The Sony MDR-AS100W earphones feature a few other physical attributes worth noting. First, the cable is modular, which is usually ideal for active applications, as it keeps the main cable short enough (20 inches, in this case) to use with an armband without a lot of slack cord. And Sony was smart enough to include a clip on the cable for dealing with the weight added when you connect the included extender cable, which adds an additional 26 inches to the length--plenty for keeping your MP3 player in a bag or pocket. Sony also includes a slim plastic case that's about the size of a Discman. It's a nice inclusion, though it's a shame the headphones don't fold down more compactly for storage.
During our performance evaluation of the Sony MDR-AS100W earphones, we took a couple things into consideration, not the least of which was their ability to stay in place during activity. They passed this test with flying colors, failing to budge during a jog and various other aerobic activities, including some rather ridiculously flailing dancing on our part. Sound quality was a bit of a different matter. While the MDR-AS100W offers an impressive amount of high-end detail--with strings, shakers, and acoustic guitar sounding particularly shimmery--we found that overall sound was a bit cold and bright for our tastes. This has a lot to do with the fact that without a proper seal with the ear, bass was quite deficient. When we shoved the 'buds in, we got the low-end, but it was a bit mushy. However, for working out--especially if you listen to a lot of podcasts while doing so--the earphones are passable. They certainly allow for plenty of volume to help you drown out the cardio machines and other bothersome gym noises.
- See more CNET content tagged:
- earphone,
- Sennheiser,
- Sony Corp.,
- earbud,
- headphones
User reviews
-
Average user rating:
0 stars
Not yet available
Back to product review - My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 2 of 2 user reviewsSee all 2 user reviews
-
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
- See all 2 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
Where to buy
Sony MDR-AS100W Active Headphones:
$79.99 - $99.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$94.99 | Yes |
|
|
$99.00 | Yes |
|
|
$79.99 | Yes |
|
|
$99.99 | Yes |
|
