Steve – Page 4 – Best Headphones Reviews

AKG K240 Semi-Open Studio Headphones Review

Headphones aren’t exactly breaching the mainstream market nowadays. Usually, companies that produce high quality headphones are often glossed over by bigger companies that feature devices, which are more flash. This is why it can be a competitive market when it comes to the different headphones you can purchase, but that’s a good thing because you get to choose from a large pool of devices. Of course, there are some headphones that are suited to certain jobs so the thing you really have to look out for is your need as opposed to how much over the budget you can go. The AKG K240 semi-open studio Headphones offer a lot of different qualities, but again, you have to gauge what you need out of a pair.

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The Sound

The first thing you’re going to notice when you plug these babies in is that some part of the music you listen to become more emphasized. That underlying track you might have missed with your old pair, is suddenly out in the open, and playing with the main instruments. This is the best part about the headphones because K240 brings out features in your music. The downfall here is that the pair doesn’t do much to punch up your music. Everything sounds very balanced, but in turn, you’ll have to sacrifice volume and details on each of the songs in your library. When switching to games, you can instantly hear stuff, which is right behind you brought to the foreground. While this isn’t a negative, this sacrifice of spatial audio makes a game feel like it is lacking that surround sound element. This pair is not for people that need to mix tracks because you’re going to miss one or two qualities along the way.

The Headphones

Upon opening the box, you’re going to notice two different pairs of two different tools. First off, you get two pairs of head pads with varying levels of softness. The pre-installed pair is a tad softer than the ones in the box, but having the opting to switch out between either is an awesome feature. The second thing is that you will also get two different pairs of cords. The one attached will be around 3m, and the second will be 5m but extends with the help of a corded section. Overall, these two different accessories justifies the $100-$130 price tag (depending on the store you’re buying them from), and will probably be beneficial in the long run.

Should you buy this set?

At the price of $140, you can find other headphones that do a lot more in terms of sound quality. While this pair is very decent, they are a bit entry level in comparison to other headphones in the same price bracket. However, for the home body that likes a well rounded sound experience and a pair of headphones that won’t soon break, the K240 is a great choice. It features a balanced experienced, and the semi-open set allows for enough enjoyment so that you won’t end regretting the buy. Music mixers, and those that have to work with high quality, will inevitably find this set lacking.

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Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones Coiled Cable Review

Audio-Technica is a relatively new contender in the sound device market, but at the same time, they do have a lot of old school fundamentals ingrained within their devices. Started in the year 1962, the company recently celebrated their 50th anniversary with the release of multiple new products. What is noteworthy with this company is that they were among the first to produce wireless microphones, along with other giants within the industry. Quite recently, they’ve taken an interest in professional headphones and other mixer gear. Once prominent example is the ATH M-50 Monitor headphones.

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Who is the Product For?

The beauty and the tragedy to these headphones is that they are very well balanced, but music mixers might find it a little lacking. You see, while they do boast some very good sound with a balanced and wholesome output, there isn’t much detail to it. Audiophiles who have to work within a budget will find this pair very satisfying, but might also find that their tracks are somewhat reduced in quality. The properties that this pair has might not be the ones mixers and professionals seek out in their gear. However, start-ups might find that there is enough here to make a decent sounding song.

Main Features

When you open up the box, you will surely notice the long and sturdy cord. In fact, there are two versions you can buy according to your needs. The coiled version reaches about 10 feet, while as the straight cord pulls out to 11 feet worth of range. The pair also boasts a closed and isolated pair of cups, which are designed to keep sound from escaping. However, there is some leakage to the cups, making it a littler harder to bring this headset around in public places. It’s a bit of a shame that the pair doesn’t have a carrying case it can be cumbersome to carry these things over distances.

Product Specifications

The Impedance magnitude rating states that the headphones rate around 38 ohms. However, the headset does not boast active noise isolation, so it allows a small amount of outside interference. The closed design does do its best to cut out any excess sounds from the outside world, but in doing so, the cups can get a little hot over time. The full headset itself weighs around 11 ounces, so it is a negligible weight for people who want to walk around with this pair. As was stated above, the cups can swivel outward or into the headband making them compact.

Product Summary

While mixers and DJs might find this pair a bit lacking in detail, general users will have a blast using this headset. The balanced audio output can be further enhanced to make your experience tailor made, but by default, the sound is very well balanced. For those that create music at home, or in a private location, will find that the passive isolation is enough to keep you concentrated on your work. Don’t expect to block out live instruments though. The AT-M50 is also one of the most comfortable pair you can ever wear and the coiled version makes it easier to move around without being constrained

Product Pros

The AT-M50s feature a lot of good stuff in a great package. They are compact and lightweight, so you can move around with relative ease, and if you get the coiled version, without tangles. At the same time, they boast sound that is almost akin to more expensive, professional monitor headsets. All this for the low price of $150, and you get a very good bargain for a mid-high tier headset.

Product Cons

The sound isn’t as detailed as people might like and while loss-less tracks don’t lose out in any respect, they do lack that analytical sound which professionals might need.

Make your Pick

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Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone Review

Being in the audio electronic industry since 1945, Sennheiser is a trusted company when it comes to high end audio products including headphones. One of its best products is the Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone. Sennheiser HD 800 is a revolutionary headphone that every user would love. It has everything that every person is looking for in a great headphone including comfort and sound quality. This will give you an over the top listening experience without hurting your head or ears.

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Who is the Product For?

The Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone is a high class stereo head phone that is perfect for people who would like to listen to quality sound as if listening directly to the source. This is for those who are also looking for comfort allowing them to listen to the music they love continuously without straining their head or ears. Music and audio professionals would also benefit from this product because of the crystal clear sound it provides.

Main Features

This headphone is open around the ear with pads on the earcups providing comfort letting you use it for as long as you want. The padded headband also adds to the comfort, preventing strain on your head. The quality of sound is excellent, making you feel that you are actually listening to the main source of the audio. It also effectively decreases distortion and eliminates outside noise letting you listen clearly to the sound you are playing. Its ring-shaped transducer makes it possible for you to hear this unparalleled sound quality. Its high performance cords not only prevent tangles but also help in decreasing ambient noise. Its detachable cable allows convenient storage, as well as replacement.

Product Specifications

This is a headband style headphone with padding on the headband and the earcups providing comfort. It is available in silver color. The cable length is 3 meter, which is symmetrical, Kevlar reinforced, oxygen-free copper and silver plated too. Without the cable, the headphone weighs 330 grams. It has 330 Ohm nominal impedance, 1/4″ stereo jack plug, approximately 3.4 N contact pressure and around 0.02 % total harmonic distortion or THD. Its frequency response is 6 to 51,000 Hz or -10 dB and 14 to 44,100 Hz or -3 dB. The ideal operating temperature of the product is –10 °C to +55 °C.

Product Summary

The Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone is an excellent product for personal, as well as for professional use. Its natural and high quality, crystal clear sound lets you enjoy music even at a lower volume. It can also effectively eliminate distortion and outside noise. Professionals who need to focus on the details of the audio their listening to will also find this beneficial. Its padding provides comfort letting you use it for a long time. Its tangle resistant cords prevent annoying tangling, which may also cause damage. They are also detachable so they can be replaced easily in case of problems.

Product Pros

There are several advantages that you can get from using Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone. You can be assured of the best quality of sound that you can ever find that is the same as if you’re listening to the main source. It can effectively prevent distortion and outside noise, adding to a great listening experience. It provides comfort letting you use it for the whole day. Its cords can be detached making it easy to store them, as well as replace them when needed. They are also not prone to tangles, which brings convenience.

Product Cons

The only drawback of this product is its price. It is a lot more expensive than other headphones.

What Are You Waiting For?

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Klipsch Image S4i Black In-Ear Headphones Review

Klipsch Audio Technologies is an American company that was founded in 1946, specializing in audio products including Image S4i Black In-Ear Headphones. Klipsch S4i is an earphone with 3 button mic and remote system that is compatible with various iOS devices. It can be used as a regular earphone for other devices, but the mic and remote cannot be used. The only devices that support the mic and remote system are iPad, iPhone 3GS or later, 2nd generation iPod touch or later, 120 GB and 160 GB iPod classic and 4th generation iPod nano or later. The remote can also be used on iPod Shuffle.

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Who is the Product For?

The Image S4i Black In-Ear Headphone is for iOS users using compatible devices that would like a comfortable headset that they can use anytime, anywhere; giving fantastic sound, while successfully eliminating outside noise. This is also for those who would like to control their music playback easily on their devices, as well as use a microphone that provides clarity when talking to another person or using it for recording.

Main Features

Its sound quality is award winning giving you clear and smooth audio that you can listen to even in low volume, preventing damage to your ear. Its ear tips are oval shaped, which ensures that they fit perfectly on your ears. They are comfortable to wear letting you listen to your favorite tracks even for hours. Its 360 degrees mic ensures that your voice is captured properly without having to place it in front of your mouth when speaking. This gives you more freedom to do other things. It cancels vibrations so your voice can be clearly heard on the other end. This is also perfect when you’re recording audio on your device. The remote control lets you easily access and play your audio files. Its cables are durable and tangle resistant. Its sleek design allows you to use it wherever you go.

Products Specifications

The Image S4i Black In-Ear Headphone has a 3 button remote control and mic, which comes in pristine white and sleek black finish. Its 360 degrees mic ensures crystal clear calls. It has dynamic moving coil micro speaker and weighs 11.9 grams. This product also has 110dB SPL/mW sensitivity, -16 noise isolation, 3.5 mm input connections, 18 Ohms impedance and 10Hz-19kHz frequency response. It has a dimension of 8.5mm. It comes with 3 different sizes of ear tips to ensure that it fits the user’s ear canal perfectly. It has a clothing clip that you can use for it to stay in place especially when you’re on the move. It also comes with a case where you can keep it secured.

Product Summary

The Image S4i Black In-Ear Headphone is an excellent product from Klipsch. You can choose from the three sizes of its oval shaped ear tips for a comfortable fit so you can use it for an extended period. It also helps eliminate outside noise, optimizing your listening experience. Its 3 button remote gives you better control on your device. Its 360 degrees mic lets you easily talk to your phone even while doing other things. Its vibration cancelation feature ensures that the other person on the line hears you perfectly. Most of all, you will be able to enjoy your music better because of its high quality sound.

Product Pros

The Image S4i Black In-Ear Headphone provides better control on your files with its 3 button remote. It is also stylish and comfortable. It gives crystal clear sound when listening to music, as well as when talking to another person on your phone.

Product Cons

The only disadvantage is that the 3 button remote and mic is only compatible with specific devices.

Make Your Pick?

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Sennheiser HD 598 High End Headphones Review

Sennheiser HD 598 High End Headphones are excellent quality headphones manufactured by Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG. This is a German company that has been producing high-end audio electronics since 1945. It provides clear sound and eliminates outside noise, which gives the best listening experience. Its sleek design gives a sophisticated look while ensuring comfort allowing you to use it for long hours.

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Who is the Product For?

This headphone is for people who enjoy listening to music and would like to get the best sound that they could get, while also providing comfort. Since this is comfortable to the head and ear, you can listen to your favorite sounds for as long as you want whatever genre you prefer. This is not just for ordinary people who are music enthusiasts; this is also for professionals who need to listen to crystal clear sounds and not be distracted by the noise in the environment.

Main Features

Sennheiser HD 598 High End Headphones have Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement or E.A.R. technology, as well as headphones that are open circumaural, which ensures clear audio sound. It also comes with advanced Duofol diaphragms that reduce distortion of audio. It is lightweight and comfortable on the head and ear with its pads. It is made from durable material designed to last for years. It is stylish with its burl wood parts around the ear pads, as well as its beige color. Cable can be replaced easily and prevents tangle. It can be used on most home entertainment systems, as well as on portable devices as it comes with an adaptor.

Products Specifications

Sennheiser HD 598 High End Headphones use EAR technology and comes with first class open circumaural headphones providing top notch sound quality. Its neodymium ferrous magnet systems ensure great dynamic response. It weighs 270 grams with 6.3 mm jack plug that can be connected to compatible devices. It also has a 3.5 mm adapter ensuring that you can connect this to other portable gadgets. It has lower than 0.1% total harmonic distortion. Its sound pressure level is 112 dB with impedance of 50 Ohms. Its frequency response is 12 to 38,500 Hz. Its cable length is 3 meters, which can be detached and replaced. It was also designed in a way that it prevents being tangled. Its padded headband and earpads bring maximum comfort while remaining stylish.

Product Summary

Sennheiser HD 598 High End Headphones are fantastic products for regular users who are into music or would like to listen to high quality sound whether at home or while on the go. Its high quality and clear sound let users enjoy every bit of the music as every single detail can be heard properly. Even when listening to songs in a crowded place full of noise, this will not affect the listening experience because it can block unwanted noise effectively. Even professionals could benefit from this product by Sennheiser as it can be used if learning a track for recording or for a performance. This can also be used to study every detail of a music that is being developed. It’s comfortable and stylish, which can be used even for a long period.

Product Pros

Sennheiser HD 598 High End Headphones offers several benefits. It has outstanding audio quality and noise reduction that let you listen to audio files conveniently without any distractions. The headband and earpads are comfortable avoiding pressure and strain. Cables can be detached and replaced for easy fix in case it gets damaged.

Product Cons

It doesn’t have other color options and it does not come with a case where it can be kept securely.

Make Your Pick

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Shure SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones Review

Shure Incorporated started supplying radio parts kits back in 1925. This American corporation is now a huge manufacturer of audio electronic products such as microphones, mixers, as well as headphones and earbuds. Shure SE215 is one of its products. This over the ear type of earphone gives you a good listening experience, while eliminating the background noise that you don’t want to hear. Its Dynamic MicroDriver, which is the SE215, makes this possible. It is sleek, detachable and convenient to carry around, as well as store.

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Who is the Product For?

The Shure SE215 Sound Isolating earphone is for everyone who would like to optimize their listening pleasure. If you are a music lover who always listens to your favorite music, you would love this product. It lets you clearly listen to the sound. Since outside noise is being blocked, you will be able to focus more on what you are listening to and not be distracted whether there are noisy vehicles, chatting people or crying kids around you. This is also for professional musicians or music producers working on their projects. The clarity of the sound will let them hear its details properly.

Main Features

Its SE215 Dynamic MicroDriver gives detailed sound that enhances listening experience. This also helps professional musicians in learning new songs, as well as creating new ones. It is designed to effectively isolate sound from the outside environment as long as it is the correct fit. Its lightweight makes it comfortable to wear even for several hours. Since this is an over the ear type of earphone, you don’t have to worry about cables getting in your way, which could be annoying. Its cables can be detached, making replacement convenient in case they get damaged for some reason. The different sizes of sleeves gives a perfect fit for every person using it.

Products Specifications

The Shure SE215 Sound Isolating earphone offers up to 37 dB of isolation, which is an effective way to cancel outside noise. Combined with its Dynamic MicroDriver, it lets you enjoy high quality sound without being bothered by background noise. It has 107 dB SPL/mW sensitivity, 20 Ohm impedance and frequency range of 22Hz – 17.5kHz. Its detachable cable is 64 inches with wireform fit. It is available in clear, as well as in translucent black. It is configured to be placed over the ear with nozzle angle providing comfort. It is also lightweight and compact. Its black foam and flex sleeves come in small, medium and large sizes to perfectly fit each user’s ear. This is important in eliminating unwanted noise. It also comes with a carrying case that you would find convenient especially if travelling. You can secure your earphone using this case to prevent damage, as well as avoid the cables from being tangled.

Product Summary

The Shure SE215 Sound Isolating earphone is a good option for personal and professional use. Its quality sound that comes with enhanced bass lets you listen to music and appreciate every details of it. Its varying sizes of sleeves ensure that there is something that would fit perfectly on the ears of each user, thus providing comfort, as well as maximize noise isolation. Its detachable cables do not only let you store your earphone easily, they also bring convenience as they can be easily replaced in case of damage.

Product Pros

This product has several advantages including high quality sound and excellent noise cancellation. It is comfortable to wear as it comes with different sizes of sleeves to choose from. The cables are detachable, which can be replaced if needed.

Product Cons

While this is a fantastic product, it also comes with some drawbacks. The treble could still be improved and it doesn’t come cheap.

Make Your Pick

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Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Headphones Review

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG or Sennheiser is a German company that has been in the audio industry since 1945. The company designs and produces various audio products including headphones, headsets and microphones. One of their products is Sennheiser HD280. This headphone boasts itself for its quality sound and the ability to effectively suspend background noise.

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Who is the Product For?

This product is for music professionals, as well as those in an industry in which they need to listen and be able to comprehend audio accurately, including those that are in the transcription business. The quality of its sound, combined with its excellent noise reduction feature let these experts do more work. Non-professionals who are music enthusiasts would also benefit from this as they could listen to quality music for a long period without straining their ears.

Main Features

Sennheiser HD280 has quality sound output allowing you to listen clearly on your audio files, which would be helpful for creating and mixing your music, as well as transcription works. This also maximizes listening pleasure. It efficiently cancels outside noise, giving you more focus on the audio that you’re listening to. It is lightweight and comfortable, allowing you to use it for hours without hurting your ears. It is also compact, making it a space saver.

Products Specifications

This headband style headphone is available in black and silver color. Its earcups are thick and wide though it is still lightweight giving comfort even when used for a long time. It weighs 7.8 oz or 220 grams. It has 32dB of acoustical isolation, eliminating unwanted noise from the background. It also has linear frequency response letting you listen to sounds with accuracy and ease. It can be conveniently adjusted to the size that would fit the user’s head and the earpieces can also swivel, letting you listen with only one ear, while allowing your other ear to be free if you need to. The earcups and cables can be replaced, which is practical as you can just change them if damaged, instead of having to replace the entire headset. It is compatible with 1/4″ and 1/8″ headphone jacks as it comes with an adapter. It has a coiled cable that can be from 1 meter to 3 meters long. It has frequency response of 8 to 25,000 Hz, 64 Ohm nominal impedance and load rating of 500 mW. It can also be used on newly released tablets.

Product Summary

Sennheiser HD280 is a headphone that is a good choice for professionals who require superior audio quality and clarity. Music producers can create and mix great music as they can listen clearly to the audio files that they are working on. Transcriptionists would also benefit from this as they can accurately transcribe audio files. Its noise reduction feature makes it a more effective tool for these types of works. The comfort that it brings with its lightweight and earcups let these professionals focus on their job without causing strain to their ear, which could force them to stop on what they are doing. Since it is compact, it can be conveniently stored without taking up much space. Music lovers would also appreciate this headphone.

Product Pros

Sennheiser HD280 has several benefits that users can enjoy. One of these is the quality of sound. It also effectively cancels outside noise allowing better audio. It is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry and store. The earcups are comfortable that it can be used for hours. It can also be used on most audio players, including the portable ones as it comes with an adapter.

Product Cons

This can be a bit pricey if only using for personal entertainment. While the headband can be adjusted, it can still be too fitted for others, causing pressure on the head in the long run.

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The 5 Best Headphones Under 100

Headphones with great quality typically come with high price tags. Looking for those priced lower than $100 can be quite difficult. Nevertheless, great headphones that are cheaper than a hundred bucks do exist. You just have to take the time to look for them. The following great headphones below, with their respective short overviews and reviews, have been picked based on their overall quality and the perceived value they offer in relation to their prices

5. Sennheiser RS120

Sennheiser is one of the top brands when it comes to headphones. This brand is known for great quality. The Sennheiser RS120, with an average price of $80, is one product that fortunately does not put the Sennheiser reputation down. Despite the price, it delivers great sound quality. It is an over-ear pair of wireless RF headphones that comes with a charging cradle. It is designed with great user experience in mind. Aside from delivering detailed and analytical sounds with strong bass response, this open back supra-aural pair of headphones offers the convenience of receiving signals through walls and ceilings. It is ideal for television use and hi-fi sound enjoyment.

The Sennheiser RS120 is lightweight and very comfortable to use. Even the controls are designed for intuitive operation. The transmitter that comes with the device also serves as a charging unit and can be mounted on the wall. Overall, this pair of headphones is adequately reliable. It even comes with an extensive two-year warranty, when bought directly from the manufacturer. Additionally, the ear pads or ear cups are replaceable.

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4. Sennheiser HD 202 II

Rest assured that this list does not particularly have any bias for the Sennheiser brand. The inclusion of another Sennheiser model is merely because the pair definitely deserves to be listed as one of the best options for headphones priced below $100. At an average price of $25, who would not be tempted to get this great professional set of closed-back supra-aural headphones? It is primarily intended for DJs and audio professionals. It comes with a 10-foot y-style cable and is rated to have an impedance of 32 Ohms and a frequency range of 18Hz+18kHz. Total harmonic distortion is estimated to be at less than 0.5%. Overall, the produced sound can be described as something very clean with a deep bass response. The deep bass response is made possible by the specially designed damping perforation in the drivers.

The Sennheiser HD 202 II offers great ambient noise attenuation along with excellent neodymium magnets and light diaphragms to be able to deliver impressive low bass levels. It works great when playing modern rhythm-driven music. Moreover, the ear cups can be detached from the headband for easy cleaning and maintenance. This pair of earphones also features a rugged outdoor design, along with a flexible headband.

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3. Sony MDR-ZX100 ZX Series

The MDR-ZX100 ZX series from Sony is a lightweight and easy-to-use package. Its regular price is around $20, a steal for something that delivers high quality and powerful sound. It is a closed back supra-aural type of headphone that comes with 30mm drivers. The drivers feature multi-layer dome diaphragms that have neodymium magnets that enable the production of crisp and realistic sound quality over a wide frequency response range. It is primarily intended to be highly portable as evidenced by its light weight and foldable design. The MDR ZX100 is designed to be comfortable to use and easy to pair with various multimedia devices.

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2. Panasonic RPHJE120K

The Panasonic RPHJE120K is an in-ear headphone that comes with 9mm drivers having a 16 ohm/1kHz impedance rating and a 20Hz-20kHz frequency response range. It produces decent enough sounds even with the incredibly low $10 regular selling price. Overall, the Panasonic RPHJE120K can be described as a cheap, comfortable to use, and good-sounding enough pair of earphones. It features an “ergo-fit” design intended for ultimate comfort. It certainly isn’t the best-sounding headphone available but it is worth considering because of its ridiculously low price and unexpected durability. You can get the Panasonic RPHJE120K in a variety of colors that particularly match the iPod Nano 5th generation.

Compared to more expensive products like the $150 Beats headphones, the Panasonic RPHJE120K certainly does not deliver comparable audio quality. However, the difference is not as high as 10 times—not even 3 times. For the $10 to $150 price difference, it is safe to assume that the Panasonic RPHJE120K indeed provides great value for the price paid.

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1. Audio-Technica ATH-M30

The Audio-Technica ATH-M30 is a professional studio monitor closed-back pair of dynamic stereo headphones. Costing around $60 on average, this high quality unit is a great choice for home recording enthusiasts, musicians, and studio engineers. With 40mm drivers, the Audio-Technica ATH-M30 delivers excellent sound clarity and accuracy. The drivers have an impedance rating of 65 ohms, a copper-clad aluminum voice coil, and a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20KHz. It features a circumaural design that guarantees effective noise isolation. It also has an adjustable cushioned headband to ensure comfortable usage.

All in all, the Audio-Technica ATH-M30 offers an outstanding level of sound reproduction accuracy. Its price defies the common misconception that headphones have to be expensive to offer great quality. The ATH-M30’s design and technical specifications are worth more than its current price. It produces warm sounds with excellent bass levels, accurate treble, and smooth midrange. Sound clarity is also noteworthy. This professional-quality pair of headphones certainly deserves to be on top of this list.

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The 5 Best Headphones for Running

Running is a great exercise that could be made greater with the help of music. Thanks to advances in technology, headphones are now very light and comfortable-to-wear that they can serve as good running companions. Of course, not every headphone can be used while running. There are many factors to take into account in choosing a pair that will be suitable for running. The headphones featured below are some of the best options to consider.

5. RHA MA150

The RHA MA150 is an inexpensive pair of earphones that features plastic enclosures with rubber ear tips. At an average price of around $20, it is a good set worth buying. It is very comfortable to use. It delivers great low-end sound and an excellent mechanism for noise isolation, thanks to its distinctive aero phonic design. This design creates a seemingly natural transfer of audio from the speakers to the ears. Many would probably be surprised how good-sounding it is in relation to its price. This lightweight pair of earphones features a minimalistic design in a matte-black casing and a gold plated 3.5mm connector.

Just like other inexpensive earphones, the RHA MA150 is not without some flaws. For one, it does not come with built-in controls. The thin wires are prone to tangling. The company claims that the 1.2 meter Y-shaped cable comes with an anti-tangle slider but it does not appear to be very effective. Moreover, the upper midrange can sound harsh when driven to real high volumes. It’s not that bad, though, to negate the “bang for the buck” this pair of earphones offers.

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4. Sony XBA-S65

This pair of earphones offers high quality and distortion-free sounds without being pricey, as what many may expect in a Sony product. Priced at around $36, this great jogging or running companion is classified as a balanced armature sports headphone set offering a full range driver that delivers excellent audio performance. It also comes with a great build quality and is noticeably secure-fitting. Announced together with the Xperia Z smartphone of Sony during the CES 2013, this unit shares the same water-resistant quality of Sony’s flagship smartphone. It’s not only durable; it also withstands being soaked in perspiration and is logically washable.

There’s nothing to complain about audio quality. It delivers nice bass response most audiophiles will appreciate. However, runners or joggers may find the overall “punch” of the produced sound to be slightly weak to suit their desire for some emphatically strong beats that complement or motivate running action.

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3. Plantronics BackBeat Go

Lightweight and truly comfortable to wear, this wireless pair of earphones guarantees tangle-free use. It delivers excellent noise suppression and produces impressive midrange and high-end clarity. This featherweight running companion is impressively unobtrusive and even versatile. Through Bluetooth connectivity, it easily connects to various portable media players. It can even be used when answering phone calls. You don’t have to remove it from your ears while listening to music wirelessly streamed by your mobile phone and answering a call received on your mobile phone. As a wireless device, the BackBeat Go obviously comes with its own battery rechargeable via USB. The whole setup of charging and controlling the headphones is convenient. There is nothing negative to comment on ease of use.

Perhaps, the slight drawback of this excellent pair of earphones for running is the excessively soft ear buds. Because of this softness, it become quite difficult to fit the ear buds right. Also, there is some noticeable cable thump while running or even while walking. When it comes to the sound quality, the BackBeat Go is generally great although some may nitpick about having a somewhat thin bass response.

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2. Klipsch Image X7i

The Klipsch Image X7i is almost perfect that the main criticism that could possibly be hurled against it is the cable thumping. Fortunately, the unit comes with a shirt clip to address this. At an average price if $200, it is not a cheap pair of earphones to get. However, the list of advantages it offers is quite a number. The Klipsch Image X7i features a ceramic design that exudes elegance while assuring durability. It comes with convenient three control buttons. It is worth noting that this pair of headphones comes with inline microphone and remote to easily pair with mobile devices. The product package comes with a zip-up carrying pouch, an adapter useful for airline headphone jacks, and a total of five ear bud tips in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The patented ear buds of the Klipsch Image X7i guarantee comfortable use while delivering enhanced bass levels. Additionally, the full range balanced armature drivers can be expected to produce clear midrange and crisp high-end sounds. Some may notice instances when the earphones are about to produce distortions when playing music that feature heavy sub-bass sounds. However, these instances are rather a rarity and the drivers virtually never succumb to distortions.

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1. Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones

This pair of earphones tops this list because it offers excellent audio quality and innovative design. In terms of sound quality, it offers rich bass response, excellent noise isolation, and an almost clinical sound associated with super-flat earphones. Audio performance is pleasing and natural-sounding. At an average price of $200, the quality offered by this set of earphones is a good catch. It is not exactly a cheap price but it is low enough for something that delivers a great combination of excellent audio quality, impressive lightness, and superbly secure-fitting design. The Bowers & Wilkins C5 earphones feature adjustable loops that firmly hold the headphones in place.

The Bowers & Wilkins C5 comes with a micro porous filter that serves as a sonic diffuser. This diffuser creates sounds that are impressively rich and expansive. As this diffuser performs its function, some sound may be projected outward. It can be annoying to others who may not like the type of music a user listens to. Also, it may be something some users would be apprehensive about. There are those who are just disinclined in sharing their playlists or tastes in music. This is a very minor drawback, though—if it can even be called a drawback.

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The 5 Best Shure Headphones

Shure is no stranger to the audio electronics business but among other headphone manufacturers, it is one of the latecomers. Still, this American company is able to release excellent headphones worth considering. The company is considered as one of the most reliable manufacturers of earphones. If you are looking for great headphones that carry the Shure brand name, consider the top options briefly reviewed below:

5. Shure SE215

The Shure SE215 is a great set of earphones with powerful bass sounds that deliver notable thuds along with a wide soundstage and an excellent cable quality. What can be considered as a drawback for this nifty unit, though, is its treble. It does not deliver the most detailed treble levels. Nevertheless, there are more good than bad to say about this approximately $100-worth pair of earphones. It may not be cheap but it is an excellent piece of audio-producing device for its class.

The Shure SE215 comes with dynamic drivers along with its own carry case, detachable cables, a right angle jack, and six pairs of rubber tips. Overall, the unit is comfortable to wear and is arguably good looking. They just look like they want their users to wear them often. In terms of sound quality, the Shure SE215 delivers great sound although not necessarily one of the best among all other headphones. It produces busty low-end tones and a general consistency following the signature Shure sound. To some extent, it can even one-up the more expensive models of other companies.

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4. Shure SE535

The Shure SE535 is mainly a refresh of the earlier released SE530 earphones. The SE530 was already an excellent product on its own so imagining how better the “refresh” would be a little difficult. It somehow sounds unnecessary refreshing something that already outstandingly does what is expected of it. However, with the SE535, the changes or upgrades made are quite noteworthy enough for the existence of the new product to be justified. One of these upgrades is the design. The SE535 arguably looks better than its predecessor. It also comes with slightly “stiff and formable” wires near the driver units, which helps avoid wire tangling. Additionally, the wires are now replaceable.

When it comes to sound quality, the Shure SE535 offers great noise isolation and a balanced sound free from distortions or other audible imperfections. Bass levels are smooth while mid-range sound reproduction is adequately detailed no matter how loud the earphones are made to sound. However, his is not a significant improvement from the SE530. Disregarding the price, the SE530 is more commendable but without the price being considered, the Shure SE535 is something worth the purchase.

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3. Shure SE425

The Shure SE425 is fairly expensive. However, for the price you pay, you get a solidly built product that delivers excellent audio and has replaceable parts. The Shure SE425 is the successor of the SE420s released some three years ago. It carries all the good attributes of its predecessor including the excellent noise isolation and distortion free sound even at the highest possible volumes. The pair delivers great audio quality for whatever record thrown at it. The low-end tones can use some more power but this isn’t anything critical. Differences may be noticed by technical tests but not by the typical users of earphones.

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2. Shure SRH840

Despite being large and heavy, the Shure SRH840 comes in second place because of its outstanding audio clarity and great value for the price. This pair of headphones only costs around $190.00 but it delivers excellent audio quality typically associated with more expensive high end headphones. It comes with a removable coiled cable, 40mm drivers, two pairs of pads, and a 6.3mm converter. The design looks typical and some would even consider it too bulky. The headband is considerably thick. Nevertheless, all this thickness makes for a comfortable fit although the coiled cable can be seriously cumbersome. Also, wearing something with such a very thick headband doesn’t really look sleek for many.

In terms of sound quality, the SRH840 delivers great noise insulation being a closed-back type. It is also notably produces clear sounds although some may not prefer the tendency to produce “bright” sounds. The bass levels, on the other hand, are great although somewhat laid-back. What stands out with the SRH840 is the warmth of the mid-range tones. All these make the unit great for leisure listening as well as for studio headphone use. Overall, this headphone set provides enjoyable sounds at a relatively inexpensive price.

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1. Shure SRH1440

The SRH1440 tops this list for its great balance price, audio quality, comfort, and the removable cable. It features an open back design with 40mm neodymium drivers, which tend to produce slightly bright sounds. Some may find it too bulky but it actually is comfortable to wear. The turnoff part of wearing it may be on the side of aesthetics as not many may want to walk around the city with heads touting obvious speakers pointing to the sides, producing music that may not please some people in public.

Shure’s SRH1440 is marketed as a professional pair of headphones intended for those who want something they can rely on for critical listening and audio mastering. This means that the unit is comparable to those used by DJs, typically bass heavy and capable of producing a wide range of tones. The overall sound output of the SRH1440 can be described as intense, even capable of sounding out vocal textures in great detail. This pair of headphones indeed delivers what it is meant to deliver. It is classified as a mid-ranger but is great enough to come toe-to-toe against the higher priced headphones offered by competing companies.

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