miniBuds - headphones

Because your ears could use a buddy.

Boy was I cool. Or so I thought. I was out last week on my morning jog. One lap around the block, then it's back inside my room where it's safe. (Wouldn't want to risk getting too much sun -- that could fry gamer skin! Get it, gamer skin?)

Halfway through the exhausting day and trouble struck: I ran into Agnes Gladdes! Agnes is the only female gamer in the neighborhood. All the guys want to impress her, especially myself, a diehard gamer looking for someone who shares my disappointment for the Diehard games. I long for the day when me and my significant other can discuss how insignificant the release of the Jaguar was. Together we could heat up the dance floor, or heat up DDR's dance mat, and watch the sun set in Mario Sunshine.

My Nights into Dreams were shattered the minute I saw her. I was ecstatic but extremely surprised. My nerves kicked in before I could crack a smile. She waved and said "Hey!" I love her "hey." I really wanted to impress her, so I reached into my pocket to get my PSP. You know, so I could show her how much shinier mine was than Johnny Whatever's (the local jock) Game Boy Advance. (I don't wax it twice a day for nothing!)

I might've survived the moment if my PSP's earbuds hadn't been attached. (I was utilizing its MP3 player function for entertainment while making the run. "Why Worry" by The All-American Rejects was playing. What else?)

It was impossible to predict what would happen next.

I grabbed hold of the PSP. That was the easy part. When I tried to exit, my knuckles got caught on the earbuds' cord. The earbuds jerked, pulling me forward. I lost grip of the PSP, and although I'm certain it couldn't have been more than a second or two, the moment felt like a lifetime. It was as if time had stopped. I could see my PSP which, once time started up again, would inevitably hit the cement.

I had to do something! I couldn't just let my PSP die! It's my comrade, my army buddy! The console who's there for me when all others are attached to TVs!

So I did what any gamer would do: I risked my life and jumped forward, Jak & Daxter-style.

I got the PSP! Eureka!

Then my face hit the mud. My clothes were smeared with grass stains. It was awful. Agnes didn't know what to say. She just stood there and stared, until finally Johnny Whatever cruised by on his Schwinn. He honked his clown horn twice, to which Agnes excitedly waved and told me she had to go. I can't be certain, though I think she almost said it was good to see me again. She stopped herself when she realized it really wasn't.

From that moment on I gave up on Agnes – and my PSP earbuds. The heck with 'em, I say! I'd rather play Tomb Raider than use those again!

Agnes chimes in. "Whoa Lou, Tomb Raider? That is so not cool."

Thanks Agnes! Kick me while I'm down!

Forget it. I give up on everything. Except Ninja Gaiden, I'm determined to beat that game someday.

What Louis doesn't know is that there is a solution to his hand-tangling mud-in-the-face problem: comfortable miniSync earbuds with a retractable cord! They're small, have excellent sound quality and come with two sets of foam covers.

He looks pretty mad though, so for now I suggest we leave him alone.

Pros:

• Sounds as good as PSP and iPod's earbuds.

• Foam covers keep these earbuds from becoming earfiends.

• Retractable cord means never having to embarrass yourself in front of other gamers.

Cons:

• These earbuds require a circular center piece for retracting, which adds a bit of weight to the package.

Overall: 8.5
The earbuds included with the PSP value pack are decent but aren't as comfortable or as long as the iPod earbuds. Don't have an iPod? Then this is a great solution. The foam covers make them the most comfortable earbuds I've used (not that I mind using iPod's earbuds – they're great too). The retractable cord means Hakuna Matata the next time I run into Agnes, and could be a lifesaver the next time you run into the gaming gal that's constantly on your mind.