I have been buying the Sony MDR earphones for around 10 years now, generally replacing them every 3 years or so. I have yet to find a set of earphones as comfortable and sounding as good as these. I find that the new type of earphones from Sony and other brands with the removable size fittings just don't fit as well as these or sound as good. I have fairly normal ears - I think!

They are a great deal cheaper than the noise cancelling super duper earphones available now and to be honest, I can't find a reason to spend any more! Each set comes with a nice little carry bag and a set of instructions that you'll never read. The packaging is decent enough although it is one of those sealed plastic outers which I hate and can never open quick enough!

The cable is strong and is 1M long which is about right to go from ears to pocket without stretching and the plug on the end is well moulded. The main difference with these earphones is the shape of the bud. It looks like a little man wearing a gas mask (just look and you'll see) but this means that they sit in your ears perfectly and for me have never fallen out while running, sleeping, smiling or farting!

The other benefit to the strange shape is the enhanced bass sound. Have you ever pushed your iPod earphones in to your ears a bit more and thought, "Hey this sounds better?". Well I have anyway. The protruding bud sits nicely and comfortably in the entrance to your inner ear and boy does it make the bass better. You would think that it would be muffled and boomy but it is precise and defined.

The overall sound on these earphones is excellent. I have compared them to other brands such as the Sennheiser CX-300 and I prefer them. I have tested them with classical, dance, metal, rock and hip-hop music and in all genres the Sony earphones have had a nicer defined sound and a tighter bass response. The highs are pretty soaring for in-earphones and they do fill your head with sound but you'll never beat a decent pair of closed cup headphones - see my Sennheiser HD201 review!