It's no secret that I'm not a big fan of the earbuds that Apple includes with the iPod, they're cheap and sound terrible. Some people find the Apple earbuds acceptable and happily use them while others replace them with better (and much more expensive) models. Many rationalize Apple's decision to include basic earbuds with the iPod as a way to keep costs down—they're fine for most people and those that want better quality can purchase better models from a number of vendors.

I have been a big fan of Future Sonics Ears (model EM3) for about two years now because of their in-ear design and fantastic bass reproduction. Future Sonics has released a new set of earphones in conjunction with Xtrememac called the FS1 High Definition Earphones that I've had the pleasure of listening to for the past week.

The FS1's begin shipping in November for US$149 and sound amazing compared to all the other earphones that I've listened to, including my EM3s. The impressive sound quality is a result of Future Sonics' professional-grade audio driver and a dynamic transducer which yield smoother and richer low frequency response. The FS1's deliver crisper highs and tighter bass than any other earphones I've listened to. They also sound great at lower volumes which is not an easy feat.

If you want to compare the FS1's to whatever earphones you're listening to now, cue up a high quality (192 kbps or higher) rip of Outkast's "I like the way you move" and pay attention to the bass line. There's no comparison.

What's amazing is that the FS1's are smaller and sound better than my EM3's (which were originally designed for Sennheiser.) The transducer in the FS1 is 10mm whereas the EM3 has a 13mm transducer. The new smaller transducer is so good that it's being incorporated into the company's custom work early next year. The FS1 is the consumer model and the only difference in the professional version will be a new cable.

Speaking of professionals, Future Sonics is the leading manufacturer of personal monitors for professional musicians and has provided ear monitors to U2 for 13 years. The FS1's "were designed with Edge and Bono in mind" according to Marty Garcia from Future Sonics. Marty knows a thing or two about audio—he provided the stage sound for The Grateful Dead since 1991 replacing their stage amplifiers with Ear Monitors. Before that Future Sonics' Ear Monitors brand earphones were used by Steve Miller for three years, "he was my pioneer" says Garcia. Future also provides their Ear Monitors brand earphones to Lenny Kravitz, Three Doors Down, Letterman, Leno, the CBS Orchestra and the Saturday Night Live band, just to name a few.

When you're shopping for replacement earphones for your iPod be wary of vendors that offer dual or triple driver models—they're usually armature transducers normally found in hearing aids. Armature transducers can't produce sound below 100Hz that sounds natural. The louder you turn them up the less bass response you'll get. The FS1's are essentially a single driver, dynamic speaker with a cone. They're mini dynamic transducers—not armature devices which are big and bulky without the tight bass.

Future Sonic FS1's are available for pre-order for US$149 with free UPS shipping from XtremeMac. Shipping begins on November 1, 2005.

This earphone review wouldn't be complete without an obligatory warning: be careful not to listen to your music player on high volume levels for extended periods of time. Tinnitus is a very serious injury that cannot be repaired. Once your ears are damaged, they're damaged for life. The PowerPage supports hearing preservation and education and products that offer bigger sound and lower volumes.