XDU Pathfinder Single Stereo-to-Mono Noise Isolating Earphone, Reinforced Cord

Exactly what I wanted for podcasting and voice-over: true stereo-to-mono (both channels summed), comfortable for long sessions, excellent isolation, and clear sound. It uses a TRRS (4-pole / three black rings) 3.5 mm plug instead of the usual 2-ring TRS. I was worried at first, but it plugs straight into both my Focusrite Vocaster and Scarlett Solo headphone outputs and works perfectly at full volume — no adapter, no low volume, no glitches, no issues at all. Just make sure the plug is fully seated (some cheap/recessed ¼” adapters can prevent that). Once it is, you’re good to go. Highly recommended for any podcaster or broadcaster who needs one ear free!

This earbud has exceptional quality and sound. It is perfect for persons like myself who have Single Sided Deafness. I am deaf in my right ear and ear buds are useless to me because I cannot hear full stereo sound. This stereo to mono ear bud allows me to hear the L and R stereo sound in my one good ear. I purchased this earbud in 2022, and I have not had any problems with sound quality. In fact it has improved the quality of my TV sound. When I am up late at night watching TV, I do not wish to disturb my wife. I plug this stereo to mono earbud into my Roku remote and I hear background sounds and vocals that I never heard before with my surround sound system. I have returned to Amazon to purchase another earbud to use in my bedroom, and I thought I would leave this review. I have read some other reviews about the cord becoming kinked and tangled. Here is a tip: I used to wrap up the cord to stay better organized when I put it away in my backpack, but when I unwrapped it, it would be kinked up and never straighten out properly. So, I started just putting it loosely in my backpack, and now it has no kinks in it at all when I take it out. If you have Single Sided Deafness, this is the earbud for you.

I have tested a few mono (1-ear) earphones and this is the best. It also comes at the highest cost. The JLabs at half the price is almost as good but the sound quality, especially the base is better here. They also seem to be well made. The apple ear phones are still the best for sound in my opinion. But sometimes I do not want both ears plugged in.

2022 EDIT: I've now purchased 7 of these, and the last few were the "upgraded" cable. I see now why the company did this... if you want to use it, you have to keep replacing it. The sound quality and comfort are good, which is why I chose to re-purchase. The cable on this item falls apart with daily use. I'm still in search of a better quality, but this will do for now. :-/ 2015 review: This was a second purchase of an item I bought from Amazon last year. The first one was very nice, with a long, high quality braided lead. When I went to purchase another one, I have found far less quality for the same price. The lead is shorter and the wire is stiff and remains kinked/deformed. The sound quality is good and the stereo to mono works fine. Would have preferred the previous version which they say is no longer available. Don't think I'll buy another unless they return to the older style.

This earphone is just about perfect! I found all the music I've listened to with these to be great quality, and it has really strong bass, which can be a downfall with other ear bud styles. The construction of this earphone is high quality, the cord is reinforced with a flexible plastic and the bud itself is mostly metal, so I am confident that this product will be extremely durable for a long time! I love that it combines the LH and RH sound into one ear! Previously, I've always used a set of ear buds at work and only kept one side in at a time so I could still hear my coworkers if someone needed to talk to me. I've discovered several songs that have significant portions that have different sounds playing in the LH and the RH side, so with just one ear bud it would make the song sound really strange. This was the perfect solution and I am very, very happy with the technology that combines the sounds into one. It works flawlessly. Now, here's the unfortunate caveat. My office has a very strict policy about headphones not having any microphones. These state they do not have a microphone, so I figured I was good. After a few months of use, I was showing them to a coworker and discovered that they were not allowed in the office because of one small feature. Apparently, the way my office determines if a headset is allowed or not is if the metal plug has two black bands (no microphone) or three black bands (microphone capable). If you look in the picture of this product you will see it has three black bands on it. I tested it and was not able to record anything, so I am sure this product does not have one. But that is the determining factor for my company and therefore I can no longer use this earphone at work. This is a very specific situation and the product itself is flawless, so I didn't knock down the rating because of this. However, I wanted to mention this in case anyone else is in a similar situation as me so that you don't purchase a product and later find out it isn't allowed.

3/31/19: UPDATE This earbud is now dead. No sound at all. Completely unacceptable after the short 6 months it has been in my possession, especially with their minimal use. The quick recap is horrible sound (read below for the absence of bass) and worked for less than 6 months. The fit is fine, standard not outstanding. Length is sufficient, perhaps a bit too long, but rather have that than too short. As for sound, this is where they are substandard. The audio is very trebly and a bit distorted and the lack of bass makes the overall output uncomfortably hollow and distant. Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks" comes through as if Bonham's track has been reduced by half. Not an exaggeration. I comparatively switched from my existing stereo to mono earbud to this one and it sounded as though someone put a sound wall up in front of the speakers. Very disappointed as my existing type is no longer available and I am in need of a replacement and this item doesn't compare.

Works very nicely. Now I get all my music in one ear, perfect for job that requires the other ear having a work earpiece. Hopefully they hold up.

I take my AM radio to listen to the broadcast while I watch the team play. I like to listen to the noises in the stadium as well. This earphone does the trick - allowing me to do both. It seals to the ear enough that I can hear the radio even when the crowd gets a little noisy. It's also great for listening to the broadcast as I walk back to the car after the game. It is a little expensive for what it is. I certainly don't thing it's anything hifi, but it works for what I use it for.