Accessories

Excellent sound, design, and quality
I searched for an excellent set of earbuds to use with my iPod, found them with these MDR-EX51LP, and have been delighted to use them several hours each day under demanding conditions.
Because I listen to uncompressed digital recordings to facilitate deep meditation or deep sleep in the delta state (see [...]), I need headphone with expanded frequency response (to get 20-20,000 Hz, they must be designed for higher and lower frequencies). But--I also need earbuds that won't fall off my head while moving between yoga postures, and I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for audiophile headphones. I read that the Frequency Response of these Sony's is a large 6 - 23,000 Hz, the in-ear design with several silicone ear piece sizes make them fit perfectly in the ear so that they stay put and minimize outside noise, and the earbud design would not interfere with my movements.
Some user reviews, however, said that these earbuds sounded bad, had awkward cords and earpieces, and fell apart almost immediately. Hmmm... Since these were really the only earbuds that seemed to fit my needs AND I've always been happy with Sony products, I bought a pair.
These Sony earbuds proved perfect for my needs; I could not think of anything that I would change. Shortly afterward I bought a second set to leave by my bed and fit them with smaller silicon earpieces that would be more comfortable while sleeping all night. For 6 months I've been delighted with the awesome sound reproduction and their design (I tried several more expensive headphones and found that they didn't sound as good when I tested them with high and low frequency test sounds--nor were they as comfortable). The fears I had about them falling apart were unfounded; they're still like new despite 40 minutes of daily activity AND wearing them while I sleep on my side all night, every night since laying on my back blocks my sinuses.
These are excellent headphones--try them confident with the knowledge that you can return them if they're not as good as you expect.

Expected a lot more from Sony
I didn't look at any reviews before these earbuds were purchased for me. I saw them in a store, they looked similar to some more expensive white Sony earbuds I had but thought it would be great to get black ones to match my black nano. 6 months later, the right side doesn't work. I didn't have any wires disconnect, no cord disintigrating, just no sound on the right side anymore. 6 months is not a long time, these don't go outside, they don't travel, they only were used 30 minutes 4 times a week on a treadmill. Sorry to say, but I now have to steal my white earbuds back from my daughter because these ones were a complete waste of my money. I don't like wasting money. I'm sad.

Wires disintegrates to jelly-like mush.
I liked these until the coating on the wires began turning to mush and started flaking/peeling off...which of course rendered the product useless after that. I'm a fairly light user, too. Just a couple of nights at the gym for a hour or so. Try something else. You won't be disappointed initially because these feel and sound good but you will be when they fall apart and stop working before their time. What a waste!

Sony MDR-EX51LP Fontopia Headphones
Great little ear buds for the price. I bought these to replace my outside phones when near noisy places and they are a vast improvement. Outside sound is blocked to the point where a loud TV can still be herd but very muffled. Sound quality seems slightly less bright then some more expensive models but still very usable. The three bud sizes supplied range from very small to humungous so they will probably will fit most everyone. They are very soft silicone so are comfortable to wear with no tendency to fall out. The jack is "L" shaped and much less subject to brakeage than the models that project straight out. The little capsule shaped storage container does protect the ear wax covered buds from collecting nasty lint and grit from your pockets. Using it is a no brainer, simply put them inside and wrap the cord around the outside: done. Two points; The different length leads for left and right are designed to hang off to the side for iPod use but just get in the way on my computer and a sliding volume control, like on my Pavilion ear buds, would have really been handy. All things considered a very usable set.

Good for 5-6 months...
So I bought a pair of these, and they lasted for about half a year. Then one of the earbuds mysteriously died. Granted I used them for my ipod and at work - but was never brutal to them.

I bought a 2nd pair and like clockwork, 5-6 months later, the right earbud died on them.

I guess you get what you pay for - a $20 pair of headphones that last 6 months. I guess for the price, it's not too bad.

Would love though to find a pair of similar design - that last more than 6 months. :(

Gave this a 3 b/c while they worked, they were nice. But since they only last 6 months, not worthy of more stars.