Active Style Headphones

Amazing sound and comfort

Pros: Fit, comfort, flexablity, SOUND.

Cons: Might benifit from compressable foam earpieces.

I have used several different earbud design headphones, and the Sony MDR-AS50G is by far superior to anything that I have used in the past. Most, if not all buds fall out eventually when you are active. Because these buds are connected to eachother by a behind the neck band, they simply will not fall out during activity unless they are pulled out. They are comfortable and can be worn with complete "stay in" confidence. The one sided cord, with the ability to originate from anywhere on the band, makes these buds feel almost wireless. The short cord with extension option is great for customizing the cord length for a no slack situation. The movable vise grip like clamp also helps to customize the configuration. I can wear the buds around my neck when they are not in use, with the short cord originating from the center, and clipped to the back of my collar, and I forget that I am wearing them. The design is also good for one ear use when hearing outside sounds is necessary. Often with buds there is a compromise in sound quality. The sound on these buds is amazing. Crisp high and mid range with out sounding tinny. The low end is evident and well balanced. I can hear subtle sounds with these buds that I would not hear otherwise. The stereo field is also balanced with good spacial imaging, and no echo. Also, because of the cord arrangement, there is no feedback from bumbing or rubbing the cord, as is common with other bud sets. The only thing that might improve these buds would be compressable, memory foam ear pieces. I love these buds!! Because they are new, I have no comment on durability at this time.

Very Dissappointed

Pros: cord length adjustment, varying levels of earbud sizes, behind the neck cord, lightweight

Cons: design of actual earbud/hardware

I only use headphones for working out- usually running, eliptical, or weight training. When I first started using these earbuds, I really liked their unique style and form. However, as my workouts progressed and the weather got hotter, I realized the more I sweat the more irritating I found these headphones, as they kept falling out, shifting, and just simply feeling uncomfortable. I tried switching earbud sizes, but that only made things worse. Now they barely stay put after 10 minutes of running. And forget trying to push back hair fly aways while running because if you bump the earbud, they shift and immediately fall out. Very dissappointed in this product for the money I spent.

Finally!

Pros: Everything

Cons: None!

I've been looking for a light pair of headphones to use during skating and biking (including motorcycle) for years. After going through a dozen of phones, finally I found one that is truly designed to be used during sports. They are so light and comfortable, I don't feel having them on! I'm also very impressed with the sound quality (this is from an Audiophile's point of view). Job well done! Thanks.

Best ear buds for working out

Pros: Very comfortable and reliable....great design

Cons: Sound is adequate but could be better

I have had these for going on 9 months and I use them on a regular basis (3-5 times a week) for working out or just doing things around the house. They are very comfortable to wear and I have never had an issue with the ear buds falling out or not staying snug in my ears. They block outside sound fairly well and give an adequate sound performance. These are the best earphones I have ever had for running. They just do not move. Great design.

best headphones ever

Pros: stability, comfort, quality, reliability..

Cons: i can't think of any.

i'm hardly an audiophile, but do love music. i don't buy crazy expensive headphones or the studio ones, because i use them practically for sports and to laptop audio. regular things. i usually go through about one pair of headphones a year and can never find the ones i liked the year before. these will be the first second pair of headphones i've bought. i love them. i bring them everywhere. i was a jerk and kept them in my pocket at work on the ambulance and the buds cracked a little at the base. that's all that's wrong with them in over a year. sound great still. a cushion fell off one of them and i couldn't find it, but sony sells replacements available at best buy, so that was a quick fix. spend the $50, it's well worth it.

MDR-AS50G terrible purchase

Pros: Free Shipping

Cons: Poor Sound Quality, Terrible Adjustment and Fit, Too expensive for poor quality headphones

First of all my frame of reference here is the MDR-XB20EX, which I have used for two years and am extremely happy with. When the left ear of the MDR-XB20EX cut out, I found I was not able to purchase the same model on this site, so I decided to try the MDR-AS50G, and have regretted it. First of all the sound quality and range are poor. I used cheap freebie iphone headphones to compare against the MDR-AS50G, and today I am still using the freebies. Sony should be ashamed to sell such subpar products for $50!!! Makes me sceptical of other Sony products. Additionally, since the headphones are connected by some type of rigid wire, with little flexibility or give, I found it a constant battle keeping either earbuds set properly. The slightest pull one way or the other, turning my head, looking down, etc, would force me to readjust. I tried these for a week, listened to music with them at leaste five hours todal, and am extremely disappointed. The only reason these have not been thrown in the trash...is the amount I paid for them!!! Threw them in the drawer with the odd case they came in. If you're considering buying these...don't. Learn from my lesson. Unless Sony is giving these away...with free shipping...don't waste your money. Try the MDR-XB20EX...that's what I 'm going back to.

Will buy again...

Pros: Super comfortable, durable, great compact carrying case

Cons: Not the best bass sound

I paid a premium to buy these while on vacation in Scotland in Nov '08 having forgotten mine and I am glad I did. I have used them hard 6-7 days/week since and they are great. I use them only for running and cycling both outdoors and in the gym for hard work-outs and while they will eventlually allow water to pass and the bass is not the best, I love them. Admittedly, I keep the volume low, safety first while on the bike on the road and/or running in the city, so the best bass is not such a big deal. Also, I have used them so much in eleven months, at least 500 hrs, that the cord connections are starting to corrode from all of the perspiration. If I wanted sedentary head phones at home, the office or in the car, I might buy something else but for truly active workouts, these are awesome.

best workout headphones

Pros: everything! cord is proper length for armband, sound is great, does not slip out with sweat!

Cons: none!!

Ive had these headphones for about 3-4 years and they are the best headphones i have ever used for my workouts, i run every day for 6 miles and also hit the gym, and they never fail.

Speaker failure

After a couple months of limited use the left speaker started buzzing in these headphones. I do not listen to music loudly by any means. I think it was a defect in the headphones because I started to notice the buzzing very lightly and only with some audio. As time went on the buzzing became louder and more prevalent. I noticed it was a bad speaker but it was too late for the warranty. Now I cannot listen to the headphones above a low volume (not enough to cover up the TV in my room) without hearing the buzz. I like how the headphones are built and they are great for active use but just hope you do not receive a pair like mine. I would recommend this product but only because Sony is a good enough company to take a bad product off the market, so I think I just received a bad pair. I just wish I had noticed it while under warranty.

Best sports headphones I have every used!

Pros: lightweight, almost forget you have them on, wrap nicely behind head, good sound

Cons: sometimes moisture accumulation in ear

I have used these for years, and now getting another set. "Behind the neck" wire broke and they no longer wrap properly. Have run nearly 1000 miles with them and my iTouch without problems until the wire broke. Haven't found anything else for active sports that comes close to matching their performance.

a waste of time and money

Pros: none

Cons: everything

I opened the box hooked them up to my IPOD and one speaker blew out. They worked for 30 seconds. I love Sony products but I just threw them away. Not worth even returning. This product sucks!!!!!

Awesome

Pros: Comfortable and snug

I thought I would never find earbud style headphones that fit; every pair I tried before was either uncomfortable or would slide out of my ear. These are exceptional not only are the snug and comfortable they deliver excellent sound quality. I highly recommend them for anyone with narrow ear canals like mine. I will likely buy more Sony earbuds if they all fit as well as this product.

Make better use for those 50 bucks

Pros: Stylish, will stay in ear

Cons: One speaker died, poor bass, waste my money

This pair was a waste for me, 50 bucks and stopped working right after warranty time and I only used once or twice a week since a have a regular pair for regular use. There is barely any bass, and the design is so it will catch my sweat when running and direct it right into my ear canal. I tried to write this review many times, (been rejected for some obscure reason) but I'll try again since I am looking for a new pair of headphones for running. Since I am a Sony junky, I'll try another model, no body is perfect, but this product is a big flaw. Other reviewers in different web pages (and one more in sonystyle.com) have similar complains. I would not recommend it.

Pretty but Lame

Pros: Nice design, comfortable

Cons: Sound is an embarrassment to Sony

Like one of the other reviewers, I'm a "Sony Junkie" too. This product's packaging notes a "Product Design Award" and I believe it. The phones are very comfortable and have nicely adjustable cords. The problem is that they sound like the "earphones" that used to come with transistor radios back in the 70's- I mean tinny with NO bass. I hope mine are simply defective and Best Buy will take them back!