I can't help but cringe every time I get an e-mail blast referring to "special" gadgets made "just for women!" Maybe this is because I was around during a time when this meant splashing some Pepto-pink paint onto an otherwise unchanged piece of tech. Or perhaps it's more that many of these efforts are still so often misguided. Show me one woman who likes shimmery tech with an interface made of bubble writing and I'll show you another who loves matte-black gear that uses only analog knobs.
Now, I'm not accusing Audio-Technica of taking either path, as the headphones it's currently pushing at females do offer sleek, metallic designs that appeal to my eye (and I am a card-carrying member of said group). But I'm willing to bet there are plenty of men who would be plenty pleased with a shiny blue, orange, green, or gray set of earphones, especially ones with specially made loops to keep them in the ear. OK, I digress...it's Monday, and maybe I'm cranky. For an objective take based purely on specs, click on through to the gallery of Audio-Technica's latest portable headphones.
Extreme sports and music go hand in hand, so it's not surprising that companies such as Skullcandy and Nixon take advantage of this relationship to market headphones to teens and young adults with an interest in such activities. Now you can add Roxy to the list. The female-centric surf-wear maker has teamed up with JBL to offer a line of stylish earphones aimed at young women. At the bottom end of the spectrum are the superaffordable Reference 230 earphones, a standard earbud model that lists for $20. While they hit the Roxy style on the head, these earphones probably won't fit all people well and the sound quality leaves something to be desired.
Extreme sports and music go hand-in-hand, so it's not surprising that companies such as Skullcandy and Nixon take advantage of this relationship to market headphones to teens and young adults with an interest in such activities. Now you can add Roxy to the list.
The female-centric surfwear maker has teamed up with JBL to offer a line of stylish earphones aimed at young women. At the top end of the spectrum are the still-affordable Reference 430 headphones, an on-ear set that lists for $70. They're not particularly comfortable, and the bass may not be thumping enough for many, but the colorful style has a good chance of appealing to the target audience.
Fashion-forward headphones are nothing new. In the past couple of years, we've seen quite the parade of chic earphones from the likes of V-moda, Radius, and even Monster Cable. Nixon, a company best known for its board-sport-inspired line of watches and other accessories, has decided to dip its toe in these waters, too, and it should come as no surprise that the company's Wire Mic earphones are among the most stylish we've seen. However, quality is not all about good looks, and we're not without some criticisms for these $90 'buds.
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(Credit: CBS Interactive/Corinne Schulze)Fashion-forward designs have recently been making quite a bit of headway in the headphone space. It doesn't take much effort to find a pair that matches your MP3 player or can be coordinated by outfit, although manufacturers with true eye for design take things a step further. Take Monster Cable's Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones, a super stylish set of cans announced at CES 2008. The company is now adding to the fashionable line with the Tour In-Ear Headphones, an ultraportable set that sports the signature red and black coloring. This $150 pair once again proves that hip hop-branded headphones won't necessarily offer an overwhelming low-end response, and also leads us to believe Dr. Dre may have the deepest ear canals known to man. Read the Dr. Dre Tour earphones review.
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(Credit: CNET Networks/Corinne Schulze)In a gadget world dominated by black, white, and silver, it's always refreshing to come across colorful tech. Earbud manufacturers already offer every color of the rainbow, but finding funky full-size models is more challenging. Skullcandy is a notable exception, and now more companies are joining the fray. Hot on the heels of the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones are the slightly similar Phiaton MS 400 Moderna Series headphones, another cushy red and black pair that retails for $249. They may not be as fashion-forward as Dr. Dre's, but that doesn't mean they won't garner some compliments from passersby. Read the Phiaton MS 400 review, or click the picture to launch the Phiaton MS 400 slide show.
(Credit:
Crave Asia)
Accessorizing gadgets is an addiction, and it can sometimes be a chore as well. Finding the right bag, sleeve, case, or even screen protector for your music player or notebook can be a harder decision than choosing the device being protected. Here's another company that may complicate the decision even further: Fabrix, a made-in-Singapore brand of cases for tech products.
Fabrix seems to have its focus on design. For example, all its iPod cases are slip cases, which mean you have to remove the player to view a video or to change the volume--a no-no for people who'd rather not ever have to fiddle with their protective gear. And if your notebook--say, a ThinkPad X300--isn't listed as one of its laptop case sizes, you can just key in your model and corresponding dimensions and Fabrix will make one for you that'll fit.
If you are one of those fashionistas who would rather die than be caught wearing the same piece of clothing as someone else, this company's limited run of notebook and iPod cases might just tickle your fancy. Fabrix will be collaborating with some Singapore-based artists to create this batch of cases and should be available in the coming months.
(Source: Crave Asia)
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