I order these headphone despite read poor review of they here . I should have heed the warning ! I think these reveiwer be be picky and they could not be that bad . they be ! the volume control need to be turn way up - past the safety level set for my player - and most annoying , the wire rub and you can hear the crackling sound in you ear . the wire as review , be very thin and I can see they might wear and break in a fairly short time . all in all these headphone stink and Sony should be ashamed of themselves for even sell they . I use to buy only Sony product , but this allegiance be obviously misplace . do yourself a favor and buy a pair of cheap headphone - you 'll be happier than you will with these .