The brutal reality is that the headphones supplied with most portable music players – even the mighty iPod – belong in a cornflake packet. For a measly fifteen quid, the MX500’s are, quite simply, a revelation. Don’t let their weenie size or meagre price tag fool you. These puppies deliver serious bass, with a dynamic range as wide as a Tony Blair smile. They even come with a clever wind-up case and a handy volume control on the cord. An ideal stocking filler for any music lover.