nice out of the box ... sound good for most music type with noise cancellation on . Audio be poor with nc off . but if you really wanna shut periperal sound out u might want to get a in-ear canal ` phone instead of this . I can still hear my wife nagging with nc on so it doesnt block out all noise . have it for 2 year ... shelve it for 3 month and now the nc function doesnt work , no sound whatsoever when nc be switch on , and poor sound when its off . the plastic portion 's still alright , but the foam cushion over the ear piece have split and start to show . it be good while it last .