I bought these ear phones 2 years ago and have had absolutely no trouble with them. They are extremely durable as I have knocked them about in bags and pockets. Not only this but the sound that you get from them is absolutely amazing. Its bass is full yet not false or overpowering. I was listening to some artists and it was only when I listened to them through these earphones that I quite realised the level of reverb in some sections. As you can imagine it unearthed unknown layers of beauty from previously listen albums. They have pretty decent sound blocking attributes which means you don't have to listen to the constant drone of the train or the endless crying of a child on the bus! The colour is fine and they blend in more than the white Ipod headphones which not only means you may well be less likely to be mugged but you also look less like an apple geek. Not that that matters as no matter what the sound on these incredible. Well worth the price I paid.