Yes they look quite interesting, the Creative uses 4xAA NiMh batteries and as you get 2 sets then I suppose you could argue that the battery life is eight hours. I tend to run the unit off the mains about 50% of the time anyway(which also serves to charge up the 2 sets of batteries) so I don't find it a problem. I paid £320 here in the UK, I didn't see a UK distibutor for the others so there's always the guarantee and VAT/Duty to consider if you're going to buy overseas.