Review + Giveaway: RF3 LIVE Natural Wood Stereo Earphones
If you're looking for a stylish pair of headphones without a hefty price tag - the RF3 LIVE natural wood stereo earphones may be worth taking a second look at. Everything from the design of the actual earbuds down to the elegant packaging makes these headphones stand out from a lot of others in the same price range. But what about the most important feature of a good pair of headphones? Sound quality. Follow along to see how we felt they performed.
When it came to sound quality I thought the RF3 headphones held up extremely well for the price. The headphones themselves are noise isolating and come with a few different sets of tips for a better fit. They were rather comfortable to wear but I wouldn't suggest them as the best option for athletes or runners as I had them fall out of my ears a few times.
The 3.5MM headphone jack has a longer adapter which also allowed me to use them with virtually any case. One quirk I've never really gotten over with my Bose headphones is that the jack is shorter and some cases including bumpers don't like to play nice with them. That isn't the case here.
The headphones also have a built-in mic that you can interact with just like you can default Apple earbuds. This means iPhone 4S users can easily interact with Siri quickly and easily. I tested the mic on several occasions and had no issues with Siri picking up on what I was saying even in a semi-noisy environment.
As far as the acoustics and sound while listening to music, I thought they held their own against many other headphones in the same price range. They even performed better than some more expensive headphones I've used in the past. The only issue I did see was when it came to bass levels. I felt that they were rather shallow. Even with my iPod settings set to enhance the bass they didn't seem to perform near as well as my Bose MIE2i headphones. That is not as fair of a comparison though since they are nowhere near the same price range.
Overall, I'd say they perform well for the price if you want a decent pair of headphones that stand out from the rest without breaking the bank. You can find the RF3 LIVE natural wood headphones in the TiPb accessory store for $34.95.
Pros
- Great price for a quality product
- A variety of ear tip pieces included
- Built-in mic works exceptionally well
- Noise cancellation works just as good as most expensive noise isolating headphones
- The sound doesn't distort when at a high level like some lower priced ear buds
- The headphone jack seems to fit well with almost every case I have, bulky or not
Cons
- Not great for runners and athletes as the headphones don't offer a very firm and secure fit (or I just have little ears)
- The bass levels seem to be rather shallow compared to other ear buds
Giveaway
Just leave a comment below telling us what you'd listen to if you were given a set of RF3 LIVE Natural Wood Stereo Earphones of your very own! A special song? A great audio book? A bunch of Mobile Nations podcasts? What?
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How-to, jailbreak, and DIY Editor at iMore, owner at The Pod Drop & AnoStyle, Potter pundit, and the ninja in your iOS
There are 235 comments. Add yours.
Be the first on your block to be picking splinters out of your ear canal ;)
I would love to win these, and listen to Steve Vai and Orianthi playing/singing Jimi's Little Wing.
Be the first on your block to be picking splinters out of your ear canal ;)
The collected speeches of Malcolm X, one of the great orators—and leaders—of the 20th century
iPhone Live, of course.
I would live these to listen to some JayZ- and some sweet reggae music
i'd listen to myself play music and definitely iphone live. i'm a musician and those head phones would be create for sound isolation by the way they look. i'm also a IT consultant so i have to up to par with current technology and this is the place for that sort of info... :-) cheers everyon!!!
Some Foo Fighters of course!
Pick me!
Pick me!
I'd listen to the new Coldplay album which I love.
I'd listen to the new Coldplay album which I love.
I'd listen to the new Coldplay album which I love.
I have some long commutes on the subway and usually enjoy listening to podcasts and other spoken voice-based apps and files, etc. Of course the public transportation is really load so having a good set of headphones with high sound quality and some noise cancellation would be great!
I have some long commutes on the subway and usually enjoy listening to podcasts and other spoken voice-based apps and files, etc. Of course the public transportation is really load so having a good set of headphones with high sound quality and some noise cancellation would be great!
I have some long commutes on the subway and usually enjoy listening to podcasts and other spoken voice-based apps and files, etc. Of course the public transportation is really load so having a good set of headphones with high sound quality and some noise cancellation would be great!
I think the new Ton Waits album might sound even better on these!
I could use these to drown out Cars 2 as my kids watch it for the 78th straight time....
If I won a pair, might give me a great excuse to put more of my music collection on my new iPhone! :)
I'd be jamming to some Electro House! Probably one of my Mixes :)
I would be listening to all my games instead of muting them.
I'd listen to a bunch of random stuff on my iPhone, as well as talk to my wife.
Steve Job's bibliography audiobook & whatch the throne album!!
I will listen to Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, then some of the Strauss' Tone Poems Zolti-Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra is a good version! ;-)
I'd listen to my books on tape!
Deadmau5 and Skrillex will be pumping into my ear holes please and thank you...
OZZY! And I would love to have the mic so I can talk to Siri in the car. :)
Daft Punks "Rinzler" from the Tron: Legacy OST :)
It's loud, it's bad, I love it!
I think the new Tom Waits album main sound even better with these.
Patton Oswalt comedy, Marc Maron pod-casts, with a little Faith No More sprinkled in for good (musical) measure!
love to win these - they look great - thanks for the contest
BB
Every morning when I walk my dog I listen to iPad Live, iPhone Live, Zen & Tech, Mobile Nations or Crackberry Kevin Podcasts. And when I'm finished with the podcasts, I can always turn to some Classic Rock and Roll from my playlists.
Obviously I would wear these to stick it to my tree-hugger roommate...
Obviously I would wear these to stick it to my tree-hugger roommate...
Kraftwerk's "Trans Europe Express"
I'm always listening music and videos on my iPhone 4. Also some videos in Youtube and other apps episodes.
I would listen to The Brooks Lee Catastrophe while I rock those new earbuds.
Music mainly Trevor Hall, matisyahu, jack johnson!
After I catch up on Mobile nations and iPhone live, I'm going straight to Foster the People.
I'd sit back and let Genius pick the music.
I am hooked on pod casts as I am on my daily walk.
I'm always listening music and videos from my iPhone 4. Also sometimes episodes by some other apps.
I would listen to CCR and Chicago while waiting for class to start v
I'll advertise these very well!
I would love to love to listen to some great Pat Green and Randy Rogers on those headphones!
I'd be listening to lots of classic rock, jazz & blues with them.
I like to listen to the radio, R&B, Whitney Houston, UB40, etc.
And also to disturb nobody... Only Me & Meself & I...
perfect to listen to some Mystic India (check them out)
I listen to over a dozen podcasts every week. My apple ear buds only play through the right side. I'm sick of them. I use them to watch movies on my iPad and I am missing half the action :(
I'm always listening music and videos from my iPhone 4. Also sometimes episodes by some other apps.
I listen to the Beatles to White Zombie an every in between. Would love to put the RF3 to the test.
iam a wrestler in college and i warm up to music and on the way there i lesson to music or a good book or on the way home on my ipad i watch a movie and its very week i do this and a new set of head phones would do me well.
Easy enough.... "Homeboy" by Eric Church!
would listen to sunday ticket at work :)
would listen to sunday ticket at work :)
Outlaws, Green Grass and High Tides
Outlaws, Green Grass and High Tides
blues, podcasts (mobile nations) and DUBSTEP for the gym.
I'd be listening to Girl In A Coma with these sweet looking earbuds!
I would listen to the many songs on my iphone and rock out!
I would listen to the many songs on my iphone and rock out!
I would start off with a relaxing Album like black sands by bonobo, kiara is a key track and then get laughing with Adam Carollas Audio book of in 50 years we'll all be chicks and then finish in a rage with rage against the machines self titled album, bomb track would never sound better!
I would start off with a relaxing Album like black sands by bonobo, kiara is a key track and then get laughing with Adam Carollas Audio book of in 50 years we'll all be chicks and then finish in a rage with rage against the machines self titled album, bomb track would never sound better!
I would start by listening to Bob Dylan's Blood On The Tracks?
I would start by listening to Bob Dylan's Blood On The Tracks?
Nice choice.
I would be tuning into the amazing girls gone gadget podcast! Those two make a great combo in opinion as well as the iphone live podcast with that pimp rene ^_^
I would be tuning into the amazing girls gone gadget podcast! Those two make a great combo in opinion as well as the iphone live podcast with that pimp rene ^_^
Miles Davis' version of "Autumn Leaves". Boom.
robbie williams-angel. :P
I would listen to my movies , while my wife would be soundly asleep next to me.
The correct answer would be TiPB podcasts...but really anything I want with Spotify.
Be listening / watching horror flicks on my ipad!
Very nice I would love to have these!!!
I would listen to different types of music when I am on the train going to work, hope to win.
I would listen to a good mix of orchestra music, heavy on the woodwinds. They would sound great coming through wood earphones! :-)
I would listen to my fave band Garbage!
Anything but Nickelback... probably Sticks and Stones by Jonsi
I'd listen to my favorite r&b artist frank ocean. I got this new mixtape by him that has over 64 songs and the great headphones would help me enjoy it in full.
Holy Mountains!
The Dreaming Tree by Dave Matthews Band. (only song I could think of with wood in it)
I'd listen to I'm Going Up Yonder by Tiffany Carlin Laird.
Soundtrack of Broadway play Wicked - lots of different sounds and beats, from rock to classical
I would listen to iPhone live with these!
I would listen to my eclectic taste in music from Jazz, Funk, Alt and Indie Rock, Folk, Classic Hip-hop and Rap
I would listen to the awesome horn of Coltrane while my neighbors are plugging away at their computers. And on the train I'd listen to my favorite podcasts.
I'd use these things to listen to my teacher's A&P lectures online. Then, right before my brain explodes, I'd relax to some Ween.
ooTunes!
I would listen to a little bit of everything, Beyonce, One Republic, Mozart, and lots of Christmas music given the season.
I suppose I would listen to most of the music on my iPhone with the exception of some of the heavier bass laden songs. Since I listen to many, many different kinds of music depending on the situation and mood, there is no single song,album or even genre that I would for sure be listening to.
I would listen to some jCole kid cudI drake and wale
some serious drum n bass!
I'd listen to morse code
Lots of pandora.
I would listen to the Beatles. Eleanor Rigby.
music
I would listen to The Beatles of course!
Id listen to Drakes upcomin new album ;D
Steve Jobs biography on audio!
I would listen to the TIPB podcasts!
howard stern. i listen to him all day and i need a good set of earphones.
I'll listen to the Acoustics of Jack Johnson!!!
I would be listening to the new drake album that comes out this week! Also blasting the new Wale album as well!!!!! i would love these for my iphone 4 as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anything by Robyn!
Dolphins
if i won these headphones id listen to some ra ra riot.
Why TiPb pod casts, of course!
Neil Young
In-war headphones have become my favorite way to listen to anything other than what is going on around me. From music, to movies, and now Siri, I'd be putting these things to good use :)
Dubstep, defenetly electro house music
I would use these to replace my monster beats by Dr. Dre because they're probably better :)
I would offer them to a person I know that really enjoys good music and needs a new par of earphones.
Id become in tune with myself listening to the whimsical lyrics of Kendrick Lamar
j-pop...is there anything else?
I would let my kids listen to Barney so I could get some sleep. ;-)
Honestly, I would listen to anything I had available on my phone (be it heavy metal, Christmas music or jazz) that way I could drown out my coworkers who yammer on about the most pointless stuff. I understand we work together 40 hours a week, but I cannot tell you how exhausted my ears are from hearing one of them go on and on about her grandchild's poopy diapers or how the grand kids are so cute even when they have the flu...
Mostly Dubstep!-But also Daft Punk, and some Lil Wayne. And tons of YouTube videos.
I'm on a big Gainsbourg kick lately, so it would have to be L'histoire de Melody Nelson for me.
To be able to lose myself in a long and mind numbing session of Disturbed would be great
I would listen to all the Heavy D hip hop songs from way back.
I'd listen to TiPb podcasts! hahaa.
And my Michael Jackson/Jay-Z playlist
I would listen to all my podcasts. Its a much better way to pass the hours at work.
Podcasts. Have I mentioned podcasts.
Podcasts. Have I mentioned podcasts.
I would listen to the rest of the Steve Jobs book :)
I would listen to the rest of the Steve Jobs book :)
would have to be hirstys daily dose specificaly anonymous confesions on galaxy erm i mean capital
would have to be hirstys daily dose specificaly anonymous confesions on galaxy erm i mean capital
John Zorn – A Dreamers Christmas! only after thanksgiving of course.
John Zorn – A Dreamers Christmas! only after thanksgiving of course.
ATB's Distant Earth album =)
ATB's Distant Earth album =)
I would listen to Drake's new album!
I would listen to Drake's new album!
Yes, I want one if lucky me...
I would listen to Pandora and some Mobile Nations podcasts for sure. Headphones look awesome!
I use it to listen to my sweet grandma how leaves funny voice mails all the time.
I would use these to listen to some faded papers figures definitely!
I would use these to listen to some faded papers figures definitely!
I'd use them to listen to a shitload of Foo Fighters. It's as simple as that.
I'd use them to listen to a shitload of Foo Fighters. It's as simple as that.
Anything from Morning Wood on my wood headphones!
I would use my ear phones to watch a nice movie to relax after teaching 130 students.
I would use them as a dedicated traveling pair of earbuds since I always forget to unpack the stock ones after a trip, and then can't find them. I would use them to listen to music of course, and my three favorite podcasts: iPad live, iPhone live, and Iterate.
I'd listen to the audio summary for my US Politics class so that I can get a better grade in the class
I would listen to some Every Time I Die, starting with We'rewolf. Followed by Go and Get It by Ace Hood because I finally have an iPhone that organizes my music the way I want it.
I would listen to iPhone Live, weekly on them!!!
I'd listen to "Ished" by Chick Corea to transcribe the parts correctly because I can HEAR them haha.
I'd listen to some Shane and Shane!
G Love and the Special Sauce, followed by Buena Vista Social Club! I need these earbuds! I feel so pretentious walking down the street with Grado cans draped over my noggin'! (Though I do love the sound)
I'd listen to the same music as always
I'd listen to Electronic music.
i'd listen to krautrock
I would listen to podcasts. Especially love "This American Life".
I'd listen to nerdy video game soundtracks.
I'd finally finish the rest of the Dexter audiobooks. :)
j-pop. is there anything else?
Some kid cudi would sound nice on those buds.
Some kid cudi would sound nice on those buds.
The song that I can't get out of my head right now is Somewhere Only We Know by Keane.
Garbage, the band not the genre.
I listen to Pandora all day long at work. Would love a pair
I will use it to listen to your podcast!
i'd listen to iPhone and iPad Live! of course!
I'd listen to jazz numbers by Stacey Kent on this pair of earphones. Sweet, smooth, and surreal.
I'd listen to jazz numbers by Stacey Kent on this pair of earphones. I bet it'll be smooth, sweet, and most of all surreal.
I would use them for my iPad 2 to watch movies or videos. The speakers are ok but I like headphones/earphones when watching movies on my iPad. But I would definitely use to listen to TiPbs podcasts too!!
I'd listen to jazz numbers by Stacey Kent with this pair of earphones. I bet it'll be smooth, sweet, and most of all surreal.
music and movies on my iDevice
This is some thing I am looking forward to it for my iDevices.....!!!!www.saqibimran.com
I would listen to the vast array of music that is out there can't pick just one
I would listen to the new Yo-Yo Ma album, The Goat Rodeo Sessions.
Blazzing Hot!
i would listen to all of The Summer Set albums
Considering I just bought a bunch of movies from iTunes for travel purposes...I will be listening to those while in flight.
I listen to podcasts of all kinds through my ipod touch while at work. So much so that my current earbuds are nearly worth through to the wire. A set of these beautiful buds would be a god send!
I listen to podcasts of all kinds through my ipod touch while at work. So much so that my current earbuds are nearly worth through to the wire. A set of these beautiful buds would be a god send!
I'd listen to as many Steve Jobs keynotes and videos that I could find. Rest in peace, Steve, you are missed so much!
I would listen to some pleasant music while i migrate to work at 6.15 am every morning to wake me up and make me functional :D
I have tinnitus and need a good pair of hear phone to mass the sound
Listen to music.
Those look pretty slick.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I would listen to some good rock tunes on the way to work to get me pumped and ready. Also use them to watch episodes of the Simpsons on my iPhone during my lunch break
I need a new pair of ear buds like this because the standard iPhone buds don't cancel outside noise - I take the subway to work and back every day and it's hard to hear my iPhone with the standard buds!
.977themusic I listen to that app alot. And if I'm not using that, I listen to the pirate feed of Howard Stern on Shoutcast.
I would listen to my Ice and Fire audio books, as well as some Daryl Hall and Jon Oates
All my PA school lectures and then if I'm lucky some tunes.
I'd listen to the new Wale album
I'd listen to 70's reggae, to keep it all natural.
I would love to rock out to some Reggae!
I'd listen to Mac Miller. BLUE SLIDE PARK!!!!
I'd listen to REAL hip-hop haha, not this pop-hop
I would listen to my Ian Rankin audio books with these beauties!
I'd listen to Glee album and the Voice highlights
I would listen to Soundgarden :)
Some NPR programs such as Radio Lab, This American Life, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, etc.
I would watch the throne!
I'd listen to Tosca!
JUSTICE IS ALWAYS A GOOD CD TO TEST EARBUDS
Haha who knew so many people liked hip-hop and electronic that visit TiPB. :) Makes me happy, but I would do well with some KiD CuDi and Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto album!!
AVA anyone?
I would use it to listen to kpops!
Wow would love to win this stethoscope, will listen to jazz.....
I would listen to James Morrison all day!
i'd listen to the voices of dead people in white noise
I'd listen to my netflix, the only way I can hear it over all the kids shows that are in the background!
Some nice smooth jazz.
synths and acoustic instrumentals while studying! 8-)
I'd listen to the Beatles Norwegian Wood and Jethro Tulls Songs From The Wood, naturally. As in natural wood... ;)
Music
oops, my bad.
these sound like just what I need
Oh my wood!! I want them!
I would listen to a dub step mix on Pandora, or Avett Brothers.
I would start listening to music again. Headphones busted and just haven't taken the time to get new ones yet...
all my bro albums
I would love to listen to Diana Krall.
I'd listen to Moves like a Jagger by Maroon 5..
Um... girls gone Gadgets of course
I would listen to Drake's new album!
I'd meat my ears with hours of tipb podcasts.
I'd use them while at work so I can take calls and still listen to music without having to take my headphones off and then put them back on! :)
Christian Rock!!!
and of course all mobile nation's podcasts
gmikhail9@yahoo.com
I listen mostly to podcasts and sports radio - would live to try these out!
give me please duh!!
give me please duh!!
I would jam out to the kewl Lady GaGa songs
I'd listen to your podcast I'f I had one
I would start with some good music like Dark Side of the Moon and then try an audio book to check for comfort
I ll listen to METALLICA !!
I would definitely listen to Drake's new album! As well as some Christmas favorites.
I could better listen to music and e-books while riding as a passenger in my wifey's van on long trips. thank you
I would finish listening to the audio book Steve Jobs Autobiography If I got some
id listen to lil wayne,id really like to win this please ei dont have money to buy a present for my brother this christmas.this would help a lot thank you!
I'd listen to some Peter White, Eric Darius, Kirk Whalum and Duke Ellington.
Pandora!!! :D
The first headphones we are going to talk about are the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio High Definition Headphones. When you first see the product packages you know you are going to be getting a high quality product, the packaging is absolute stunning. The quality of the headphones themselves is also top-notch, you can see why these headphones are used widely across the globe thanks to their stunning looks, it is usually rare to find a set of headphones that not perform really well but also look great. The actual quality of the headphones is also very good, the headphones have built-in noise cancellation that basically cancels out the surrounding sound so that you are endorse only in the music. This feature of the wireless beats headphones headphones work really well. A slight problem that we and many other people have experienced when using this headphones is the fact that the sound leakage that come from the cheap beats by dre headphones while use is quite loud, for example if you were sitting on a bus then you bet that at least half of the bus will hear your music.Open monster beats by dre headphones, such as foam ear-pad models and several sports designs, are acoustically transparent and enable outside sound being heard with the monster beats studio headphones wearer, however, many from your sound will likely be audible to anyone near to well. They work effectively with portable devices, minus the worry of pulling or damaging thin wires, or getting tangled within them. Sealed models are ideal for private listening, in which you don wish the sound to get heard by others, as well as which means you don annoy others in quiet environments!