WHEN you are forking out $299.95 on headphones, you would expect them to be quality.

Which is why it’s such a shame Sony missed the mark with its new MDR-EX750BT h.ear in Wireless headphones.

The functionality of the speakers isn’t what lets this product down, it’s the horrible design — although Sony’s product page would have you believe otherwise.

“Experience the freedom of wireless listening, coupled with exceptional sound and eye-catching style,” the website reads.

I shouldn’t be too harsh. The product is eye-catching, just in the worst way possible.

Look, I will admit I am no fashionista — I once wore matching Hawaiian shirt and shorts combo as a child — but the design is a real eyesore.

So much so, that when I have been running or worn the product to the shopping centre, I have been paranoid people are looking at me like I am some sort of freak show.

Wow. That giant yellow band around your neck looks great … said no one ever

The biggest problem with the design is the neckband.

While most wireless headphones attempt to make this component inconspicuous, Sony opted for the other end of the spectrum.

“The h.ear range from Sony combines high-resolution audio capability with bold, distinctive design. Vibrant sound has never looked so good,” the website reads.

I would just like to know what looks good about bulky plastic stems designed to look like anodised aluminium.

The rear of the neckband looks to be made of flexible material, although it’s actually very stiff and can’t be moulded to your neck, so one has to wonder why they would have gone with this design.

For some unknown reason, Sony are obviously thrilled with the design and has made the headphones available in a wide range of bright colours including lime yellow, viridian blue, Bordeaux pink, cinnabar red, and black.

The bright colours do very little disguise the atrocity and even the black isn’t that discreet.

Despite my initial disgust with the appearance, I had hoped the headphones had been designed for comfort over style given the website states the “headphones are so comfortable you’ll forget you’re wearing them”. Sadly this wasn’t the case.

Wearing the headphones around my neck had me feeling like I was former NRL star Brent Tate with his gigantic neck brace.

Back view of Broncos Brent Tate wearing his neck brace.

The band has been created to be front-loaded, which is likely meant to help the headphones from moving while people are running, working out or other activities one would use wireless technology for.

However, once again, this wasn’t the case.

In two 10km runs completed with the headphones, I found they would keep shifting and spinning around my neck, which had me feeling like I was falling victim to a UFC choke hold.

The controls for volume and power are also located on the inside of the faux-anodised aluminium stems — a design principle that is far from practical.

I also found the stems to be slightly distracting because I could see them from the corner of my eyes, which had me feeling like I was wearing a pilot’s headset instead of headphones.

In all fairness, there are a couple of redeeming qualities of the design that should be mentioned.

The rear part of each earpiece is actually aluminium and offers a choice of earbud size to ensure a snug and secure fit. The wireless feature is also handy.

But, yeah, that’s about it for the positives of the design.

If all of this hasn’t put you off or if you are 14-year-old school kid who thinks the design is slick, I will tell you about the functionality of the headphones.

This is where the product is slightly redeemed.

It might not look the best, but the sound quality is good

As the headphone is wireless, the Sony MDR-EX750BT pair through Bluetooth connectivity.

To set up your device with the headphones, it’s as easy as holding you phone up to the NFC chip on the right stem.

When powering the headphones while wearing them you will get an automated use advising you the unit is “powered on” and “Bluetooth connected”.

Having used the headphones for close to six hours on my iPhone 6 Plus, I can say the connection has been flawless with zero glitches or dropouts.

The unit is also powered by battery, which can be charged with by micro-USB charge socket hidden on the underside of the stem.

Sony claims the headphones will provide up to seven and half hours battery life from a single charge and having used the device for six hours, this does seem accurate.

In terms of sound quality, Sony boasts the headphones support LDAC — a new audio technology from Sony that allows you to enjoy high quality wireless audio via Bluetooth.

“LDAC transmits approximately three times more data (at the maximum transfer rate: 990 kbps) than conventional Bluetooth Audio, which allows you to enjoy High-Resolution Audio content in exceptional sound quality near to High Resolution Audio,” the website reads.

However, it must be mentioned this is only attainable through Sony’s Xperia phones or Walkman players.

As the headphones don’t have noise cancelling technology, the sound is bass-heavy to combat ambient noise.

That said, I had no problem with the audio quality compared to other headphones.

All in all, the audio side of this product is fine. It’s just a monstrosity to look at.