I don’t always do a write-up of the packaging of a product, but Jaybird did a real bangup job in this category (even if the container is a bit huge for the contents). The box is gorgeous, sturdy, and is easy to open. Once you’ve lifted the cover off you’ll find the zippered carrying case, five different types of tips for the earbuds, a shirt clip, a small earphone tie, and the Tiger Eyes themselves.

The Tiger Eyes — like most of JayBird’s other audio offerings — are designed to be workout friendly. I’ve taken the Tiger Eyes for a few workout sessions and walks and they’re so light that it’s like wearing nothing at all. Having just used a pair of Apple In-Ear headphones and my pair of V-Moda Vibe II’s, the Tiger Eyes are a real treat to wear. You just put them on for hours and then forget they’re even there — they’re that light and comfortable. They feature a standard microphone and play/pause button along the right earbud wire and an in-line volume controller at the point where the earphones into split into a Y.

The Tiger Eyes are  supposed to be sweat resistant, and while none of the earphones I’ve ever owned have shorted out due to water or sweat damage, it’s good to know that they have a lifetime sweat warranty with Jaybird.

Another feature Jaybird touts on their webpage is the titanium-coated diaphragm, which apparently help to ensure crisp and clear sound as well as thumping bass for years to come (since titanium isn’t easily deformed). I obviously haven’t had the time to test those claims, but I will say that the build quality on the Tiger Eyes has been impressive so far. I mentioned the pair of Apple In-Ear headphones earlier (which retail for about the same price), and the Tiger Eyes absolutely blow Apple’s offerings out of the water. The Tiger Eyes are light, but they also feel like they’ll hold up to the stresses of everyday use.

While the controls worked perfectly on my iPhone 3GS and a Blackberry Bold, l do have some complaints about their design. The volume controls (which are in-line only — they have nothing to do with a phone’s system volume) and the play/pause button are sturdy, but feel rather cheap. I much prefer the click of the buttons on my Vibe II’s or even the Apple In-Ears, since they feel like they have actual springs behind the buttons. The button on the Tiger Eyes, on the other paw, just feel a little mushy.

It’s the same thing with the volume controls, which takes the form of a slider instead of the usual dial found on other earphones with this feature. This slider just feels a bit too clumsy, and I find it very difficult to increase the volume in smaller increments, as I end up either blasting or muting my music. Considering the fact that the Tiger Eyes are meant to be used during workouts, I think a different system for volume control would have been better.

The sound on the Jaybirds was alright right out of the box, but nothing to write home about. Later on as I took the pictures for this review I laid all of the various tips out on the box to cover in a shot, and thought I’d try on the double-flanged tips. Triple-flange tips always go far too deep into my ear for comfort, but the double-flange seem absolutely perfect. Once I put them on the Tiger Eyes took on a whole new life, and everything got a lot clearer.

The final step to achieving the perfect audio setup with the Tiger Eyes was deciding to loop the earbuds behind and over my ears to eliminate all the cable noise. Since I started doing all of this the Tiger Eyes have really sounded phenomenal, and they make a fantastic pair of earphones in our out of the gym. The bass isn’t too heavy, and I can hear all of the subtler sounds that I’ve enjoyed on higher-tier pairs of earphones like the Vibe II’s or my Shure e210’s.

The Tiger Eyes are a well-designed and comfortable set of earphones that will work out very well alongside you in the gym — and for a price that won’t break the bank. I have yet to see how well they’ll work after a couple of months, but I’m quite pleased with the fit and the build quality so far, and they’re an easy recommendation to anyone who likes in-ear headphones.

You can pick up your own pair of Tiger Eyes for $89 at Jaybirdgear.com.

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