With the JBL Flex earbuds, you stay aware of your surroundings. These have an earbud design with steel. These earbuds are less securely in your ear than in-ear earbuds for example. You can also hear more of your surroundings because our ear canal isn't blocked off. You control these earbuds with the stem. For example, you can switch songs or adjust the volume. These controls differ per model, so keep in mind what you use the stem for per earbud.