Like the other headphones in the Active line, the MDR-AS20J is mostly black in color with some minimal silver and red accents--it's an understated look. The earphones also offer the detachable shirt clip for keeping the cable out of the way during activity. Unlike the other models in its line, the MDR-AS20J features just a single cord measuring 46 inches long, as opposed to a modular cable with an extender option. The cord terminates in an L-shaped plug.
The sound quality offered by the MDR-AS20J earphones is nothing to write home about--it's roughly what you get from a slightly above-average pair of stock 'buds. On the one hand, bass response is admirable for such an inexpensive set. It's not thumping, but it is nicely noticeable. Mids tend to sound a bit tinny and bright, and the highs can be jarring at times. The biggest problem, though, is that many tracks have a slightly muffled quality, as if you're listening underwater or through a tube. Still, it's not terrible, and the audio will certainly be passable for listeners who are used to listening to stock 'phones, but now want something that's suitable for the gym. One thing's for sure: the MDR-AS20Js get loud enough to drown out machine whirs and disturbing human grunting.
