Sony MDR-AS30G Active Headphones

Although the headphone market continues to burgeon with new models, it can be surprisingly tough to find a decent, fitness-friendly pair. A few companies, such as Sennheiser, have stepped up to the plate with sport-branded earphones, which feature design attributes meant to keep them secured on the head during activity. Now, we can add Sony to the list. The company has released an impressive array of Active headphones, the $30 MDR-AS30G among them. These well-designed earphones are a great choice for the gym or the street, as they don't completely black out ambient noise. However, they don't sound as good as pricier models in the line, such as the MDR-AS50G or the MDR-AS100W.

The entire Active line showcases Sony's talent for design, and the MDR-AS30G is no exception. It's not perfect--the neckband is not adjustable, for example--but it features some impressive innovations. Although the earphones are two round discs that rest on the ears, each features an earbudlike tip that rests just inside the ear in order to keep the 'phones stable during activity. This is particularly handy for users for whom the neckband does not loop securely over the top of the ear. Each earphone also comes with a removable, washable earpad--a thoughtful feature for a set that is sure to gather some sweat. Also, the neckband of the MDR-AS30G is shaped in such a way that it grips the earphones in toward the head, which further helps to keep them in place.