Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

***CRITICAL UPDATE*** 03-07-2015 PHOTIVE REDISIGNED AND IS NOW SHIPPING A SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT PRODUCT UNDER THIS LISTING THAN WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY SENT. (I purchased a second set and updated my review below) Make sure you are reading information pertaining to the PH-BTE50 on the reviews you see. Photos below EAR STAYING POWER MUCH IMPROVED -- SOUND QUALITY FALLS TO MAYBE PAR RATHER THAN OUTSTANDING BODY OR CASING IS STILL PLASTIC, SO OF COURSE IT CAN BE MORE EASILY BROKEN THAN SOME (mine have not broken yet, I have been both lucky and careful) RUN & GYM USE - (From someone who does run and workout regularly) Keep in mind that every ear is shaped differently and different people can have different experiences. However, here is what I found in general: Setting the right nibs on the ear pieces to fit your ear canal is critical. There are rubber wedges you see in the photos that are meant to fit up under a ridge in your ear for added stability. With the redesign, this new model stayed in very well during runs and I didn't adjust a single time on my first trials. Keep in mind that many runners have minimal problems with wires anyway because they are not brushing their hands across their body where the wires dangle. However, there is something about the lack of wires that feels good. FOR THE GYM, Here is where the Bluetooth ear buds shine a little more. Unless you are doing Cross Fit or other high intensity programs, you are not doing consistently herky jerky movements comparable to running so the ear buds generally stay in a little better. Weight lifting can also involve a lot of cross body movements so lack of wires is a much bigger deal. Though I might bob a little still, usually the idea is to keep proper form most of the set so my body is much more stable than say on runs. I definitely like these ear buds for lifting days in the gym. There is no way to guarantee they will never fall out. I am just saying these perform well for their type of head phone. ANOTHER BENEFIT: The ear pieces are flat because of all the extra controls and power access. This has a side benefit if wearing a beanie or lycra stretch cap because they fit under the hat without getting pushed all cock-eyed like a regular pair that sticks out more. I only do that in the winter, but the cap actually helped seat the ear buds in that case. WEIGHT AND WIRE GAUGE: The ear pieces are bigger but flatter than most normal ear buds. Though they are surprisingly light for their appearance, they are heavier than a good set of regular ear buds. I actually weighed these on a sensitive food measuring scale. The Photive blue tooth single ear bud was about .30 oz. That's not necessarily bad. But a single ear bud from my quality running ear phones (direct connect) was only around .16 oz per ear bud. Also understand that the wire gauge on the Photive blue tooth is somewhat thicker than many regular ear phones, but flattened somewhat. The tradeoff that makes them work is that the wire is not hanging down jerking around and creating torque to tug at the ear buds. Also, with the redesign these are somehow seating and sticking much better despite the weight on that outer shell. SOUND QUALITY: The sound quality on this new model is nice, but not as excellent as the previous version EB10. The early reviews touting the surprisingly above average sound quality are almost certainly referring to the EB10 and not the BTE50. It's important to have sound quality. But for a pair intended for exercise (in my case) that comes in a close second to functionality. Keep in mind that I tested these side by side with the version you see listed, the old EB10, and a semi high end Sony direct connect pair ($80) so each was completely fresh in my mind. There is a noticeable difference in the still decent BTE50 that is being shipped on this listing through Amazon (remember that independent sellers may still have old stock of EB10). The bass is slightly less and the fidelity across the spectrum has also come down a touch in the redesign or new model. LAPTOP, WORK RANGE, & MOVIES: So I found another few good uses. I can use my laptop while working and move around a couple rooms without being attached. Yes, you can just use your Ipod for that, but it's something. I often work overseas also and it's nice watching movies in bed at the end of the day. It's nice not to get tangled up in several different wires as I move the laptop around. If you get up to go to the kitchen, you don't have to stop the movie or music as you walk away (so long as you only need the dialog for a moment). I found the range around 20 ft, even on the other side of non concrete walls or light doors. IMPORTANT NOTES ON OLD EB10 vs. CURRENT BTE50: UPDATE 7/23/2016 -- It has been a while since Photive updated this model. But it is still possible for users to come across both versions. Each of these products were being shipped under this same listing so the reviews are mixed, particularly for anything prior to perhaps March 2015 or earlier. Make sure you are getting the proper information (the older set had more difficulty staying in the ears), and make sure you are getting the set you expect when ordering from independent sellers. The manufacturer has updated the photos and nomenclature on Amazon. I don't know why they just didn't create a new listing. To recap, the old EB10 had above average sound for their price class. The new BTE50 are still decent, but not as high fidelity. The controls on the new model are better positioned and the design more sleek. Naturally the casing is still big though. They stay in the ear much better. If I could get all the good in one package, I would likely give them five stars. As it stands, I have actually increased my star rating to a full 4 now that they stay in better, but sad the sound quality drops from outperform to just perform.