The noise-canceling is self-adapting based on the type of battlefield noise (super normal hearing!), and it has dual wireless push to talk. Not only are they waterproof to 20m (!), they're interoperable with the majority of tactical radios and will let soliders control two radios at once. And yes, that's the actual promo video. BAD. ASS. Blam's thinking about getting some for WWDC and CES. [Silynx via Gizmag]

See? Just don't ask me which is which.

Active Style Headphones Perfect for Sport and Fitness Enthusiasts Sony is also introducing a line of headphones that are designed to stay put when you're not. Whether on the treadmill, the track, or trekking through the mountains, the new Active Style collection features five headphones with a slim design styled with black silicone rubber with orange-red accents. In addition, all active style headphones have moisture-resistant features. The MDR-AS20J headphones fit around the outer ear with an earbud that sets inside the ear canal. The MDR-AS40EX headphones feature a convertible ear hanger so you can transform them from over-the-ear headphones to a traditional earbud style, offering users versatility and personal preference. The collection also will include more traditional headband style headphones (model MDR-AS100W), behind-the-neck earbud headphones (model MDR-AS50G) and behind-the neck open air headphones (model MDR-AS30G). The headphones will range in price from $20 to $100.

MDR-AS100W Over the Head Earbud Headphones Available in March for about $100 Lightweight, secure fitting headphones with single side cord for sports usage Short (2 foot) cord ideal for armband use; supplied extension cord (2 feet) for general use Water-resistant design Three sizes of earbuds (S, M, L)

MDR-AS50G Behind the Neck Earbud Headphones
Available in March for about $50
Lightweight spiral neck-band headphones for secure fit during activity
Short (2 foot) cord ideal for armband use; supplied extension cord (2 feet) for general use
Water-resistant design and washable carrying case
Three sizes of earbuds (S, M, L)

MDR-AS40EX Over the Ear Earbud Headphones
Available in March for about $40
Detachable ear hangers for stable fit
Short (2 foot) cord ideal for armband use; supplied extension cord (2 feet) for general use
Water-resistant design
Three sizes of earbuds (S, M, L)

MDR-AS30G Around the Neck Headphones
Available in March for about $30
Newly developed stability tip prevents movement of headphones

1. Maxell Digital Earbuds 191208

Better fit, deep in the ear. Volume control on wire. But soft sound levels, and a slight static. Music was in the other room, not my ears.
Price: $15.95
Verdict: Staticky, NOT BETTER

2. Genius HP-02 Live

Once again, deep ear fit. These bad boys are exploring places of my body I didn't know I had. Sound doesn't have a bad balance, but once again, nothing spectacular here.
Price: $9.99
Verdict: Frisky but NOT BETTER

3. Philips SHE2650

Design is very similar to iPod headphones, as is the sound. But these are just a hair less sparkling than Apple's headphones with even less impressive lows.
Price: $7.99
Verdict: Has a case, NOT BETTER

4. Jlabs JBuds Hi-Fi

These had the strongest bass of any model we tested. And they gave Bolero, our test song, more of a stage feel. But fidelity was lacking. So while the headphones sound "big" they don't always sound so clear.
Price: $19.19
Verdict: NOT BETTER

5. Coby Super Bass CV-E92

The balance reminded me of the jLab model we tested, possibly with even better clarity in some ranges. There is certainly more bass in these headphones than Apple's offerings, but while it makes us crave more lows in the iPod stock earbuds, Coby doesn't touch the present highs to mids of Apple. They're a pretty sweet deal for $5 though.
Price: $4.88
Verdict: A bargain, but NOT BETTER

6. Koss BDZ1 Two-Pack Earbud Headphones with Case

Unresponsive. Very quiet at a given volume level compared to the ipod earbuds. But for this price, you get TWO sets of earbuds and a case.
Price: $8.01
Verdict: (NOT BETTER X 2) + Case

7. Philips SHS3201/37 Flexible Earhook w/ Bud -White

I'd expected these fancy white headphones to sound better, given Philips' reputation and the solid placement coming from the earhooks, but they were loud, but less clear than the iPod's.
Price: $8.38
Verdict: White, impossible to Shake Off, but NOT BETTER

Also of note, the iPod earbuds fit the Nano a lot better than competitors. We think this is mostly because the earbud jack isn't bent on Apple's model, unlike all the other models which bend at a 90-degree angle before the wire. A non-bending plug translates to less cord rotation and subsequent static/pops.

As for fitting the ears, most models on the market now offer multiple sized earplug adapters. If Apple's earbuds aren't fitting you correctly, then don't think twice about finding something more comfortable or just using the black foam inserts. You'll never get optimal sound out of any headphone that doesn't fit you properly, anyway.

At the end of the day, Apple might not give us the best headphones around with our iPods, but they're not highway robbery either. Given that they were better than quite a few $20 and under models, we're thinking that $30 isn't the most ludicrous price in the world, and "free with iPod" is looking pretty freaking decent.

Here's how it works: 960 of the little buds are speakers, collectively pushing buzzing sounds around the room, while the remaining 40 buds act as microphones to fuel the feedback loop. "Another unpredicted but welcomed sound source was some white noise from a fucked-up amplification circuit I built," says Avel s, who tells us he wants to stage the installation again in Amsterdam, where he lives. Below is a photo of Avel s putting the final touches on his project; he says audio and video samples of the event are coming soon.

[Make; Andr 's Flickr Gallery]

The Price: $99

The Verdict: These sound just as good (both incoming and outgoing) as the older Vibe Duos without the call button, and definitely just as good as the older Vibes without the iPhone integration. If you've got an iPhone, they're pretty much an all-in-one solution to replace the sub-par default Apple headphones with something that still has an on-board call button and much, much better sound quality. Pick one up if you're in the market for some iPhone buds. [V-Moda]

Here's the deal: the AH-C351K/W at left will cost $50 and is out in August with white or black finish, and a soft carrying pouch. The step-up AH-C551K will sell for $100 in October. Made from machined aluminum, it comes in black with a hard case and accessories like an L-shaped connector and a cable clip. The high-end aluminum AH-C751S will cost $200, out in August in black or silver.

I don't have any extra info on the larger headphones—AH-D301, AH-D501 and AH-D701—but if you subtract 1 from each model number, you can figure out basic price ranges and performance numbers. I will tell you that none of headphones "Works With iPhone" but they mostly have two-piece cords, like Shures, so there will likely be an iPhone-friendly extension or adapter, perhaps even with a built-in mic, in the future. If I ever get more info, I'll be sure to let you know.

Designed with both safety and comfort in mind, the AirDrives meet OSHA standards for all-day listening because of the distance they put between the ear drum and the audio source. MadCatz also claims this unique design drowns out less ambient noise than traditional earbuds or over-the-ear headphones, making them realistic for office workers, joggers or other users who don't want to zone out entirely while enjoying their music. Available in September, a kid-sized set will cost $70 while the one-size-fits-all adult version will be $100. [MadCatz AirDrives via Electronista]

The Vibe Duo earbuds feature the same technology V-MODA puts into all their high end headphones, so you'll get plenty of bass, less spillover, and black fabric cables ending in durable, metal enclosures. They cost $99, but are well worth it as they won't get in the way of your calling, either. It's also worth noting that they're the only third party headphones in the Apple Store. The quality might make you want to chuck the iPhone earbuds anyway.

Oddly, there isn't much else that sets them apart from previous V-MODA headphones, save their "DUAL compatibility," which is just a fancy way of saying it fits everything you should expect and then the iPhone as well. Still, buying a fresh set is lot faster than waiting for Apple to issue a redesign. But if you've got an iPhone, these are definitely the way to go if you're looking for a V-Moda set, thanks to its dual mic/headphone capability.

V-moda Vibes [Look Shiny]

Of course, they're nothing like the V-Moda set we reviewed recently, but free's free.

Got more Weird Combos of the Day? Send them in. – Jason Chen

Thanks Micah!

The first, of course, is the color. The Red Roxx set is supposed to go with the (RED) version of the iPod Nano (or a RED RAZR), and the La Mocha is brown to go with the brown Zune. Both have the same silicone padding and the same great sound production as the original V-Moda Vibes. The only difference that our untrained ears could hear was a slight increase in bass response, which made it a bit more bass heavy than before.

Still, these new buds are priced at only $100 and offer an easy way to improve your appearance on your daily commute without exercise, better grooming, or a new wardrobe.

– Jason Chen

Product Page [V-Moda]

These are all pretty and cute now, but how will they look with a good coating of ear cheese slathered on the business end? Perhaps it'll look like the buds have been pollinated. That's okay, keep those tips in your ears, and only the attractive rose-shaped side will show.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, take a look at the rosebud models and some attractive female models wearing them as well:

We're liking the idea of earbuds as fashion items, akin to earrings. The artform is improving, as evidenced by comparing these rose buds with a crude earlier attempt at catching the eyes of the ladies. – Charlie White

Rose EarDrops [Newlaunches]

Spend $50 on the iPod radio remote. iLounge has confirmed that radio remotes, too, are officially packaged with the updated earbuds. In other words, if you've been hankering for some radio and some new earbuds, you can justify the purchase. Or you could just spend $30 more and get a rainbow Shuffle. Wait, how did I walk into the store planning to spend $30, and now end up spending $80?

Buying stuff is hard. –Mark Wilson

Take a look at the boxes above. If that swanky box has a green Apple logo and text, it's the old version. The new box has gray lettering, and you'll be taking home the latest earphones. – Charlie White

How to Tell New Silver iPod Shuffles From Old [Cult of Mac]

TuneTether for iPod Earbuds Released [iPod Observer]

Each set goes for $3.95, and should make for a nice gift for your kids. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Futuronomie]

Although the expensive Shure-brand earbuds are usually the ones audiophiles turn to for music on the go, not everyone feels comfortable throwing down $400 for something that undoubtedly gets lots every six months. Good news, as the V-Moda Vibe performs as well as $100 earbuds should.

V-MODA touts "vibrant bass, vivid mid-range, and vivacious highs" on the Vibes. My experience? That's actually fairly accurate. The bass wasn't overloaded like in most cheapo earbuds you find for under $50. The mids and highs were also clear; much clearer than the default iPod or Zune earbuds.

But of course how they sound is less important if you can't stand wearing these earbuds for a long period of time. Not a problem here. The "ultra-soft silicon" fittings feel fine in my ears, sliding easily into the ear canal. Essentially the Baby Bear of earbuds—not too deep and not too shallow—just right. No harsh earbud pad to scrape off both your earwax and the skin underneath.

And finally, the looks. To me they genuinely look better than most other earbuds, even if they do stick out a bit Frankensteinishly when you wear them. No matter. That's everyone else's problem. You're busy rockin' out to Journey. – Jason Chen

Product Page [V-Moda]

Product Page [Via Popgadget]

The iHearSafe earbuds limit the volume output of any music device to 80 decibels, which is slightly louder than normal conversation and about equal to an average telephone dial tone. It isn't toggle-based, so the limiter can't be turned off or circumvented, unless your kids are smart enough to get a different pair of earbuds or headphones. Just to be safe, superglue the iHearSafe into every audio jack on their electronics. You can never be too careful. – Karson Thompson

iHearSafe [via PopGadget]

3 new Pioneer headsets for DAPs [Akihabara]

In all honesty, these just look like the same Sony earbuds with new casing. I've been using some of the Fontopia earbuds for quite some time. None of these newer form-factors are really doing it for me. Jump to see pictures of all the models. – Travis Hudson

4 new Sony headphones [Akihabara]

Product Page

Product Page [Via Redferret]

Cheapness aside, we're all for putting yet another decoration on the female form of which we are all so fond. Why didn't anyone think of this before (or maybe they did): instead of earrings, tricked-out earbuds? Nice idea. Pricing wasn't announced, but they'll soon be available on geekstuff4u.com. – Charlie White

Ear Drops, the Headphones for Women [Akihabara News]

Yesterday's clue was: "I am a laptop." The link on the "I" takes you to the Wikipedia entry for Ricardo Montalb n, the actor who played Khan in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. A quick search of Khan and Laptop would bring you to a post about the Hasee's KHAN Series Laptop, which happens to be the correct answer. We are no longer accepting entries for this, but we will accept entries for today's clue below. Remember, e-mail gizmodobox@gmail.com with "SHURE THING v2.0: [ANSWER HERE]" no need to put anything in the body of the e-mail. You have until tomorrow's clue posting at 3 p.m. eastern to answer today's clue.

Today's Clue: Call me lucky, but I slowly won $28 million betting sawbucks on Mitsu to show.

Sponsored by Shure: "Shure Sound Isolating Earphones put the awe in audio. Precision-crafted triple drivers give rich, detailed sound - hear your music like never before - visit www.shure.com for a demo."

So this week we will be having a little Gizmodo scavenger hunt. Everyday we will post up a clue regarding a product that has been mentioned on Gizmodo in the past. So if the clue is "I make your microscopic tunes go cordless, I also happen to be made by mythical birds," then the answer would be the Griffin iPod nano iTrip. Get it?

The clue will go live at 3 p.m. eastern time. You will have until the next day's question posting (also at 3 p.m. eastern) to answer. Once you find the answer—or think you have—shoot an email over to gizmodobox@gmail.com with "SHURE THING v2.0: [PRODUCT NAME HERE]" in the subject line. No need to put anything in the body of the e-mail, just put the answer in the subject. The usual Gawker Contest Rules apply.

Today's clue: I am a laptop.

Sponsored by Shure: "Shure Sound Isolating Earphones put the awe in audio. Precision-crafted triple drivers give rich, detailed sound - hear your music like never before - visit www.shure.com for a demo."

Sennheiser is dropping five new headphones for the world to enjoy. Sennheiser is known for making top notch headphones, so hopefully these will live up to their usual name.

The MX55V Street earbuds retails for $40 and has Sennheiser's Twist-to-Fit design for maximum comfort. They include the Basswind System and a in-line volume control. The MX 51 retails for $30 and is a traditional, or classic earbud. They have rubber earpads for comfort and average sound—nothing too spectacular. The MXL 51 retails for $35 is identical to the MX 51s but the earbuds are integrated into a lanyard—hence the L. The OMX 50 Street retails for $35 and are similar to the previous models mentioned, but they have a behind-the-ear loop form-factor. Lastly is the OMX 52 Street. These are $40 over-the-ear headphones that are super light and supply excellent sound with Sennheiser's top notch technology, including the Basswind System.

Affordable Sennheiser smaller headphones and earbuds? I'll admit it, I am a little excited. – Travis Hudson

Sennheiser 'Twist-To-Fit' Headphones [BIOS]

If you're a cyclist, you probably realize how much you rely on your hearing to keep you safe in traffic, so you'll immediately recognize the value of Slipstreamz, cycling earwear that will position those iPod earbuds close enough to hear the music, but far enough away so you'll still be able to hear ambient sound.

Made of comfy-cozy molded foam and polyester composite, they attach to the straps on your helmet (you are wearing a helmet, aren't you?), and they have a little slot where you can easily secure your earbuds. An added benefit is their ability to keep your ears warm on those cold blustery days, something for which you might want to plan ahead, even though it's a half a year away. – Charlie White

Slipstreamz [iWorld, via The Gadgeteer]

Product Page