If you're grown tired of belonging to the cult of the white earbuds, there are plenty of options on the market that provide better sound, improved comfort, and more style. But if you really want your headphones to make you stand out from the crowd, nothing will do it better than some truly strange earphones. From cutesy to scary to flat-out over-the-top, you'll find something unusual in the roundup below.
I know, I know...you're thinking, "really? Another holiday-themed list? Really!" But here's the thing: this one is legen(wait for it)dairy! Or awesome, take your pick. Actually, the selections here could make appropriate gifts for any time of year. the reason I just had to make another one is that I wanted complete creative control over the stuff to be included. No sticking to one category, no price guidelines, heck, no having to include only things that are actually available in the U.S. (Consider yourself warned.) This list includes seven sweet gadgets I'd love to see under my tree or would happily plunk down my own hard-earned cash for, plus two extras "just for kicks." Enjoy.
Monster Turbine earphones
Q: Can you help me to choose an earphone? I have $150. For the sound, I like an earphone that has great bass and clear sound. Which one is the best between Dr. Dre Tour, Shure SE210 and Bose earphone? -- Yudanto, via e-mail
A: Personally, I would not go for any of those, though for the Dr. Dre Tours, it's more a matter of fit (the earpieces are very long). As for the Shure SE210s, those are not the best model for thumping bass. And the Bose In-Ear 'phones have had lukewarm reviews overall from users and editors alike.
I'm not sure what the availability is like in Indonesia, but my recommendations for you are as follows, in order:
- Monster Turbine
- Klipsch Image S4
- Ultimate Ears Super.fi EB (if you have a little extra to spend or can find a deal)
SanDisk Sansa Clip+
Q: My girlfriend is getting a gift for a relative who likes to read, so I recommended a Sansa Clip and an audiobooks gift card. Before she goes through with it, I wanted to check with the MP3 queen to see your thoughts on the Clip as an audiobook player, and your favorite audiobook purveyor. If you've got a better idea for a gift, I would appreciate it, but keep in mind that her budget is $75 (preferably less). -- bereezy, via e-mail
A: I would go with the Sansa Clip+. You can check out our list of top choices for audiobooks; as you can see, the Clip+ is the best option in her price range. It also leaves plenty of the budget left over for a gift card.
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Sweat-resistant and wireless: a double whammy!
(Credit: JayBird)There's a reason the fitness industry is booming: there are always plenty of people eager to slim their waistlines or achieve perfectly toned arms. But being active and getting in shape isn't just about looking good--it's also about being healthy. So even if you're not trying to squeeze back into your skinny jeans, that's no excuse to shun your sweatsuit and sneakers.
Luckily, you needn't suffer through workouts in silent boredom--some upbeat music can provide the perfect motivation to get moving. Better yet, plenty of MP3 players available today offer some great workout-worthy extras, such as built-in belt clips, pedometers, and calorie counters. Even an FM tuner is a great extra, since it'll let you tune into the TVs at the gym (and tune out of the mind-numbing repetition of physical activity).
Headphone manufacturers also continue to churn out better and better fitness-friendly sets--namely, sweat-resistant models that offer various design features to ensure the 'phones stay secured to your head during activity. If you're looking for the perfect music gear to aid you in your quest to get into top physical condition, you've come to the right place.
Product names like "Atomic Bass" are a dead giveaway.
(Credit: Radius)If you're reading this, chances are you've owned at least one MP3 player in your lifetime, and anyone who has used a portable audio player knows the earbuds that come packaged with these devices are--for the most part--far from impressive in terms of fit and sound quality. Even those who can tolerate the often thin and flat audio will readily admit that stock earbuds are severely lacking in the bass department. Find me an MP3 player owner, and I'll show you someone who's begging for boomier bass.
The good news is that finding a set of earphones that deliver plenty of oomph on the low end isn't terribly difficult, but to make things even easier for you, I've rounded up a selection of earbuds in every price range that are guaranteed to answer your cry for "more cowbell!" Er, I mean bass.
Q: Recently I have been considering a new pair of headphones because I am getting quite tired of the standard Apple earphones that the iPods come with. I have three products in mind, and I am having trouble deciding which one is the best choice. They include the Bose QuietComfort 3, the Beats by Dr. Dre, and the Shure SE530. As you can tell, they aren't the cheapest ones out there, but price at this point really isn't an issue. Which one out of the three is the most comfortable, has the best audio quality, and is the most durable; again, price really isn't a factor. Thank you very much for your help. -- John, via e-mail.
A: Comfort is a very personal thing, especially when you are comparing such different styles of headphones--in this case, an in-ear canalphone, an on-ear (supra-aural) set, and a full-size (circumaural) pair. Personally, I think they all offer excellent sound quality, although my personal preference probably pushes the Shure to the top with the Bose very slightly under that and then the Monster Beats very slightly beneath those. In any case, you are going to get great audio quality, so narrowing it down will probably come to comfort.
The safest bets in terms of comfort are probably the on-ear style (Bose) and the full-size set (Beats), but here I would eliminate the Beats because I noticed a slight rattle in the right earcup (where the noise-cancellation module is) whenever I walked around with the headphones on. Although it's only a minor annoyance, this leads me to think that Monster needs to fine-tune the design of those headphones before they are a sure-fire winner. Also, some people find that full-size cans make their ears sweat, which can lead to discomfort.
By process of elimination, that leaves us with the Bose, though if you have average-to-large size ears and are looking for something very compact, you would probably be quite satisfied with the Shures as well. However, the large earpieces will not fit all listeners comfortably.
MP3 Mailbox Monday is a recurring feature in which I answer a selection of questions about MP3 players and accessories, such as headphones, speakers, and music services and software. Check back often to see if the advice presented here might be of some use to you, or send your questions directly to me. (Note: We never include last names, but if you prefer to remain completely anonymous, please state as much in your e-mail.)
Get the Grado SR60 for less than $75 out the door.
I swear: the next time I see or hear "in this economy" as an intro to an advertisement or buying advice article, I'm going to drop kick the responsible party out of the nearest window. Regardless of gainful employment, who doesn't want to spend a little less to get something cool? I don't know about you, but finding a great deal always puts a little bounce in my step. What I like even more is helping others find what they want without requiring them to drop a massive wad of cash. In that spirit, here's a collection of buying tips that will help you find a good set of earphones on a limited budget. Also, make sure to check out CNET's list of Best Budget Headphones.
- Look at older models: Headphone technology changes over the past 10 years or so have been evolutionary rather than revolutionary, and as a result, sets that came out 5 or more years ago often sound just as good as their more-recently released brethren. And after several years on the market, the list price is often significantly lower than the original MSRP. For example, the Sennheiser CX 300 earbuds once sold for between $60 to $80 online, but now can be found for less than $30.
- Keep an eye out for end-of-life products: If you're taking the above advice and checking out older products, keep your ears perked for news on pending-replacement models. When Grado first released its follow-up RS2i Reference Headphones, its predecessor (the $500 RS2) could be found for as little as $395 online.
- Buy from giants: As much as it pains me to say it, purchasing from the big boys in tech will probably save you money. Bulk processing cuts down on the cost to manufacturers and that's often passed on to you. The company with the largest chunk of the headphone market is probably Sony, and it's true that the company has made plenty of solid earbuds that cost well under $100. Other biggies include Koss, Sennhesier, and JVC.
- Shop the holiday specials: Nothing new here, really. Like just about every other consumer good, headphones tend to sport discounted price tags between the end of November and about the middle of January. Plus, you can often take advantage of the end-of-life deal mentioned above. Since most tech companies release new models in the fall, previous-generation earphones will often be even cheaper just before the holidays.
- Consider eBay: I don't recommend purchasing used headphones (yuck), but eBay more often than not lists brand new products in this particular category. For the most part, the items on the auction site can be found for at least five-to-ten percent lower than the retail price. Even better, look for open-box purchases, which knock down the price even more. (This can be tough to find with earphones, but it's a good tip in general.)
- Think long term: No matter how much you decide to spend, having to replace a product every six months is not an ideal scenario. Cheap headphones, particularly of the earbud variety, can suffer from durability issues, such as weak cables and poor overall construction. A good rule of thumb--especially if you're spending less than $100--is to make sure the earphones come with a decent warranty, preferably one that is at least one-year long and covers any damage caused from standard wear and tear. Some companies that are known for good warranties are Shure, which offers a two-year warranty and has a reputation for great customer service (often replacing damaged sets with brand new modes), and Koss, which offers a lifetime warranty on its headphones that has received much positive feedback. (Incidentally, Skullcandy also offers a limited manufacturer's lifetime warranty, though I haven't heard much about the company's customer service.) Another option: purchase with a credit card that offers an extended-warranty program for tech products.
Generally, I ignore company promotional e-mails that spout promises of wonderful prize giveaways. There are two reasons for this. Either the "wonderful prizes" are actually not so great (read: cheap), or there is some irritating catch buried within the rules (like you have to sign up for a yearlong subscription to Home & Garden magazine).
But when I woke up this morning to discover that Klipsch is hosting a contest in which one prize is the Editors' Choice award-winning Image S4 earphones, well that is just something I can't ignore. Plus, the action required--writing a caption for a product photo--is one that inspires creativity, of which I'm always a big fan.
To enter the contest, visit the Klipsch Web site.
Although I don't generally pimp out reviews here on MP3 Insider, I couldn't resist pointing all you discerning listeners in the direction of the Klipsch Image S4 earphones. Straight up: these in-ear headphones shocked me with their superb sound quality, especially given the $80 price tag. Sure, they're not precisely "cheap" compared to some models that are available, but they do fall in the sub-$100 range and they offer audio on par with sets that cost three times as much. Truly, if you are looking for a new set of ultraportable headphones, the Image S4 should be a top choice.
Philips SHE9850
Q: I read that I could send an e-mail for help on products?! I am only 16, so I couldn't really say that I am an audiophile or have mastered the world of sound. I do, however, love music and the art/technology of sound.
I used to own a pair of Shure SE120, which really introduced me to the world of above-standard sound. Those broke twice, but I got a new pair each time from Shure and I was very happy. Right now, I own a pair of Phillips SHE9850 and am very happy with those.
I was thinking of moving up from earbuds to full-size headphones. As I said, I am only 16 so around $100 is what I'm looking for, and I've seen many good-looking sets for sale. I always look to CNET for reviews, and I just realized something: there are no 5-star headsets, and I highly recommend you implement them. There is no way for me to tell what the difference between a $500 set and a $50 set is when they are both 4 stars and recommended.
Do you have any personal recommendations for a full-size headset in my price range?--Steve, via e-mail
Shure's SE530 earphones will set you back nearly $500.
A: First, let me answer your question regarding the price differences for two headphones that have the same rating. We always take several factors into consideration when reviewing headphones--fit/comfort (design), features (any extras that are included), and sound quality (performance). We then weight all of these things against the price to consider the overall value of the product. In this way, a four-star $50 headset doesn't necessarily sound as good or offer as many features as a four-star $500 headset, but it gets four-stars for being an excellent value, all things considered. That is, we think it sounds good, fits well, and/or offers an impressive array of extras for the money. (By the way, if you hover over the stars with your mouse, you can see a bit more granularity with the scoring.)
We don't pit $50 headphones head-to-head against $500 headphones because that just wouldn't be fair: they're not in the same playing field. Also, five-stars for us is basically a perfect score. I have yet to come across a perfect--or nearly perfect--pair of headphones. I still hold out hope, though!
As for full-size or earcup headphones in the $100 or less category, I would recommend the following: the Sennheiser HD280 Pro, the Sony MDR-V700DJ, the Koss PortaPro Headphones, or the Sony MDR-710LP.
Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
