4 stars

*This is not Kurt, different member*

For it's price the sound it really great. But one problem, I've been buying this headphone since it was released back in I believe 2005. And so far, under normal use (4-7 hours a week), I've just broken my 6th pair. I love the sound and feeling of this set and I just kept coming back for more, but
I have broken it 6 times. Number six just leaving me a few moments ago. And another problem is the rubber tips. If you keep them in your pocket, expect them to be lost if they ever get loose. But anyway, be gentle. I'm going to find a better replacement before I through myself off a bridge.

3 stars

After receiving an unexpected MP3 player for the holidays, I had to go about replacing the horrid earbuds, and these were one of the items tried.

These buds are really a case of missed potential. As might be noticed by the other postings, the fit is hit or miss. If the work, great, if not, it is going to feel like someone has stuck coke cans into your ears. A pretty good approximation, is the negative terminal end of a AAA battery. Find a dead cell, and very carefully insert it into the ear canal about 1/4", no further. That is pretty much the size and shape of the end of these Philips earbuds. Note: when properly inserted, they will point towards your nose, not the center of your head. If the battery trial holds promise, the HE591/HE595's might be worth considering.

As to sound, in comparison to my reference headphones (an old pair of Grado SR80's), the HE591's aren't even close. They have no real bass response below 35Hz, and there is a serious peak around 500Hz. The peak can be taken care of with a bit of equalizer diddling, but there is nothing to help the deep bass output. The Grado's sound perfect with the equalizer off, the HE591's need help.

As others have mentioned, the asymmetrical cord layout is silly; would have preferred a bit of extra length for the left bud. The simple case is a nice piece of work though. In addition, these are vented buds, which means you can hear a bit of what is going on around you. Good if you jog and an want to keep a sense of your surroundings. Despite the venting, they don't really leak much sound.

A quick tip if you try them. Lightly moisten the soft silicone tip before gently "screwing" them into your ears, again, with the axis pointing towards your nose. Do not try to point them towards the center of your head, it won't work. I like the cable exit pointed to the top and foward, with the cords looped over my ears. You may like a different orientation.

I think they are going to work fine for jogging and exercise, but they won't replace my Grado's for serious listening. BTW, if you have never heard of Grado, their SR60 and slightly more refined SR80 represent two true values in high fidelity. Despite their dowdy retro look, they sound gorgeous, and are made right here in the US. If you ever have an issue, they will support you. I just bought some new foam surrounds for my 15 year old pair, and they sent me some replacement gimbal yokes, to replace my cracked ones, free of charge.

If Philips had simply included a couple of sizes of soft tips, like Sony or Shure, and knocked down that low mid-tone peak, they could have had a real winner. As currently sold, they are simply OK if they fit, and dreadful if they don't.

Hope that helps.

5 stars

First of all, these headphones fit me like they were custom made! The buds fit snugly (never fell out) and were extremely comfortable! The cable was the only thing reminding me that I had them on. I was very surprised to see that the fit was a problem. I also read a review that noted that the sound seemed distant. This is mostly likely because the reviewer covered the small hole (under the logo) on the outside of the buds. Just make sure nothing's blocking the hole as it is Philips patented reflected-speaker design. I must say the surround sound effect created is AMAZING- it felt like I was hearing the sound right inside my head and not through headphones.

5 stars

These tiny things are just incredible! Once you figure out how to wear them right they just sit in your ears where they'll continuously blow you away with the sound quality they pump out. I have them so they're not sticking straight out of my ears but lying back slightly so they're more aligned with my ear canals.

4 stars

First I have to say that these have the best sound ever for earbuds. It isn't the least bit tinny sounding, but very rich and deep, like listening without earphones. The bad news is they aren't very durable. I had a pair for probably eight months when the right ear went dead. I bought a different kind because I couldn't find these at the any stores, and boy was I disappointed in the sound. The surround sound of these Phillips is so much better, I've decided to get another pair, regardless of how soon I may have to purchase another pair.
Does any other manufacture make earphones with the surround sound feature?

5 stars

I LOVE THEM perfect sound and everything comfortable the whole package LOVE THEM BUY THEM THATS AN ODER

2 stars

The only good thing I can say is that these earbuds have a wonderful sound quality (which is why I rated them a 2 instead of a 1). Unfortunately, they wouldn't stay in my ear. I tried the smaller sized ear piece - even though there was only one (???) - and that wouldn't stay in either. Fortunately, I hadn't yet left the Target parking lot and was able to immediately return them.

2 stars

I have an apple ipod, and the little earbuds that came with them broke so I set off to find a pair at Target. However, they do not carry the original buds in stores, and my Target was out of the in the ear-bud ipod headphones. So I decided to try these. I wasn't very pleased. Their sound seems very distant and doesn't block out activity around me. Also, they don't have good volume. I liked the bass, but I just felt it sounded like I was in a large room and the music sounded distant. Overall, I would spend the extra 20 for the apple in the ear-bud headphones.

4 stars

These headphones deliver a good quality sound for the price. If you are looking to reduce outside noise (not eliminate) and have credible audio quality, these are for you. They will not match up with the $100+ sets that are similar, but they do the job for $20.

Also, they take a bit of getting used to. They fit in the ear, so they feel odd at first. Also, I am not a big fan of the right side cord being longer than the other (I know it may be hip or something, but it just seems annoying to me).

Overall a good choice for the money.