iLuv Noise-Canceling Headphones with Bluetooth Wireless Technology (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've tried out several pairs of noise canceling headphones and bluetooth headsets, and this one does its job well both in noise canceling (comparable to $100 pairs by audiotechnica, except it is not circumaural) and in bluetooth pairing (clearly excels over the Motorola S9)
Its bluetooth setting take a little getting used to, but once you know that you do not need to re-pair the headphones even if you switch between audio sources and that the play/pause button actually serves as a bluetooth-reconnect button if you wander out of range, they are really very intuitive.
The headphone's microchip sports two audio-modes instead of two audio streams for its Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (HQ music) and Hands Free Profile (mobile)... This surprised me at first, but it actually allows you to have a lot of freedom.
Battery life is great with a 10+ hours of continuous music streaming (experimentally) and a mere 1.5 hour (also experimental) charge time.
I can't say enough good things about this product. Asides from the mentioned items it also has great sound quality, and the fold-up ability is pretty handy for mobility.
The only two things I would've liked for it is to not look so cheap and to have came with a carrying pouch that is its size (and not like 3X larger)

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Free yourself from tangled wires and city noises The i913 frees you from the tangle and limitations of wires using Bluetooth wireless technology. Not only that, but outside sounds that interfere with pure music enjoyment or that create a distraction during an important phone call virtually disappear helping you focus on what you want to hear and not on what you have to hear. With i913 you can listen to music wirelessly in the way it was meant to be heard. Plus, this swivel-designed noise canceling headset has comfortable soft-cushioned ear pads, and with its mini-USB connection you can also connect to most audio devices using the included mini USB to 3.5 mm cable. Bluetooth wireless technology helps you connect to your phone without being physically attached to it, freeing you to walk around and use your hands the way you would if you were talking to a person in the room with you. What's more, you can talk and listen longer with the i913. With nine hours of talking time is available with 8 hours of listening time, the i913 helps you enjoy walking and talking more than you did before.

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Ultimate Ears SuperFi 5vi Noise Isolating Earphones w/ Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)First let me start with the good by saying that the top firing micro driver in these ear buds are fantastic. As far as sound goes they provide a very lively, rich and balanced sound. I listen to a wide variety of music and they did everything justice...Jazz, Rock, Classical and Electronica all sounded great. They are not reference monitors by any stretch but for casual listening bang for the buck they really deliver. As for comfort I was satisfied with these buds although the foam ear tips don't last very long. You will find yourself ordering replacements before long.
The headset function though is where the problems start. First, if you are not using these over the ears there is a tremendous amount of cable noise. If you can get a good fit over the ears this defeats some of the cable noise. The problem is once over the ear the microphone is now not placed optimally for talking. Finally ear canal phones (any I would imagine) produce a weird experience while talking hands free. Hold you ears shut and then talk...you will get an idea of what I am talking about.
The nail in the coffin though is the build quality. The junction from the cable to the 3.5 mm jack ends up failing after prolonged use. It took mine about eight months. Sadly I have heard other UE owners complain about the same thing with various models. I have owned three pairs of Shure earphones (E3c, E4c and 310s) before these and never had an issue with a frayed cable after years of use. Now I sadly have to deal with Logitech for a warranty repair.
If you really like the sound of the SuperFi 5's I would just buy it without the integrated headset feature and save yourself a few bucks. Just be aware of the issues with durability if you plan on using them often.

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Liquid Silver-The Super.Fi 5vi features an exclusive top fire armature speaker which produces powerful and extended high definition sound.A miniature high performance microphone allows for hands free phone calls while an in-line multi-function button answers and ends calls and controls music/video on the iphone

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Etymotic Research HF2 Earphones / Headset (iPhone Compatible) - Black Review

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(More customer reviews)You've seen those people with earphone-mic combos for those phones - you know, *those* people who walk around, holding the mic up to their mouth, who might as well pull out the earphone and just hold the phone up to their ear. Are they uncomfortable, thinking that the mic won't pick up their voice, or are they compensating for a lackluster microphone? If the latter, that will not be necessary with the Etymotic HF2 earphone headset, whose mic is every bit as strong as the one built into most phones, if not better.
I tested this set with an Iphone 3G, and those on the other end were not able to guess that I was on a headset microphone rather than the Iphone's admittedly high-quality mic - that's a great compliment right there. The mic, which hangs about three inches below the right earphone, seems to be able to filter out background noises, as well. As for controls, it's simple - there's one button on rectangular microphone unit. Press once to answer or hang up a call, twice to send a call to voicemail.
As for sound quality of the headphones, they're fantastic, and that's no surprise given the pedigree associated with the Etymotic name. I'm an Ety fan - I have a pair of Ety ER6i as well as their "big brother" the ER4P, and the sound quality of the HF2 ranks right around the ER6i, which should be excellent for most people. Those not familiar with the "Etymotic sound," it is extremely clean, and many may find it lacking in bass, but it is very true to the recorded sound, unlike many other cheaper (and sometimes similarly priced) earphones. What you hear with Etymotics is a very accurate, if sometimes stark, representation of the sound that the artists captured. They are not good headphones for those looking for huge bass response. Those who enjoy jazz and great detail in their music might just love the Etymotic sound - they truly are an audiophile company. And when it comes to calls, there's also a small thrill to be had that first time you talk to someone and hear them in stereo through these earphones if you've never experienced it before. The world is blocked out due to the earphones' superior sound-dampening abilities, and the caller on the other end is extremely clear.
A note about fit and sound quality: these in-ear 'phone are meant to seat deep in your ear, sealed with your ear canal. When seated properly, they will deliver incredible sound quality and beautiful, solid bass - but not the deep, head-rattling bass you may be accustomed to from other head-and ear-phones. If they aren't seated properly, wet the tip just slightly, insert, and then turn just a bit to get them "snug down." The fit shouldn't hurt, but may feel odd at first. I found it took some getting used to and, yes, you will likely notice some earwax - you are, afterall, closing up your ears, so they will get warm. Clean the triple-flange tips from time to time and make sure your ears are as clean as possible. It sounds like a ritual, but it really is worth it for the extrmely high sound quality these earphones are capable of creating.
Other small details: where the two wires for the earphones connect to join into one is a slider to sinch up the wires . . . I assume if you want them close to your neck? Included on the wire is a clip that I found more annoying and cumbersome than useful. Thoughtful, yes, but not easy to remove, and I feared damaging the wire sleeve in doing so, so it stayed put. It simply made winding the wires up to put into the handy zipped leather pouch a job a little more clumsy than necessary. Also included are foam tips and smaller triple-flange tips for the earphones, replacement filters, and a filter replacement tool.
For owners of the first generation Iphone, the headphone jack is sized to fit into the recessed jack - no need for an awkward adapter.
So why only four stars if I enjoy these so much? (It would really be 4.5 stars if Amazon would let me offer it.) I balk a little at paying almost the price of the 8gb Iphone for a mic/earphone headset, even as high-quality as this one is. Another thing, and this is true of any headset, and so I don't mark this one down for it, your speaking voice does not come through the earphones. Normally that's not such an issue, but when you are listening to the other party in stereo, and you can only hear yourself as if through plugged ears, it's a little disorienting, and I found myself fighting the urge to speak louder. It would be nice if there were some way for your voice to be able to feedback into the earphones.
Overall, however, these are fantastic - miles above most typical headsets, but the price reflects that, too. If you spend a significant amount of time both listening to music and talking on your phone, and you truly treasure sound quality, these may make perfect sense.

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The HF2 is a high-fidelity, hands-free noise-isolating headset and earphones combination - but it's really much, much more than that. The HF2 provides a near-perfect music experience.Made by Etymotic Research, the people who created in-ear earphones, the hf2 delivers Etymotic's world-renowned sound quality in a comfortable, convenient wireless phone headset, so you'll never miss a call! Headset includes a high-sensitivity microphone and a Music/Call button that allows you to quickly answer calls while contolling your music. You'll be able to hear and be heard, clearly, even in a noisy environment. The HF2 includes the in-ear headset and earphones, assorted eartips so you can find the ones that fit you best, carry pouch and filter changing tool with filters. Works with iPhone and other music phones that operate with a 3.5 mm/4-contact phone + stereo plug. Compatible with most music players (e.g., iPod, mp3, CD) that accept a 3.5 mm stereo plug. HF2 headset + earphones can be worn with the cables infront or in back of the head. The cable slider can be adjusted by moving it up or down for a snug fit.

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Beats Solo by Dr. Dre On-Ear Headphones with ControlTalk (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Last year, I tried out a pair of Beats Studio noise-cancelling headphones at an Apple Store and, upon listening to the music selection, decided that it was the best sounding headphones I had ever listened to. I was impressed enough that I was tempted to purchase them on the spot...but I had some hesitations which led me to walk out empty-handed. The caveats then were:
-Battery required for operation (due to the noise-cancelling function, which I didn't need)
-Large size
-The plastic material felt cheap and likely to crack easily
-and of course, the price (about three-hundred fifty USD at the time)
The sound of the Beats Studio had "haunted" me since, as I searched in vain for a cheaper and better quality pair of headphones which matched or beat that sound. I tried pairs from Grado, Ultimate Ears, Sennheiser, Bose, but never felt satisfied with the sound quality as I had with the Beats Studio. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I learned that these headphones, the Beats Solo, were coming out. I saw that the price was below two-hundred USD and ordered them immediately. My hope was that the sound quality would be just as good as the more expensive Beats Studio.
These headphones have met all my expectations. The sound is truly amazing and I can clearly hear so much detail in my music. The headphones do a swell job of projecting the background detail enough, but not too much that it drowns out the rest of the music. Also, the bass is slightly amplified so you hear some slight "thump thump" but is definitely not overpowering like "THUMP! THUMP!"
As for the caveats that I had with the more expensive Beats Studio, they are all addressed to my satisfaction with the Beats Solo:
+These headphones are not noise-cancelling, and as a result do not use a battery. They are simply plug-in headphones without an on/off switch.
+The Beats Solo is more compact than and not as bulky as the Studio phones. They also fold and can be stored in the included neoprene carrying pouch.
+The quality of the plastic in these phones is much superior. These phones feel solid and worth the price.
+The price is still high, but I believe it's more reasonable.
There are some other differences that are noteworthy about the Beats Solo over the Beats Studio:
+The Solo headphones are worn so that they rest on TOP of your ear, and not surrounding them. If you are familiar with Bose's line of headphones, then the Beats Solo would compare to the Bose On-Ear headphones. The Studio phones, however, fit around the ear and would compare to the Bose QC2/Quiet Comfort 15 phones.
+The cheaper Solo headphones have a 3-year warranty vs. 1-year warranty for the more expensive Studio headphones. (Interesting...)
+While both headphones include a cable with a mic that can be used with an iPhone or similar phones, the Solo headphone cord also has a remote control that can control the volume and other functions. However, this feature isn't perfect. The button that controls playback functions is too small that I typically would hit the volume button at the same time. Also, I tried using the phones while making calls with my iPhone 3GS, and the people on the other end complained that they heard a substantial amount of background noise.
In conclusion, I believe the Beats Solo headphones have excellent sound, quality construction and sleek design which make them worthy of their price. They are, in my mind, a better buy than the more expensive Beats Studio headphones. Only if you are a frequent flyer who would benefit from noise-cancelling should you consider buying the Studio headphones. Otherwise, the Solo headphones are the ones to get.
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EDIT (February 25, 2010) - Apparently Monster has decided to shorten the warranty on the Beats Solo to 1 year only. I went into the Apple Store today where I had purchased my set and saw that of the stock they have, a few of the units had "Three Year Limited Warranty" written on the box (lower part of the left spine) while the rest had "One Year Limited Warranty" instead. I spoke with one of the Apple Store guys who confirmed that the 1-year warranty units were their newer stock. I wouldn't consider this a reason to take off any stars since I still think these are great headphones; I guess Monster chose to match Bose and Sony in regards to the warranty length, which is indeed a shame.
Thanks to Suzie Mcleod for first discovering this change.--------------------------
EDIT (December 16, 2010) - Thought I'd add a little update that after owning these headphones for more than 1 year, they're still working great for me! I noticed many of the negative reviews about the head band breaking; mine has not broken fortunately, but I've been very gentle with my headphones and have been careful to not overstretch the band when putting them on. I'd say if you're careful and patient enough to take a few extra seconds when putting on these phones, you shouldn't have to worry about the head band breaking. As for the sound quality, I still think it's terrific. I recently did an accidental comparison of these phones to my pair of Ultimate Ears 700 earbuds (which I've also given a positive review of here on Amazon). Basically I had taken off the Beats and put on the Ultimate Ears buds immediately as I was heading out of the house. I had never done that before. The difference in sound quality was very noticeable, like night and day. The Beats headphones trumped the Ultimate Ears. With the Beats, I felt like I was in a concert hall listening to the music, and the details were noticeable. With the earbuds, I felt like I was listening to the music through a tin can. The sound quality felt cheap and awful, and the detail was not as impressive. Granted, this could be a common comparison between a pair of full-size headphones like the Beats and a pair of in-ear buds. Nevertheless, I thought I'd throw it out here just to give my perspective. I still highly recommend these phones.

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Hear All The Music: In Comfort and Style Headphones that could reproduce the true dynamics of today's music were a rarity—until the legendary Beats Studio hit the scene. Now, a new headphone in the Beats tradition, Beats Solo. brings you amazing sound in a smaller, lighter on-ear design. With Beats Solo, you'll hear every sonic detail the musicians and recording engineers laid down in the studio. Deep bass. Hard hitting drums. Bold midrange. And clean, undistorted highs. All in a comfortable fit you can wear for hours. Perfect While on the Move Solos are compact and incredibly lightweight and ready for your active lifestyle, gym work out, or frequent travel. The tri-fold design allows Solos to fit into the included compact carrying case. With Beats Solos getting a great music experience has never been easier. ControlTalk: The Ultimate in iPod Control and Hands-Free Calling
* With the built-in ControlTalk remote on the Beats Solo headphone cable, you get on-cable control of your music, as well as easy, high quality hands-free calling. You'll enjoy quick-access music playback control, like volume, play/pause and tracking, without having to dig for your iPod. Plus, the high-grade mic and high-resolution, sound-isolating headphones all combine to let you hear and be heard much more clearly—and conveniently—than you ever could with the phone to your ear. A Natural Fit With Solos, you feel the music, not the headphones. Plush, on-ear cushions comfort your ears and form an acoustic seal that keeps the sound in and noise out. *Remote and mic supported by iPod Nano (4th gen), Classic (120GB), Touch (2nd gen), iPhone 3GS and newer, but not all Blackberry. Remote supported by iPod Shuffle (3rd gen). Requires software v. 1.0.3 for iPod Nano (4th gen), 2.0.1 for Classic (120GB), and 2.2 or later for Touch (2nd gen). Support for Blackberry varies by model. Subject to change

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