Sony MDR-Q68LW Clip-on Style Headphone with Retractable Cord Review

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(More customer reviews)They rock!
Watch the video to see why this product is so much better than the JVC version of it.
Update 12/2009. Still working great. My wife made me get her one.

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Easy to carry clip-on style headphone with retractable cord

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HARMAN K81DJ Akg Closed-Back Folding Dj Headphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought these AKGs as the result of my search for a decent sealed headphone to replace my Sennheiser PX100s, which just weren't cutting it on the train. I'm amazed at the difference. These, like the Senns, have a 32 ohm impedence, so they're easy to drive with a portable player. At first blush, they reveal much more detail in the music than the PX100s do, including a more coherent and present high end. I'm hearing a lot more detail even in songs encoded in WMA format at 128kbs. The bass is controlled but does not lack. I have had AKG reference headphones in the past (240DFs). While these are not in that league, they easily sound as good as the Sennheiser 280 Pros that I've got. Better than the 280s on a portable, too, as they are easier to drive. These are smaller, supraaural headphones. Though they're not as portable as the Sennheiser PX100s, they're much easier to wear during the commute than the 280 Pros. All in all, they're a great deal for someone with a portable player. Check them out if you're looking for a good balance of portability, noise attenuation, and sonics at a reasonable price.
------
February 2007 Update:
The left channel started shorting out recently. I am sending these in to AKG for warranty service. It must be a weak wire -- I take good care of these headphones.

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"Obviously, informal parties deserve the same kind of professional sound quality as large-scale events do. Semiprofessional DJs too need dependable equipment. The K 81 DJ fit the bill perfectly.Their closed-back earphones, for instance, provide optimum isolation from ambient noise. The K 81 DJ will take heavy usage easily, and their high SPL capability ensures excellent sound quality. Finally, their level of wearing comfort is as impressive as their powerful low end and accurate imaging.Their distinguishing features include:3D-Axis folding mechanism for ease of handling and good user comfort. Folded down into a thin package, the k 81 dj are ready for use anytime High sound pressure level: High SPL capability for any type of event in any environment. Legendary AKG sound quality Closed-back earphones: Isolating ear cups attenuate ambient noise, keeping even quiet passages clearly audible Maximum ruggedness Detented adjustable headband "

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Kensington Noise Cancelling Headphones ( 33084 ) Review

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(More customer reviews)If Bose's "Quiet Comfort" was the only game in town, a useful but dispensable item like noise canceling headphone probably would have remained a luxury item that's beyond my reach. Luckily, the ultra greedy Bose is not the only player. Kensington's entrance into the noise canceling headphone arena took a completely pragmatic and value-centric approach - quite refreshing when contrasted with the THREE HUNDRED DOLLAR QuietComfort, which more or less do the same thing as Kensington's 33084. The biggest bone some users seem to have with 33084 is the complaint that the headset amplifies internal noise, such as tape hiss. I have no way to verify if the claim is true. But for most people-myself included, this would be a non-issue. I have used 33084 with my iPod, laptop, as well as plane audio system. For all these common systems, mechanical movements are minimal or negligible. The noises from these sources are practically non-existent to begin with, and 33084 certainly did not amplify any noises for me. However, if you're really old school and insisting on getting your tune fix from a hissy old tape deck, I don't think any headphone will pretty up the audio quality of granddaddy walkman to CD level. The actual noise cancellation part is also very decent. I've used the headphone on planes as well as next to an operating dryer, ambient noises do drop to a very comfortable level, while the music is maintained at near-original quality. Another thing I like about these headphones is the fact that they have very decent bass. The only fact I don't like about these headphones is the placement of the on-off switch. As another reviewer has mentioned, the on-off switch gets toggled in the bag too easily. But at less than 10% of Bose's price, I ain't complaining.

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Kensington K33084 Noise Canceling Headphone K33084 Headphones & Earphones

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AKG K 450 Premium Foldable Headphone Review

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(More customer reviews)AKG's K 450 are titled "Premium Foldable Headphones" -- they are exceptionally good headphones for travel. I bought mine two months ago. I broke them in through continuous playing for about seven or eight days. I haven't found a high quality hp that didn't benefit greatly from such a ritual. I've taken the 450's on business trips and use them at home as well, while working. They are light, comfortable, well-built, and easily fold up for trips.
I'm listening to Richard Goode's recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2 as I write this review. Here are my notes. The sound-stage is stable and offers a full stage for the orchestra. First and second violins are separate, distinct, and well balanced. The violas and cellos have their own places. I can easily distinguish cello and bass parts. String tone is exquisite: soft and tectured with no sign of shrillness. Piano and orchestra are balanced and filled with nuance. Woodwinds are easily distinguished by tone and location on the stage. When asked to "chirp" that's exactly how the oboe section sounds. Right now soloist and orchestra are putting out a lot of sound -- I can hear high strings and winds balanced against the piano, with excellent (nondistorted) bass notes form the low strings.
Just now I switched to Peter and the Wolf (Ormandy's recording) to see if I could distinguish the french horns playing the wolf's theme; I could and followed the three parts without trouble. Vocals (Bach BWV 207, for instance) are almost too good to stop. For all of this I had the K 450's plugged straight into my iPOD. The 450's sound better with a hp amp and even better with a DAC + hp amp! The AKG K 450's are highly recommended. Five stars.

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When you want a the ultimate upgrade to typical on ear headphones, look no further than the AKG K 450 mini, on-ear headphones. Deisgned to deliver true AKG performance - high-output sound and excellent frequency response - from virtually any portable device, including iPhone, they are the ultimate high-performance upgrade for an improved personal listening experience. By using a closed-back deisgn that fits comfortably on the ear with new Supersoft ear pads, the K 450s deliver stunning dynamic range and rich, detailed sound that is unparalled by other on-ear designs.AKG has even made tucking these headphones away very easy as the patented 3D-Axis folding mechanism allows you to fold these heaphones into an easily transportable size. A single sided, detachable cable gives you high-end customization for the ultimate in comfortable listening.Include a premium carrying case and you have headphones that will transport your listening experience to a whole new world.

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Pioneer GEX-XMP3 Portable XM Satellite Radio Receiver w/ Home Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought an Xmp3 player from Amazon about a week ago. I have to write that it became almost difficult to buy one because I read all manner of both rave and poor reviews. In the end I took a leap of faith and bought one despite identifying with some poor reviewers. The principle poor I read here was absolutely wrong and I want to address that here because the leap of faith I took was in deciding that the poor review was written by someone who likely didn't know how to operate the device.
The poor review stated that you had to view all the channels and could not save favorites so that you could easily go to the channels you like easily. Frankly I couldn't believe that, bought one anyway, and found the feature the review stated was not there in all of 5 seconds. And I am first-time XM device owner and subscriber.
So I want to accomplish two things in this small review. I want to say if you are too stupid to use the device, don't bother writing a review about it. You scare me and anyone else looking for credible information on a device. I just can't stand it when write bad reviews with less then all the facts. This rotten reviewer could have spent a few seconds with the device without even reading the manual and found the settings. It's right on the menu and so I am lead to believe this person has some ax to grind because no one is that stupid to miss the feature.
I do have some complaints, but for the most part, anyone would like this device.
The xmp3 has a very simple menu system on the device itself. You start off by being able to see all channels in a long list or seeing them by group. Once you find a channel you like, click options, then click Add to Favorites. It's so simple I don't know how one bad reviewer missed it. There is a paper channel guide sitting on top of the manual too. So if you just want to type in a channel, like 129, just press the keypad button and type it in. So in just 2 steps you are into whatever channel you want. I know CNN is 122, so I can go to my favorites, or just punch it in. I can't see how to make that any easier.
Someone here mentioned signal problems. I very much want to cover this because that also scared me. I live in San Francisco. And I take public transportation all the time. Buses, BART, I walk, etc. Some city streets allow just 2-way traffic. One lane for cars in each direction. If I walk on those narrow streets with 2 to 3 story houses on both sides, then the signal cuts out. If I want on wider streets, it's fine. And there are two kinds of signals. Terrestrial and Satellite. You can get one or the other, or both. And there is a setting in the options that shows you both signals while the music or news plays. So you will see how little signal you need to get the programming. Unlike regular radio, a limited signal does not mean poor quality. It's all you need to get the full experience. It's digital, so it's perfect or it's not. It doesn't need full strength to get a perfect audio output. This is important. Now, the Xmp3 came with a home kit, and I bought an extra one for work. I didn't have to mount the antenna outside at all. Just place it on a window ledge and watch the antenna signal. Aim it around and watch the signal response. It's stupid-easy. I did the same thing at my office. So when I am home or at the office, I plug the xmp3 into the doc, which is already plugged into the external antenna and I get great audio. It comes with a remote control with every home kit. A pair of self powered $20 speakers is all you need to use these with the home kits. It works fantastically and you need only the one device.
Some wondered if you can truly record more than one station at a time. Yes, you can. Keep this in mind because it's important and I'll explain why in the next paragraph where I explain the battery issues also raised in review.
Some complain the battery only lasts for 4 to 5 hours in live mode. First, live means you are listening to Xmradio live, and not recorded. The XMP3 player can play MP3s, WAVs, and recorded XM radio, plus live XM Radio. There is an easy way to extend the use of the radio to meet anyone's enjoyment needs. I have owned 5 iPods, 4 Zunes, 3 Zen Players, and 2 Rios, plus a Sansa. I have listened to over 200 audible books. I listen to podcasts more than anyone I ever met. I've been listening to portable audio for over a decade. So Xmp3 has a lot to live up to. I'm just as tough on a device as anyone else.
I want to give a quick example of how I use it and you can apply this to the battery issue. Because my method solves all the problems of battery, signal, etc in my opinion. So open those eyes wider and pay attention. The reality that this records 5 stations at once is the key. In the morning before the New York Stock Exchange Opening bell, I am up and getting ready for work. I record CNN, Bloomberg, and CNBC at the same time for about an hour. I can mostly listen to one of those live as I get ready for work, but the other 2 are recorded at the same time. When I hit the street to take my bus, I listen to the other recorded programs to avoid any signal issues. The information is still fresh, and I get no signal problem as I did record this while the unit is mounted into the external antenna. Playing back recorded programming, audible books, or mp3s makes the battery last 16 hours. So my point is, when you are listening to something live take the opportunity to record other stations so you maximize your listening time. It's easy, and it works well. And you get to use the device all day. Again at 4:00PM at work I set it to record the stations I want for an hour. So that at 5:00PM when I leave, I am listening to recorded shows from 1 hour ago and again, little battery drain, and no signal problems on the way home because it's recorded playback. What's the difference in listening to 1 hour ago programming? In fact, it's better. Let me explain why. When you record a channel for 60 minutes or more and then play it back, you can skip ads as easily as you can hit the "Next" button. The recorded shows are divided up by every change. If a ad comes up, it's considered a segment which can be skipped in playback. So when I listen to record news, I can quickly listen to the news by skipping ads. And it's even easier than a tivo! Just one tap of skip, skips one ad. If there are 3 ads in a row, you can skip 1, 2, and 3 times to skip all three ads. Easy as pie and you'll love it. So believe me, you want to take advantage of recorded shows when you go for a walk. You skip the bull, get perfect audio, and can listen just like live or skip ads. Up to you.
So I have to say, in terms of the device itself, it's a 5 star device. After reading poor reviews, I'm glad I tried it anyway. If you are on the fence, go for it. You will see as I have see that the device is fantastic. That's where the rave reviews come from. Those are from those folks that have a brain in their head and don't have some ax to grind.
Now I do have gripes, but they have to do with the XM2Go Music software. This software is not a music manager as you might think. It should not be compared to iTunes or Media Monkey, because it's honestly not a music manager at all. It's more of an upload tool to upload mp3s or WAV files to the device. Read on...
I thought the XM2GO app would be a full music manager, but rather what it does is allow you to easily setup a program record time if that's what you want. You can use it to upload music to your SD card. But the best way to do this is by organizing what you want to upload to the device into a single folder before you upload it. If you already have a full music collection on your hard drive that is stored in the file system by artist and you want a small subset of favorite tunes, you're going to go crazy with XM2GO because you will have to pick one by each song using a director tool in XM2GO to hand pick each song and choose upload. It's insanely stupid.
I use Media Monkey instead of iTunes. And in Media Monkey, I can take my favorites playlist and sent a copy of the songs in that playlist to a folder on my desktop in Windows. Then I use XM2GO to upload the contents of that single folder to the SD card. This gives me my favorite MP3s on the XMP3. I find this the fastest, easiest way to deal with the extremely lousy XM2GO software, which didn't even come with my player. I had to download it. The one real complaint I have with the XMP3 player is not with the device. It's with the Music app from XP / Pioneer. These two companies absolutely blew it on the software. You can work around this as I said, but it would have been great to have a more full-featured music app so that you can easily manage podcasts and mp3 playlists on the device. The way it's done now makes me want to visit with Pioneer and XM and slap these stupid programmers. I don't know why it is so hard for these companies to see what needs to be done to make something simple and enjoyable to use. It's as if they have no brains in their skulls, and know that's not true. It's not a show-stopper. I'd buy the device all over again even knowing what I know now.
You can add audible content to the Xmp3, but not on the SD card. It goes on the devices built in memory. And recorded XM radio also goes on the device memory. So the SD card is truly good for MP3s and WAV files.
Now a few other points for first -time XM people. If you use the web app to play content online you can click a button and buy the song from Amazon. I love this feature. So listening via a laptop over the internet is a good idea and can help you discover new songs to buy. BUT! And I mean BUT, some stations are not available online. No Bloomberg or CNBC for example. Don't count on every station being there exactly the same way as on the device. Because of this, I strongly recommend getting a home kit for your home and office. If you just think it through a little you'll find that the battery, being mobile, etc are all not a real problem. Even for those walking around dense cities as I am.

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Record What You Love, Listen When You Want! Introducing the Pioneer GEX-XMP3 Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3. Providing you with the best of both worlds.


With the XMp3, the Music Never Stops Loved that song, really want to hear it again? Miss that MLB play or joke on one of the comedy channels? Pause and replay it. Know you'll miss the game? Record it and play it again the next day, or on the drive home. In the car with your kids? Listen to 20 on 20 or XMKiDs while simultaneously recording the game, your favorite show, or the station you can't get enough of to listen later.



The NEW XMp3 offers:

More ways than ever to record up to 100 of your favorite XM programming
Automatic Recording: 15 - 30 hours
Multi Channel Record up to five channels at the same time
DVR like feature pause and replay 30 minutes of live XM
Smaller and lighter form factor
Larger and more vibrant color display
Improved User Interface and track wheel
Micro SD Slot! The XMp3 is microSDHC compliant and works with standard or high capacity microSD cards (up to 8GB).
New Exclusive XM2go Music Manager compatible with XMp3 and backward compatible with Inno, Helix, Nexus, and SkyFi3

Live XM

Enjoy over 170 channels of music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, and exclusive content
Set up to 99 Favorite Channels
TuneSelect: Be alerted when your favorite artists or songs are playing on any XM channel
XM Programming Guide: See the best of XM and choose to be alerted when it is playing or schedule to record it
Recording
More ways than ever to record up to 100 your favorite XM programs -- automatic, scheduled, one touch -- and save time by recording up to 5 channels at the same time
One-Touch Recording of up to 10 Hours of Individual Songs
Schedule Recordings of up to 75 Hours of Your Favorite XM Programs
Automatic Recording of up to 15 - 30 Hours of Your Favorite XM Channels
Save Time -- Record up to 5 Channels at the Same Time
MP3 Enjoy your personal music collection (MP3 and WMA files) collection with the micro SD card slot. Compatible with standard or high capacity microSD cards, the XMp3 is microSDHC compliant.
XM2go Music Manager

Schedule Recordings of up to 75 hours of your Favorite XM Programs
Manage your music: Create and modify playlists of your own MP3 collection or your XM recordings
Online Programming Guide: Discover new music by seeing what's playing on XM for the next week
Bookmark and purchase songs from compatible online music services including Napster
Purchase and listen to your favorite audio books from Audible.com/xm

Other Key Features: GameSelect: Be alerted when your favorite sports teams are on any XM channel Info Extras: Keep track of selected sports scores and stocks

What's in the Box GEX-XMP3 Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3, wireless remote control, headphones, operation manual, warranty sheet

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Sennheiser EH-150 Dynamic Sound Evolution Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my first review for an item I bought at amazon, even though I've been a custumer here since 1996. Here's why:
I bought the Sennheiser EH-150 personally depressed, while looking for a decent set of headphones after my $149,95 Sony VibraBass cracked up, which had an awesome sound. I wanted to try something new and decent without spending so much money, and I since have already tried several (more than 10 or 15, each one ++$100) headphone sets, with "Ok I'm pleased" result, I thought I had nothing to lose.
Let me tell you, Sennheiser EH-150 headphone produces the best sound I have ever heard in my life, whether if it's Mp3's, DVD's, iPOD's, whatever, and from what I have read on other reviews of better models from Sennheiser, I am currently thinking in saving up to get any of the 500 or 600 series. I tell you it's worth it, the sound is simply awesome. You actually hear stuff you never heard before or never thought of hearing. Isolates external sounds very impressively. Feels like you can listen to each one of the channels .
Now problem is (and this is why I write the review): Sennheiser designers must still think mankind is Homo erectus or Homo neanderthal, not Homo sapiens sapiens. The headset is small and uncomfortable for normal-sized ears, and believe me I read a lot on other websites, and when I purchased it, I thought "Oh well, maybe these are just people with big ears". Got it wrong. I'm a normal-sized ear human being and these headphones are the best and everything, but after 3 or 4 hours... your ears get really hurt, and you just can't put them back for another 3 hours.
Trust me:
If you have big ears... save and buy the Sennheiser 500 or 600 series. Probably better quality than this ones (I haven't test them but it's logical they should be better, and I would really like to listen), and your ears will fit.
If you have normal-sized ears... save and buy the Sennheiser 500 or 600 series. Probably better quality than this ones (I haven't test them but it's logical they should be better, and I would really like to listen), and your ears will fit.
If you have small ears. Buy this.
3 1/2 Stars, because it's very uncomfortable.

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Both serious music fans and professional DJs--in fact, anyone who practically lives with a pair of headphones wrapped around his or her ears--will delight in the Sennheiser EH-150 hi-fi stereo phones. Suitable for professional monitoring applications but also appropriate for casual use, the phones' closed, supra-aural design delivers a superbly natural sound while blocking out ambient noise. The spatial sound reproduction lets listeners accurately hear even the subtlest tones in noisy environments--an ideal feature for clubs or studios. The noise-dampening function also makes the EH-150 a great choice for airplane, train, or bus travel, as the listener won't grow distracted by the roar of combustible engines. The phones owe their audio performance to the "turbine" embossed diaphragms, powerful neodymium magnets, and foam damping elements, which combine to ensure strong bass, well-defined mid ranges, and precise treble. In addition, the EH-150 phones are remarkably comfortable, with lightweight diaphragms and soft leatherette ear pads that feel snug whether you're entering the first or ninth hour of use. Additional features include a highly conductive OFC copper cable and a 1/4-inch adapter that fits atop the 3.5 mm stereo plug.The cable measures an impressive 10-feet long, giving listeners greater freedom of movement while still staying connected to the receiver.
What's in the Box EH-150 headphones, 10-foot copper cable, 1/4-inch adapter, user's manual.

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Sennheiser PX 100-II i Light Weight Supra-Aural Headset with 3 Button Control for i-Pod,i-Phone and i-Pad (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)For me, these headphones sound at least as good as the older model, and they look better. I don't know whether the thicker headband makes them more long lasting, but it contributes anyway to the improved appearance.
Some reviewers here say the older model sounds better. I think that just shows how individual our hearing is. I would not say those people are wrong.
I'd like to know why this listing does not specify the make and model. I puzzled over this listing a long while before buying. I'm now convinced the thing I got is a genuine Sennheiser PX100 II, but I was wasn't fully certain about that until the item arrived.
Regarding a certain strong competitor in this category: I don't know how good the Koss PortaPro sound, and I'll never find out because to me they look absurd. There you have one of my biases, how the headphones look.
In my opinion, the sound of these headphones, and of the older PX100 model, is astonishingly good considering their light weight and low cost. I heartily recommend them.

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PX 100-II I is perfect for travel, folds to fit in your pocket.# button controls are intergrated into the cable for ease of use.

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Califone Kids Stereo and PC Headphone (2810-PA) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought these headphones before my 2 year old daughter and I were flying cross-country. I tried to get her used to them before the plane ride. I probably should have used them longer before getting on the plane. On the plane she did fine on the way out and even fell asleep with them on. On the way home, she would only wear them for about 20 minutes. I think it was the novelty she did not like, but overall I was happy with the purchase and would recommend these headphones. Just use them a bit before you actually need them to get your child used to them.
By the way since there is no picture, these are kid size headphones. Each earpiece looks like a panda.

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3 - 10 years. Add interest to your listening center with these adorable panda themed headphones. Features include volume controls, slotted baffles to protect against accidental perforation on the internal speaker and ambient noise-reducing earcups to help children focus on their tasks.

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Koss PortaPro Headphones with Case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I couldn't decide between the Sennhauser PX100 and the Koss Portapro headphones. I bought both, so I could take them home and compare at my leisure. Result: They are both excellent choices! You will be pleased with either. But to distinguish between them:
The PX100 are more comfortable because of the foam cushions which rest on the top of your head. The Portapro are also comfortable, but I do notice the metal band on the top of my head, which sometimes pulls some strands of hair out.
The PX100 look better when on. The Portapro look kinda dorky -- especially at first -- but they are easy to get used to.
The PX100 are also more durable. Once you get the hang of it, it's quite easy to collapse the headphones and put them in their plastic carrying case. They are not going to get squished while they're in that! The Portapro can be collapsed into a ball, but if I'm not really careful, they spring open all when I touch them. It's also very difficult to get the Portapro headphones and cord into the accompanying bag.
The Portapro headphones have more bass, and to my ears, the music sounds more alive than with the PX100. The PX100 sound really good, but the Portapro sound just a tad bit better.
The Portapro feel more comfortable when under a wool hat (important for my winter walks with the dog).
Both leak sound -- there's no difference there. If that's a huge concern for you, then you might want a closed system for your headphones.
In the end, I couldn't which I liked better and kept both, rationalizing that my husband needs a pair of headphones too. Both are used regularly, although I take only the PX100 when I travel because I think it'd be much easy to accidentally break the Portapro.


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Koss introduced the PortaPro headphone back in 1984, and they've been a hit ever since. To this day, they still deliver excellent sound quality, particularly for phones in this price range.
Caption. Click here for a larger image

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Koss SportaPro Stereo Headphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much for [the price] but Ihave been thoroughly pleased with these little babies ever since I received them. Since aural satisfaction varies widely by person, I will try and give you and idea of what I look for in the phones I buy. While not a fan of super exaggerated bass, I do err on the side of slightly emphasized low down sounds, especially for phones on the go for working out, etc.. Also, I'm not looking for super high fidelity when I'm doing sit ups and biking through downtown. These headphones are light and they sound really good at high or low volumes, even with a good amount of bass. I tested them out on my current headphone killer "Fight Club". It has a lot of techno-low throb bass tracks that my Grado's, my Sharp phones that came with my Minidisc player and my Sony CD250's, start to cry about at high volumes. Try the end of track 3("What Is Fight Club?"). Although no headphone(or speaker) has ever been able to handle that track without distortion, including these, at high volumes, these were the highest I've ever been able to crank that track. These phones also sounded good with classical(Vivaldi), vocals(Otis Redding) and pop(The Police)
Now for some not so good's. These things are UGLY. I mean U-G-L-Y you ain't got no alibi, ugly(i just had to sneak in a 2nd grade insult in there.) I like old school looks(just like my jokes), my Grado's are pretty funky and I like em, but these things are a joke. The "sport" mode that wraps around the back of your heads looks pretty foolish too. My only hope is that folks won't look to closely at the gym or when I'm zipping by on my bike. Also, while comfortable on your head(they have little foam rests that help cushion the force against your ears) they have a disturbing tendency to close really tightly around your neck(either pressing on the side or on your adam's apple) if you are letting them rest there. Not a huge deal, since they fold up to fit in your pocket, but still..
All in all, I heartily recommend these. They give my Grado's a run for the money(they cost 60) and kick out a good amount of bass without sounding murky. I was also surprised at how long I could listen to them without getting "tired" of the sound. Even with my Grado's, possibly because they can be a bit bright, I get fatigued and need to rest my ears and brain for a bit. But these little guys keep on kicking out the sound. Buy them. You won't regret it. Plus they have a life time warranty, so if you get beat up for looking so incredibly dorky, you can replace them(i'm not sure if Koss covers getting your butt kicked, but it would be worth a try)

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The Koss SportaPro portable headphones offer portability, flexibility,and a headband designed to be worn either atop or behind the head. Equally wellsuited for use at work or on a jogging trail, the SportaPro's open, foam-coveredear cups allow for ambient environmental sounds to be heard, which can behelpful in a recreational environment.
The SportaPro's weight is a mere 2.2 ounces, and the headphones boast afrequency response of 15 to 25,000 Hz, delivering (on paper, at least) quite abit more bass than most home speakers can. Impedance is 60 ohms, with less thana 0.2 percent distortion and sensitivity of 103 dB SPL (with a 1 mW signal).
The SportaPro stereophones are collapsible and come with a carrying case, aswell as both 0.125-inch and 0.25-inch jacks. Koss covers the headphones with alifetime warranty.

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Koss KSC75 Portable Stereophone Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)The KSC-75 is the latest edition of the popular and good-performing Koss KSC series. All of these models, the 35, 50, 55 and now 75 are based on the same 60-ohm drivers (also used in the Porta-Pro and KTX-Pro phones). The original model, the 35, is regarded as the standard by which all cheap, portable headphones are compared. The original 35 was a black, clip-on model, built to be very shallow and to fit closely on the ears. It was a fairly nasty-looking, uncomfortable piece, and frequently had problems with its thin foam padding tearing. It was updated to the 50 and 55 models, more "modern" looking silver clip-ons and behind-the-head models. The problem with these was they were significantly heavier, and didn't fit so snugly to the ears. Thus, even though the drivers were the same, the sound suffered a bit because of the loose fit.
The 75 moves a bit closer to the original 35. It is a shallower phone, although still not quite as much so as the 35. It does tend to fit snugly to the ear, which helps make the sound a bit fuller. They are nice and light and are very comfortable. The clip is a different design, it doesn't snap into place like the orignal 35 or hinge like the 50. It simply bends around the ear, leading to two problems with this design. The durability of the thin guage wire could be a problem. Secondly, the headphone cup tends to snap off of the clip when fitting the headphone to the ear. It simply snaps back into place again, but its a nuisance. Once properly placed, which takes a little practice, the sound is typical Koss KSC. The sound is pleasant and full, reasonably detailed and transparent. There is roll-off at both frequency extremes, although this can easily be corrected if your player has an equalizer. Even without equalization, though, the sound is quite good. Despite the 60-ohm rating, the 75's are reasonably easy for low power portables to drive. On an absolute scale or compared to the better $50 phones, such as the Sennheiser HD-497, the Koss KSC-75's don't stand out, but for a price of less than $15, these are outstanding. They easily trump any of the included phones or buds with portable players and are easy to transport, due to their light weight and small size. Another excellent, cheap Koss phone.
Update: With more use, I've become more favorably impressed with this phone. Its sound seems to have opened up with more break in. It now is very transparent with a rich, deailed sound - unbelievable for this price range. After a few uses, one gets the earclips adjusted properly to where they go on almost instantly and stay put and are very comforatble. This should minimize the amount of adjustment needed and prolong the life of the clip. Still, the headphone cups occasionally snap off of the clips even during normal handling. But in all, these are an incredible bargain. I would now rate these a five star phone.

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Always a popular model in the Koss Stereophone lineup, Koss' KSC75 Titanium Headphones deliver serious sound reproduction while clipped comfortably over your ear. Enjoy your music to the fullest, whether you're at home or on-the-move.
Serious sound reproduction wth an ear-clip design. Click here for a larger image

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Sony WM-EX190 Walkman Stereo Cassette Player with Anti-Rolling Mechanism Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are just looking for a basic no-frills cassette Walkman and you are not a perfectionist sound aficionado -- walk right on by, and buy something else. This Walkman has a nice price, but is a lot less than it sounds.
I had thought I could stand anything, since all I was looking for was a basic Walkman to listen to music and audiobooks. But I actually returned mine (And if I eat the shipping to return an item, that really says something!) What made it impossible for me was that the sound was extremely tinny and hissy, so much so that it hurt my ears. Using the bass-boost actually boosted the tinniness as much as the bass, so that was no help. Using the volume limiter did reduce the tinniness somewhat, but it still sounded terrible. I have bought inexpensive Sony Walkmans for years and loved them, and I bought a cheap Sony microcassette recorder a few weeks ago which is terrific, so I had felt confident enough to buy the EX-190. But the basic sound was unbearable.
To mention the good points, I really like the way it looks. The plastic is cheap, but light-weight. The buttons go on and off easily, unlike some which are too hard to press or which don't engage every time you press them. There is no auto-reverse, so you insomniacs will have to get up, flip the tape, and try to get drowsy again! Overall, I feel it *would* be a decent little machine, except that the sound is just too awful.

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24 Hour Playback on 2 AA Alkaline Batteries / Auto Cassette Stop / MegaBass / Stereo Headphones

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Sennheiser HD 580 Dynamic HiFi Professional Headphone Review

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(More customer reviews)Firstly, I want to mention that this is the 7th headphone I have purchased. I have/had the Grado RS1, 325i, Westone UM2, Grado SR80, SR60 and Sennheiser HD497. For this revew, I am basically going to compare it to the Westone UM2, Grado 325i and Grado RS1.
!. The Comfort: The comfort level of this headphone is outstanding. For short durations of up to 2 hours, it is second to the Westone UM2 (IEM). But since I find wearing an IEM without custom ear mould not comfortable more than 2 hours, the HD580 is the winner here. Coming from the Grado, I find the circum aural (covering the entire ear) design of the Sennheiser a welcome change. The headphones was once (when it was released) regarded as on of the most comfortable headphones, so you really cannot go wrong with this one.
2. Construction: Overall.. Excellent construction. Though my plastic Grill is not cosmetically perfect, it made of a hard plastic and will withstand daily strenuous use. The headphones feels very sturdily build and backed up by Sennheisers 5 year warrantee if purchased from an authorized dealer, you can have a very pleasing usage for many many years to come.
3. Sound :-)..: THE MOST IMPORTANT CATEGORY: I am going to divide this into sub-points:
(a)For Slow Rock like U2, Scorpions, Rainbow, Pearl Jam, Morphine, Little River Band, Eagles etc, it really boils down to your personal preference. Though I would say that most people the Grado RS1 will easily outperform the HD580, it should be noted that the RS1 is $550 more expensive. Having said that, I can still imagine many people preferring the Sennheiser sound signature.
If you haven't ever listened to a Grado or a high end Sennheiser, Byerdynamic, AKG etc before and if you are coming from a Bose or other low quality headphones, you can be assured that the HD580 will blow you off right of your feet. I am a fairly critical listener and have spend more than $2500 on headphone related gear and I can assure you that for $150, I would doubt if the HD580 has any serious rivals.
I hate pop music, but I can imagine that it will fit in this section.
(b)For Metal & Hard Rock: Seriously, if this is your category of primary interest, then you really really ought to get yourself a Grado instead. I have read many folks claim that they are very satisfied with the Sennheiser performing Metal and Hard Rock.... With all sincerity I can assure you that those are mostly folks have not owned a higher Grado or very rare people with very rare kind of music taste. Personally, I cannot stand the HD580 playing Metal, not even for one song.. may be I because I have been thoroughly spoiled by the Grados :-(.... :-). Again, if you have not owned any of the above mentioned high end headphones, you may be happy with the HD580... but if you really want real adrenalin flow for this genre of music, you have to get a Grado.
(c)Classical - Yanni, Mozart, Beethoven etc...: This is the definitive category that the Sennheisers have been made for. The HD580 makes even the $700 Grado RS1 sound like a joke. I never imagined that I liked classical so much before this HD580. Man.. I can go on and on how well the HD580 performs in this genre... its simply almost perfect, probably beaten by only the HD600 or the HD650. Without dispute, Classical is Sennheisers home ground that I doubt if any other brand dare challenge.
(d)Drivability: Although the HD580 can be driven to satisfactory volume using mediocre devices like PC soundcard etc. for this kind of high end headphones should be considering some sort of headphone amplification. After all you want to get the best out of your high end headphone.
OVERALL: The HD580 should satisfy almost any audiophile, but its far from being perfect. As I mentioned above, its strengths comes with some weakness too.
When stacked against with the Grado SR325i, I would be 50-45, that is 55% inclining towards the 325i. This is also considering that the 325i costs $300, almost double of the HD580. This could completely change if you listen more to Classical. For a Classical fan, the HD580 is a hands down winner
When stacked up against the Grado RS1, for me it is a 80-20. That is 80% inclined towards the Grado RS1, despite its $700 price tag... The wooden RS1 is simply too musical and in all genre except Pure-Classical, the RS1 beats the HD580 by a fairly large margin.
When stacked up against the Westone UM2: :-) Well, there is no comparing an IEM with a full sized can. An IEM will find it really hard to outperform a full sized can.
In conclusion, this a Headphone that deserves 5 starts without exception... particularly when considering it costs only $150 or so. IF you listen to lots of music, your ears will thank you for getting this.

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The Sennheiser HD580 Over-Ear Headphones are a first-class audio solution ideal for use in recording studios. The diaphragm uses an advanced design to avoid resonant frequencies. The headphones use neodymium ferrous magnets in a system that ensures optimum sensitivity and high dynamic response with minimal harmonic and intermodual distortion. The ultra-light aluminum voice coils also provide excellent dynamic response, and the detachable OFC copper cable is reinforced with Kevlar for extremely low handling noise. Overall, the HD580 delivers natural, spatial sound that's highly accurate.

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Nuforce UF-30 Headphones (Pearl color) Review

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(More customer reviews)Pro: sound quality - accurate high, warm mid and punchy low; wide-open soundstage; layered and high detail sound, good seperation of different instruments and voices; clean, powerful and transient attack. you gotta really know the difference between good and bad sound source.
design - cool look, good match with ipod or iphone; comfortable to wear; foldable design to reduce size.
Con: not enough sound isolation.

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The UF-30 Headphones have been specifically designed to work with the iPod and similar portable devices. At the heart of these lightweight, foldable headphones are NuForce's proprietary Ultrasone? drivers for utmost clarity and tight, deep bass. Ultrasone's patented S-Logic Natural Surround Sound delivers a three-dimensional image, creating a sound-world significantly different from that of conventional headphones. Nuforce has utilized its high-end audiophile sound expertise to introduce the UF-30. Users will find that UF-30 outperforms many similar headphones costing more than 2 to 3 times its price. Return within 30 days for a full refund if you're not satisfied with the sound quality. Like many audiophile devices, the UF-30 will be at its sonic best after about 40 hours of play-time.

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Sennheiser PX200 Collapsible High-Performance Closed Headphones (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Ok, so I purchased both the px-100 and the px-200 by Sennheiser because the reviews for both were similar but some where saying that the px-100s were better. My first reaction to them is that they are both remarkably similar in build and quality. Nice case, sturdy, and comfortable. Now the sound, after listening to both I found that the px-100 does have better speaker drivers,...but not much better. The bass on the px-200 is a little bit stronger. The real difference between the two really comes from the closed ear design of the px-200 vs. the open px-100. With the open px-100 the bass isn't as strong, you can hear everything around you still, and others around you can hear what you are listening to even if the music is only moderatly loud. While the px-200 losses high end sound quality in its design, the px-200 makes it so you will only hear music (almost) and nothing else. Also the px-200 is silent to those around you even if you have it cranked up.
Conclusion: Both are amazing headphones but the real decision comes down to the person who is using them and where. If you don't mind being able to hear things around to get better sound quality get the px-100s. If you want to just hear the music and not bother others around you get the px-200. I choose the px-200 in the end because I use them at work and I don't want to disturb others around me also I don't enjoy hearing everything around me.
*as an important side note the differences in both in high and low end sound can be fixed just by using an equalizer. You can't beat these headphones for quality along with portability.
Deryk

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SENNHEISER PX-200 -- These closed, dynamic supra-aural headphones are the perfect replacement for the throwaway phones you get even with high quality portable audio sources. Their excellent isolation lets you enjoy music without being disturbed or disturbing others. Folded and packed into their rugged, ingeniously designed transport case, these headphones are ready to go wherever you go. Neodymium magnets for extremely low distortion Comfortable headband with split padding Robust design with metal joints, steel-reinforced headband ends Two year guarantee

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Sennheiser PX 200 II B Closed Mini Headphones with Integrated Vol Control (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought these as a replacement for my broken PX 200s 1st edition. My experience with the 1st gens was that they were great overall, although they had the following cons:
1. The cable was made up of two individual wires. This meant that the cable would get tangled upon itself and just about every time id put them on, I would have to spin the cable around to get it straightened
2. The cable split to both ear pieces. This resulted in the cable always being directly under your chin which could at times be awkward
3. Extended use (1 hour or more) made my ears get sweaty, regardless of volume
The 2nd gens have corrected each of the above mentioned issues. The cable is one solid wire, meaning no tangles. The cable only connects to the LEFT ear piece, meaning that the wire goes down more gracefully by the side of your face. Ive worn them to the gym 3 or 4 times, and have not experienced much ear-sweat, if any.Quality/Comfort
I'm not an audiophile, but in my opinion the sound quality is great for gym usage with hip hop/rock/techno playlists. The headphones block out the music playing at my gym quite nicely, which is critical because Lifetime Fitness has invested in a quality sound system which they use to blast Britney Spears and Rihanna all day. They are as comfortable as any other headphone I've ever worn, although I haven't used that many well known headphones besides the 1st Gens and some lower priced Sennheiser models.Specs:
The cable is roughly 4 feet long, with the volume controller being about 1 foot away from the end of the cord. One other aspect of the volume controller that is worth noting is that it has a "clip" mechanism on the back of it that allows you to attach it to your shirt/pants/etc. They are CLOSED style, which means that nearby people will NOT be able to hear them... making them a nice option for work environments. One more nice feature is that you can turn the ear pieces 90 degrees (so that if you are wearing the headphones around your neck, the ear pieces will be pointing outwards) to make them more collapsible for storage. You can also point the ear cups outwards and play music for friends or yourself.Cons:
The only CON I'm aware of so far is that they don't collapse quite as nicely as the 1st Gens because the volume controller gets in the way. They still collapse though (just not as well), which allows for more convenient storage than 95% of decent sounding portable headphones.Summary:
If I was in the market for a portable headphone, I would buy these again... as long as they were within $20 of the first generation version.

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Mini headphones that provide an excellent solution to enjoying your music without disturbing others.

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Grado iGrado Headphones Review

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(More customer reviews)I owned the GR60 model, which is a great headset for the stereo, but too clunky for a portable like the ipod -- the cord is too long, and the headset too unwieldy for street walking. I was hoping that they would come out with a model with the ipod in mind, and they have. Got it in the mail this past weekend, and have been using it ever since. What a great buy! I have read mixed reviews of this product -- not enough bass, too much high end -- but I have always had to adjust my ipod equalization settings to whatever headphone I am using -- in this case, the r&b selection works fine for all kinds of music. Everything sounds clean, and most importantly, I no longer get listening fatigue. The band is not adjustable, but it is a comfortable fit and I don't feel like my head is being crushed. I have also read some complaints about no noise cancelling feature, but that never bothered me -- to me that is a feature more appropriate for home use than walking in the streets, where one has to be aware of traffic. It sound better than any other headset I have heard for the ipod. Recommended!
I recently bought another set, and found some improvements. One, the wire is a copper color as opposed to the original black, and is firmer then before. Secondly, the ear pads ar emuch more comfortable. The sound is excellent, with clear highs and solid bass; clean, not exaggerated. Still my favorite walking headphones! (I use this with an ipod shuffle and ipod touch)

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With a high-grade reputation for fine Stereo headphones, Grado releases a model directly suited to the iPod and other portable Music and Video players. Retaining Grado's traditional Headset appearance instead of the popular earbuds, the iGrado aims for the more discerning individual who appreciates the nuances and qualities found in recorded music. According to Grado, the iGrado uses the same acoustic Drivers as their acclaimed SR-60 headphones which critic hail as the best affordable headphone. So if you're that individual who would go for a more traditional headset over the earbuds, we think you'd really appreciate the better peformance that the iGrado offers.

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