Whoomp! Converters Soften up iPod Earbuds

One company promises better sound quality and more comfort from original Apple earbuds with its foam-covered adapters.

If you’ve long forgotten about your original iPod headphones in favor of more comfortable aftermarket ones, it might be time to dig through that junk drawer and pull them out again. A company called Comply has begun marketing slip-on “earbud enhancers” that are supposed to improve the sound and fit of Apple’s iconic white earphones.

The product, dubbed Whoomp!, consists of soft memory foam donut on a small plastic adaptor that attaches directly to the original iPod earphone. Designers claim they improve both comfort and sound quality. “Our foam tips provide a unique experience because they mold to your ear and change shape as your ear canal changes shape,” said Robert Oliveira, Ph.D., the biochemist who invented the Comply foam products, in a statement. “Therefore, they continue to fit snugly, block unwanted noise, and deliver pure music into the ear canal — even while you move about.”

Comply sells the Whoomp Earbud Enhancers directly from ComplyFoam.com for $11.95 per pair, or $19.95 for two pairs. They’re available in both white and black.