Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX Series 3 loudspeaker
Might as well start at the top: Wilson Audio Specialties current top-of-the-line loudspeakers weigh nearly 1,200 pounds per pair, are 5'7" tall, look like giant metal praying mantises, and are guaranteed to make your music sound like angels singing on high. You'll pay $68,000 for the epiphanic joy these loudspeakers will bring, and that's not even including the cost of shipping (which is probably high, given that they weigh about half a car). The list of specs and audiophilic descriptions of the sound it produces are too long to replicate, but suffice to say that these are the speakers that convinced us that we need audiophiles. $68,000/pair. [Wilson]

Sennheiser HD800 Headphones or Shure SE310 Earbuds
Headphones are actually one of the more affordable items in an audiophile's arsenal, although of course "affordable" is an extremely relative term when you're talking high-end audio equipment. Sennheiser's $1,400 HD800 headphones may look like a Cylon is eating your face from either side, but by all accounts they sound absolutely incredible. If you're looking for earbuds, Shure's line is hard to beat—an audiophile will appreciate the almost impulse-worthy SE310s. Sennheiser HD800: $1,400, Shure SE310: $155. [Amazon: Sennheiser, Shure]

Ayre Acoustics QB-9 DAC
Audiophiles aren't just vinyl-loving holdouts from 1975—they're a forward-looking group, and they certainly haven't ignored the computer's contribution to music consumption. But pumping audio through the built-in DAC in a computer just isn't going to cut it for true audiophiles; it's filled with noise from a computer's internals and all kinds of sacrifices had to be made in quality, for size and power reasons. Enter the QB-9 DAC. It has a single input, USB, and includes all kinds of complicated mechanics designed to turn your computer into a legitimate high-end audio source. $2,500. [Ayre]

Cowon S9
Mark wasn't thrilled with it in his review, but his issues—confusing UI browsing and a slightly cheap-feeling exterior—apparently haven't mattered to audiophiles, as they've embraced the PMP. The S9 has Cowon's vaunted sound quality, but that's not what separates it from the also excellent-sounding Samsung P3, Zune HD and Sony X-Series—it's the codec support that sets it apart. It supports FLAC, OGG, and APE, and that coupled with a surprisingly cheap price make it a solid buy for a digital audiophile. 32GB for $260. [Newegg]

Peachtree Audio Nova
The Peachtree Audio Nova integrated amplifier is an easily recommendable purchase—it's extremely well-reviewed (Stereophile rated it "Best Budget Product of 2009") and it's a great do-everything amp. The 80wpc deck has USB inputs for your computer, two optical inputs, and two coax, plus three analog line-level, with enough outputs and plugs for any additions to your setup you might want to make in the future. Plus, it's pretty good-looking for audio equipment. 1,220. [Amazon]

Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player
Sometimes even an audiophile likes to break from listening to music and maybe watch a movie, and Oppo's BDP-83 is one of the best (and best-sounding) players on the market. It's notable because it also supports SACD and DVD-Audio, so it can replace an existing player while adding Blu-ray functionality. $500. [Amazon]

Subscription to Stereophile Magazine
Throughout my research on audiophile equipment for this guide, Stereophile kept popping up, and was a consistently solid, unpretentious and easygoing source. They've got a good eye on price—they might recommend a $68,000 pair of speakers, but they also won't shy from recommending something as inexpensive and ubiquitous as an iPod. One year for $13. [Stereophile]

DON'T BUY Anything Without Asking First
Audiophiles are intensely personal about their equipment. Once you get up to a certain level of quality, choosing between products becomes a matter of individual preference—you might think Shure's SE310 earbuds are a great gift, but the audiophile who receives them might prefer the soundstage of Etymotic. I recommend you force your audiophile to fill out an Amazon gift guide. It takes some of the surprise out of the holidays, sure, but it'll be worth it—you'll know you're buying something your audiophile will genuinely like.

Special thanks to Stereophile's Best of 2009 guide.

Price

$250 with mixamp needed to combine chatting and surround sound.

Verdict

I still vastly prefer the convenience of Turtle Beach's wireless X41 headset, but I have to admit, the Astro A40 sounds better.
Playing Borderlands, everything from the growls of skaggs to the cadence of machine gun fire sounded richer and rounder on the A40s than my X41s. Maybe the sounds weren't always as distinct, but especially when cranking the volume on each headset, I realized the general listenability—the whole package of sound—was more pleasant with Atro's product, making me long for hearing loss. It's a difference in mid range that, while not absolutely Earth-shattering, will probably be noticeable to most in a side-by-side test.

Both headsets have extremely similar sound localization. And chatting, on both, is an equal joy.

But there's one, huge, horrible, despicable Achilles' heel to the Astro A40s. To connect the headset to an Xbox 360 (or PS3/PC), wires will invade your entire living room because the console needs to plug twice into a mixamp (the big, retro box you see in the lead photo), then the mixamp connects your headphones and controller. That's confusing, I know. Here's the full workflow:

Xbox 360 optical out and USB cord => A40 Mixamp => Headphones/Mic and Xbox 360 controller.
Ultimately, not only are you negotiating four wires for this one headset, but you'll still be tethered close to your console because of one, generally short/inflexible wire: the optical cord from your Xbox to the Mixamp (you can always opt for stereo plugs, but that sort of spoils the fun).

So while I knew the A40s sounded a bit better than my X41s, I couldn't kick back and enjoy the game in the same way. For one long cord or tight quarters PC gaming, I might opt for the A40s. For four cords sprawled across my living room, I'm sticking with the X41s—especially since they're $50+ less.

Maybe you'll feel differently.

Excellent sound

Headphones work with any 3.5mm source, too

Wiring gets obnoxious

The bass is "highly addictive" and its "resolution of fine detail is extraordinary," with isolation so solid it'll block screeching NYC subway cars (that's amazing, if you've ever heard the 6 train pull into Union Square, which sounds like a dying elephant shoved into a blender with a cat and the Phoenix). Of course, any headphones this high end require custom molds from an audiologist, which adds another $150 to the price. Steve says they're worth $1100, not just because they're hand-built and designed Jerry Harvey, who founded Ultimate Ears, but because you'll get 10 years of use out of them—which, looked at from that angle, isn't so bad. Check out the full review here: [Cnet]

The 3-button remote can be used to easily control music and video playback, adjust volume, record voice memos and answer or end calls. The original Shure SE115 headset had a great reputation, so this should be a welcome upgrade for iPhone users. Expect to see the Shure SE115m+ headset on store shelves by the end of the month for $120. [Pitch Engine]

We're gonna be talking in-ear earbuds—canalphones, really, or in-ear monitors, if you're snooty—since all the good stuff goes deep into your precious earholes. We aren't talking about headphones because great headphones aren't the most discreet things around—can't defeat physics, children. Unless you derive some sick pleasure from jogging with a pair of giant cans bolted to your head, earbuds are the way to go.

It's All About the Drivers—No, Not Those Kind

Whether you're talking about headphones or earbuds, they work a lot like loudspeakers, just miniaturized. The key element in both are drivers, though earphone drivers are a lot smaller, and do a lot less work to make the same music.

There are two main types of drivers: The a dynamic driver works just like a traditional one in big ol' speaker. The benefit of the dynamic driver is that it produces a nice bass response, though it can be hard to miniaturize.

A balanced armature driver is pretty common in serious in-ear monitors, since it's easy to shrink down. Originally found in hearing aids, it houses a magnetic armature that moves when an electric current runs through the coil, putting pressure on the diaphragm, creating sound. It can be, and often is, paired with a dynamic driver.

Most earbuds just have the one driver, though more and more have multiple drivers. That costs more 'cause it's harder to cram more than one into a tiny casing meant to rest gravity-free in your ear. With multiple drivers also comes a "crossover network," circuitry meant to divide music into different frequencies and route them to the appropriate drivers, an additional payload to stuff into that tight space. Once all that is crammed in, however, multi-driver earbuds typically sound better than single-driver ones, because the woofer, tweeter and mid-range horn are more innately equipped to handle their own domains of sound—from boomy bass to sizzly treble.

Among the least expensive multiple-driver earbuds are Apple's fancier $80 in-ear earbuds, which use two drivers, a tweeter for highs, and another for everything else. It gets more expensive as you creep up. Shure's three-driver SE530 lists for $500 (but can be found for much less). Ultimate Ears' UE-11 Pro, which will run you a ridiculous $1150, come with a correspondingly ridiculous four drivers. That's one for mid-range and one for highs and two for bass.

Some companies opt for a single driver because they think it's better, since there aren't complications with crossover networks, trying to get all the drivers to work together to produce seamless sound. On the other hand, with a single driver, you're asking one driver to do everything: highs, lows and mid-range, says Stereophile senior contributing editor Michael Fremer Fremer. (Yes, that Michael Fremer.) That's why , FutureSonics, for instance, makers of pro monitoring gear, charges so much for their single-driver earbuds. "A really good single-driver can sound really good," says Fremer.

What It's Made Of, How It's Made

Besides more drivers, what you get in pricier earbuds is (surprise, surprise) better materials, finer build quality and a more focused design. Michael Johns, headphones manager for Shure—known for earbuds with MSRP ranging from $100 to $500 but rarely double digits—told me that most of the really cheap ($20) headphones on the market are basically rebranded crap from no-name factories, and that when you buy those with suggested retail pricing between $50 and $100, you're mostly paying for style, not sound. The top-tier brands, of which there are many, tend to design and engineer their own headphones. The expense of that is, unfortunately, passed on to you.

The cost of raw ingredients is also passed to you—the cable material, the magnet behind the diaphragm, the diaphragm material itself, the overall quality of the driver, and the enclosure. (Again, all of the stuff that jacks up the price of higher quality loudspeakers too.) None of that stuff, when it's well made, is cheap. Fremer says, for instance, that better headphones actually use stronger magnets than cheaper headphones. As you might guess, the more powerful the magnet, the higher the cost.

The Fit

With legit in-ear buds, fit matters a lot, because the seal is critical. Not only does a good seal mean less ambient noise infiltrates your ears—allowing you to keep your volume low while still catching the full dynamic range—but an airtight seal is how you get decent bass response. And you want something shoved deep down inside your ear to be comfortable, as well as fit, so there's a lot of different kinds of tips earbud makers have come up with. Besides the standard rubber bulb, there's squishy foam, and the Christmas tree-lookin' triple-flange sleeves. What works best often comes down to your own ears and personal preference, which is why better earbuds come with a ton of tips.

What Do I Buy?

So, uh, what's the sweet spot price for great headphones? If Shure and Fremer had their way, everybody would spend upwards of $200 on their earbuds, but if you twist their arm, they'll agree that $100 is where buds start getting decent. The real trick, according to Fremer, is just getting people to "spend that first hundred bucks."

The law of diminishing returns tends to kick in above that point: The difference between $300 set of buds and a $400 pair is nowhere near the jump from $20 to $100. Even smaller is the difference in models between generations. The best value on the market might be a previous-gen version of Shure's 500 series buds at a cut rate ($290), but if you can find $100 earbuds for 70 bucks, it's even better.

Interestingly, Fremer says what you're looking for in great earbuds is "a relatively flat frequency response so no frequency is accentuated above another," so "the product that sounds the best is usually the one that impresses you the least at first." Buds that tout big bass, for instance, don't actually have better bass, just more of it. (You can always adjust the EQ if you want more bass.)

Whatever you do, for Christ's sake—and yours—ditch the iPod earbuds.

Still something you wanna know? Send questions about buds, tips or hot waitresses who deserve big tips to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Giz Explains" in the subject line.

You don't need to press any buttons, as the earphones use Sony Ericsson's 'SensMe' technology to sense your body. They come in chrome and yellow/white, and will be available worldwide this week for about $55 (39 Euros). The one bummer: you'll need a Sony Erisson phone with a "Fast port" connector. You can check for compatibility here: [Sony Ericsson]

They'll sell in October for $30 and come with extra ear caps that tailor toward boys, girls or the Dutch. [Griffin Technology via Gadgenista via Coolest Gadgets]

In other words, Beats Solo provides users looking to tap into Dr. Dre's formidable experience in quality sound a third option that fits neatly between the Studio Beats and the in-ear Tour Beats product. It also features ControlTalk functionality for on-cable control of your music and phone calls. It's still not cheap by any means, but it seems to me that Beats Solo might be the porridge that's just right as far as high quality headphones are concerned. [BusinessWire via DVICE]

V-Moda released another pair of in-ear headphones called the Faze, and the spec sheet certainly makes it sound like they can withstand a beating. With aluminum alloy bodies and Kevlar reinforced cabling, I half expect to be able to use them as a zip-line cord (disclaimer: don't try it, you'll get hurt).

V-Moda didn't sacrifice the Faze's looks in exchange for their supposedly solid construction, either. The cans strongly resemble their fashionable precursor, the Vibe, with shiny silver accents on black metal earpieces. But V-Moda has notoriously had some build issues with several of their headphones in the past, so we'll have to test these ourselves to see how they compare. The headphones feature an in-line mic so you can take calls from your cellphone, and even include a 2.5mm adapter for anyone without a 3.5mm headphone jack on their mobile.

You can grab a pair of Fazes today for $50. [Best Buy via iLounge]

Oh, and the PX-200 II. Like before, the PX-100 II has an open design and from the looks of it, sounds a little bassier than the PX-200 II, which still has a closed design, but with better sealing than before. The PX-200 II also has a volume control integrated into the longass 1.2-meter cable. And yes, they still fold. Sadly, Sennheiser's holding back on the price, but they hit stores worldwide this month, so we won't have to wait too long to find out the damage.

Sennheiser also dropped a triplet of ginormous Kleer-powered wireless cans, the RS 160, RS 170 and RS 180, for home theater people who have to turn down their speaker system at night.

Great sound doesn't need much space The new PX 100-II and PX 200-II from Sennheiser
Wedemark, 2 September 2009 – Simply reach into your bag, switch on your MP3 player, unfold your headphones and you're ready to listen. With the second generation of the Sennheiser models PX 100 and PX 200 you can enjoy music in excellent quality anywhere and at any time. The two foldable mini headphones with proven Sennheiser acoustics are the ideal companion wherever you go. The new Sennheiser models will be shown for the first time at IFA in Berlin.

For all those who want top-quality sound not only at home but also for their iPhone*, iPod* or MP3 player, audio specialist Sennheiser now has two new mini headphones in its product range. "The PX 100-II and the PX 200-II have powerful transducers with neodymium magnets that ensure a clear and natural sound reproduction and a total harmonic distortion of less than 0.1 percent," said Ivan Kuan, Senior Product Manager Consumer Electronics at Sennheiser, describing the two new headphones. "In recent years, there have been tremendous further developments in the technology – and therefore in the sound quality – of portable players. For that reason, music lovers should choose those headphones that also make this progress audible."

Mini headphones in a class of their own
The PX 100-II is a pair of dynamic mini headphones with an open design and, just like its predecessor model, guarantees natural sound reproduction with a powerful bass. Its frequency response ranges from 15 to 27,000 Hertz. The PX200-II is ideally suited for use in noisy surroundings. Its closed design effectively attenuates external noise, letting you listen to music in peace without being disturbed – and without disturbing others. Improved ear pads additionally guarantee an optimal sealing with the ears. The frequency response of the closed stereo mini headphones extends from 10 to 21,000 Hertz – the perfect sound experience on the go.

With their comfortably padded, supra-aural ear cushions, the PX100-II and PX 200-II can provide music enjoyment for hours on end. A 1.2 metre long, single- sided cable offers generous freedom of movement – even if your player is in your pocket. The PX 200-II also lets you conveniently adjust the volume using the volume control integrated into the cable.

Amazing sound - amazingly compact The PX 100-II and PX 200-II not only offer outstanding acoustic properties, the foldable mini headphones are also amazingly compact. The clever 'fold and flip' design means that you simply close the headband, fold in the ear cups and the headphones are then small enough to pack away into the handy transport pouch.

New steel reinforcements in the headband and sturdy metal joints provide the headphones with the necessary strength and durability even in the toughest everyday use. When they are folded away, you can take them anywhere. After all, great sound doesn't need much space. The PX 100-II and the PX 200-II are available in stores worldwide from September in the colours black and white. The set includes a soft transport pouch.

A trio with state-of-the-art technology: three new wireless headphones from Sennheiser
Wedemark, 2 September 2009 – Conquering the Empire as a Jedi knight without waking the neighbours? Conducting a symphony orchestra in fortissimo with the kids asleep in their beds? No longer a problem with the new wireless headphones from Sennheiser. No matter whether connected to a television set or a hi-fi system, the RS 160, RS 170 and RS 180 guarantee an excellent sound experience. Dynamic sound transducers with powerful neodymium magnets ensure a clear, high-resolution audio playback whilst the Kleer transmission technology promises uncompressed transmission of the audio data. The three new headphones will be shown for the first time at the IFA in Berlin.

"The RS 160, RS 170 and RS 180 headphones represent a perfectly free, wireless sound experience," says Maurice Quarré, Head of Product Management Consumer Electronics at Sennheiser. "All three models offer highly impressive audio quality – with no cables to get in the way. They all use Kleer transmission technology, which operates without compression and therefore without any audio loss." Not only can you move around while watching television but you can also enjoy cable- free music at a radius of up to 100 metres (RS 160 up to 20 metres, RS 170 up to 80 metres and RS 180 up to 100 metres, line of sight).

Cinema-quality performance The new RS models combine cinema- quality sound with movie star looks. "Clear lines and sophisticated, reflective surfaces in black, silver and anthracite make them genuinely desirable design objects," continued Maurice Quarré. The headphones, with their soft padded ear cups and adjustable headbands, are specifically designed for hours of television or music enjoyment and are still comfortable to wear when your movie night eventually draws to a close.

Cinema-quality sound in the living room Tried and tested Sennheiser technology ensures transparent and balanced sound with the new wireless headphones. Dynamic transducers with powerful neodymium magnets and a distortion of only 0.5 percent reproduce even the subtlest musical nuances. The frequency response reaches from 18 to 21.000 Hertz. With a sound pressure level of 106/110decibels the three headphones have outstanding dynamics.

The RS 160 is the entry-level model: the closed headphones impress with their detailed sound and powerful bass reproduction. The volume can be controlled directly on the headphones. The RS 170 is also a closed model and delivers dynamic bass boost and switchable surround sound. The top-of-the-range RS 180 model is targeted at sound purists; the open design ensures a particularly natural listening experience which can be set to individual preferences. The speech intelligibility can be improved through dynamic compression (Automatic Level Control) and the balance can also be individually adjusted.

Plug and Play It‘s just so easy to connect the wireless headphones – whether to a television set, stereo system or DVD-Player. If the transmitter is connected to an audio or video device, it automatically transmits the audio data to the headphones: switch them on, put them on and sit back and enjoy the results. The 2-gigahertz digital radio transmission ensures smooth transmission with a high signal-to-noise ratio of 85 dBA. The Kleer technology even allows the listening pleasure to be shared as up to four headphones can receive radio signals via one transmitter.

The transmitter of the RS 160 has a diameter of only 9.7 centimetres. When connected to an MP3 player or mobile phone it fits easily into a backpack, which means that the headphones can be used for wireless music enjoyment whether you are at home or out and about. The RS 170 and RS 180 transmitters are a little larger as these also serve as a charging cradle.
All three models will be available worldwide from October.

[Sennheiser, Sennheiser via ecoustics]

From what we've read today, the early reviews/indications seem positive, but that price—oh, the price!

The trendy box includes some replacement buds and that's it. [Sound Earphones, Grado via Engadget]

Will they be something drastically new, or perhaps something along the lines of their conservative (but well received) update to the QuietComfort 15? The mind simply boggles (if your mind happens to love Bose anyway).

Clicking the included link only bought me to the main Bose product page. We'll know more when the products start rolling out tomorrow. [Thanks, Adam]

We have seen this idea before, but only in concept form (and really more aesthetic than practical). Unfortunately, while consolidating the earbuds into one long cable may help the situation, one cord can still get awfully tangled. The two best solutions? There's the One True Way to tie earbuds together, and the more artsy business card method. Still, we wouldn't say no to a pair of Shures with this zipper implemented. [Lee Washington via Reddit]

There've been cheaper HD-branded models for years, and they've generally been pretty great. The $100 price point, though, marks sort of a golden zone for headphones and earbuds—it's the most a lot of people are willing to spend, and where the hardware starts to really shine. The HD 428, 438 (pictured above) and 448 sit in this $30 sweet spot, and fall somewhere between portable headphones and giant home stereo alien ear bulbs in terms of size.

The main differences between the headphones are sound signature—the cheaper 428 is bassier, while the 428 and 448 go for a more natural mix—and style—the 428 has a subdued cross pattern, the 448 a subtle brushed aluminum look, and the 438 has, er, hubcaps "reminiscent of the alloy wheels on luxury sports cars," by which Sennheiser presumably means 1984 Honda CRXes. Which is fine! [Sennheiser]

On the turboprop plane down to Kite Boarding camp in North Carolina the hot blue and green $70 On Ear headphones blocked out a good deal of the background noise, including Blam's snoring in the seat in front of mine. They aren't advertised as noise canceling, but the smaller than average ear cups fit securely around my ears and were super comfortable (you can adjust them "DJ style" to fit behind your head). Besides being able to sleep comfortably with them on, music sounded crisp when awake. However, they didn't make surf song classics like "Wipe Out" sound any more tolerable.

I also took along a pair of the bright pink and orange $40 In Earphones which have a mic for making calls. The sound quality wasn't anything to write home about and is on par with Apple's standard earbuds. The mic didn't pick up much background noise, even while sitting outside near the water.

The Roxy headphones didn't make me a better surfer or kite boarder, though neither did the $50 Roxy board shorts I bought. But at least with the help of JBL they offer good sound and should get a chiseled surfer dude, like Laird Hamilton to at least look my way. [Roxy]

Summermodo is a chance for Giz to get outside and test our gear where it belongs.

The headset will actually feature customizable ear cup "Glyphs" to identify your faction along with programmable LEDs so your mom can better appreciate the Horde's power as it burns a bright red into her eyes.

With a promised focus on comfort, the Mac and PC wireless headset will stream uncompressed audio while a (surely cheaper) wired headset will manage the same feat with a cord. And while the specs sound nice (pun intended), the headsets seem to lack true surround sound capabilities. So hopefully they'll be priced accordingly. [Creative via Fareastgizmos]

Anyone who's had much exposure to Bose's bulky QuietComfort 2s or smaller QuietComfort 3s knows the story: they cancel noise pretty well, and they sound pretty good, though in the last few years—QuietComforts have been around in their current incarnations for a surprisingly long time—other companies have stepped in with products that do pretty much the same thing, cheaper. So! Bose has two options: Go low, or, you know, improve the product. With the QuietComfort 15, which will replace the old old old QC2 starting tomorrow, they've gone with the latter.

From a design standpoint, this is a very familiar product—it's hard to find any external hardware changes aside from a new LED indicator and a slightly changed curvature on the headband. Likewise on the sound, which is perfectly adequate, but won't blow audiophiles away.

The noise canceling, on the other hand, is a different story: it strips out low frequencies way, way better than the QC2 or QC3, to the point that typical airline noise (simulated in my test, but definitely loud) becomes almost imperceptible. Wearing these things sounds almost like wearing two of the old models, stacked, if that makes any sense. Pending fuller tests, I'd say it feels like this is a healthy upgrade for the QuietComfort's target customers: guys in suits with belt-strapped iPod Classics, and airlines.

That said, they're still fairly bulbous, and probably deserved a redesign, since this shell's been around for nearly a decade. That, and the price: The QuietComfort 15 is going to inherit the $300 pricepoint, and since its improvements are fairly subtle, it'll be hard not to feel a little ripped-off at the register. [Bose]

iHome's iHMP5Us are pretty typical closed-cup headphones, save for the fact that you can balance them on the table, fold the earpieces out, hit a magnetic amplifier switch and share your music with the whole room.

Powered by 2 AAA batteries, we immediately assumed that the idea couldn't produce sound that's all that loud. But then we remembered pretty much every trip we've ever taken on public transportation and the tinny ambient music leaking from some past-prime sorority girl's non-ironically electropop-laden playlist (and her crappy earbuds).

Still, while the iHMP5Us will almost certainly produce a respectable volume, they may or may not be of a quality you'd actually enjoy listening to. [iHome]

Of course, like a fine wine, what constitutes quality for an audiophile is largely a matter of personal opinion. Dr. Dre wants to bring his brand of quality to the masses, but whether or not people will pay premium prices for it remains to be seen. So, out of curiosity, I am wondering how many of you would classify yourself as an audiophile. For those that do fall in that category, let us know what you look for in superior sound quality.

The thing about the water is that a lot of times you have other people out so having music to listen to is a way to block out people's questions. Kidding aside, it's one way to be in your own little world.

I use music in my regimen when it involves anything with long distances—if I'm doing a really long crossing, or something that's going to take me a while, music is a good distraction. It's a way to kinda let time go by.

Then I found that surfing with the right song creates a whole other situation that you don't have when you're not listening to the music. It's almost like you use a different part of your brain than you normally would without music. Sometimes I feel like things slow down, and I have more time to do maneuvers and to observe what's happening. (I'm not sure if there's any scientific research on that.)

Obviously, when waves are at 80 feet and our lives are on the line, we're not listening to music. We need to hear what's going on and, being put in a demanding situation, we need to be able to communicate. But we do it a lot on our foil boards—those hydrofoil boards that we ride—and again, with the right song, it's a little bit like a movie with a soundtrack. Music just really turns it into a whole different experience.

Before H2O Audio and the iPod, we had music. We were hungry in the early days, so we had the Walkman. They made a little case for a Walkman, with some earphones. We've been using music in surfing and paddling since it first became available in any form.

Laird Hamilton has been a surfing hero since the 1980s, solidifying his reputation as the king of big wave surfing when he conquered Tahiti's Teahupo'o Reef at its most perilous in August 2000. As an innovator, he pioneered many new activities including kitesurfing, tow-in surfing and hydrofoil boarding. He's on the board of directors at H2O Audio, makers of pro-level waterproof iPhone and iPod cases, and has his own signature line of Surge waterproof earphones, proceeds of which are donated to the Beautiful Son foundation for autism education.

As much as there's nothing more adorable than sharing one pair of earbuds, one bud per person, sometimes you just gotta have the full stereo. Splitterbot is here to keep the cuteness factor up while retaining superior sound quality. You have to pop his head off to reveal the audio-in jack, and then the two pairs of 'phones are plugged directly into the little guy's eyes. That sounds way more grotesque than cute, now that I write it, but probably in practice it's not quite so gruesome. Splitterbot is available for $16, because cuteness demands a slight premium. [Product Page via Nerd Approved]

The key to the S4i's dynamic music performance is a moving coil micro-speaker with controlled damping, a feature that allows it to deliver smooth, full-bodied sound similar to a more expensive design. A dual neodymium magnet motor structure, in each of the 8.5 mm drivers, establishes the S4i's damping characteristics. It's a quality that allows kick drums to "attack" and Intermodulation distortion, or IMD, to be significantly reduced.

If you are a real audiophile that trusts Klipsch products, these may be worth picking up. As you might expect, loyalty will cost you—the S4i will run you $100 this August while Apple's headset can be had right now for $80.

New Breakthrough Product: Klipsch® Image S4i In-Ear Headset
One of the first third party headphones with integrated microphone and remote

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 21, 2009) - Klipsch plans to re-define the music listening experience with its new Image S4i, an in-ear headset that combines the company's acclaimed sound performance and amazing comfort value with a unique in-line microphone and remote.

"Designed for iPhone and iPod users, the Image S4i is a breakthrough product that simplifies on-the-go lifestyles-you can take calls while commuting or exercising, as well as control your music library," said Don Inmon, Klipsch director of marketing and product development for personal audio.

The Image S4i works seamlessly with the iPhone 3GS, third generation iPod shuffle, second generation iPod touch, fourth generation iPod nano and the iPod classic 120GB. The headset features Apple's advanced three-button microphone and remote system that easily handles the voice and/or music control of these Apple products.

Furthermore, the S4i remote is among the first to be fully compatible with the Apple VoiceOver feature on the third generation iPod shuffle, which allows you to hear the name of the playlist, song or artist with just the press of a button.

According to Paul Jacobs, president and COO of Klipsch Group, Inc., when you combine Apple's incredible products with our 63 years of experience in high-performance audio, you can expect one of the coolest, most advanced headset designs out there. "It's definitely a platform that will dynamically change the music experience for our customers."

Unlike most headsets, the S4i positions its in-line microphone and remote at the yoke-where the two cables meet at chest level-to create a more natural feel when answering calls and controlling music. Because the microphone is a highly intelligible 360-degree design, you don't have to talk down into it; you can speak as if you're having a face-to-face conversation. Additionally, the microphone features echo cancellation, which keeps it from picking up the external noise around you.

Because durability is a major concern when it comes to headphone and headset cables, Klipsch has gone to great lengths to ensure the S4i cables are a well-balanced combination of being robust as well as discreet. The company has added appropriate strain relief at every cable connection point to help prevent wire damage, while also putting them through extensive "real world" testing.

The Image S4i utilizes the company's exclusive oval ear tips that provide comfortable long-term wear. Unlike circular-shaped designs that put stress on the pressure points inside the ear, Klipsch's oval ear tips naturally fit the contours of the ear canals. These ear tips also offer superior passive noise-cancellation, blocking out almost all ambient noise and providing excellent bass.

"Once you have the right fit and seal, these headsets are virtually impossible to feel," said Mark Blanchard, senior acoustic design engineer for Klipsch and inventor of the company's oval ear tips. "When we began studying three-dimensional ear impressions, it was discovered that nearly everyone has an oval-shaped ear canal. We couldn't believe that no one else had yet considered the anatomical shape of the ear canal when designing in-ear headphones."

Blanchard also mentioned that when you wear Klipsch headphones or headsets, you don't need to turn up the volume as loud because a good seal dramatically reduces background noise-a feature that could definitely help preserve your hearing.

The key to the S4i's dynamic music performance is a moving coil micro-speaker with controlled damping, a feature that allows it to deliver smooth, full-bodied sound similar to a more expensive design. A dual neodymium magnet motor structure, in each of the 8.5 mm drivers, establishes the S4i's damping characteristics. It's a quality that allows kick drums to "attack" and Intermodulation distortion, or IMD, to be significantly reduced.

Available in a piano black finish with chrome accents, the Image S4i comes with a two-year warranty and includes a premium carrying pouch; small, medium and large ear tips; small/medium dual flange ear tips; an ear tip cleaning tool; and a clothing clip. Priced at $99.99 (U.S. MSRP), the S4i will be available for purchase at klipsch.com, Apple, InMotion and Amazon in August.

[Klipsch]

Shure has always been famous for their in-ear headphones, which to me feel like they are tickling my brain. Their new SRH line has three models. The ones above these lines are the top of the line $250 SRH840. According to Shure, they have 40mm neodymium dynamic drivers and are optimized "for studio recording and critical listening" with 102dB/mW sensitivity and 5 Hz - 25 kHz frequency range.

The $125 Shure SRH240 also has 40mm drivers, 105 dB sensitivity (1kHz), and a 10 Hz - 22 kHz frequency range. The bottom model—the $75 SRH240 only has a 20 Hz - 20 kHz range. [Shure via MacWorld]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
[Thriller Headphones via Josh Spear]

Incidentally, the rep claimed all of Shure's buds would fit on the Turbines perfectly, in case you hate the pack Monster provides. But I don't think you will—they fit pretty nicely, and I have picky, small earholes that I apparently need to clean, since the buds pretty slimy when I plucked them out.

I suspected they added another driver to round out the sound—and the $250 pricetag, $100 more than the regular Turbines would support that—but apparently it's still a single dynamic driver, just made with a different designed and different materials. I'm interested to see how they stack up in a more comprehensive review scenario than my quick listen against similarly priced multi-driver buds. They'll be out next month. [Monster]

In any case, the Fatal1ty Headset has gold plated plugs, oxygen-free copper wire, sound isolating cups and a boom microphone that detatches. And when you use the headset with a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium sound card, you get active noise cancellation and voice morphing capabilities. The Fatil1ty Gaming Headset MKII will retail later this month for $100, and will be available for pre-order starting today on Amazon, Newegg and direct from Creative.

Creative Unleashes Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset Mk II at E3

Ups the Game with Silencer Technology for Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Sound Cards

Los Angeles, CA June 2, 2009 – Creative today unleashed its new Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset Mk II at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). World champion gamer Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel will compete with and demo his new Creative headset in the Fatal1ty booth #2922 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 2-4.

The Creative Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset Mk II looks tough and sounds sweet. Jet black ear cups with mesh grill accents framed in red and the adjustable flexible boom microphone set it apart as pro-style gaming gear. Because it's backed by Creative audio technology, the Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset Mk II sounds as killer as it looks. Full spectrum (20Hz ~ 20 kHz) 40mm neodymium drivers along with Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) cable and gold-plated stereo mini plugs deliver crystal-clear sound in any game, from MMO to FPS.

The Creative Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset Mk II is designed for comfort as much as performance. Plush ear cups are shaped for sound isolation so you can keep your head in the game, and the headband is lightweight, padded and adjustable for a custom, precise fit. The headset also makes a great set of headphones when you simply detach the boom microphone.

When paired with a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium sound card, the Creative Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset Mk II unlocks Creative's exclusive Silencer™ technology. Silencer blocks out the background noise around you, whether it's blaring music or a barking dog, so the people you're gaming with online can hear you clearly without annoying distractions.

"We're excited to return to E3 with Fatal1ty to break out the best gaming headset we've ever designed. The audio quality is awesome, and the Fatal1ty Professional Series MkII is amazingly comfortable and lightweight," said Steve Erickson, VP and GM of audio and video at Creative. "With this headset we're giving Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium users the first shot at Silencer, and we're confident that it will become an essential part of their audio arsenal."

Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium users can also transform into their game character by disguising their voices with VoiceFX™, which offers 18 selectable voice-morph personas that range from Aliens to Orc.

Pricing and Availability

Priced at US$99.99, the Creative Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset Mk II is slated for availability this month and is available now for pre-order at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BH3JDA. It will also be available at www.newegg.com and www.creative.com. For more information visit www.creative.com.

A journalist tries out giant headphones during a press preview of the 'Beatlemania' exhibition on May 28, 2009 in Hamburg, northern Germany. The exhibition on the legendary Britsh band the 'Beatles' officially opens on May 29 for the public and will present among others souvenirs, fan-accessoires and autographs of the 'Fab Four'. In the early 1960ies, the 'Beatles' lived in Hamburg, from where they started their career. AFP PHOTO DDP/ROLAND MAGUNIA GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read ROLAND MAGUNIA/AFP/Getty Images)

[Getty via Jezebel]

After all, it makes sense to power Bluetooth headphones with a small solar panel stretched across the headband—an area that could be easily exposed to the sun. Outside of that, the Q-Sound would also be able to handle calls or plug into a 3.5mm jack should the need arise. All-in-all the Q-Sound is a great idea—a concept I can definitely see transitioning into a real-world product. [Ecofriend via Gizmag via Ubergizmo]

Speaking of noise reduction, all three of their new models, including the AH-C710 and AH-C360 feature a Radial Cascade Damper that reduces noise from touched cables. The AH-NC600 is expected to be available in July for $199 while the lower-end AH-C710 and AH-C360 will be available for $149 and $49 respectively starting in June.

DENON INTRODUCES THREE NEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE HEADPHONES

— New Earbud Models Offer New Level of Comfort and Listening Luxury; Also the Company's First In-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones —

Mahwah, NJ – May 11, 2009 - Denon Electronics, one of the world's premier manufacturers of high-quality home entertainment components, today introduced three stylish and high-performance "earbud" in-ear headphone models, bringing the total number of headphones in the company's line to 15. The new additions include the company's first i

n-ear noise-cancelling headphones, Model AH-NC600 (SRP: $199), scheduled for July availability, as well as the AH-C710 (SRP: $149) and AH-C360 (SRP: $49), both scheduled for June availability.

Total Comfort and Style, With Optimum Audio Quality

As with all Denon headphones, the three new models are engineered for total comfort and style, with advanced audio technologies for optimum sound. The new models all feature an ergonomic design that isolates the ear more steadily and comfortably, and also decreases mechanical vibration. A newly developed Hybrid (metal and Elastomer) housing ensures clean sound, and a Radial Cascade Damper reduces noise from touched cables. In addition, all feature a specially designed Acoustic Optimizer that ensures dynamic sound and deep rich bass response, with optimum acoustical characteristics achieved by adjusting the sound pressure balance in front of and behind the diaphragm. For total flexibility, all models come with multiple sizes of comfortable ear tips, extension cables and ear clips to ensure perfect fit for every listener. The new AH-C710 headphones include not only three sizes of silicon ear tips, but also a special "soft-foam" earpiece for added comfort and luxury. They also come with a new specially designed carrying case that features cable management, as well as OFC (oxygen free copper) cables for enhanced sonic performance.
AH-NC600: Denon's First Noise-Cancelling Earbud Headphone

The new luxury AH-NC600 earbud headphones offer music lovers an opportunity to enjoy the ultimate in private listening enjoyment, with a high-quality built-in amplifier and advanced noise-cancelling technologies that reduce

outside ambient noise by 99%. In addition, the sophisticated headphones feature Denon's proprietary Compressed Audio Restorer circuitry. Previously only available in the company's advanced audio/video receivers, this sophisticated circuitry improves the dynamic range and sound quality of compressed audio sources. Superior audio reproduction is further enhanced by high-quality 3.5mm drivers, as well as OFC cables with straight plug and an adjusting slider. An airplane adapter and a specially designed hard carrying case add to their on-the-go convenience. The compact and ingeniously designed case allows users to carry their mobile phones, along with their headphones and all accessories, and lets them prop up their iPod Touch or iPhone devices for easy use while on-the-go. As with the AH-C710 headphones, the AH-NC600 provides three separately sized ear tips, as well as the new soft-foam earpads.
Denon's Full Line of Advanced Headphones

The three new models join Denon's existing line of advanced headphones, including the high-end luxury Model AH-NC732 On-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones (SRP: $299); three state-of-the-art over-ear models, the AH-D7000 (SRP: $999), the AH-D5000 (SRP: $699) and AH-D2000 (SRP: $349); three on-ear models AH-D1001 (SRP: $149.99), AH-D501K (SRP: $69) and AH-301K (SRP: $49); the compact on-ear model AH-P372K (SRP: $59); and four "earbud" in-ear models, the AH-C751 (SRP: $199), AH-C551 (SRP: $99), AH-C452 (SRP: $69) and AH-C252 ($29).

[Denon]

So what category do you fall under? Are you the private type that prefers headphones, or do you feel comfortable with everyone hearing your music over speakers?

[Image via Flickr]

Listening Test: It's music tech week at Gizmodo.

The NOISE BLACKOUT feature on the JABRA HALO STEREO BLUETOOTH HEADSET allows you to vanish

loud patrons

around you, so you can communicate effectively while impressing cleverly. The headset warmly embraces Bluetooth 2.0/A2DP for most excellent music listening, and features touch controls so you can easily express salutations to others or explore the variety of your music library.

The lightweight 3 oz. folding design means you can also take these on the go, so you can easily impress cleverly from anywhere. If you're not clever enough for a wire-free experience, you can use a cord, though maximum impressiveness may decrease.

My proposition to you is for you to give me your bank info, so I can pull $130 dollars from your account, give it to Jabra, and I can deliver to you your very own JABRA HALO STEREO BLUETOOTH HEADSET so you can impress cleverly.

Jabra HALO stereo headset featuring Noise Blackout™ technology (MSRP: $129.99; Available: May 2009)

The Jabra HALO is a wireless Bluetooth stereo headset that allows users to enjoy wireless music and answer phone calls in crystal clear stereo sound. Featuring A2DP technology, the Jabra HALO gives users the ability to seamlessly connect to any Bluetooth music-playing device - and all 3.5 mm music playing devices - including mobile phones, Mp3 players, laptops, and TVs. In addition, ensuring that users won't miss phone calls while listening to music, the HALO fades out music to allow for incoming calls. The HALO features a lightweight (only 3 ounces!) over-the-head design with a foldable headband – small enough to take it wherever you go. The HALO also has the versatility to switch between wireless and wired connectivity if a device doesn't support Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) technology. The device also features Zirene® Power Bass for audio enhancement.

Yes. The SE115's bass driver is so improved, I actually don't want to go back to my SE110s. The SE115s provide a clean resonance in your ears that was previously missing, but not at the cost of overall clarity. Shure says the magic lies in their second-gen Dynamic Microspeaker, previously found in the larger-bodied E2c model, finally shrunken down to fit in earbuds this small.

To test, I went with two songs: Charles Mingus' "Solo Dancer," because it makes use of a subtle, melodic bass in the background and The Bug's "Poison Dart," because it's one of the more in-your-face, bass-heavy tracks to come out in the last five years.

The SE115s outperformed the SE110s in both instances, able to put that extra rumble in your head without losing the nimbleness and the dexterity of the music. Mingus' beefy double bass, in particular, took on new life with the SE115s stuck in my ears—going from a complementary noise, to an instrument demanding to be heard. For the upper register, there's really not much distinction at all, on those tracks and on others with less basso profundo, such as The Beach Boys' "Caroline No." Whether or not you want more low-end will may come down to personal preference, but this is a natural augmentation. Think of it this way: The fuller sounding SE115 simply does a good job demonstrating what's missing from the SE110.

On the technical side, the SE115 has a slightly better frequency response range. I used 20-20000 Hz and 20-200 Hz WAV files to listen for differences between the two sets. I noticed the SE115s rumbled longer on the low end and even squealed at a little higher pitch than the SE110s, but in that upper register, it's probably nitpicking to draw any significant difference.

Externally, these new SE115s share the exact same body and ear cushion options as the SE110s so the comfort factor is identical. The black pair has gold logos instead of silver, and if you're more daring, they also come in red, blue and pink. They both have the same breakaway cable, so you can add the original cellphone-mic extension if you so choose. The lightweight and foam-covered, in-canal drivers have never been a problem for me, but again, it all comes down to personal preference. In any case, at $100, I can't help but champion the SE115s as the best relatively affordable headphones at the moment. [Shure's Product Page with MSRP—shop around for the $100 price]

(Frequency Sweep WAV files are from burninwave.com)

I was really torn between which of these three are my favorite, because this one inspired by R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" is very special:

As is this Orca-colored pair for "Would You Be There," aka the Free Willy theme:

The contest received over 8,000 proposed song-inspired designs, and these were among the handful of winners that were actually made into working headsets, which are on display in Nokia's flagship store in London. More to be seen at: [CR Blog]