Make your iPod sing

Third-party earbuds range from cheap to extravagant, but are they worth it? The Globe tested four sets of earphones to see how they compare with Apple’s earbuds, which cost $30 for replacements. We tested the iPopperz Graffiti collection earphones at $19.95, Radius Atomic Bass at $39.99, iFrogz EarPollution Plugz at $14.95, and the Altec Lansing BackBeat Titanium earbuds at $79.99.

The good thing about all four sets of earbuds was that they come with several fittings for small, medium, or large ears. This means that all four products will actually stay in your ears. Beyond that, we hate to say it, but the more expensive products sounded better.

We were concerned with both inexpensive options, however, because the wiring is thin. We worried about the long-term survivability.

The iFrogz EarPollution Plugz put too much attention on bass, which is a mistake with cheap, tiny earphones. The result is a fake sound with little definition.

“EarPollution Plugz earbuds deliver excellent sound quality and are comparable in cord material and construction to all other earbud products within their price category,’’ said Kent Wuthrich, creative director at iFrogz.

For $5 more, iPopperz Graffiti collection is a good option, but the earbuds still have thin wiring. There’s less focus on the thump factor and more effort put into making your music sound like music. The iPopperz have good definition.

“We put all of our products through quality tests to ensure the durability of the product. Within the past year and a half in the marketplace, we have received zero complaints regarding the strength of the wire or any other similar issues,’’ said Jake Nohe, a product development manager with KoNo Enterprises, the makers of iPopperz.

The Radius Atomic Bass set is the best all-around choice. They bring out a good balance of bass and treble with a good overall definition. The Atomic Bass earbuds also have a unique curved design that helps keep them in your ears. One warning: size up. The smallest fitting felt a little too much like the doctor’s otoscope.

The Altec Lansing set sounded amazing. It was also the best-constructed set, with thicker wire casing that feels like it’s going to last longer through use and abuse. Our only problem here was that the fittings were a little too big. This set was the most apt to fall out of our ears, which is a pain during a jog or on an elliptical machine at the gym.

One advantage each set we tested had over the iPod earbuds was that they are designed to eliminate some background noise so you can focus on your music, podcast, audiobook, movie, etc.

But here’s the kicker: None of them were better than the default iPod earbuds. The less expensive models didn’t sound nearly as good, and while the Altec Lansing set sounded wonderful, we’re not sure about spending half the price of the actual iPod on a set of ear mashers.

John Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com.

IPOPPERZ GRAFFITI COLLECTION
$19.95
Pros: The iPopperz have a good sound and come in a variety of colors and styles. There is decent bass, and it’s not overwhelming or unclear.
Cons: The cord is very thin. They don’t sound any better than the Apple earbuds.
The final word: If style is your priority, iPopperz are for you.

IFROGZ EARPOLLUTION PLUGZ
$14.95
Pros: The Plugz are very affordable and come in several styles.
Cons: They don’t sound very good. The cord is really thin.
The final word: We were less than impressed with the fake bass and thin construction.

RADIUS ATOMIC BASS
$39.99
Pros: The Atomic Bass set sounds great and stays in your ears, no matter what.
Cons: Comfort is a worry. Make sure you use the right size attachment.
The final word: If we had $40 and absolutely needed to replace the default earbuds, we could do worse.

ALTEC LANSING BACKBEAT TITANIUM EARBUDS
$79.99
Pros: Anything you buy with the Altec Lansing name is going to sound good. They’re a known company among audiophiles. These earbuds are no exception.
Cons: They kept falling out of our ears. They’re also quite expensive.
The final word: If you have to have the best and you have the money to spend, buy these.