Since you have an iPhone from last year, you must have a pair of the Apple earbuds from before they started selling EarPods. I've found that if I wear those earbuds upside down (without switching the left and right buds), while looping the cords over my ears, they sound clearer and louder. Have you tried that? I think I still prefer my Sennheiser MX880 earbuds, though; but I sent those away for warranty service, so I can't compare them right now.