Candy Comfort Earphones--photos

Kitschy tech is entirely too rare on CNET, which is why we couldn't resist the Candy Comfort Earphones. These funky earbuds are decked out in candy branding and fittingly shaped like M&Ms, although that particular treat is glaringly absent from the lineup.

These 'phones may not be the best-sounding or most fully featured on the market, but the fun design is sure to appeal to some. Plus, they're more comfortable than the stock set that came with your player.

Certainly, the most interesting thing about the Candy Comfort Earphones is the funky paint job. You can choose from 12 types of candy: Sour Apple Blow Pops, Bubble Yum, Dots, Dubble Bubble, Jolly Rancher, Razzles, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Reese's Pieces, Sugar Daddy, Tootsie Pop, Tootsie Roll, and York Peppermint Pattie.

Each one features a different earpiece color and logo with a coordinating cable and eartips. The Dubble Bubble model, for example, has a white earbud with a red and blue logo, blue eartips, and a red cable.

Unfortunately, only one set of silicone sleeves is included with each set, so while they are more comfortable than stock plastic 'buds, not everyone will get a secure fit, and sound isolation is practically nonexistent.

Also nonexistent is bass response. The Candy Comfort Earphones aren't going to impress discerning listeners. In fact, audio quality is about on par with what you get from a standard pair of stock earbuds, which is to say: not good. The lows lack thump, mids sound deficient, and high-end detail does not stand out.

On the plus side, there's no distortion or background hiss, and audio in general is clear. If you're fine with the sound offered by the headphones that came with your MP3 player but want a pair with more pizazz, the Candy Comfort Earphones are a suitable option. They will at least be more comfortable.