After about a month or so they are as soft as the original but a touch springier. Even when I turned up the volume as loud as my phone would let me I could still hear it! Overall, very useful for those who lose their items frequently. I thought that it emphasized the waist without needing a corset to wear it. Anytime a movie can take me on that kind of emotional roller-coaster is a huge plus for me. Both work very good can hear load and clear with my Xbox 360 turtle Beach X12. Connection between left/right has been perfect. It keeps the keys in my pocket fromScratching a hundred dollar case up. First set died in about 4 months. Bought these for my 12 year old son, yes he is wicked tall with large feet.