Creative Labs EP-630/A Noise Isolating Earphones (Black)

Down side? In my view they are somewhat delicate compared to 'closed shell' plastic models. So don't expect to stuff them in the bottom of your bag and not to damage them eventually. It would have been good for Creative to supply a little case to avoid this.

The creative headphones are designed better, and cost £5 less (always seems the way with Sony). Perfect length cable for pocket or bag, nice weight, very comfortble to wear. Cable feels stronger too.

I got fed up with Sony's ridiculously sized cable, but really loved the sound (actually I'm convinced that phones at 5 x the price of these wouldn't sound better). I spent a long time testing these headphones, comparing them with the Sony's, and honestly couldn't tell the difference in sound. I really listend for it, absolutely sure that there must be something. But no. Excellent bass, deep, strong, rich (etc). Very clear trebles, and everything in between.

The best sound is achieved by choosing the right sized cups for you. You get 3 sizes, and once you have the right one, you'll know. It might take a little while to get used to it feeling as though you have your fingers in your ears, and being able to hear everything internally, like breathing and walking, and zipping up your jacket ... but it tunes out after just a little while, and you never really notice it again. I sometimes put them in my ears with no music on just so I don't have to hear people's inane mobile phone conversations. It's wonderful, and makes your train journey calmer, and more relaxing, just for that.

Highly recommended over the Sony's, over any others in fact. The tech specifications are identical, the quality is absolutely excellent, the price is ... shocking! I used to recommend the Sony's, but now I recommend these to everyone I know now.

Get 'em - you'll love 'em.

My first impressions when using them were truly awful. No bass, tinny sound, worse than the headphones the MP3 came with AND the darn things kept falling out...........

THEN I figured out how to fit them properly......WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

I'm a bit of a sound nut but for the money these sound great AND they cut out a lot of the background noise such as car traffic when I'm walking the dog. Will be on a plane at the weekend for 10hrs so these should help with the noise there as well.

How do you fit them.

Well first of all try the various sizes of rubber earbuds until you find the right size for your ear. It took me several goes.

When fitting try the following;

Take your left hand over your head to grab top of your right ear with the left hand's fingers.

Pull the top of right ear up to open up your ear canal

Put your ear phone in while you hold up your ear as above.

While you hold in the ear phone, let go the ear held by left fingers.

Keep pressing the earphone in place with your right hand for a few seconds to let everything settle down as this help the ear "grip" the earphone bud and hold it in place

Do the same thing for the other side .... just use the right hand over the head instead..

If its a good fit you can tell as if you tap the earphone (gently) it feels as if the noise is inside your head. You need to get a good seal to give the right sound with decent bass.

I thought I was fairly intelligent but it took a search on the internet to find these instructions (they're not mine then). Now fitted correctly I'm very impressed.

Would I buy these again......you bet. Highly recommended