I'd have to say I was a little bit disappointed the first time I plugged these bad boys into my iPod and started playing music that usually drowns my headphones with bass. These failed to deliver that punch that gets inside your head. I use them snowboarding, so they're over my beanie, but nonetheless I had a hard time getting them loud enough to drown out the ambient noises, and the sound of the air whizzing by my head is sometimes louder than my music with these headphones. However, they do stay on my head pretty well, and the cushioned ear pads are quite comfortable. Also, the pause button is very useful (if you don't feel like putting them around your neck, which is also why I prefer headphones as opposed to earphones). For the price, I think they're a great buy, but if you're looking for superior performance, you might have to spend a little bit more money.