You might think headphones are headphones and what's the difference as long as you can hear something coming through them without disruption?
You would be wrong - well at least I was - and the world is filled with a wide range of different types and styles to suit any personality, occasion or musical preference. From stalwarts Bose to newcomer Dr Dre, the world of headphones is rich and seemingly infinite.
With their bright red detailing and chunky ear pads the Sony MDR-XB920 headphones fall into the making a statement category of that universe.
Which is why in the end they may make the ideal gift for a teenage nephew. Half the price of some other comparable pieces on the market may also mean that aforesaid nephew will probably be able to afford to buy them himself anyway.
The emphasis on bass also makes this a more satisfying set for the RnB fans out there. They promise a "natural powerful bass" thanks to a 50mm driver, which in the end might be a little too much for some.
The headphones will also cancel out almost all outside noise, making it easy to ignore any annoying adults in the vicinity.
Another good feature is the microphone for use with your phone and top quality it is too. No problems being heard at normal pitch by the person on the other end of the line, which beats most other headsets out there.
Shame really that the kit undermines itself with a short cord, detachable and flat though it might be, which gives little room for manoeuvre whether on the phone or otherwise.
They do fold down into a manageable size but you can't get rid of their chunkiness. However, you do have a choice of cords that come with gold-plated plugs.
One last niggle - these headphones feel quite tight against the head, meaning you feel their size, which brings us back to the main point - it's all about making a statement.
malrawi@thenational.ae
