While the original cans went for nearly $800, the JVC HA-FX700 will come with a $330 price tag. Though the price is steep, you're paying for undeniably pretty earphones, purportedly high sound quality, and a lot of little parts:

The JVC HA-FX700 will be available in Japan in February and likely obtainable through your preferred Japanese electronics importer. [CrunchGear]

The new "i" line checks in at $349, and knocks the control-less X10 down to an even $300. They won't be here in time for Christmas, or even New Year's, with their reported sell date placed ambiguously in "early 2010."

The other nugget out of Klipsch today is that the popular S4i ear buds—which reviewed favorably here at Gizmodo in August—are about the get a color refresh (as seen in the image). The price will remain $99. [Engadget]

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]