The open-air design removes undesirable resonance by allowing outside air to pass through the headphones; the result is a better sounding headphone. The open-air design is also a key factor in keeping you safe while you exercise. The headphones allow outside noises like horns, passing bikers and oncoming dogs to meet your ears, even with music playing. With sixteen millimeter drivers, although miniscule, you can expect to hear a good bass sound. Neodymium magnets, a rare feature on such economically priced headphones, provide maximum energy with minimal size. Meanwhile, the Sony Acoustic Turbo circuit is included for high efficiency; it gets high sonic output from your portable stereo, and extends bass response.

The MDR-A35G's oxygen-free copper (OFC) Y-style cord is double-sided and is 3.9 feet long, allowing for ample movement and separation from the sound source. The gold-plated, L-shaped stereo mini-plug fits mini-plug jacks, not the full-size stereo jacks. The headphones are a flat black color.

What's in the Box
Sony MDR-A35G headphones

Product Description
lightweight, folding vertical design * water-resistant S2 Sports design * open earpieces * Acoustic Twin Turbo circuit * frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz * impedance: 16 ohms * 4-foot oxygen-free copper cord with right-angle, gold-plated mini plug * impedance: 16 ohms * weight: 0.7 oz. * warranty: 90 days

They are even good to have when you are putting your mini-disc player away. You just pop them into the box or carrying pouch, all tucked away out of sight. This helps when you don't want to always be looking for them everywhere around the room or house.

The sound in these little things is amazing. Best level of bass I ever had for replacement headphones of this kind. Mind you, my original pair are fine, but you never know when you will need an extra pair. One last thing. You'll agree, with the constand folding of these headphones, each time you put them on, they cling to your head more than before. It's good when you don't want them falling off your head while listening to a great song.

Hope my review helps you.


Cheap breakable garbage   December 26, 2006
 41 out of 45 found this review helpful

If I had given these headphones a review two or three months ago, I definitely would have given them four or five stars--they've been my favorite headphones for years. Not necessarily because of the sound quality (quite passable but definitely not audiophile quality), but for the compact convenience of them: they fold up neatly and tightly and are easy to stow in a pocket or backpack. I've used these 'phones for years and they have always lasted many, many months until the wiring pulled out from the plug, usually through my own rough use. (A couple pairs on which I had the foresight to apply some precautionary electrical tape around the wire near the plug lasted for more than a year).

I haven't been able to find these headphones in retail stores for almost a year, so I was pleased when I noticed Amazon carried them. Several months ago I ordered a set and put it away for when I'd eventually wear out my old set. A couple weeks ago I at last switched to the new set, and two days after starting to use them, the headphones snapped in two at one of the folding joints--a problem I have never had with over a dozen pairs of these headphones before. Well, maybe that was user-error. I ordered two more sets and started using the first last week. It snapped in two the day before yesterday. The second pair snapped in two today. That can't be user error, that's faulty construction. I'm beginning to see why the bricks-and-mortar stores don't carry them anymore: I don't know what Sony has done in the process of the manufacture of these headphones, but they've changed them from my fave headphones to cheap breakable garbage. I won't be buying them again.


Good headphones, not for everyone though   February 29, 2004
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

These are a good set of headphones. They are ok at everything, great at nothing. Bass, midbass, treble are all average. Where these headphones standout is when working out, especially running.

They allow you to hear just enough to make them safe but filter out most of the noise. But comfort is their biggest bonus. Earbud headphones falloff. Wrap-arounds leave your ears red and sore. Closed ear types absorb sweat, and look odd. These are the perfect compromise. They don't fall out, don't pinch your ear, and they have a canal for sweat to roll down and out of your ear.

Bottom line, if you want library headphones look somewhere else. You want a workout set this is your model.


Great exercise headphones but not perfect   September 14, 2004
 15 out of 20 found this review helpful

I have had these headphones for over a year and use them mainly for jogging/running, usually 4x/week and at least 15-20 miles per week. I like the fact that they are water resistant. The sound quality was good for the price but not great (but who needs great while exercising anyway). Comfort is great and these are one of the few in-ear headphones that haven't given me headaches after hours of use.

The only reason I don't rate them 5 stars is the weather finally caught up to them. After running multiples times in rain, humid weather, etc. one side has finally gone bad (left). I can still use them but the sound from the left side is very faint.

I will purchase the same type again but am looking for slightly better sound quality. But who knows, over one year of getting rained and sweated on isn't a bad track record for a pair of $20 headphones.