I did that bc there was a $20 difference in the 8 and 8. Strings are gloriously open. This was the first time he has purchased this brand of shoe and so far, he has been very pleased. These aren?t the original ones. Some were broken. Small and light. I thought I could upgrade to muti-use headphones with improved noise isolation. Absolutely elegant shoe for the price! Overall it?s a great product if; 1. Phone in pocket answer phone an talk hands free, thats what its about.