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Top 10 Headphones - Jan 2013

1/19/2013 3:40:28 PM

Price: $125

Verdict: Fantastic sound, noise blocking and comfort at an excellent price, they're the perfect PMP upgrade

Ratings: 5/5

Phonak Audeo PFE 012

It's not easy creating the perfect headphones. Music is so subjective that one human's perfect pitch is a little lacking in bass for another, and too bright-sounding for pedant no.3. The PFE 012s do about as good a job of satisfying disparate tastes as any in-ears we've tried. Building on the success of the pricier 111s, they dig up bags of detail, deliver sweet vocals and a palpable soundstage, and up the bass to party worthy levels. They're also barely-there lightweight and subtly attractive. They could easily sell for twice the price.

Bowers & Wilkins P3

Price: $270

Ratings: 5/5

Bowers & Wilkins P3

Superb sound and a very solid and achingly stylish design make these the best portable on-ears around. The fact that two cables come in the box one with a Mic and remote for iPhones and one without only sweetens the already candy floss-like deal.

Sennheiser MM 450-X

Price: $420

Ratings: 5/5

Sennheiser MM 450-X

With Hi-Fi quality aptX Bluetooth, noise cancelling, great sound and a Mic for use with smartphones, the awesomely portable MM 450-X cans might be the only pair of headphones you ever need. Now we're just hoping the next iPhone has aptX built in.

Powerbeats by Dr Dre

Price: $205

Ratings: 5/5

Powerbeats by Dr Dre

We never had Dr Dre down as a fitness fan, but the headphones he's designed for sweaty gym sessions are seriously impressive. Expect powerful, weighty and dynamic sound, then be pleasantly surprised by the in-line mic and three button iPhone remote.

Klipsch Image X10i

Price: $295

Ratings: 5/5

Klipsch Image X10i

The X10s were our favourite in ears for years, but the X10is now look too pricey for the no. 1 spot. Built-in iPod/iPhone controls are useful, but it’s their sound and size that really impress the buds are slim as lolly sticks but sound thrilling and insightful.

Bose QuietComfort 15

Price: $370

Ratings: 5/5

Bose QuietComfort 15

Bose’s latest long-haul headphones are its finest yet. Wearing a pair is as comfortable as binding pillows to your head with silken thread, and both sound and noise cancelling are exemplary. For a louder, more rocking listen, try Monster’s Beats Studio.

Skullcandy Lowrider

Price: $30

Ratings: 4/5

Skullcandy Lowrider

Skullcandy’s try-hard product styling and marketing might rub anyone other than teenage surf-wannabes the wrong way, but the Lowriders are surprisingly good. Actually, they’re better than good crisp, clear and detailed. Well worth the price.

Sennheiser Momentum

Price: $410

Ratings: 5/5

Sennheiser Momentum

Classily styled, cushion-comfortable and smooth sounding, the Momentums are the perfect pair of on-ears for the dapper man about town. There’s no noise-cancellation, but they do isolate nicely. While they don’t fold down, there is a neat case included.

Focal Spirit One

Price: $315

Ratings: 5/5

Focal Spirit One

French speaker company Focal has hit the nail on the head with its first ever set of headphones. Beautifully made and superbly stylish with aircraft-grade aluminium, the real success is the sound all natural detail and punch, especially on heftier tracks.

AKG K702

Price: $320

Ratings: 3/5

AKG K702

With a swanky headphone amp, these reference quality, open backed headphones create a sound to rival Hi-Fi speakers ten times the price. Got more dosh? Try the supremely revealing Sennheiser HD 800s or breathtaking Grado GS1000is.

Instant expert

Ratings: 5/5

If there's been one gap in Sennheiser's otherwise exhaustive headphone range, it's been the lack of a really great, fashionable pair of on ears. Well, Gap Be Gone: here are the »Sennheiser Momentums (US$410, sennheiser.com). I'm aware that I'm far from the authoritative voice on fashion, but to me the Momentums look superb in their bronze finish. The leather headband and earcups are very comfortable and at the same time add a bit of class and the soft but snug fit helps to isolate outside noise. Even the mic/remote unit has a premium feel. In action they're really nicely judged - smooth and balanced from top to bottom, with plenty of detail and space. A little extra punch would be nice, but these are great nonetheless.

What to look for

Anti-noise

Headphones dampen background kerfuffle in two ways: noise cancelling and sound-isolating. The former uses powered electronics to monitor the outside world and generate a neutralising sound wave. It's normally integrated into comfy over-ear cans, great for long-haul travel. The latter creates a physical barrier, often in the form of tiny but invasive ‘in-ear monitors' (lEMs), jammed into your lugs.

Open day?

Open-backed cans let noise in (and out). The plus side is, they're less claustrophobic and have a pleasing, airy sound.

Drivers/armatures

These create the music. Most headphones have one per ear, but IEMs have up to three. The main benefit of extra drivers is usually increased frequency response.

At the gym

Avoid in-line volume controls if you're working out as they bounce around. Look for lightweight, water-resistant designs.

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