Rating: 
Summary: Cool concept, but a few key design flaws
Review: Credit the Sony engineers for designing a barely noticeable headphone volume control in the least likely of places--smack in the "Y" part of the cable, where the "left" wire splits off from the "right." These headphones sound great, and the volume control dial comes in very handy. The volume control itself adds very little weight to the headphones, and it's so well concealed that you might think you got ripped off after inspecting the headphones for the first time--yes, it's that tiny.
Unfortunately, there are a few problems with these headphones that have been nagging me for a while. First, these headphones are just plain lousy when it comes to radio reception. I assume a big part of the reason is that the placement of the volume control shortens the effective antenna length of the wire by about one third. Compared to headphones of identical length (1 meter), the MDR-E829V suffers from significantly more static when used with a Walkman radio.
Secondly, the insulation on the wires is made of very sticky rubber material, which causes a lot of tangling and snagging; all this friction results in static that is eventually heard (and felt!) in your ears. Once I was wearing a flannel shirt under a wool coat and using these headphones, and all the popping noise was so irritating that I had to remove the headphones from my ears. Listeners in cold climates, beware.
Lastly, the "left" and "right" wires split too "soon"--that is, compared to other headphones, the MDR-E829V has much longer branch wires. Consequently, they will feel shorter than other 1-meter long headphones. For example, if you usually put your Walkman in a backpack that's slung over your back, these headphones will probably feel uncomfortable--there will be too much tension in the wires (not helped by the sticky insulation that snags on everything anyway), and the volume control will probably be yanked inconveniently either over your shoulder or in your armpit. They work much better with shoulder bags, or if you keep your Walkman in a front pocket or on a belt clip. Tall people, don't even bother with these.
But, if you (a) are short, (b) wear silk or satin clothes, (c) never listen to the radio, and (d) carry everything in a purse or in your pockets, then you will love these little headphones. And apparently, there must be a lot of you--either that, or there's something a little screwy with Sony's market research.
Rating: 
Summary: these earbuds rock!
Review: First, a disclaimer: I'm far from an audiophile. When listening to live rock concerts, I can barely decipher the instruments. However, I do like to hear good quality music, and not at outrageous prices (read: less than $20). I enjoy using earbuds, because way back when I got my first CD player I bought a pair of Sony earbuds to replace those standard foam headphones, and was astounded by the much better bass and overall sound quality by sticking those speakers directly in your ear. I've been an earbuds-phile ever since. They're much easier to carry around too!Over the years I moved from CD player to mp3 players and what not, and my last two pairs of earbuds have been Sennheiser MX-500's, which have also gotten good reviews and costs < $20. Those buds are known for very true to the sound (or so I read). I enjoyed them, but always thought they were weak on the bass. I don't really like using my music player's equalizer functions, since I think they made the sound seem more artificial. My last pair of Sennheisers started dying while I was skiing in sub zero weather. The wire-covering near the volume control gave out in the cold, and the wires were exposed. I lived with occasional electric shock in my left bud for the past month, before the whole bud died. Anyway, time to get to get a new pair of earbuds. I was almost going to get the same Sennheisers again when I saw these, which were less expensive (the Sennheiser prices increased since I last bought them). I received my Sony's today, tried them on -- and immediately liked the much nicer bass!! I tried a techno track and was astounded. It's likely that the higher frequencies sounds are more muddled on the Sony's than the Sennheisers, but if so, the deeper bass makes up for it and more. Plus, the wire covering on the Sony's appear to be of much higher quality than the old Sennheiser's (soft rubber feel instead of harder plastic feel), so hopefully next time I go skiing my earbuds won't die. Also, if it makes a difference, the size of the Sony buds seem to be bigger, so it fits more nicely in my ear. My ear isn't that big or anything, but sometimes the Sennheiser's would slip out. With the foam inserts on this Sony, those buds definitely aren't budging a millimeter. Bottom line: pack away those free buds/headphones that came with your music player, and click "Add to Shopping Cart" now!
Rating:
Summary: great headphones at a great price
Review: having previously owned a pair of panasonic earbuds that had nasty, rumbly bass, these headphones were a joy. They have good, powerful bass that at the same time doesn't drown out the treble, and they have a great range. i have yet to hear any music that these headphones distort in any way. and as usual with sony, they look pretty stylish as well. basically, these headphones are as good as it gets at this price.
Rating: 
Summary: clang
Review: hmmm, where to begin... I purchased an Mpio mp3 player (Mpio fl100 - a cracker), Amazon reviews advised the dumping of the factory ear buds for this model Sony, hear more bass, improved range, natter natter... Made the purchase and shot home for the comparison...drum roll please... Aero smiths "I don't want to miss a thing - Armageddon theme", was sampled with both. The sonys failed to adequately pick up the three settle tin drum beats through the intro, nor the strumming of the Spanish guitar as the tune picks up. I only realized they were there when I plugged the mpio's back in. Again the suttle strings that complete the song are incredibly out of these buds range. There is more bass, but muffled, it sounds like a canvass veil had been pulled over the whole music spectrum - if you want to hear the entire engineering that has been mixed into a song, you will not get it with these dud buds. They promised so much, but could not better a factory set from an MP3 manufacturer? Try something else.
Rating:
Summary: perfect at first, then...
Review: I bought these headphones in July. They were great at first. Clean sound, simple design, handy volume control. Three months later now (October), it has been going downhill fast. The headphones are now especially sensitive around the plug-in jack. Any slight touch or movement causes the sound to be completely muffled, produce static, or cut out altogether. I haven't mishandled them. They have been in my bag and have come into little contact with anything else. I have bought cheaper headphones from the drugstore that have withstood the same kind of environment. Overall I'm disappointed since they were great at first. The volume control was really useful. But I will have to get another pair since these are failing only after 3 months.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Quality Earbuds
Review: I bought these headphones primarily as a remedy to a problem I have with my boombox; the boombox has a rather noticeable constant-level hiss which can be overcome only by increasing the volume of the music until it drowns out the hiss. However, the music then is so loud in regular headphones (without their own volume control) that it is annoying. With these Sony headphones, I can set the headphone volume level to a low setting, which minimizes the hiss by lowering the entire signal, then by turning the volume up on the boombox the music is at the desired level with no hiss to be heard. I love these headphones! The frequency range is excellent, especially the bass response. And since the earbud style sits closer to your ear than the regular "over the head" kind, the clarity of the music is greatly enhanced. These headphones are a steal at this price!
Rating:
Summary: Lives up to the raves
Review: I give these 5 stars. They live up to all the positive reviews everyone else has posted here.... and the price is excellent. However, I will be returning mine. Nothing wrong with them... it's just that they are too large for my ear openings.They hurt... I get a headache coming on within minutes (no... not from a too-loud volume) and my ears remain sore for a while afterwards. I know others here have mentioned how they work well for women and small ears. I am a woman on the small side, but not exceedingly so. No accounting for anatomical variations, I suppose.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME Headphones!
Review: I have owned these (in-the-ear) headphones since October 2001 and they have been perhaps the best headphones that I have ever owned. These Sony Headphones have really good Trebble and EVEN better (DEEP, AWESOME) BASS. They are durable and comfortable. I recomend these headphones to EVERYONE...
Rating: 
Summary: Good Sound while they Work
Review: I purchased these in late December and they lasted less than two weeks. One of the earpieces does not work any more. They did sound good when they did work.
Rating:
Summary: Astounding sound from these inexpensive buds!!
Review: I read the Amazon reviews for these Sony ear-buds and decided to buy them after my daughter stole the ear-buds that came with my Rio Cali MP3 player. Those ear-buds, which hooked on to your ear with a special clip, sounded OK. After receiving my Sony MDR-E829V ear-buds which I bought on sale at Amazon for $12.62 I was more than skeptical about their quality especially since they are cheap.
To say that I was stunned after trying them out is a gross understatement. They sound SPECTACULAR! I am far from a newcomer to quality audio and I own some first-rate equipment but you have to wonder why anyone would pay hundreds of dollars for a pair of top audio headphones when a $12 pair of ear-buds will blow your socks off. They provide deep solid bass (surprise!) and a full clean range of frequency. Aside from a built in volume control Sony provides a cheap but quite convenient plastic case that allows you to quickly roll the whole thing up and pack it away neatly. The unit also comes with foam covers for the ear-piece which makes it easier to lock them into your ear.
The Sony MDR-E829V Fontopia ear-bud headphones are a superb buy but be forewarned that in the ear buds take a bit of getting used to. Once you find the best way to place them in your ear they are quite comfortable and you will truly marvel at the sound they put out. Indeed, this may be the best buy to be had in the audio world today (no joke!).
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