That recessed headphone socket is no doubt causing a few sleepless nights with manufacturers who have made their fortune producing Apple accessories, but one of the first high-end replacements for the iPhone handsfree headphones kit is finally available. v-moda, who make a range of well-engineered headphones and headsets, have introduced the Vibe Duo which has the longer plug-barrel necessary to work with the iPhone (while also compatible with other products using standard headphone sockets).
Silicon ear-buds (three sizes of which are supplied) should see it fitting your lug-holes nigh on perfectly, while the woven nylon cord will hopefully prove more durable than competing headphones which use rubber instead. There's a microphone as well, obviously, although it lacks the handy squeeze-to-answer function that Apple's own handsfree offers. Noise-cancellation is also missing, and preliminary feedback from buyers indicates that while the headphones themselves sound decent (and far better than the supplied set) wind- and background-noise such as when driving can be intrusive.
For some, the far-improved sound quality over Apple's bundled set will be enough to persuade them to invest in the Vibe Duo; others might want to wait until there's a way to answer the phone and pause music without taking the iPhone out of your pocket. They're available now - including from Apple's own stores - for around $99.
These headphones may not be the best but they definatly beat any sub 150 dollar pair of headphones in sounds quality and worth by a longshot. I have the original vibes and they were the best purchase in my ipod history (besides my iphone). I do wish the duos had the slicky bgutton but thats no big deal. Also, they do cancel out noise prety well just by there awesome fit, so thats not a hge issue. I recommend these to anyone who wants amazing soung on their iphone while looking very stylish.