First off , I do ton of research before buy these headphone . I read review one countless website to be sure these be the headphone for I . conclusively , I find that most people complain about : lack of bass , cheap design , and price . I find these for around 100 on eBay , brand new , so I decide , `` why not ? '' I get these about a month ago and have fall in love with they . I agree , the bass will not blow you away . there be time when you wish it would just hit harder , but I guess I have get use to my $ 40 Sony In-Ear Headphones that deliver more pound bass than these BOSE headphone . BUT , the clarity in these headphone be amazing ! I find myself not recognize certain song as they begin play because I be hear subtle sound , noise , instrument , etc. that my other headphone just be not able to produce . to test it out I turn the music up to roughly 75 to 80 % and play various genre of music . I start with 3oh ! 3 which sound great . all the electronic sound , strong bass , and loud vocal sound great . very clear and it leave I satisfied . so I switch it to some Kanye West -lrb- 808 's and hearbreak album -rrb- play the second song `` welcome to Heartbreak '' . this song have pretty strong , deep bass , and I want to see how well these headphone perform . well , to be honest , it leave I a little disappointed . everything else sound great , but those really low bass note just be not as strong as I have hope . I then listen to various other style of music for a hour and really feel satisfied with my purchase . of course there be headphone out there for less that may have better bass , but I think that the portability of the headphone and the clarity of the music make up for it . I highly recommend these headphone , although I be not sure I would pay 130-140 for they . I get these for around $ 100 so I be satisfy with the purchase . I be in no way a audiophile but I love my music and can tell the difference between wash out sound and high definition clarity . if you really need that thump bass that shake you brain , get some nice in-ear headphone around the same price range . but with comfort and lightness its side , these bose around-ear headphone will compete with any headphone around the same price range in sound quality and clarity . some have complain that they feel cheap and break easily . I have find that they be lightweight which make they appear cheap , but in my month of testing -lrb- definitely not be SUPER careful with they -rrb- , I have not have such problem .