Headphone reviews
Detailed reviews of all the latest models, from earbuds to over-ears.
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All ears: Headphones from V-Moda and Able Planet
Today I'll be reviewing two headphones from two different companies that are targeted at distinct markets. The V-Moda Crossfade M-100 (at right above, US$310) is a noise-isolating over-ear folding headphone targeted at the high-end audiophile crowd, while Able Planet's Musicians' Choice (left, $69.99) is a capable, low-cost headphone that's affordable to everyone. Keeping that differentiation in mind, let's take a look at these two headphones. V-Moda Crossfade M-100 I'm a real fan of V-Moda's headphones, having used a pair of the Crossfade LP 'phones since 2011. The new Crossfade M-100, according to Joe Pollicino at our sister site Engadget, is essentially a crowdsourced design. V-Moda owner Val Kolton worked closely with audiophile site Head-Fi.org to get input on what people wanted in a pair of headphones. For audiophile headphones, the M-100 is amazingly slim. The 'phones come packaged in V-Moda's classic hardshell zipper case with two Kevlar-wrapped cables -- one with a microphone and single button for smartphone or tablet use, the other just a "straight shot" to your device. All of the plugs are gold-plated for good measure. There's an optional three-button cable available if you like your cables "Apple-style". %Gallery-179120% The "shields" on the outside of these headphones can be customized with a variety of colored metals, including gold if you want that bling look. The customization can also extend to a number of different engraved designs, or you can upload your own design for a truly one-of-a-kind design. Your cable can be plugged into either the left or right side of the headphones depending on your personal choice, and V-Moda thoughtfully provides small plugs to fill the open socket. The M-100 is supposed to be less bulky than the Crossfade LP or LP2, but the only difference appears to be on the amount of padding used on the earcups. The earcups click into place when you unfold the 'phones, attached to something V-Moda calls "cliqhinges." The M-100s are very comfortable, even for those who wear glasses. I spent about an hour listening to music and they didn't cause any discomfort during that entire time -- even on my big head. You don't need to worry about dropping your M-100s, either -- they're "Tested Beyond Military-Level Quality MIL-STD-810G Test Standards" according to V-Moda. You'll note that I referred to the M-100 as a noise-isolating headphone in the intro paragraph. That's because it does not use digital noise-cancellation technology to block out exterior sounds. Instead, those sounds are merely deadened by the ear cups. The quiet environment that I'm in is at about 43 dBA, and without music playing I could easily hear wind noise, cars driving by, etc... However, crank up the music to a tolerably loud level, and all of the background noise fades away. I have to admit that the sound quality of the M-100 headphones is remarkably full across the entire frequency range. Bass lines thump along clearly, while high-frequency tones are crisply rendered. Although I'm sure these are designed for use listening to more modern music, my testing covered the range from classical to alternative and everything sounded great. In many cases, I felt like I was in a good-sized concert hall or room -- the sound presence was "big". Who is it for? Anyone who wants audiophile-class sound reproduction in an attractive, comfortable, and customizable pair of headphones Able Planet Musicians' Choice Stereo Headphones Now let's take a look at a headphone at the other end of the price spectrum. Able Planet makes some of the nicest noise-canceling headphones I've had the pleasure to listen to, so I was intrigued to hear that the company has come out with a line called "Musicians' Choice" that is much more affordable than the higher-end "Clear Harmony" and "True Fidelity" line. The headphones I tested were not noise-canceling or even noise-isolating, yet I found that they did a remarkably good job of blocking outside sounds. I was listening to music while someone ran a vacuum cleaner right near my desk, and I was surprised with how well that sound was muffled. There's one removable cable that is shipped with the Musicians' Choice headphone, outfitted with an inline volume control wheel. Rather than the fancy-schmancy hard case you get with those V-Modas, you get a drawstring bag to carry your headphones in. Style-wise, these are rather plain-Jane headphones featuring a circular earcup design. Since ears aren't necessarily round, I found that the earcups tended to mash into my ears and were less tolerable for long-time wear than other headphones I've used. The earcups are held together by a lightly-padded polycarbonate band that flexes to fit your head, and the cups can be adjusted up or down on each side. The earcups come in nine different finishes, so you'll be able to find one that matches your personal style. I went for a bright green pair just for the heck of it. %Gallery-179119% The reason you buy headphones in the first place is to listen to music, so how did the Musicians' Choice headphones sound? I wasn't expecting much, but the sound quality was actually pretty good. They obviously didn't have either the dynamic range or the excellent sound presence of the M-100 'phones, but once again, we're looking at two completely different markets. If you want a pair of Able Planet headphones that can stand up to comparison with the V-Moda M-100 in both comfort and sound reproduction, you should probably look at the Clear Harmony Noise-Canceling Headphones (NC-1150, $350) instead. For a low-priced pair of headphones, the Musicians' Choice Stereo Headphones do a pretty good job of isolating your ears from outside noises and letting you listen to music. Who is it for? The bargain-oriented music fan who wants a good set of headphones with fairly good sound quality and doesn't want to pay an arm and a leg in the process. Giveaway We have a pair of the Able Planet Musicians' Choice Stereo Headphones to give away. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before February 21 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a pair of Able Planet Musicians' Choice stereo headphones valued at US$69.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Review: RHA MA150 low cost, high quality earphones
I use my iPhone a lot to listen to music when I'm out and about. And I have a really great pair of earphones to use for this purpose. However, they are high-end in-ear monitors. And while they sound amazing, they are not always practical for day to day tasks like going for a run or shoving them in my back pocket when I arrive at my destination. They are expensive, and therefore require special attention. So I've been in the market for a second pair of great sounding earphones that don't break the bank and can take the beating of daily life. And that's why I was excited about Apple's EarPod headphones. I thought they would be the answer to my easy listening requirements: A budget pair of earphones that are well designed and produce a great sound. However, we all know they turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment. And that's where RHA's MA150 noise-isolating earphones come in. Released in January of this year, the MA150s can be bought for US$19.95. They are designed to be affordable, yet provide uncompromised sound and function. Design The MA150s look like a standard pair of earphones. They come with a 1.2 meter Y-shaped cable with a slider to stop tangles, a 45 degree angled, gold plated, 3.5mm connector and a high performance, 10mm Mylar driver in each earphone. The earphones come with 6 silicon ear tips; two each for small, medium and large sizes. %Gallery-178971% Impressively, it's clear a great deal of attention to detail has gone into these earphones, from manufacture to the simple-yet-tasteful eco friendly packaging. The MA150s speakers utilize an aerophonic, trumpet bell inspired design for delivery of audio, the same used in its more expensive MA350 and MA450i variants: Functionality I was very impressed with the performance of the MA150s. After getting the right size ear tip on each earphone, the MA150s fit easily and snugly in my ears. Straight away I was impressed with how well the earphones stayed in my ears, even when running. With regards to sound, the first thing I noticed was that the sound was very warm, with a strong, punchy bass presence, which I assume is aided by the snug fit of the earphones, resulting in good noise isolation. For budget earphones, this was not what I was expecting. As far as I can describe (in my limited and humble experience), the mid range was energetic and the treble was clear. Basically, I was immediately pleased with the reproduction of sound. For some comparison, I tried the MA350s ($39.95), and my in-ear monitors (around $200). The MA450s provided a clearer and more balanced and detailed sound, and as expected, my in-ear monitors even more so. But going back to the MA150s, I was still very satisfied with the sound, surprisingly so -- especially at the price point. Conclusion According to their website, in designing the MA150s, RHA set out to combine "outstanding audio, minimalist design and affordability... at an entry level price to offer a new market of listeners exceptional audio quality." And I have to absolutely agree, that is what they have done. In comparison to budget earphones like Apple's EarPods at $29.99 (and granted, they have a mic and remote built-in), the MA150s outperform EarPods in every way. Though they are budget earphones, no corners have been cut. These are minimalist earphones, but they don't feel cheap or tacky, just good value for money with fantastic sound quality. If you're after an affordable, but solid pair of no friills earphones that don't compromise on sound quality, the MA150s are certainly worth jumping for. You'll be surprised at just how well they perform. If you're after RHAs with built-in mic and remote check out the RHA MA450i
i-mego's Throne headphones are fashionable and loud
Can you have attractive, functional headphones? You can, for a price. i-mego's Throne Gold Headphones are the high end of its fashionable audio devices. Known for fashionable earbuds and a few fashion headphones, the Throne series are i-mego's top-shelf offering, and for US$140 you get a decent deal. Design i-mego's Throne headphones are not subtle by any means. The review unit I tested wasn't quite gold, but a striking copper color that looks like an old announcer's ribbon microphone. It certainly draws attention. There's a Poison version with a silver housing and red accents available as well. The black padded ear sections are narrower than most over the ear headphones, and are more rectangular in shape. If you have big ears, this is a problem. I have pretty average ears, but found people with smaller ears will really enjoy the fit. They are soft and luxurious and felt fine after quite a bit of continuous use, and are possibly more comfortable than my Sony MDR's because the i-mego phones are lighter. The headphones are marked left and right using a red tag on the soft ear pads plus inscriptions on the inside of the headband portion. The red tag is sewn so that you'll see it as you put them on correctly -- a nice touch. There's a standard 4-foot cord hanging down from the headphones, with one button and a microphone for calls and controlling music. Four feet is an optimal length for consumer use cases, like having your iPhone in your pocket while you walk around with headphones on. Functionality In terms of sound, the Throne headphones are quite good. To be so light, they have good response and bass, although the mids can sound a little mushy at times, particularly when the phones are pushed hard. Still, they had more punch than my Sony MDR-7506's, which is great if you want to jam out and nuke your eardrums. Just don't go looking for the kind of clarity you'll find in a set of real studio headphones. The microphone used for iPhone calls seemed to work fine, and I noticed nothing special about the audio quality. Today's cellular calls are so compressed the mic only makes a difference when isolating your voice, and testing during a round of washing dishes confirms the Throne mic has good pickup and isolation. The singular button around the mic is used to answer/hang up and control (pause/play) your music. It works as advertised, of course, but is limited to play/pause to ensure compatibility with phones besides the iPhone. Conclusion If you're in the market for high-end headphones, consider your use case. The Throne series are great, but they are not studio headphones -- neither clarity or length of cord are up to that task. They are, however, high-end consumer headphones with a built-in mic and control so you can use them with your iPhone "every day." I wouldn't recommend wearing them on the subway due to their cost (depending upon how safe you feel), but they are leagues better in sound quality than Apple's EarPods, in no small part because they cover your ears and drive much more bass. Still, $140 is a lot to pay for headphones. If you must have fashionable ear goggles to go with your jams, the i-mego Throne series is a good bet. If you need serious music production headphones and don't require a built-in mic, keep on looking.
Smartphones for audiophiles: is the iPhone 5 more musical than its rivals?
Related reviews Apple iPhone 5 Samsung Galaxy S III HTC Sensation XE (first phone with Beats Audio) The love of audio. It's a dangerous condition, because every minute spent obsessing over headphones or specs or conflicting opinions is a minute not spent enjoying your favorite tracks or discovering new ones. That's why a review like this, which compares the iPhone 5 with rival phones based largely on acoustic qualities, runs a high risk of time-wastage -- no one really needs a cacophony of flowery words with no concrete conclusions. How to steer clear of the technological equivalent of a wine-tasting? By trying our damnedest to focus only on the more practical pros and cons of these top handsets, specifically from the POV of someone who listens to a lot of music on their phone. We're talking about someone who likely prefers high-bitrate recordings and who is ready to spend money on something better than the earbuds (or EarPods) that come in the box. In addition to testing Apple's new flagship we'll also look at the iPhone 4S, which is now a ton cheaper than it was a few weeks ago, as well as the Galaxy S III (both the global and the Sprint US version) plus the HTC One X (global and AT&T), and run them all through an audiophile obstacle course that goes right from purely subjective observations through to slightly more scientific tests as well as storage, OS and battery comparisons. There'll also be some consideration of the iPhone 4, Nokia Lumia 800 and PureView 808, although it'll be more condensed. And yes, we'll end up with an overall winner, but the research here is about more than that. Different phones may suit different people, depending on their priorities. Moreover, new handsets are just around the corner -- the Lumia 920, the Note II, the LG Optimus G and whatever other goodies the future undoubtedly holds -- and so it makes sense to have a bed of knowledge against which new entrants can be judged. Interested? Then let's get started.
Apple EarPods review: A $29 revolution in earbuds or another set for the recycling bin?
Whether you think they're infamous or merely a signature piece of Apple design, there's no doubt most of us have been exposed the company's iconic white earbuds. Along with the latest batch of iPods and the iPhone 5, Apple announced the replacement for those dreaded earphones, a pair of 'buds called the EarPods. Given that these are bundled with new iDevices (also sold as a standalone for $29), it's hard not to think that the folks at Cupertino are drinking some sort of spiked Kool-Aid, claiming these rival headphones that cost hundreds more. While reviewing the likes of the iPhone 5, we also gave the EarPods a listen to find out whether or not they're just an over-engineered set of 'buds. You'll find our detailed verdict after the break.
Tritton Warhead 7.1 Wireless Surround Sound Headset for Xbox 360 review
This is for sure: if you're a gamer seeking a primo wireless surround sound headset, now is a very good time to buy. It's been less than two weeks since Astro Gaming's A50 wireless surround headset impressively traversed the Engadget review gauntlet, and now the crazy kitties that are Mad Catz and Tritton are up for a turn. It's taken the duo well over a year and a half to get its full range of Microsoft-licensed Xbox 360 headsets off the ground, with the flagship Warhead 7.1 Wireless Surround Sound Headset set to hit shelves in just a few days. Aside from packing some innovative and exclusive features for Xbox 360 users, it stands as the only totally integrated wireless headset for the system -- for the first time you won't need a pesky controller-to-headset cable or a controller-mounted Bluetooth dongle for voice chat. We've been fortunate enough to get an early look at this $300 Dolby Headphone-enabled headset, so join us past the break and we'll let you know whether it's been worth the wait -- or whether it's too much, too late. %Gallery-161720%
Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around?
You do know that Parrot makes more than just the AR.Drone, right? It was at CES earlier this year that we first caught a glimpse of -- and subsequently began geeking out about -- the Parrot Zik by Starck. For those unfamiliar, these headphones are jam-packed with enough technologies to make even the geekiest audio lovers smitten. Priced at about $400, they feature Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth connectivity, on-board capacitive touch-control, active noise cancellation, head detection, a jawbone sensor for speech and Parrot's audio-enhancing DSP app for iOS and Android -- not to mention a striking design by the renowned Philippe Starck. This isn't the first time Parrot and Mr. Starck have worked together, but this does mark their debut in the portable audio market (as opposed to home-based speaker systems). In the case of this review, not one, but two Engadget editors spent some time testing the product. So, do they impress? More importantly, are they worth the $400 asking price? You know the drill: meet us after the break where we'll lay it all out.
SMS Audio SYNC by 50 wireless headphones review
Ah, celebrity-endorsed headphones -- whether it's Beats by Dre or Soul by Ludacris, you've always gotta wonder whether their actual sound-reproduction chops will match up with the steep price tags and fashion-focused designs. Oftentimes, shocker of shockers, the answer is a resounding "no." One of the newest entrants into this game is SYNC by 50, stemming from a long collaboration between Sleek Audio SMS Audio and none other than Curtis James Jackson III -- 50 Cent, of course. Unlike the partners' $250 Street offering, these headphones have the unique selling point of offering both wireless and wired operation, a convenience for which you'll pay a staggering $400. Although they don't offer active noise-cancellation like competing models, these headphones are banking on Kleer's tried-and-true wireless audio technology, which touts 16-bit CD-quality resolution. We spent several weeks testing these spendy sound-blasters, so continue on to our full review to learn whether they live up to the hype or could us to a second trip back to the studio for remastering.
Sony Z Series Walkman Player review
Since it was announced last August, we've anxiously been waiting for Sony's flagship Walkman Z (the first to feature Android) to hit US shores. (It made it here well after the holidays passed. Better late than never, right?) While Sony is billing the Z as a Walkman first and foremost, its spacious 4.3-inch display and 1GHz Tegra 2 SoC ensure it's powerful and well-sized for playing games and generally making the most of Gingerbread. The device will be available in a variety of flavors, with up to 32GB of storage ($330), though for the purposes of this review we've been rocking the entry-level 8GB model ($250). Although we haven't exactly been charmed by similar devices vying for a piece of the iPod Touch's market share, the Walkman Z has plenty of promise. The question is, does it deliver? And does it deserve your $250 when it goes on sale in March? Let's find out.
Klipsch Mode M40 noise-cancelling headphones review
Around these parts, we've generally had favorable opinions of Klipsch's audio products. Whether it's been something as small as its S4 line of smartphone oriented in-ears or grand speaker systems like its AirPlay-enabled G-17 Air, we've usually ended up awarding the brand our highest praise. If you'll recall, it was little over a year ago that Klipsch introduced its $150 Image One on-ear headphones -- the company's first set ever that weren't of the intra-aural variety, and a favorite of our own James Trew. Fast forward to the present, and the company's unleashed its second proper over-the-head headphone, the Klipsch Mode M40 with active noise-cancellation. In recent years, headphones have exploded in popularity -- many companies have been furiously trying to blend good sound with fashion-forward looks. It's safe to say that's Klipsch's end game here, and is asking that you part ways with 350 bones to get in on the action. Put simply, these aren't a follow-up to the Image Ones, but rather, a luxury pair that takes cues from the company's reference series headphones. Of course, as we've come to expect from Klipsch, the M40s do have some notable tricks up their yokes aside from their debatably fashionable looks -- the company promises they'll cancel noise for a massively long 45 hours on a single AAA battery, and both earcups feature an interesting dual-driver array with a 15mm tweeter and a 40mm woofer. So, have the M40s made us smitten with Klipsch all over again? Or not? Maybe something a bit more complicated? Click on past the break to find out!
Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset review
Logitech unveils Wireless Headset, Boombox for tablets, smartphones and Radio Raheem Sony PlayStation Vita debuts in Japan on December 17th, partnering with NTT DoCoMo for 3G (updated) Bose BT2 Bluetooth headset cruises through the FCC, unsurprisingly mum on specifications Oh hey, Sony, how nice of you to join the party! The console gaming headset party, that is (no, Bluetooth earpieces don't count). Over a year ago the company had us yearning for a PS3-oriented headset after letting loose its duo of Ultimate Weapons headgear for PC gamers. Then in May, a glimmer of hope shone upon us when its PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset was announced for the DualShock-wielding gamers -- and priced at a modest $100. There's no doubt that this playing field's been blanketed with a saturation of wallet-tempting selections (we're looking at you MadCatz, Turtle Beach and Astro), but Sony's official kit has a few tricks up its sleeve for a potential home run. Despite the moniker, it's capable of virtual 7.1 surround sound and displays onscreen status reports exclusively when used with a PS3. We spent a few fragging-hours over PSN to hear how well we could pin-point our enemies with sound to keep the kill streaks coming. You'll find out the answer by hitting that "read more" link below. %Gallery-134840%
Shure SE215 earphones review
Altec Lansing announces a trio of 'Custom Series' in-ear monitors -- no, seriously Shure's SE210m+ sound isolating earbuds include iPhone remote, $170 price tag Westone 4 earphones review There are a lot of in-ear headphones out there these days, from the ones at the checkout line at the grocery store, to the ones that came with your iPod, to ones you'll need to take out a second mortgage to get your ears on. And most of them will do a decent job of pumping sound into your ears. Shure's SE215 earphones sit at that magical $99 price point -- not for everyone, but highly tempting to those committed to splurging a bit to replace those awful 'buds that arrived with their PMP of choice. So, how do these guys stack up against the immediate competition? Read on to find out what we heard.
Bowers & Wilkins C5 in-ear headset review
Bowers & Wilkins has seriously been ramping up its consumer audio game in the past few years -- notably, with products like its Zeppelin speaker systems for iDevices and its MM-1 desktop speakers. While speakers seem like an obvious choice for a company famous for HiFi systems, you probably wouldn't have thought of B&W for your next set of iPhone-compatible headphones -- that is, until its $300 P5 mobile HiFi supra-aural 'phones released last year. This year, the company has taken a second step into the game with its C5 in-ear headset. Priced at $180, they're a possible contender for those who'd prefer earbuds to on-ears, or maybe want some B&W headgear at a less expensive price point. We've grown fond of our leather-clad P5s for chit-chatting on the phone and rocking out during the commute, so we were curious to see, hear, and feel what the C5s could bring to the table. Luckily, B&W dropped off a pair of the in-ears on our doorstep, and we got to give them a healthy amount of use while commuting in and out of NYC to find out if they'd also win us over. It's all detailed just past the break. %Gallery-129412%
Razer Chimaera wireless Xbox 360 headset review
When a product takes well over a full year to go from introduction to release, it's natural for consumer expectations to amp themselves up a notch or two. Such is the case with Razer's Chimaera, an Xbox 360-centric wireless gaming headset that was initially teased at CES 2010, and just started shipping to end users early this year. The company's been in the gaming headset business for some time now -- if you'll recall, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with the (wired) Carcharias headset right around two years back. This 2.1 system promises to give Xbox Live yappers exactly what they've been waiting for, but is it really worth the $129.99 entry fee? Head on past the break for our take. %Gallery-119871%
Westone 4 earphones review
Westone isn't exactly a household name, even in the earphone universe. But what the company lacks in recognition, it more than makes up for in quality. If you'll recall, we had a listen to its ES5 custom in-ear monitors earlier in the year, and while they cost a staggering $950, they also managed to melt our brain and thoroughly spoil us in the process. Thankfully, there's a budget alternative: the Westone 4. Granted, even 50 percent off still lands you right around $449, but many audiophiles would argue that said price is a small one to pay when looking at a quad-driver setup, a three-way crossover network and an insanely robust set of earbud tips. There's no question that these guys are aimed at the professionals in the crowd, and if you're interested in seriously stepping up your mobile listening game, you owe it to yourself to peek our full review. It's after the break, per usual. %Gallery-119832%
Harman AKG K830 BT and K840 KL wireless headsets review
Great wireless headphones are tough to do right. There are so many problems in the way, most notably that there are no wires involved. AKG's K840 KL 2.4GHz and K830 Bluetooth on-ear headphones offer the promise of something a little nicer than the poor reception and sound quality we usually hear from untethered products. Do they do to the "premium" label justice? Read on, righteous spectrum surfer, for our full review of the 'phones.
Inline remote controls for iOS devices that work with your current headphones
Problem: You like the inline remote and microphone functions built into the headphones that come with the iPhone, but if you want to use another pair of headphones, you lose that functionality. Solution 1: Ditch your current headphones for another set with built-in controls and a mic. Solution 2: Keep your current headphones and find an adapter. Over the past couple years, I've spent far more time using Apple's pack-in headphones than I might have otherwise, simply because the inline remote functions are so useful. Meanwhile, my all-time favorite set of earphones, the Shure E2c, gathered dust unless I was doing something like mowing the lawn or working out at the gym. The sound I get from my Shures is vastly superior to the pack-in headphones, but pulling my iPhone out of my pocket to control music, answer phone calls or adjust the volume isn't always convenient. I'd been eyeing up some headphones with built-in inline remotes, like the Shure SE115m+ and the Ultimate Ears 300vi, but it seemed like a waste to get a whole new set of earphones when my E2cs still worked perfectly otherwise. I started looking at some of the inline adapter solutions available. Most of these third-party adapters came out after the third-gen iPod shuffle debuted with no controls on the shuffle itself, and for the most part, they're relatively inexpensive. But they also come with some pretty serious tradeoffs.
Westone ES5 custom in-ear monitors review
If you're into high-end audio gear and especially custom solutions, you've probably heard of a company called Westone. In operation since 1959, the firm has decades of experience crafting in-ear headphones and audio gear, and it doesn't look like they're stopping any time soon. We had a chance to get our ears molded back at CES so we could check out the company's top-of-the-line model, the ES5, and now we've had some proper time to put them through the paces and see whether they live up to the hype -- head past the break for the nitty gritty. %Gallery-115875%
NOX Audio Scout headset review
Earbuds: love 'em or hate 'em it's hard to argue with their eminent practicality if you're the sort who finds him or herself going from point A to point B on a regular basis. They fit comfortably in a pocket, don't screw up your 'do and, if you get a decent pair, offer some surprisingly good sound. The $80 Scout headset from NOX Audio promises to do all that and act as a hands-free microphone for your phone. Plus it has a cable that looks so much like an al dente piece of linguini we couldn't resist trying it. How does it taste in a white clam sauce and, more importantly, how does it act as a headset? Read on to find out. %Gallery-111577%
Altec Lansing Muzx Ultra MZX606 earbuds review
We've always had a soft spot for Altec Lansing's wide array of speaker docks -- these guys have been embedded in that space for an awfully long time, and the quality has always seemed up to snuff in our eyes. Er, ears. For whatever reason, it looks as if Altec is trying to replicate that success in the earbud market -- a market that's been growing increasingly crowded over the past couple of years as the portable media player and smartphone sectors have exploded. These days, a set of third-party headphones are nearly a requirement to fully enjoy whatever media player you've ended up with, and thus, hordes of companies have flocked to cater to the demand. The Ultra MZX606 earbuds ($99.95) popped onto the scene just two months ago, and now we've had a solid weekend to push the latest Underoath, Happy Body Slow Brain, Kanye West and Otis Redding jams through here. Hop on past the break for our impressions. %Gallery-107874%