Purebuds Digital review (White)

The Purebuds generally sound better than the average pair of headphones packaged with an MP3 player. And--call us cynical--but we were shocked to discover that the different eartips do indeed offer varying sound profiles. The surround-sound sleeves make audio sound more open and outside of the head, while the bass-boost tips give music a heavier low-end. Unfortunately, they also tended to give music a muddy quality overall. Predictably, the full-range fittings offer the most balanced response, and were the favorites due to the fit and sound. While we wouldn't want to be constantly switching the sleeves, we appreciate the ability to tweak our listening experience easily by way of the earphones alone.

The Purebuds also utilize something called Reverse-Sound Technology, which directs sound away from the eardrum initially by incorporating a rear-facing speaker that bounces sound off the back of the earbud first. Although we have no way to test the company's claims, logic dictates that this method will protect your hearing in the long run. Better yet, volume doesn't suffer--the earbuds get plenty loud. Overall, sound quality got mixed reviews from our testers. Some felt they were on par with stock earbuds, while others thought they offered more detail and appreciated the clear and open sound. Audio quality notwithstanding, $50 might be worth it for those who want to protect their ears in the long run.