SonyMDR-EX650AP Premium Wired Earphones with Brass Housing, Neodymium dynamic drivers, Smartphone Mic and Control - Black/Gold

After going through my second pair of e10s I was struggling on deciding whether to buy another set or try a new pair of earphones. Ultimately, I chose to buy this Sony pair--a decision I do not regret. Simply put, these are the best set of earphones I have ever purchased and I would urge anyone considering them to take the jump, like I did, and get them.Sound Quality:Perhaps the most important aspect of any audio equipment, I can gladly say that these earphones more than deliver on the premise of sound quality. While I may not know all the fancy terms ("bass", "treble"??) I easily recommend these to the casual listeners and audiophiles on a budget alike, looking to splurge on a great piece of equipment. Part of what made look for a new model of earphones was that I felt my last pair lacked a certain "oomph" behind the vocals melody, and production, and luckily these headphones surpass my expectations. Overall, on sound quality alone, these are a steal.Design/Ergonomics:Adding to the impressive sound of the earphones, sony's unique brass design is simply stunning. The duality of black and brass running through design creates a stylish yet subdued look. I've had many compliment's from friends about the premium, quality look that these boast. For the fashion conscious, these will prove a hit no doubt. Comfort-wise these once again Sony blows the ball out of the park. The four interchangeable buds ensure these will fit even the most demanding ears but for me the stock buds fit perfectly.Build Quality:Unsurprisingly, these live more than well up to sony's connotation with quality. The cable, although thin, has a beautiful feel and texture and the brass elements feel solid and sturdy.Negatives:I'm happy to report that negatives come few and far between here. Since I don't use it I can't comment much on the little control bar although some may be disappointed that it lacks volume control. Additionally, despite its great feel, the cable lacks any 'anti-tangle' measures so-to-speak which is a minor but nevertheless unfortunate omission.

After ordering the Meta Quest 2, I was keen to quickly find high quality, spacious (so that sound, 'sounds' wide and open... e..g a scene in a film in a banquet hall; I want to sense that cutlery and chatter is all around me at varying distances).Naturally, having spent hundreds on the VR headset, I was particularly budget-conscious and my expectations were tempered -I had the 'visual' side but maybe wait until next year to go crazy on the 'audio' side. If I spent 'only' £50 and got some halfway decent sound I would have been content, although I expected little more.However, these are the Brass Bad Boys...the Sony MDR-EX650AP. Mysteriously luxurious looking yet priced around the £40 mark. The type of price you'd pay for lesser-known brands on high street retail shelves.I paid £37 I believe...so what are they?These headphones have an in-ear design and include silicone plugs in different sizes. Additionally, they also feature a built-in microphone. What is astounding is the fact that they are really made from massive brass. That's good for durability and provides slightly better protection against external noises. Sony applied a clear coat in order to maintain the shiny appearance of the metal. If it gets worn over time, you may have to polish the metal from time to time – the function should not be affected. The material truly becomes vintage as it visibly ages over time.. The earphones are very comfortable and well-balanced.The selection of materials for the cable is equally impressive. It has a subtly coarse texture and is coated with a pleasantly tactile plastic. The purpose of this combination is to prevent the transfer of cable noise to the headphones. Mission successful: you almost hear nothing besides your music. With Sony headphones, you won't have to worry about annoying cable rubbing noises on your jacket like you do with other headphones. Small details like that can hardly be advertised as major selling points, but when you take these factors into account, in total, they are in fact, major selling points... but only when the actual sound is on point.The sound is great on both ends. If you choose to use the MDR-EX650AP for listening to music, you will be amazed by the exceptional sound quality it offers within this price range. If you take telephone calls, you can hear yourself the exact right amount (crosstalk).Really though, had this product cost £100 more, it would still be worth the investment simply because the audio quality is spacious, the bass is forceful, and the highs are not overly shrill. For my intended Gaming and VR: amazing purchase...taking the price into account, perfect. 5/5.