Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

They are not horrible earbuds. But they are certainly not the greatest either--something that (at the time i am writing this) over 90% of the reviewers would have you believe. If you read their reviews, they were all sent this product for free. This is a trend on Amazon i am finding disheartening. I bought this item based on the absolutely glowing reviews, as many others do, and i think these reviewers are NOT being as honest as someone who PAID for an item. I dont like to pin myself as an audiophile, but i have some knowledge of the quality of audio. I have training as a recording engineer. I build my own hi-fi speakers/monitors from scratch including the crossover networks. I've bought and listened to many headphones and IEMs. I record/mix/edit A/V content for production. This set has a lot going for it. They look good (although the gold is too showy for my personal taste). The cord is one of the best i've used--it doesnt tangle, has a great right-angle plug which i love. It also isn't very microphonic, something that even high-prices IEMs could learn from. The one-button control works well to play/pause/skip tracks. It does NOT have a volume control, which some reviewers (in their haste to write their review for a free product) state that it does. Soundwise, it isn't that bad either--for the price. It does represent a wide frequency range, but it is VERY BLOATED in the mid-bass region. If you deem yourself a "basshead" maybe you will like it. The bass is bloomy, with slow attack, pumped up in the 100hz range without a tight controlled lower bass. The mids are more recessed, but listenable--but not resolving, with a somehow artificial sound. Highs are rolled off, which is non-fatiguing but also not airy and lending to articulation. For my ears in particular (this of course will vary with ANY in ear monitor-style of earphones) they are very uncomfortable, and hurt my ears within minutes of use. The nozzle does not go far enough in my ears before the large-diameter of the bud hits my pinna. The sharp metal edges of the buds dont help any. As stated, i have heard much worse earbuds, and for the price the quality of the product is good. They are very well made and seem like they would hold up to use, the features are good and the sound is good for the price range. But for me they are uncomfortable (the main reason i am sending them back) and just dont sound good enough, or as i thought they would, BASED ON the glowing reviews thus far. I hope my review is of help, as i have tried to be as honest and detailed as possible. Thanks for taking the time to read my observations. If you are loving yours, that's great and i am happy for you. If you got them for free, that;s an even better deal for you.