If I wasnt in a grocery store, I would have just taken them off completely. It keeps my ears warm but isn?t bulky. Everyone that Ive chatted with online have been able to hear me crystal clear, with no distortion. This neckband started out great sound, quality and battery life, but frayed at the edge of the ear bud in less than 3 weeks. Me encantaron ! I prefer a little room for heavier socks in the winter. His son wanted a more popular version, but dad saw these and liked them more than the other ones. Twist from bottom but certainly not bendy as advertised I did not encounter any weird smells or odors when I opened the package. You can see how the swivel joint had a small piece of plastic break off, leaving these inoperable.