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On the hunt for a set of workout-ready earphones, I came across anunlikely candidate. The Wicked Little Buds, made by Empire Brands Inc.of Lindon, Utah, are touted as “noise-isolating earbuds that providean edgy look and great sound.”
With blue metal earpieces, a fiber-like cord, and rubbery tips, theWicked Little Buds have a sleek but stand-out design. They cost about$30 and fit tight and comfortable in each ear, almost unnoticeableonce in place.
聽I have been wearing the Wicked Little Buds (www.empirebrandsinc.com)for running and listening to tunes. Though they are not intended as sports-specific earphones, the buds have worked well for me.
The cord, which is almost four feet long, has a rough cloth- orfiber-like coating. This texture on the cord prevents tangling. Theextra length is nice when my iPod is stashed in a backpack.
Audio quality is good enough for an exercise scenario. The audio rangeand general sound was above average for tiny, bud-style earphones.
One caveat: The noise-canceling feature does indeed block off ambientsound. Be careful at road crossings or on bike trails where shouts,horns, or other important audio cues might not be heard.
–Stephen Regenold writes about outdoors gear at .