Headphones

Colorful earbuds have become increasingly popular with headphone manufacturers, possibly because of consumer demand for something a little more stylish than plain white or black. It's no wonder: Earphones are basically accessories that serve to pipe music to your ears, so they might as well be fashionable. Radius, a new Tennessee-based company pushing out Japanese-designed earbuds, is the latest entry into the burgeoning market of fashion-forward electronics. The company has three product lines, one of which is the $30 TruTune ultralight aluminum earphones. Read the review.

Last week we introduced you to Audio Technica's ATH-W5000s--a pair of closed-back headphones for serious audiophiles. They stepped up to Denon's AH-D5000s with not only a remarkably similar name, but also the intention of dethroning the Denon's from their status as "Favorite Crave headphones." The AT's will need some big cojones to make that challenge, so we decided to do an extensive investigation.

The W5000s offer wooden enclosures, a frequency response of 5Hz-45kHz, 102 dB/mW sensitivity, 40 ohms impedance, 53mm drivers and a neodymium magnet. In addition, 3-millimeter gold-tipped, oxygen-free cabling helps … Read more

Philips is no stranger to the headphone market, mostly turning out a line of inexpensive earbuds in the $5 to $25 range. Now, the company is stepping up its game with the SHE-9850 In-Ear Headphones, a $100 pair with a sleek and comfy design and good audio quality. We're hard-pressed to find anything not to like about these earphones; although bass response seems mushy for certain tracks, the SHE-9850 can certainly hold its own against other sets in its price range. Read the review.

Zirconia isn't just for ring-shopping fiances on a budget anymore. The diamond imposter is now being used to make earphones, of all things.

Panasonic's latest buds have been made with the material because it's apparently good at reducing distortion, according to Akihabara News. Another unusual feature of the RP-HJE900 earphones--one that will undoubtedly be more noticeable--is their removable cables. It's not entirely clear why one might want those, unless you habitually bury your buds deep into the aural canal and want a breakaway safety feature.

Radius isn't exactly a household name on the U.S. market, but apparently it's well known in Japan for its fashionable earphones. They won't be competing for bragging rights where quality is concerned against Bose or Klipsch anytime soon, but that's not the point: These buds are made for style and durability.

Radius earphones are made of ultra-light aluminum and rubberized plastic cords for protection, according to I4U News, and come in a variety of fashion-conscious colors and finishes. They're also headed to the States, with prices starting at $30.

We've complained before about the plight of our misshapen ears and the resultant problems with headsets that fit, and if we were a decent lot we'd stop whining. But we're not, and we won't.

At least, not until we find a pair of headphones that solves the problem, which is why we're intrigued by a new pair offered by Klipsch. A line of three models known simply as Custom 1, 2, and 3 feature buds with gel cushions intended to snuggle up to even the most aberrantly configured aural canals. The high-end Custom 3 also … Read more

Although the headphone market continues to burgeon with new models, it can be surprisingly tough to find a decent, fitness-friendly pair. A few companies, such as Sennheiser, have stepped up to the plate with sport-branded earphones, which feature design attributes meant to keep them secured on the head during activity. Now, we can add Sony to the list. The company has released an impressive array of Active Headphones, the $100 MDR-AS100W among them. These mostly well-designed earphones are a good option for the gym, with an adjustable over-the-head band that should work for just about any person looking for a … Read more

It's too bad that Michael Kanellos has given up his masochistic hobbies because this item would be right up his alley. It's one thing to have joysticks, keyboards, and other game gear that make you feel the action, but earphones?

A Korean company that goes by the amusing moniker of iFeelU is peddling a pair of "body-sonic" buds that will make your aural canals feel like they've been assaulted by heavy artillery. The rumbling EX2 earphones supposedly will create a "home theater in your ears," Gizmodo says, though we suspect it might be … Read more

Two drivers in each earphone have always offered a powerfully seductive sound--sweeter even than the screams of Duffy Springfailed as she's bundled into the guillotine for crimes against music. Now Audio Technica's getting in on the action.

No, it's not commissioned the beheading of pop's greatest wrong-doing since Dale Winton provided the vocals for the Supermarket Sweep pop song (yes, there was one. And yes, we actually have the CD). What Audio Technica has done is shove a woofer and a separate tweeter into each of the new CK10 earphones.

Now it's not the first … Read more