Heaphones have become a popular gift for those of all ages as everyone seems to have an iPod or mp3 player that they take to work, school, travel, etc. Heaphone technology has improved greatly in the last decade and the earbud headphones are probably the most popular. Other types include the noise-cancelling headphones, over the head headphones, and wireless headphones. The earbud variety are also commonly called earphones as they fit right in your ear. Many consumers complain about the earbub headphones as being uncomfortable and not fitting their ears properly. The younger generation prefers the earbuds but the over the head headphones are making a strong comeback for their noise canceling ability and overall comfort and fit. Audio-Technica and Sennheiser make the most popular headphones we could find. while JLAB has their JBuds which sell quite well on websites like Amazon and in stores. Another top seller are the Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones – although they are very expensive, customer feedback is extremely positive. The sound isolating earphones from Shure are the best you can buy and worth considering. Perhaps the best stereo headphones are the Sennheiser HD-595 Premier that are top rated on all electronics websites we went to and come highly recommended from sound professionals. When buying headphones you need to think about features like wireless, sound quality, portability, weight, and comfort. The new wireless headphones (top models are from Sony and Sennheiser) are the wave of the future and without having to deal with cables or wires they are very convenient and hassle free. If you want to listen to your stereo at home but not have to drag a long cable around attached to the heaphones, these are the perfect solution. Sound quality is still top rate and they are stylish as well. The Sennheiser RS 130 Wireless Surround Sound Headphones are our favorite delivering incredible sound quality via wireless technology. Where should you buy headphones at? We say Amazon.com is the clear choice for the best selection, lowest prices, and you get to read 100’s of owner reviews on each model to see what others have to say before you make a purchase decision. We have bought quite a few sets of earbuds and headphones over the Internet and the owner reviews really help us in our research as to which headphones are the “best”. Expect to spend $20 to $250 for headphones or earbuds depending on the quality and technology involved. You can browse all the most popular earphones and headphones online here.
| Top Rated Headphones: Reviews, Descriptions, and Pricing |
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| Noise Cancelling Headphones | Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Closed-Back Headphones – I see these headphones all over the place but more often with those traveling on airplanes than any other place. The ATH-ANC7 reduce environmental noise and are great for travel on planes, trains, buses, or cars. They work with MP3, CD, DVD, and other music sources. The superior audio quality is what set the Audio-Technica headphones apart from the competition and at about $90 they are considered a “bargain” by many who buy them. I have purchased 2 sets of these for my teenagers to use in our car (we take long drives in the summer months). The noise canceling technology when compared to those of Bose is very similar and you get these for half the price. Consumers call these the “best noise cancelling headset” on the market and we couldn’t agree more. You can see all the top rated noise canceling headphones here . |
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| Over-the-head Headphones | Sennheiser HD-280 PRO Headphones – A top rated headphone set at under $100. They are lightweight and extremely comfortable making them a top choice in consumer magazines and on websites. These closed ear headphones provide up to 32 dB attentuation of outside sound and a stylish ergonomic design that is both functional and easy to wear for hours. The ear pieces are collapsible so you can travel with them in compact form. If the earpads or headphone padding wear down you can replace them. The Sennheiser HD-280 headphones give you professional sound quality for much less than what Bose and others charge. You can browse all the best selling over-the-head headphones here |
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| Earbud – Earphones | Shure SE535-V Sound Isolating Earphones – We are talking about an earphone speaker system that “rivals live performance” say many owners. The SE530 earphones are sound isolating and the technology used on them is better at reducing background noise than what you find on high end noise cancelling headphones. The selection of interchangeable sleeves let you personalize the fit and makes for a comfortable listening experience. We know that spending $200’s on earphones may not make sense so considering the less expensive Shure SE110 model which comes in at about $65 and still delivers great quality sound. |
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| Wireless Headphones | Sennheiser RS 170 Digital Wireless Headphones – Sennheiser headphones are world renowned and their wireless technology has proven to be superior to most other brands. The RS 170 delivers rechargeable hi-fi headphones with SRS surround sound mode and features include intelligent audio tuning and automatic signal control to reception is nearly perfect. The transmission range is up to 150 meters and owners say they prefer the RS 170 wireless headphones since they are lightweight and very comfortable. Other models to consider would be the Sennheiser RS120 or the Sony MDR-DS6000 Wireless Surround Digital. You can see all the wireless headphones listed here. |
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Earbuds definitely make the most sense for students or those needing a set of compact earphones. Headphones are great at noise reduction and cancelling out outside “noise” while on airplanes or in cars. With prices ranging from $20 for earbuds and up to $200 for the most sophisticated models, it’s not always deciding on the best headphones as a consumer. Comfort is one of the biggest concerns I have since the earbuds will be in your ear and should be comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. In the past I have returned earbuds because they just didn’t feel right. The earbuds that come with the iPods are not that great and I never have used them. On my home stereo system I use a Sennheiser headphone. After doing a side by side comparison with Bose and other high end audio makers I realized the sound quality is only slightly different between the brands but with Sennheiser you can save quite a bit. Do your research online and find a set of earphones or headphones that fit your budget.
Headphone Reviews
When it comes to reviews it’s hard to beat what the people at CNET.com have published on their websites. The headphone reviews are thorough and comprehensive enough to give you the pros and cons of each style. PCMag.com also does a decent job of reviewing the top headphones and earbuds on the market, usually updating their selections once a year or so. Consumer Reports magazine also does testing on headphones and their unbiased opinions are definitely worth taking a look at. Our most trusted source of earbud ratings and headphone comparisons can be found on Amazon.com were literally 1000’s of owners have posted their comments and opinions on all the leading models. There is no better website to visit in which you can read up on so many different brands and models.