since I can never find my earphone I think I get a back-up . pleasantly surprise with the sound quality , comfort and price . it use the whole ear vs the limited noise reduction of in-ear bud . this be a personel preference who find bud a ` pain in the ear ' . you can hear the sound around you and produce a good sound for the iPhone and be good to talk if you receive a call . in my opinion sound for the iPhone need a graphic equalizer . I use use these a for a lot of book and talk radio and find most device that I can wear without less ear fatigue . they have good mid range vs base . there seem to be a bias -lrb- pun intend -rrb- for the youth vs the old when it come to sound and I believe that most manufacture target the young .