ipod shuffle 3rd gen headphones problem

I also have a problem with my 3rd gen shuffle headphones. After a mile of running, the headphones crank up the volume to full blast and the control stops working. There is no way to forward through songs or turn down the volume.

I called Apple technical support and received "new, redesigned" headphones that are should not have the same problem. However, those headphones had the same issue after 10 minutes on a treadmill and the control stopped working.

It is very disappointing to see a manufacturer with Apple's reputation release a defective design and fail to address the flaw in the subsequent "November 09 headphones" release. Was this Shuffle design tested by someone who: (1) works out and (2) has sweat glands?

Brea311 wrote:
I am very not happy with my new ipod. I thought I would like the suffle better on my long 20 mile runs since my old nano was starting to skip - yea, skip - wierd. So after day 2 of running with the shuffle the volume got really high and then really low and this is after 20 minutes of running. It would not work - I tried to adjust the volume control again and nothing, I could faintly hear the songs but the headphone controller didnt work. I plugged my shuffle into my computer to adjust the volume and am going to use better headphones from now on and just keep the song list on shuffle. Annoying and I know that if I get new headphones they will break just the same. Why hasnt apple figured out that the main users of ipods are people who EXERCISE and SWEAT? Its a no-brianer to make something that is resistant to at least some water.

Yeah, it's just so RIDICULOUS!
I was planning to buy an iPod shuffle myself but know I'm not so sure...

My first headphones stopped working after a work out, the volume controls didnt work, even after leaving it for ages and trying again. I got them replaced bt Apple, I did stress to the person on the phone that I didnt want this to happen again, they said it wouldnt. Guess what, I've just applied to have my second set returned. The volume controls didnt work again. Then after a while they did. Then they stopped again, this happened a few times, now the stop button doesnt work either. Do you think my replacement pair will be any better?
Dont thse things get Tested? I think this is a "Show Stopper" defect and the product should not have been release - sack the tester.

I have the same problem with my 3rd generation iPod shuffle headphones. When working out sweat gets into the volume control. Now no control of volume.
If this is a known problem shouldn't there be a mandated recall or replacement?

The ones that they provide after the recall work even worse than the originals. I have had the headphones replaced eight or nine times (three times after the recall) and the ipod itself once. Unfortunately, all replacements available seem to have the same problem so I will probably just keep having apple replace them until the warranty is up. I have three ipods and two macs, but I will probably not buy any more apple products based on these stupid headphones and the poor customer service.

I have the same problem with a brand new 3rd. gen. Shuffle during runs. The remote controls stop working, and there also seems to be a problem in the fit between the headphone plug and the Shuffle itself. (The volume goes way down until I fiddle with the plug.) The unit is not included in the recall. Do the new Sennheiser 680i headphones work better? They are sold only through Apple and seem expensive, but it would beat going through new Apple headphones every few days.

Hi, Ive had this problem non stop since I purchased the iShuffle... and unfortunately went back to the shop past the 15 days from purchase to get my money back!... I protected it with Cling Film and electrical tape.. eventually the moisture got in.. I removed it and decided it didnt work... now its stopped totally and I can only switch on and of from the device power switch with a fixed volume (lowish) and only one album!!! ha ha..

Doesn´t Apple have a recal on these products? I think the add on from belking may work (I dont mind using my iPod headphones).. I just dont want to spend more $ to get moisure issued in the belkin adapter too...

If anyone has had luck with apple warranty or in an apple store please share what and how its best to approach this problem (I didnt buy mine in an apple store)

Well, If you don't mind opening the checkbook there's a fantastic Etymotic shuffle compatible headphone that I purchased last fall.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-ER23-HF3-BLACK-Headsetwith-3-Button-Control/dp/B0 03YTROIU

Same problem as all above. Maybe if enough people leave a comment here it will be heard somewhere in Apple :

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipodshuffle.html

I am very not happy with my new ipod. I thought I would like the suffle better on my long 20 mile runs since my old nano was starting to skip - yea, skip - wierd. So after day 2 of running with the shuffle the volume got really high and then really low and this is after 20 minutes of running. It would not work - I tried to adjust the volume control again and nothing, I could faintly hear the songs but the headphone controller didnt work. I plugged my shuffle into my computer to adjust the volume and am going to use better headphones from now on and just keep the song list on shuffle. Annoying and I know that if I get new headphones they will break just the same. Why hasnt apple figured out that the main users of ipods are people who EXERCISE and SWEAT? Its a no-brianer to make something that is resistant to at least some water.

Same issue for me with headphones. After about one hour of running, the mechanism for adjusting volume etc stops working. I assume it's moisture. So I tried to cover it with plastic and tape - still no luck. any ideas about how to make this useful on a long run?

I just bought myself a silver 4GB shuffle from best buy to save myself from having to wear a huge clunky iPod video on my arm every time I go for a run. As you have guessed, I have the SAME problem as everyone else. I am not necessarily a long distance runner, but I do run about 3-4 miles daily in a 30 minute time period (and do sweat quite a bit). The shuffle IS aimed primarily at people who exercise, so why is heat, water, and/or movement either destroying the headphones or making them work intermittently? Can apple offer everyone who sunk $80 bucks into one of their finely engineered products a solution to this problem or just leave everyone hanging? Start writing letters and warn friends and family about this issue and not to buy this product!

imma go ahead and chime in as well. sure, i'm not adding any thing new (had the 3rd gen shuffle for approx 2wks prior to earphone malfunction) HOWEVER, i am hoping that the repeated posts make their way to some Apple guy.

sure, i had to have AT LEAST 3 2nd gen shuffles replaced due to malfunctions related, in all probability, to sweat issues....BUT....that was after many months. in a typical month i'll run about 120miles so every 3-4mos the ipod would freak out (oddly always on my long run for the week, *****). reliably it would always get replaced, so the problem was some what manageable.

now, after TWO WEEKS, this fancy 3rd gen POS breaks. how can Apple NOT anticipate this issue?!? the cords get soaked, as they inevitably end up rubbing against your body during exercise.

wanna live up to your "genius" moniker? MAKE THE DEVICE WATERPROOF APPLE!!!




mc

I had the exact same problem. Sometimes the problem started with 20 to 30 minutes of running.
But unfortunatelly nowadays the lower volume doesn't work anymore...
I think the remote control is too fragile or it can't be wet... What a shame!

I've had the same issue with volume control and once with all controls. All of these problems at the gym. Moisture and sweat the culprit? What's more, I also have problems syncing the device to previous iTunes and iTunes 9.

Apple, you're disappointing your best customers. What are you doing about this?