earphones

Sweet headphones for music phones

If you own a cell phone with a music player built-in, the best way to take advantage of both capabilities is with a stereo headset. That is, a pair of headphones with an integrated mic and call-answer button.

Plenty of music phones offer stereo Bluetooth capability, which lets you take calls and listen to music through a headset without pesky wires getting in the way. But at this stage in the game, the sound quality is generally not going to be as good as what you can get through a decent wired set.

Better yet, wired headsets are often cheaper … Read more

Monday roundup: Five sweet deals

What's this? A week's worth of deals in a single post? Before you collapse to your knees in teary-eyed gratitude, allow me to explain.

See, I couldn't find a standout, must-have, totally killer deal today. So instead I decided to bring you five that I consider pretty good--in some cases very good. Take a look:

Buy.com has the Sony Fontopia MDR-EX71SL noise-isolating earphones for $9.80 out the door. They come with three earbud sizes, a 2.5-to-3.5mm adapter, and a hard-plastic carrying case.Today only, Woot.com has the refurbished Flip MinoHD 720p pocket camcorder for $79.99 (… Read more

Skullcandy 50/50 earphones control your iPhone

Skullcandy has made quite a name for itself in the headphone world, thanks largely to its focus on funky fashion and its aggressive marketing tactics aimed at tweens, teens, and young adults. However, the latest Skullcandy earphones to come down the pipe are perhaps the most adult-oriented we've seen from the company.

The 50/50 earbuds, which are moderately priced at $49.95, come in an array of relatively muted color options and feature inline controls for the iPhone and iPod, as well as a striking low-end response. The audio clarity isn't the best and they feel a … Read more

How about a bullet to the head?

Or to the ear, to be more specific. Any takers? What if I pay you $100 you pay me $250? Actually, Munitio, maker of the Teknines Nine Millimeter Earphones, is really hoping you'd be willing to pay it that chunk of change for the privilege of sporting the ridiculous copper alloy 'buds. And in case it wasn't already abundantly clear: yes, they are modeled after bullets, and yes, they really do cost $250. But, hey, at least they're gold-plated, and the cable is coated in Kevlar, right?

OK, that last part is pretty sweet, actually. With the … Read more

Diddybeats serve up features, style, and sound

It might be said that the best people to create audio products such as headphones are musicians. That was certainly Monster's feeling when the cable company teamed up with Dr. Dre to create a line of headphones vetted by the hip hop legend. The Beats line encompasses everything from full-size studio cans to a pair of glittery 'buds from Lady Gaga.

Now, Monster and Dr. Dre have brought Sean "Diddy" Combs into the fold, and he has introduced yet another model to the line, the Diddybeats High Performance In-Ear Headphones. The $150 earphones certainly reflect the rapper'… Read more

Jays V-Jays headphones sleek, flimsy

Swedish headphone maker Jays isn't exactly a newcomer to the market, but the company's products had yet to make their way to the CNET Reviews desk until recently. The first pair to earn the privilege is a sleek, $98 on-ear model with a superlightweight and compact design dubbed the V-Jays. These headphones offer reasonably balanced sound and an understated style that will surely appeal to the eye of many an earbud hater, but flimsy elements and an anemic low-end response will turn some potential buyers off.

Read the Jays V-Jays Headphones review

Update: Headphones for less than $25

If you're going to get one accessory to go with your MP3 player, make it a decent pair of headphones. This may seem counterintuitive when you consider that all such devices come with a pair of earbuds in the package, but trust us when we tell you this stock set isn't doing you any favors in the sound or comfort department.

The majority of MP3 players include a pair of hard, plastic earphones with subpar sonic capabilities. Of course, they get the job done, so we can understand not wanting to drop a grip of cash on a … Read more

Rockford Fosgate moves from the car into your ear

If you're in the market for a new pair of headphones, Rockford Fosgate is probably not a company that springs to mind, what with the fact that it is almost exclusively a manufacturer of car audio. Indeed, aside from a few boat-friendly products and a set of DJ-friendly speakers, the only nonautomobile gadget Rockford Fosgate makes is a new pair of in-ear headphones, the PP15mm Punch Plugs. This $99 pair of earphones features a stylish design and plenty of low-end oomph, though the sound distortions present during some tracks will likely scare away audio purists.

Read the Rockford Fosgate Punch Plugs review… Read more

Phiaton PS 210 earphones deliver clear audio

In a space dominated by the likes of Bose, Sennheiser, and Shure, Phiaton is a relative newcomer to the headphone game. The company made its initial grab for attention with some eye-catching models that were stylish without being over the top. Phiaton continues this strategy with its latest earphones, the in-ear PS 210 sound-isolating earbuds.

This $99 set isn't the best option for blocking out environmental noise, but it does offer clear, mostly balanced audio and a relatively comfortable fit. Anyone who prefers a heavier low end, however, should consider other options.

Read the full Phiaton PS 210 review.… Read more