I bought it knowing it makes that cracking/popping sound whenever you switch a program on/off (ie, radio or mp3). This is nothing new since it happens even with their pop port headphones (with those super uncomfortable earphones). So it's a pop port issue which is not specific to this item.I also know the cord is pretty long which is good because I can keep the phone far away while I watch my slingbox. Or listen to the radio/mp3 while running.Just don't like that it didn't have any controls for the mp3 player (pause/play/ ffw/rew). The volume rocker is there, tho, so that's good.