It is not always pleasant but for the first time I understood what the purpose of "treble amplification" according to my Ipod.
Have his headphones on "without music" gives a strange feeling ... like wearing earplugs and it's not really nice.
That said this is for listening to music we agree.
The supplied microphone is good for Skype VOIP communications and particularly that I use (though he apparently has no official label at Skype, because of a license I guess ...)
The principle of extension that gives about 2 meters of extra wire is very convenient.
For travelers wishing to spend "Ghetto Blaster" the microphone-earphones are the best in the market share of their qualities and compactness IMHO.