used to prevent the earbuds from getting tangled when you take them off.  One half of the slide adjustor can be slid up to the very top - keeping the earbuds together (Photo #1) - while the bottom half of the slide adjustor can be kept in position, acting as a 'bookmark' at the length you like.  My iPOD Video earbuds had a similar feature, but the headset included with the Apple iPhone does not.

Sound Quality

This section of the review is very subjective but I will give you my first-hand experience on how the Rivet stereo headset sounded in comparison to the standard Apple headset.

Microphone Quality
Both the Apple iPhone headset and the Rivet headset integrate a microphone into the cord of their headset.  The Apple microphone is in a fixed position 6" down from the top of the earbuds while the Rivet microphone is adjustable depending on the cord length you give the lanyard 'loop' around your neck.  For example, a 15" loop area would position the Rivet headset's microphone in approx. the same position as the Apple headset while providing plenty (16") of cord for each earbud. In testing, I found that the microphone quality of each of the headsets to be identical - actually they both sounded identical to holding the phone up to your ear as well.  I also tested the Rivet with the microphone at different distances and found that even at a further distance away there was virtually no sound quality or volume difference.  While driving in the car it would still make the most sense to keep the microphone up near the collar as it could help to separate your voice from any background noises while driving. Neither of the microphones did a great job of reducing background noise.

Headset Quality / Voice Conversations
Again, both of the headsets were virtually identical in quality of sound during a phone conversation.   Once or twice I heard a slight hum while talking on the Apple headset, which I couldn't duplicate on the Rivet, but it was barely noticeable and only happened during one conversation.  The Rivet headset also helped to isolate sound better when in a noisy environment since the earbud gels are placed closer to the ear canal, however both could have benefited from more volume - something that seems more of an iPhone issue than a headset one.


Headset Quality / Music
I listened to and tested each headset on a variety of songs, swapping headsets after about 30 seconds and starting that passage over again with the other set of earbuds.  I then did a second test while using a headphone splitter connected to my iPod Video (the splitter won't fit into the iPhone's headphone jack).  With one earbud from the Apple and one from the Rivet in each ear.  I then was able to remove one earbud at a time in order to judge some of the differences between them.

There is no clear winner here as each headset outperformed the other depending on the song choice.  The Rivet does offer better bass and equals the Apple headset when it comes to treble frequencies but doesn't really win the battle since the mid-range on the Rivet headset seems to get a little dull sounding at times.  On these songs the Apple headset seems to offer a crisper sound, but on many others the Rivet sounds crisper and richer.

One interesting thing I noticed is that the Apple earbuds (headset) included with the iPhone do not sound as good as those supplied with my iPod Video, but weren't bad either. The same can also be said about the Rivet headset.  The sound quality overall was very good but still wasn't as good as the earbuds that came with my iPod Video. Okay, moving on. Since the headsets performed differently with each song, I decided to list some of the songs I used in my testing - hoping that you'll have some experience with a few of them.

Song: Colbie Caillat, Bubbly
This great song, offered free last week on iTunes sounded better on the Rivet Rivet's headset.  Apple's headset had less bass response and was overall flatter in quality (less highs and lows).

Song: Jamie Cullum, All At Sea
The quality of sound from both headsets were good but the Rivet had more range.  Highs were high but there was also decent bass.  Apple's earbuds had good highs as well but lost a little on the bass response.

Song: Aerosmith, Dream On
The Apple earbuds sounded better than the Rivet earbuds with better bass for an overall full sound.  The Rivet's were crisp because of good highs but the bass frequencies wasn't as strong as it was on Apple's version.  Since the Rivet typically had better bass this came as quite a surprise to me and I did double check it.  Most likely the bass track was in a different frequency range - closer to the mid-range - which the Rivet had some problems with.

John Cougar Mellancamp: Jack and Diane
Neither of the headsets provided the bass that I was looking for on this song but overall I give the edge to the Rivet headset.  The vocals seemed a bit muffled while listening through the Apple headset whereas the Rivet headset provided a better vocal track while also providing crisp highs.

Prince: Little Red Corvette
Am I showing my age here? Anyway. Listening to this song through each of the headsets provided distinct differences.  The Rivet headset provided better quality sound but the vocals were weaker when compared to the Apple headset, yet the overall sound on the Apple headset wasn't as crisp but the vocal track sounded better.

Toby Keith: As Good as I Once Was
Both headsets sounded pretty good on this country song. The Rivet headset provided a bit more bass than the Apple but the highs were a bit too high. Overall, while not perfect, I think the Apple was the overall favorite on this song.

Song: Rascal Flatts: Backwards
The Rivet wins hands down on this song. The Apple was very tinny sounding with no bass whatsoever.

Song: Eminem, Lose Yourself
Tougher choice on this song.  The Rivet definitely had more bass and at first sounded better to me, but the bass almost had a 'sensoround' rumbling quality to it that took away from the experience a bit.  The Apple headset again had virtually no bass - but no rumbling either. No clear winner here.

As you can see from some of the varied song choices above, both headsets have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to music - and much of it depends on the song itself, not just the genre.  It would be very difficult for me to recommend one headset over the other based on the audio quality differences.

Sound Isolating Design
One of the things I really like about the Rivet headset is the noise-isolating design.  The gel earbuds help to 'seal' the ear canal which reduces outside noise and makes hearing easier in noisier environments (car, outside) but it also helps to isolate the sound of your own voice when talking.  This is hard for me to explain, but when you talk during a phone conversation using the Rivet headset - it sounds to you as if your voice is trapped inside your head.  To experience this affect take the palms of your hands and press them against each ear (not too hard!)- then talk.  While you're talking move your hands away from your ears - then repeat. Unless it's just me - you'll hear what I am referring too.  I discovered this as soon as I made my first phone call using the Rivet headset.  At first I thought I was hearing my voice coming back through the microphone, but as I looked into more closely I realized it was due to the sound-isolating design.  It hasn't stopped me from using the Rivet as the headset of choice, but you may find that it takes some getting used to.

Conclusion

The headset that Apple includes with the iPhone works well for both phone calls and music.  If, like me, you don't like wearing the Apple headset because of the way the earbuds feel or fit in your ear (as if they're going to fall out) then I would recommend looking into a third-party option such as the Rivet Mobile Stereo Headset that I reviewed here.

I personally dislike wearing the Apple earbuds.  As mentioned earlier they always feel as if they're ready to fall out. The Rivet headset, while not necessarily better performing, offer a much nicer design which I prefer over the included Apple headset.  Luckily, the Rivet headset is also very affordable - selling at Amazon.com for $19.95 (MSRP $29.99).

Key Benefits of the Rivet Mobile Stereo Headset!
  • Noise-Isolating Design helps reduce noise from the outside world
  • Lanyard-style design reduces chance of earbuds falling out when the cord gets snagged and allows them to be warn around your neck when not in use.
  • 3 sizes of gels are included with the retail package allowing users to find a very comfortable fit
  • Earbuds fit comfortably and won't easily fall out.
  • Good sound quality, though not necessarily better than the Apple headset. Slightly better bass sound when compared to Apple's headset.

If you don't listen to music and would only use the headset for phone calls then I would really recommend getting a bluetooth wireless headset. They won't play music but they're completely cord free and start at $19.95 and up.  The iPhone is compatible with most all bluetooth headsets.

Review Photos



Photo #1
Replaceable gels on each earbud. Three sizes included.


Photo #2
Loop (lasso area) is worn around your neck


Photo #3
Microphone sits comfortable just below collar.
The microphone height is adjustable.


Photo #4
Microphone adjusted lower. Mic position can be
adjusted by changing the 'lasso' area of cord.


Photo #5
When not in use the Rivet headset can be worn lanyard
style instead of bunching it up and placing it in your pocket.
Notice the earbuds hanging down around my neck.


Photo #6
The location of the microphone on the Rivet headset is
adjustable, though sound quality didn't really
change as distance changed.


Photo #7
Side by Side:
Apple Headset (white) and Rivet's Headset (Black)


Photo #8
Call Answer & End Toggle with integrated Microphone.
Use to play/pause/skip music tracks.
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