over-the-head headphones

Sound reproduction:
- Because it's an earbud and for this price, you can't expect the sound reproduction of a $100 over-the-head headphones. The bass is quite nice for size of the earbud, the bass may become a bit overcoming for some songs, the highs are there, I just think the mids are a bit weak. Size matters, and for such tiny thing to give an output close to my Sony MDR-V600, it's quite nice.

Design:
- I'm amazed how many people do not like the extra length on the right side. I love this design because youcan put the right cord behind your head and you will never have worry about another cord being in your way in front of you. The extension of the cord is meant for people who have MP3 players with remotes, therefore shorter length and you won't have a cord dangling around.

Fit:
- The one I purchased came with 3 sets of different size earbud, and I found the middle ones to fit best. I do not have the problem of others while working as they stay snug in my hear the whole time (treadmill, elliptical machine, etc...)

Value:
- For under $40, it's the best earbuds for the price and some very nice sound reproduction. Design is especially convenient if you have a remote and you like the length to pull the cord behind your head.

I'm compelled to write a review for these headphones for a couple of reasons:

1) I'm always looking for good workout headphones, but I'm not willing to sacrifice comfort.
This product is slightly pricey, but comfort is certainly what you'll get. I have tried other products and the only thing that comes close is the Koss Plug. These are cheaper, but only if you stick with the included ear pieces. Honestly, those things are junk. To get the best response you need to get some true noise-blocking foam earplugs at a drugstore and puncture a whole down the middle to fit the earphone tube through. If this sounds labor-intensive...it is! Plus, you have to know how to properly place earplugs into your ears (which is also helpful with the Sony product). Ask your local pharmacist if your really interested in figuring out how to do this. IMPORTANT - for those of you who really want deep driving base it will be worth it for you to try the foam plug method for the Koss Plug. The Sony headphones can not come close on the low end, but I prefer the convenience of these for everyday use and the sound clarity seems to be better.

2) These really do fit well with armband Mp3 players.
They render the extension cord unneccesary and are very convenient for runners. The earplugs also do a very good job of keeping in place - better than I expected. Other runners will tell you this is an important feature when you start to sweat. For those who complain about ear wax - I can only report that daily cleaning with Q-tips prevents this from becoming an issue... You can also wash the removable ear plug in a mild detergent if needed. Happy Listening!

After realizing that my current pair of Sony Street-style had reached the end of their lifespan, I began searching for a replacement pair. They had served me well, so I decided to see what Sony had to offer again.

They didn't disappoint me. I decided to look for an earbud type this time for convience and work-related reasons. What I found were the MDR-EX71SL's.

These little babies are a godsend. They fit snugly and comfortably inside your ear...you won't know how comfortably until you try them. The best part is, they sound absolutely amazing! I've never heard bass from earbuds like this before! The treble seems a little dark, but that may just be because I prefer bright treble. And, the closed-type design does a good job of blocking out outside noises, which was an unexpected bonus, I must say.

The cord quite short, but that's so you can connect it to the in-line remote of your CD or Mp3 player without having too much slack. Sony threw in a metre long extension for those of you that don't have a remote, but the combined length is a bit long for use with a portable player. This problem can be fixed with the nifty case that comes with the pair. Normally, it holds just the earbuds, but it also doubles as a cord winder, which is very useful. In the package you also get a cloth carrying case, which is totally useless IMO, unless you have a MiniDisc player, which it might fit, I don't know.

All in all, the MDR-EX71SL earbuds are best you're going to find without splurging on a pair from Shure or another high-end manufacturer. And one more thing, be sure to push them in all the way to get that deep bass, as previously mentioned by other reviewers.