Sony MDR-AS40EX 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 that 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 $40 MDR-AS40EX among them. These excellently designed earphones are a good option for the gym, although they don't quite match their sister set, the MDR-AS50G, in uniqueness or sound quality.

Once again, Sony has proven that it knows design with the MDR-AS40EX earphones. They offer a more standard sport-friendly design, with arms that loop out of the earbuds and over the backs of the ears to secure them in place. Happily, Sony made the earclips removable, so if you don't want to use them (such as when you are not working out), you don't have to. This also allows for interchangeability: Three sets of different-size clips are included in the package, and this reviewer had no problem securing the smallest of them over her abnormally small ears. In fact, the earphones proved to be quite comfortable after an hour of wear. There are also three sizes (S, M, and L) of silicone ear tips to help with fit. We never felt like we could get a complete seal with the ear, but this might be good news for those who want to use the 'phones to jog on the street. Still, they block out a reasonable amount of noise, so always be aware.