Sony Premium BT Sport Headphones

My beloved AKG K830BT died recently, and I was looking for decent replacement. Despite I was using supraaural headphones for 5 years, this time I wanted to try budget-conscious bt earplugs (preferably with good fitting), so I can use them during active workout and also be able to wear under winter cap for comfort listening on street. true wireless were rejected immediately after I found their current battery life. 3 hour means I'd be left without music if I forget to charge them once. was tempted by much cheaper alternatives with waaaaaaay bigger feedback numbers, but after reading customer reviews thoroughly, found all that hype unjustified and overall fishy quality of those products obvious - you get what you pay for, no exception this time.. ..but THIS thing speaks about quality right from the Sony support page. Before purchase I took a look at xb80bs online help guide, I've never seen such detailed manufacturer support regarding headphones before. So I've ordered this product having strong faith. After receiving them finally (I live in Russia) first thing I changed default earbuds for bigger ones - bass response became excellent and surprisingly this headphones isolate me from outside noises comparable, if not better than my previous closed-back-supraaurals! Usability is excellent. You get used to wear them quickly, amazed how secure they fit in ears, and control knobs positioned fine, I appreciate placing them on the right headphone and not on the wire, otherwise they may disturb during workout. I was plugging them with the wire behind my head, and it was that D-OH moment when after noticing inconveniences when putting them on with jacket dressed already or making barbell bench press - I just wore them with wire hanging on the front around my chest, now I'm using them this way mostly! based on the pictures, I was expecting rubber body with corresponding tactile feel. Not exactly, arc supporters are plastic with maybe flexible top half rubberized. my ears can't feel difference nonetheless, it's just irrational preference. wire tends to twist a half turn, looks like counter twisting it helps. cable adjustor is helpful sometimes, rough move can partially detach it from the wire. I advice always put headphones in dedicated bag after listening session. I like сompact bag that comes in the kit and the way it opens - you push on the corners and it opens up temporarily until you leave it. Dunno how it's made, maybe magnetic strips. only tiny niggle - it may look little bit awkward like you are tuning hearing aid, but I was not looking for classy looks in the first place. Nonetheless they look good to me, and I like that they don't stick from Your ears noticeably, which is the case with similiar Bose product. I can wear them with winter cap, not ideal fit but still, and they also allow me to pull hoody on the head, great! sound. I love making electronic music and mastering sound. Having said that I can't say anything bad about sound quality of the headphones, especially regarding the fact that this is *bluetooth* headphones aimed for active lifestyle - it's good enough for me, and bass is surprisingly big (TRY DIFFERENT EARPODS FOR BEST EXPERIENCE). It would definitely not hurt if they added tiny bit presence and air, but I'm speaking only for myself - I hear worse in higher frequencies and it fits better for abrasive styles of music I listen to. the rest is not so surprising. battery life in my experience holds lillte less than 7 hours, bt working range is adequate, worked perfectly at gym or work place. just made a test: left the phone in bedroom, and walked across the room (~4m path with locker standing between phone and exit ) into hall, though hall (~6-7m with 90° turn) into dining room - headphones still work with occasional dropouts, which seems to increase when moving. phew, didn't expect that this review would be so big and took so much time for me. what's funny, when I started, I was going to give four stars for all niggles I found, but looking back, none of them are really that noticeable to make someone think that these headphones have any considerable issue, they deserve 5 stars. so far I love them, it was thoughtful purchase and I'm happy I made it.