Creative Aurvana Air review

Creative's Aurvana Air earphones are wince-inducingly expensive. Their buds rest just outside the ear canal, supported by hooks that go round the back of your ears. This sporty design should stop them falling out during serious activity.

They don't keep out external noise, which makes them slightly safer than sound-isolating headphones to use while walking, and a good choice if you find in-ear headphones uncomfortable. However, extra background noise may tempt you to turn the volume up to potentially damaging levels.

Audio quality is as good as you'd expect at this price. Every note was crisp and our music had a better sense of space than it does with most earbuds. Treble notes were intense and the mid-range was warm and vivid. Bass tones were vibrant but pleasingly understated and realistic. However, the high frequencies can take over the sound and become uncomfortable at high volumes. Unless you hate sound-isolating headphones, we recommend Shure's SE102 set, which are £120 cheaper and have a richer, better-balanced sound.