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.
Beyond the color, the physical design of the Phiaton MS 400 is pretty standard for a full-size model, with an adjustable padded headband terminating in two U-shaped earcup holders. This allows the earcups to be swiveled 180 degrees, making them more DJ-appropriate than the Beats headphones. However, spinners likely won't appreciate the Y-cable descending from both earpieces; this is an unusual (and not entirely desirable) feature for earcup headphones. At any rate, the 4-foot cord is on the short side for at-home use, and the relatively small size of the MS 400 combined with the fact that they fold down compactly makes them more suitable for on-the-go use. Phiaton includes a sturdy zippered case, making the headphones even more travel-friendly. However, there's also a quarter-inch adapter in the event that you want to connect to your home audio system.
