(Credit:
Solid Alliance)
The latest version of the Crazy Earphones are a follow-up to offbeat buds released earlier this year that seem to be sprouting bananas, bolts and sushi.
The new batch goes on sale in January for about $22 apiece. Each comes with small or medium-sized silicon ear caps, as well as a cell phone jack.
Solid Alliance boasts they are "even sillier" than the first Crazy Earphones.
(Via Crunch Gear)
If you're grown tired of belonging to the cult of the white earbuds, there are plenty of options on the market that provide better sound, improved comfort, and more style. But if you really want your headphones to make you stand out from the crowd, nothing will do it better than some truly strange earphones. From cutesy to scary to flat-out over-the-top, you'll find something unusual in the roundup below.
In the case of Subjekt's Ruffian Skull Earphones, I'm fairly convinced that you will find this slideshow more than satisfactory to quench your curiosity about these scary looking 'buds. But beyond being absolutely metal to the core (in more ways than one), these intense-looking headphones actually have some other merits that certain people might find appealing. Namely: they don't sound half bad! And at $59.99, these unique 'buds won't break the bank either. Mosey on through the slideshow for more details, including information on fit, design, and audio quality.
I know, I know...you're thinking, "really? Another holiday-themed list? Really!" But here's the thing: this one is legen(wait for it)dairy! Or awesome, take your pick. Actually, the selections here could make appropriate gifts for any time of year. the reason I just had to make another one is that I wanted complete creative control over the stuff to be included. No sticking to one category, no price guidelines, heck, no having to include only things that are actually available in the U.S. (Consider yourself warned.) This list includes seven sweet gadgets I'd love to see under my tree or would happily plunk down my own hard-earned cash for, plus two extras "just for kicks." Enjoy.
Monster Turbine earphones
Q: Can you help me to choose an earphone? I have $150. For the sound, I like an earphone that has great bass and clear sound. Which one is the best between Dr. Dre Tour, Shure SE210 and Bose earphone? -- Yudanto, via e-mail
A: Personally, I would not go for any of those, though for the Dr. Dre Tours, it's more a matter of fit (the earpieces are very long). As for the Shure SE210s, those are not the best model for thumping bass. And the Bose In-Ear 'phones have had lukewarm reviews overall from users and editors alike.
I'm not sure what the availability is like in Indonesia, but my recommendations for you are as follows, in order:
- Monster Turbine
- Klipsch Image S4
- Ultimate Ears Super.fi EB (if you have a little extra to spend or can find a deal)
SanDisk Sansa Clip+
Q: My girlfriend is getting a gift for a relative who likes to read, so I recommended a Sansa Clip and an audiobooks gift card. Before she goes through with it, I wanted to check with the MP3 queen to see your thoughts on the Clip as an audiobook player, and your favorite audiobook purveyor. If you've got a better idea for a gift, I would appreciate it, but keep in mind that her budget is $75 (preferably less). -- bereezy, via e-mail
A: I would go with the Sansa Clip+. You can check out our list of top choices for audiobooks; as you can see, the Clip+ is the best option in her price range. It also leaves plenty of the budget left over for a gift card.
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The first thing you're likely to do upon obtaining a new MP3 player is load it up with all your favorite music. Once that's done, the next best step is to replace the shoddy earbuds that came packaged with it. Of course, not everyone wants to drop a wad of cash on a new pair of headphones, which is where sets like the Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds come in.
The colorful earphones have an MSRP of just $19.95, but they can be found for a bit more than $10. These standard plastic 'buds aren't as comfortable as most in-ear models are, nor do they offer anything in the way of passive sound isolation, but the EB51s do provide a slight step up from most stock 'buds in terms of style and secure fit. Still, we're not convinced they're worth the upgrade.
Read the full review of the Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds.
On Sale Now: $10.79 - $15.22
View the latest prices for Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds (yellow)
On Sale Now: $10.79 - $15.22
View the latest prices for Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds (black)
On Sale Now: $10.79 - $15.22
View the latest prices for Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds (blue)
On Sale Now: $10.79 - $15.22
View the latest prices for Kicker EB51 Stereo Earbuds (pink)
As MP3 players become more popular, the age at which a child is introduced to them continually decreases. And finding appropriate headphones for youngsters presents a few unique challenges.
First and foremost, any responsible parent wants to ensure that any sounds being piped into their little ones' ears are coming through at safe listening levels. While it's important to consider music volume and hearing protection at any age, kids' ears are more sensitive the younger they are, which is why it's important that their headphones employ a volume limiting feature. And then there is the lesser--but still important--issue of fit, as children need smaller-size earphones.
All of the models here take both concerns into account, and a few of them even offer fun design considerations for the younger set. And perhaps best of all: none of them will break the bank, making any set a great stocking stuffer option.
Read our roundup of kid-friendly headphones.
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.
MP3 players may be losing market share to music phones, but one thing is certain: portable audio isn't going anywhere. And to enjoy it to the fullest, you need some decent headphones. Of course, not everyone likes pushing earbuds into their ears, which is where the still-compact on-ear headphone comes in. One such set is the AKG K 518 LE headphones, which retail for $139 and offer a sleek design and balanced audio quality.
Skullcandy has made quite a name for itself in the headphone world, thanks largely to its focus on funky fashion and durable designs aimed at extreme-sports enthusiasts. Indeed, the company is known for a variety of things, and we seriously doubt you'll find subtlety among them.
If ever a product could illustrate this point, it's the Skullcandy Smokin' Buds earphones ($30), with an in-your-face name worthy of their loud design. As we've come to expect from the company's earbuds, these 'phones aren't terribly impressive in terms of sound quality, but they do offer a solid array of compelling features for the price. Teens and tweens will no doubt be more than satisfied with this set.
Read the Skullcandy Smokin' Buds review.
