Sony EX MDR-EX36V/BLU (headphones)

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Sony MDR-EX36V Stereo Headphones

When you've just dropped a wad of your hard-earned cash on a new MP3 player, purchasing an accessory to help make the most of it may seem counter-intuitive, but that's exactly what you should do: upgrade those headphones. You needn't spend a lot to get a pair that's a noticeable improvement over the stock set that came with your device. Case in point: the Sony MDR-EX36V Stereo Headphones. These earphones will set you back only about $25, and they offer a sharp improvement in sound quality and comfort. The construction quality isn't the best, and high frequencies come across as too brittle, but the low price and handy features make it easy to forgive these shortcomings.

As you might expect of earphones in this price range, the Sony MDR-EX36V earbuds are constructed of plastic and feel pretty cheap. You do get to choose from four color accents: black, blue, red, or pink. The 'buds are small and round, and Sony includes three sets of color-coded silicone sleeves to help with fit. We had no problems achieving a seal and wore the earphones comfortably for several hours. The package also contains a soft travel pouch and a cable wrap to prevent tangles when the headphones are not in use. We must say, we're impressed these extras were included with such an inexpensive set of earbuds.