This time of year we try to review more than games since the holidays are over and CES has just passed. When we see a new product that is cool, we like to review it. Just about everyone owns an iPod, MP3 Player or a portable DVD player and if not they have a laptop to enjoy music and DVD’s on while traveling. The iPod is great, but my biggest complaint is the earbuds that comes packaged with them. While they are stylish and have that signature look, for me having something crammed in my ear is just uncomfortable.

You need a pair of headphones for just about anything these days and if you don’t have a comfortable pair, it can really be a pain. I also know that a good pair of earbuds or headphones is an investment. Mad Catz introduced their new AirDrives, a new Earphone or Earbud style that rests on your ears not in them. Read the full Mad Catz AirDrives Stereo Earphones Review to see why these are a great  idea.

First Impressions

Take a look at the screenshots and you will notice that they are designed to rest on the ear and not in them. Earphones or headphones that fit in the ear can cause some health issues especially if you wear them often. The pressure from the bass signal can push earwax back into the ear canal and then there is the safety issue. Most of the earphones out there block your hearing and they can cause hearing loss. Having a background in music, I know that I have had ringing in my ears after a long session. The advantage of the AirDrives design is that since they rest on the ears, they offer a better sound without the need of a higher volume.

I love to use a full headset that covers the ears and have more of a studio monitor style. I can’t take these with me everywhere due to the fact while on a plane or traveling, you need to hear other things and they really stand out. I tried the AirDrives and found they felt comfortable and rested perfectly on my ears without having to adjust them a bunch of times. I also liked the fact the sound was full and did not have that tint sound that most earphone style headsets out there have. Even at a higher volume, I could hear when someone was talking to me but not in a way that interrupted my enjoyment of my music.

Mad Catz AirDrives Stereo Earphones Screenshot 

Bottom Line

Mad Catz AirDrives are a bit more expensive the adult ones are priced at $99.99 and the Kids version is $69.99. They are safer to use and are rated by OSHA for all day listening. I like the compact style and the convenient carry case. They fit in any laptop, iPod or DVD case with ease and they offer a great sound. Keeping in mind they were created for those who use earphones for a long period of time, they seem perfect. For those on the road a lot, I would certainly recommend them for adults. I think the idea of protecting younger listeners’ ears is important, but parents would need to decide at what age they need a pair of earphones that cost almost $70.00. They are neat looking and sound great so the value is there.

Overall Score: 8.5/10.0

Additional Comments

After reading all the information that came with the earphones and having the chance to test them out, I have to say they perform as promised and I can see the benefits of buying them. You need to keep in mind I am the type of person who wears earphones a lot though. With anything that costs almost a $100.00, you need to decide if they are worth it for yourself. Based on my thoughts they are. The Kids model at $69.99 seems a little high, but with the safety factor and the design, it makes sense for older kids. Since I only have the adult model to review, I would say parents worried about their teenagers wearing headphones all the time would get the most value from the kid’s model.

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