earphones

This Day in Tech: Twitter adds link shortening; iOS 5 beta jailbroken in a day

Too busy to keep up with the tech news? Here are some of the more interesting stories from CNET for Tuesday, June 7.

Twitter launches automatic link shortening New service will automatically abbreviate URLs of any length to 19 characters when users compose tweets in the Tweet box. More

Hands-on with Wii successor The new Wii U console, which will debut in 2012, combines motion control with a touch-screen game controller. Nintendo says "it will change the way we play games." Get all the details

iOS 5 beta jailbroken in less than 24 hours A group of hackers … Read more

Etymotic ER-4PT review: 'Very accurate' earphones

First, a bit of clarification. In case you didn't realize it, Etymotic has four versions of its ER-4 MicroPro series earphones, each of which retails for $299. We're not going to overwhelm you with all the details of each model, but Etymotic say the ER-4PT, which delivers excellent sound with very accurate tonal balance, is made for "the professional traveler who uses his or her earphones on planes as well as professionally."

The first thing you'll notice about these Etymotics is that the earphones themselves are somewhat long, slender cylinders that make you feel as … Read more

Jays headphones bring Scandinavian 'lagom' design to your ears

If you're in the market for a new set of premium headphones, consider picking up one or both sets of earphones we reviewed this week from a Swedish company called Jays.

The C-Jays are a set of on-ear cans that give you three foam ear cup options, and the A-Jays Four earbuds include an in-line remote to control tracks on your smartphone music player.

Jays headphones maintain the Swedish design concept of high function, minimalist practicality, and the Swedish word lagom, which refers to the idea of "not too much, not too little."

The company shares a … Read more

Diamond earphone covers cost $9,971 more than Apple earbuds

We assumed everyone knew that Apple's stock earphones give only slightly better sound quality than holding a speakerphone up to your ear, but nobody tipped off the buyers at the OC Concept Store, a new luxury boutique in New York selling diamond Apple headphone covers for $10,000.

Manufactured by a New York-based company called DEOS (Defining Expression of Sound), the DEOS-604-WB set polishes your low-end Apple buds with 604 diamonds that weigh 9.5 carats, or 1.9 grams of lavish excessiveness.

Someone tell those "ORGY OF THE RICH" protesters that we have their next target.… Read more

Toying with the MEElectronics sound preference earphones

When newcomer MEElectronics first pitched its earphones to me last year, I was skeptical simply because it seems like just about anyone can get his fingers in the headphone business these days. But MEElectronics won me over with its durably built earbuds and value pricing--not to mention the fact that the teeny, tiny M11P+ fits in my weird ears comfortably and securely. Recently, the company managed to command even more of my attention with the new SP51 "sound preference" earphones.

The key feature with these headphones is the adjustability of the earpieces; the backplates are removable, and MEElectronics … Read more

Powerbeats by Dr. Dre might be too stylish for gym

Headphones aimed at the fashionable consumer are not in short supply these days, but one would think the last place people are concerned about gadget style would be the gym. However, plenty of manufacturers are banking on the belief that you want good-looking tech no matter how sweaty you are, hence the Powerbeats by Dr. Dre Sport Headphones from Monster. These $150 earphones offer a secure fit, integrated iPhone controls, and a sleek look--but they're also pricey for workout headphones, and they don't seem particularly durable or sweat-resistant.

Read the full Powerbeats by Dr. Dre Sport Headphones review … Read more

Valentine's Day gift idea: Klipsch Image S3 in-ear headphones, $28 shipped

Nothing says "I love you" like a pair of noise-isolating earphones. Because they're so, um, noise-isolating. (I know, I'm reaching.)

If you're a guy shopping for a Valentine's Day gift for a gal, this might be just the thing: Bob and Ron's World Wide Stereo has the Klipsch Image S3 in-ear headphones, in pink, for $27.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code DEALNEWS3.

These are higher-end headphones, typically selling for around $49. Unlike the Image S2m I wrote about a couple weeks back, they don't have an in-line microphone.

They … Read more

Musician-inspired headphones dominate CES 2011

LAS VEGAS--There's no denying it: the trend for headphones at CES 2011 was to have a musician's name attached to the product. Like it or not, the success of the Beats by Dr. Dre line from Monster has a lot to do with the current undercurrent in this market. Of course, one would hope that any earphones made in conjunction with a musical artist sound spectacular, and for many of those announced during this year's show, that remains to be seen. However, we can take a closer look at the exterior design featured by the models shown … Read more

CES: Sennheiser shows off 2011 headphone lineup

LAS VEGAS--Headphones, headphones, and more headphones. That was the unsurprising theme from headphone-maker Sennheiser during an off-site CES event last night. The company took advantage of Pepcom to show off some of its wares for the coming year. Among them, the new Adidas fashion line, digital noise-canceling earphones with three levels of sound hushing, and new additions with integrated iPhone remotes. To check out these and more, take a gander at the gallery below.