New headphones are my No. 1 recommendation to anyone who wants to get the most out of their new MP3 player. (Except, of course, for those who decided to go with the Sony NWZ-A810 series.) Straight up: those janky, plastic earbuds that came with your player aren't doing you any favors. First off, they're not terribly comfortable, and they don't fit most users securely. For me, there are few things more annoying than having to constantly shove a hard piece of plastic into my ear. Then, of course, there's the sound quality issue...hollow, tiny, bassless, muffled, and hissy. I've heard it all. If you really want to hear what your MP3 player has to offer, replacing those 'buds is a must. Of course, I understand that not everyone can afford to throw down $450 on a pair of Shure SE530s, or even close to $100 on the Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio (though I can assure you that they are both worth it if you've got the dough). To that end, I've rounded up six deserving contenders that will set you back just $50 or less. There's a style here for every taste and comfort requirement, and each and every one of these selections will offer some noticeable improvement over stock earbuds.
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| Product name |
V-Moda Bass Freq earphones (black) |
Sony MDR-AS50G |
Sony MDR D777LP Altus Headphones |
Denon AH-C351 In-Ear Headphones (black) |
Griffin TuneBuds (light blue) |
JVC HA-NC80 Noise Canceling Headphones |
| Review date | October 03, 2006 | April 07, 2008 | March 23, 2007 | April 01, 2008 | November 29, 2007 | January 19, 2007 |
| CNET editors' rating |
Excellent |
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Good |
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Good |
| Users' rating |
Excellent |
Very good (
from 4
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Excellent (
from 2
users)
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Excellent (
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Average (
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| Buying choices |
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| Review summary | V-Moda's Bass Freq earphones are the perfect accessory for bass-loving Creative Zen Micro owners who are on a budget. If you prefer less low end, look elsewhere. | The Sony MDR-AS50G Active Headphones offer an affordable price tag, a secure fit, and good sound quality--they're a fantastic option for gym addicts. | The new Sony Altus MDR-D777LP headphones aren't quite up to audiophile standards, but they do have some interesting features and offer good sound quality for the price. Frequent fliers who find in-ear 'buds uncomfortable should take heed. | The Denon AH-C351 In-Ear Headphones are a reasonable option in the sub-$50 price range; they offer solid sound quality and a comfortable fit, but the cable design will irk some users. | The Griffin TuneBuds Color are well-suited for iPod-owners on a budget who want ultraportable earphones to match their player. Bass addicts only need apply. | Frequent fliers operating on a tight budget should consider the JVC HA-NC80 Noise Canceling Headphones, but those with sensitive ears might want to steer clear. |
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| Basic Specs | ||||||
| Headphones output type | Binaural | Binaural | Binaural | Info unavailable | Binaural | Binaural |
| Headphones form factor | Ear-bud | Behind-the-neck | Ear-cup | Info unavailable | In-ear ear-bud | Ear-cup |
| Headset connectivity technology | Wired | Wired | Wired | Info unavailable | Wired | Wired |
| Sound output mode | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Info unavailable | Stereo | Stereo |
| Response bandwidth | 8 - 22000 Hz | 9 - 23000 Hz | 8 - 80000 Hz | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 10 - 22000 Hz |
| Destination | Portable audio system | Portable audio system | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Cellular phone , Portable audio system | Info unavailable |
| Compatible mobile devices | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Apple iPhone | Info unavailable |
| Product name |
V-Moda Bass Freq earphones (black)
|
Sony MDR-AS50G
|
Sony MDR D777LP Altus Headphones | Denon AH-C351 In-Ear Headphones (black) | Griffin TuneBuds (light blue) | JVC HA-NC80 Noise Canceling Headphones |
| Full specifications | Full Specifications | Full Specifications | Full Specifications | Full Specifications | Full Specifications | Full Specifications |
| Price range |
$30-44 from 3 stores |
$47-50 from 4 stores |
$25-40 from 3 stores |
$40-50 from 2 stores |
$11-24 from 3 stores |
$23-60 from 7 stores |