earphones

LAS VEGAS--With the glut of new Sony products unleashed at CES each year, it can be easy to overlook something as tiny and unassuming as earbuds, but the electronics giant's new Studio Monitor Series headphones managed to catch our eye. Included in the line, which is made up of four higher-end models, are two new pairs of EX earbuds.

The less expensive of the two is the MDR-EX600, which is set to retail for $200. These earbuds feature an over-the-ear cable design for a more secure fit and Sony's proprietary multiple-diaphragm speaker design, which prevents unwanted resonance and … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Sony launched its new Studio Monitor Headphone Series today at CES 2011. Among the four models in the line are two fairly stylish over-the-ear headphones with squared-off earcups and brushed metal trims.

The cheaper of the two is the MDR-ZX700, a $120 set that features a closed-back design and thick ear cushions in order to offer passive sound isolation. This model also has 50mm drivers for extra bass response.

At the higher end is the MDR-Z1000. This model, which is set to retail for $500, offers an ultradurable cable that can be detached from the left earcup as well … Read more

LAS VEGAS--In what is becoming a CES tradition, yet another rapper has announced his own name-branded headphones. In this case, we're talking about Ludacris and his new Soul headphone line.

Whether or not you give weight to audio products endorsed by musicians, I will say this about Luda: he is undoubtedly invested in high-quality headphones. When I interviewed him at the 2009 show, he was so engrossed by the new Turbine earphones he had recently acquired, he would barely look up from his iPod. Up until that point, he hadn't even thought to upgrade from the stock earbuds.… Read more

Let's face it: the earbuds that came with your iPod, MP3 player, smartphone, or whatever probably bite. For my money, nothing beats the sound you get from in-ear earphones, which have the added benefit of reducing outside noise.

World Wide Stereo (via Buy.com) has the Klipsch Image S2m in-ear headset with microphone for $24.49 shipped. Retail price on these babies: $59.99 (though they typically sell for $30-40 elsewhere).

The Image S2m features an inline microphone with call button, making it a good match for your smartphone. (You can make/take calls without having to remove the … Read more

Of all the unexpected surprises lurking amid the pre-CES fervor flooding my inbox, this little gem from MEElectronics is perhaps the most interesting. The lesser-known earphone manufacturer garnered my attention over the past year with its inexpensive, decent-sounding, and--perhaps most importantly--tiny earbuds. Now, the company has blown my mind a bit with the launch of its SP51 "sound preference" in-ear headphones ($69.99 with inline remote; $59.99 without).

What's so intriguing about the SP51 earphones, which don't look all that exciting from the photo, is the inclusion of adjustable, removable rear plates. MEElectronic … Read more

The holiday season is a peak time for traveling, as many people gear up to take advantage of the kids' time off and visit family and friends. If you're traveling by air this year, a high-tech travel bag can help you ward off tedium and the annoyances that come with being contained on an airplane with dozens of strangers.

My main goal when flying is to drown out crying babies, obnoxious passengers, and droning engines, so the first thing that goes in my carry-on is an MP3 player--but it's not much good if I can't hear the … Read more

In my many years reviewing portable headphones, I can honestly say I've never seen anything quite like Digital Group Audio's (DGA) Zipbuds. These unique earphones incorporate a zipper that makes up the Y-cable descending from the left and right earpieces.

The idea behind the design is the prevent the incessant tangling that seems to be inherent to earbuds. It actually makes quite a bit of sense: think about trying to tie a strand of zipper into a knot. Probably not the simplest of feats.

More than that, the zipper is actually kind of stylish in the looks department, … Read more

A set of headphones is often considered an audio accessory, but the truth is that this "extra" can outlast your MP3 player if you treat it right. After all, headphone technology doesn't evolve swiftly enough to warrant purchasing a new pair every year or so. As such, investing a hefty chunk of change in earphones isn't really a waste, and though it's true that $100 or less can get you a decent model, there are even sweeter-sounding options available for those with luxury-level budgets.

To that end, we've rounded up a selection of high-end … Read more

Our resident CNET audio expert Steve Guttenberg finally joined the rest of us and started his own Twitter page, so we invited him back on today's episode to see what else is going on with The Audiophiliac.

Steve always comes prepared with relevant (and not so relevant) talking points for us, and today's includes Joy Behar's mixed-breeding novel Sheetzucacapoopoo (Steve's a big fan of her work), the value of headphone amplifiers, and his concerns about the next generation of self-proclaimed audiophiliacs.

It's not a term that should be lightly used to describe anyone who loves music, and Steve considers a real audiophiliac to be someone who is truly concerned with an active music listening experience where extra attention is paid to audio fidelity in all its expensive glory.

The high-priced equipment might be the reason why audiophiliacs are a dying breed of enthusiast, but Steve makes it clear that quality audio gear is worth the price, especially when you consider that some equipment like headphones can last a lifetime.

We also learn that today's younger audiophiliacs are specifically interested in headphones and can be found on Head-Fi.org, a comprehensive audio site with in-depth headphone reviews, expert forums, and more.

Check it out if you're shopping for new cans or earbuds, along with CNET, of course!