Ratings: 5/5
Price: $180
Etymotic
hf3
Etymotic has cultivated a reputation for
creating headphones that combine pro sound quality with a sense of coolness. It
takes a while to choose between the many, many ear-tips in the box (testament
to how seriously the company takes sound), but you’ll know when you get there,
as the rest of the world will vanish behind a wall of noise isolation. For
detail and crispness there’s nothing else at this price that can touch the
hf3s, and they boast the kind of analytical approach in which fans of lossless,
uncompressed or even studio master recordings will revel.
The sportscar of on-ear headphones – Phiaton MS300
Ratings: 4/5
Price: $270
Phiaton
MS300
For those trying to make a statement but
who aren’t keen on jumping on the Beats bandwagon, the MS300s make a lot of sense.
The carbon-fibre earcups and red trim might be a bit flashy for some, but there
is something a bit Lamborghini- like about the design. Unlike a Lambo, though,
which (we’re told) gets better the more you push it, the Phiatons can sound
shouty and unbalanced in favour of the midrange when you push the volume.
However, keep them in their comfort zone and they’re much better, delivering
generous detail and bite, and deep, flexible bass that sits well in the rest of
the tonal range.
The Beats beaters – TDK ST700
Ratings: 4/5
Price: $180
TDK
ST700
The original Beats Solos were a huge
success, and spawned no end of clones, perhaps most notably the amusingly
monikered Fanny Wang On-ear Wangs.
Better than both, though, is this pair of
TSKs. Their first win is the comfy fit, thanks to a solid headband and pivoting
earcups. The good news continues with sound, too: the ST700s exhibit a degree
of tonal balance that their overly bassy rivals can’t match. There’s clear
treble and a nice directness to vocals, too, and the whole presentation is
pacey and detailed. They can’t match the best at this price for resolution and
punch but, next to their trendy peers, they’re great.
Best for hi-fi on the go – Grado iGi
Ratings: 5/5
Price: $135
Grado
iGi
While better known for its traditional, (if
quirky) on-ear headphones, these days Grado also boasts a three-model range of
in-ears. We’ll get to the top-end GR10s later, but for now let’s concentrate on
the most affordable pair – the iGi. That name might suggest some kind of Apple
integration, but there’s no inline mic or controls here. Instead it’s just
straight-up audio, but audio with the kind of detail, dynamics and neutrality
that the cast majority of rivals can’t muster. Just like Grado’s on-ears, then,
which you may have heard we’re fairly keen on.
Best for sporty types – Beats by Dre Powerbeats
Ratings: 5/5
Price: $130.5
Beats
by Dre Powerbeats
Beats is never one for subtlety, so the
styling of its Powerbeats sports headphones really shouldn’t come as a
surprise… and thanks to the chunky band that loops over the top of your ears,
there’s no hiding them. Of course, it does serve a purpose: to keep the
earphones in when you’re exercising. With a few runners in our ranks, we can
confirm that the fit is excellent and that it’s nigh on impossible to jog them
loose, which means you’re free to concentrate on the powerful, pacey and
detailed music, rather than keeping your headphones attached.
Best for Xbox gamers – Sennheiser X320
Ratings: 5/5
Price: $105
Sennheiser
X320
We’re all pretty big gamers here, and have
experimented with loads of headsets over the years – all of which have been a
bit disappointing.
Unlike their rivals, though, the X320s
sound good – detailed and spacious enough to assist in finding your online
enemies, and with excellent balance as long as you avoid the ‘bass boost’
switch. Balancing voice and game volume is easy, your voice projects clearly
and muting your mic is simply a case of twisting up the boom. The wires are a
shame, but the only way to avoid this is to go wireless, which in our
experience costs far more – and sounds far worse. Five stars it is, then.
Best for iPhone-using silence-seekers – Blackbox i10
Ratings: 5/5
Price: $135
Blackbox
i10
The second pair of Blackbox headphones to
make this list, the i10s are different from the M20-RBs. These are in-ears, and
they connect via the 30-pin socket at the bottom of your iPhone or iPod, rather
than the standard headphone socket. They are still effective noise-cancellers,
though, and they sound impressive. They’re well made, too.
