The Flamingo Sport EarClick2 earphones boast an impressive list of features on the product’s packaging. Promising a ‘truly comfortable hi-fidelity experience’, the EarClick2 includes numerous features not usually found in ear bud earphones. They include six ‘ear-click’ ear pads, which fit into the ear buds of the headphones with the goal of providing users with a more comfortable, personalized fit. The headphones are supposed to be designed so air can easily flow in and out of your ears, and are made to stay securely in your ears during exercise, running, and so on. The EarClick2 also claims to allow users to hear ambient sound to provide them with ‘the security of situational awareness at all times’, according to the package. The EarClick2 is also supposed to provide users with very high-quality sound and listening experience, through its acoustic design for superior treble and bass.

I put these headphones to the test on a one-hour GO Train (a part of Toronto-area public transit system) ride from Union Station to Oshawa. For me, the most impressive aspect of this product was the overall sound quality – which was excellent. The EarClick 2 is basically like having two miniatures, high-quality speakers in your ears. With the EarClick2, I was able to hear details in songs that I had never heard before.

I have always found it very disorienting wearing headphones because I like to be able to hear what’s going on around me. While wearing the EarClick2, I was able to hear more than just my music, which did make me feel safer and much more aware of my surroundings than I usually am when listening to my iPod. This feature of the EarClick2 also comes in handy when traveling on transit, because you can hear the announcements of the upcoming stops. That being said, I wished the EarClick2 did block out ambient sound as soon as a massive group of loud pre-teens sat behind me in the GO Train. The headphones are probably not a good choice for people who are looking to block out the world while listening to music, or for those wanting to eliminate background noise from their listening experience.

They claims to be the most comfortable earphones you will ever wear, but I believe this is where the product falls short. The ‘ear-click’ ear pads come in a variety of sizes for every ear shape, but I didn’t really feel too much difference between them. The ear-click pads were extremely hard to change, and it took a lot more force to remove them than the ‘gentle’ pulling the instructions indicate. I had the headphones in my ears for about an hour, and although my ears didn’t hurt as much as they usually do when wearing regular earphones, I was still itching to take them off when I arrived at my destination.

Overall, I would highly recommend the EarClick2 for anyone who is looking for high-quality earphones in a non-bulky, ear bud design. The earphones don’t quite live up to their promise of superior comfort, but they do provide users with an excellent sound. If you don’t want to hear anything but your music when using your MP3 player, forget the EarCick2. You are better off in investing in larger, ear-covering studio headphones.