Skullcandy S2INCZ-043 Earphone - Stereo (Earbud - Binaural - Open - Mini-phone - Black, Purple)

1211 Reviews

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	Price: $10.74
	Price: $19.95
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Pros: Low price point, Excellent audio output, Noise-cancelling silicone earbud tips, Lifetime warranty
Cons: Earbud tips are easy to misplace

For a price range most audiophiles would associate with substandard earphones, the sound quality that the INK'd series earbuds from Skullcandy produce is in short, extraordinary. The hip urban design and many colors go against the staid white or black standard colors of stock earphones and the 11mm power drivers in each bud having a frequency response range of between 20 and 20,000 Hz ensure that basses and trebles are well defined. These earbuds come with a choice of three pairs of silicone tips in different sizes for the perfect fit inside your ear canal. The tips act as noise-cancelling plugs as well but as every earbud owner knows, it is actually easy to lose the silicone tips, as they come off the tiny tips of the actual earbuds fairly easily. On the positive side, the included 1.3m cable is long enough and it ends in a high-quality gold-plated 3.5 mm stereo plug for typical audio devices like iPods or other music players. The split between the two channels is easily adjustable for maximum convenience. Some users who are particularly finicky about their listening experience might notice though, that a freely-swinging cable produces an audible brushing sound when coming in contact with other materials and might opt to limit the cable length to a more manageable one. Also, those who tend to abuse their equipment or have had bad experiences with defective ones will be glad to know that the Skullcandy INK'd earbuds are backed by an impressive lifetime warranty that may be filled up online.

Sennheiser HD280 Professional Headphone (Binaural - Ear-cup)

709 Reviews

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	Price: $99.95
	Price: $99.95
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Pros: Crisp and clear sound, Durable
Cons: Bulky, Expensive, Weak bass

While it is intended for studio monitoring, Sennheiser's HD280 is also great for listening to music and playing games. Its overall sound quality is excellent and its noise isolation feature is phenomenal. On the other hand, its bass can be a little weak but its low impedance and flat frequency response make up for it. Compared to other headphones, the HD280 may seem heavier and a little bulky but its foldable design makes it easily collapsible and allows you to take them anywhere you go. It also features an adjustable headband for a more personalized fit and soft ear pads and rotating cups which provide exceptional listening comfort. On the surface, its closed-back design might seem like a pain due to the fact that it makes it a bit tight but then, its ability to reduce external noise by 32 dB even without pumping up the volume makes it bearable. Plus, its main parts including its cord and ear pads are easily replaceable so you won't ever need to buy another pair. Sennheiser's HD280 is widely compatible with most portable mp3 and media players. In the box, you'll also find a 1/8-inch plug with locking 1/4-inch adapter. Overall, it may be quite expensive but its outstanding quality and superb clarity make it one of the best headphones around.

Monster Cable Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Noise Isolating Headphones (Over-the-Ear Headphones, 115 dB, 9.5 oz)

453 Reviews

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	Price: $299.95
	Price: $349.99
	Price: $179.00
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Pros: Great audio output, Versatile, Sleek, Includes iSoniTalk iPhone enable headphone cable
Cons: Too expensive

Notwithstanding the fact that its price is a little stiff, the Monster Cable Beats by Dr. Dre are definitely worth the extra cost if you want to be blown away and move to the beat of your music. Unlike standard headphones that deliver humdrum performance, these studio headphones put the fun back in listening. No matter what the purpose, whether it be for casual home use or for more professional purposes like mixing and studio recording, the pristine sound and comfort make sure that you're entirely satisfied with the experience. The folding design makes it great for those who are always on the move and the Monster iSoniTalk iPhone enable headphone cable puts you in complete control. It has an answer button and a built-in microphone so that you can easily engage in conversations and a mute button is likewise embedded into the unit to make it a one-push affair. Audiophiles who demand the top of the line will be amazed with the audio quality and the new level of comfort that the plush ear cushions bring to your ears. The beats define quality and comfort, and are fine tuned to ensure that the voice of the singer or band is loud and clear and that every instrument is heard. Extra-large speaker drivers are used as well as an Advanced Monster Cable headphone cable and a Micro Minijack for excellent noise isolation and durability. The Rigid Tour case makes it easy to carry around and the supplied Monster CleanCloth with AEGIS microbe shield not only keeps your beats sleek-looking but also germ-free. The headphones weigh a total of 260 grams and 270 grams with batteries. It utilizes two AAA batteries and is covered with a One Year Limited Warranty for added peace of mind. The Monster Cable Beats by Dr. Dre provides a perfect balance between style and substance. Money may be a part of the equation but it shines among other high-end headphones with its Scratch-Resistant Gloss Finish and its excellent ability to seal out noise and deliver ultimate audio precision.

Audio-Technica Import ATH-AD700 Open-air Dynamic Headphone (Binaural)

223 Reviews

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	Price: $99.00
	Price: $99.95
	Price: $119.99
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Pros: Large, comfortable size with great dynamics, Perfect for music use and even for gaming
Cons: Bass is a little soft

The great thing about the Audio-Technica Import ATH-AD700 Headphones - and there are a lot - is how crisp and brilliant the sound coming from the unit is. Paired with the proper equipment and music, the 53mm large aperture drivers powered by neodymium magnet systems and CCAW voice coils inside each earpiece hold the capacity to pour out sheer auditory magic. Judging by the sound quality of the unit alone, you could actually say that it is coming from a pair of high-end headphones, but that is not the case. High-fidelity sound at a fraction of the price makes it a prize catch not just for audiophiles but for ordinary people who just happen to appreciate great sound. The large earpieces of these headphones house the magnet systems made of aluminum and the headband frame from magnesium. The housings are honeycombed to reduce the weight of the unit which comes in at 1.25 pounds. The cups are lined with velour pads for comfortable use without muffling the sound. While it covers the ears, the honeycomb exterior makes them open-air and produces no pressure against the ears. You can wear them for hours and still not experience any discomfort, something even certain high-end models cannot claim to do. Although they are not noise canceling, you can carry on a conversation and still understand what the other person is talking about. On the other hand, as some of the sound leaks outside and is somewhat audible, people near you can hear what you are listening to as well. The large frame of the AD700 is more suited to people with large heads but the self-adjusting support wings on top of the ear cups should provide a comfortable lean against the sides of your head. The 3.5mm stereo jack makes it compatible with most MP3 players on the market, and in any case, adapters for larger stereo jacks can be bought cheap. The cord for the unit comes out of the left ear cup and is made from thick rubber. It does not have memory retention so there's no danger of having it bend permanently at an angle and sever the wires inside. As mentioned, channels sound out of the neodymium magnet drivers. The trebles are excellent, with every note nuanced to full clarity especially when playing high-bitrate or uncompressed music files. On the other end of the spectrum, the bass, like the treble is very good but has a little hollowing to it in a good way. It doesn't sound muffled or cut-off, instead, it remains full, dynamic and clean. Some equalization tweaking does the trick to even it out, fortunately. Using it with a good sound card on a gaming PC is a phenomenal experience that needs to be sampled and using it alongside an amplifier (although not required) enhances the sound to an almost atmospheric level. A little time to break in the speakers with a little extended play is recommended though, especially when fresh out of the box.

Skullcandy 2011 TiTAN Earphone (Stereo - Black - Mini-phone - Wired - 16 Ohm - 20 Hz 20 kHz - Gold Plated - Earbud - Binaural - Open - 51" Cable)

200 Reviews

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	Price: $34.99
	Price: $39.99
	Price: $25.46
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Pros: Top-notch construction, Durable cord, Great sound quality, Low price
Cons: Silicone inserts are not that comfortable to wear, Some versions don't have in-line controls

Available in shades of red, green, blue, chrome and black, Skullcandy's TiTAN is easily distinguishable and more stylish than competing earphones. Also, if build quality is important to you then you are in for a treat as this pair flaunts a top notch construction that sets it apart from low quality and fragile models. The Metal Alloy Housing combined with its 1.3m durable cable allows it to last for a long time and withstand heavy use. As for comfort, there are two pairs of Silicone Gel inserts included with the purchase but it may not be as comfortable as you'd like. We highly recommend buying and using optional Comply foam inserts instead. This earphones cannot compete with high-end models but its sound quality is good enough to our ears. Some versions of the TiTAN have iPod controls as well as an in-line mic while others do not. You might want to check and choose which one is best for your purpose. The iPod controls let you play, pause and skip tracks and the mic makes it ideal for those with smartphones. In addition, it has a 3.5mm gold-plated plug and a Nylon/Mesh Carrying Case is also provided for easy storage. Given all these amazing features, it would be hard not to give the Skullcandy TiTAN a chance, especially for the price. It won't impress an audiophile but it delivers great audio quality and sufficient bass at a fraction of the cost of high-end earphones.