No one would ever accuse shock pop sensation Lady Gaga of being subtle. It stands to reason then that any item bearing her name is going to be flashy and perhaps just a wee bit ostentatious. Enter the Heartbeats by Lady Gaga Headphones, the first artist line from Monster and Beats by Dr. Dre. This super unique pair of earbuds retails for $120, but can be found for closer to $100 online. No doubt, these earphones are unlike any we've seen before, and their sturdy, eye-catching design is sure to turn some heads. However, comfort issues and a sometimes overpowering low end might prove problematic for some prospective buyers.
The Heartbeats are pretty much exactly what you would expect from Lady Gaga: completely over-the-top and stylish to the point of absurdity. Perhaps expectedly, these earphones are also not terribly concerned with comfort. The issue is that the large, triangular earpieces are not terribly ergonomic, which wouldn't be as much of a problem if the aperture arm was a bit longer. As it stands, the angular edges of the 'buds tend to press against the ear, causing some discomfort and also tending to push the earphones out constantly. In other words, where the Dr. Dre Tour earphones were for exceptionally deep ear canals, these appear to be for very shallow ones. Monster includes three sizes of silicone eartips in the package, though none worked for us. However, you also have the option of purchasing a variety of other tips, including a foam set and a triple-flanged set. The foam tips provided the most comfort, but tended to slip out of the ears.
But back to those large, triangular earpieces, as this is arguably where most of the Heartbeats' personality resides. Naturally, they are available in a variety of colors, including Rose Red, Black Chrome, and Bright Chrome. The latter two are shiny, and the former is matte but no less eye-catching, with its deep red hue. The outside of each earpiece is etched with a multitude of smaller triangles, which add a nice visual depth. This same effect is repeated in the included hard-sided case. Don't get your hopes too up, though: you'll find only plastic construction here.
