Aliph Jawbone Prime Specs:

• Dimensions: 2.1 x 1.0 x 0.6 inches
• Weight: 0.4 ounces
• Battery Life: 4.5 hours talktime / 8 days standby time
• Range: 33 feet
• Price: $129

Review:

The Aliph Jawbone sported a spectacular design and the new Jawbone Prime improves on that. The new design is very stylish and appealing. The dimensions are the same as before – 2.1 x 1.0 x 0.6 inches and it even weighs the same – about 0.4 ounces. It sports a nice dented pattern which looks great on the glossy black exterior. It is available in Black, Platinum, Brown, Scarlet, Lime, Yellow and Lilac. The build quality is pretty awesome, it should easily last you for a long time. It is very comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time. It comes with 3 sets of silicone ear buds which you can choose from, and 2 ear loops for a tighter fit.

The buttons are cleverly hidden, as in all Jawbones. There is a button in the center which handles the calls and pairing; volume controls are located on the top. There is a LED indicator also which tells you if the headset in on or not and indicates other statuses. It comes equipped with Multi Point technology and can be paired with more than one device. Like all Jawbones, the Aliph Jawbone Prime comes with the NoiseAssassin noise cancellation technology. It works pretty well and almost eliminates external background noise. The sound quality is very nice, all calls are clearly audible even in noisy surroundings. The volume levels are also very nice. The Aliph Jawbone Prime is among the best headsets you can get in this range when it comes to sound quality.

The Aliph Jawbone Prime has an official range of about 33 feet but works well beyond that. It has a talktime of about 4.5 hrs, better than the 4 hrs battery life of the older Jawbone. The standby time is about 8 days. All in all, a great deal for $129.

Pros:

• Nice Design
• Superb Call Quality
• Noise Cancellation

Cons:

• A bit pricey

Our Rating: 4 / 5.

Jabra

Jabra BT 530 Specs:

• Dimensions: 1.9 x 0.7 x 0.5 inches
• Weight: 0.4 ounces
• Battery Life: 5.5 hours talktime / 10 days standby time
• Range: 32 feet
• Price: $80

Review:

The Jabra BT 530 sports a nice design with a black look and a metallic strip running down its body. It sports a modern look which should appeal to office executives and casual users alike. Thankfully, it is not very blingy like some overdone headsets. It has dimensions of 1.9 x 0.7 x 0.5 inches – very compact and weighs just about 0.4 ounces – very light. It has a very comfortable fit and there is no sign of discomfort even after wearing it for long hours. It comes bundled with 2 earhooks and 3 ear tips which provide a flexible fit spanning all ear sizes. The Jabra BT 530 has nice build quality and should easily last for a couple of years.

The Jabra BT 530 has 2 charging options – you can charge it either with the AC adapter or by conencting it to your PC using a USB cable. It can pair with upto 8 devices, very helpful if you have many phones. It is very easy to use and has simple controls. The volume controls are right above the metallic strip. There is a dedicated power switch on one side of the strip. The answer / end button is located on the end of the strip. There is also a LED indicator which flickers to indicate whether the set is powered on or off.

The Jabra BT 530 offers external noise cancellation in the form of Jabra’s Noise Blackout technology. It offers superb sound quality and almost eliminates background noise. The volume levels are also pretty nice. The Jabra BT 530 also has a feature which automatically detects the noise levels and automatically adjusts the volume. It has a range of about 32 feet and the sound completely breaks off at about 55 feet. It has a decent battery life of about 5.5 hrs talktime and a standby time of 10 days.

Pros:

• Nice Sound Quality
• Comfortable Design

Cons:

• None in this price range

Our Rating: 4 / 5.

Phiaton

Phiaton PS200 Specs:

• Dimensions: 1.1 x 0.6 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 0.18 ounces
• Cord Length: 4.2 feet
• Sensitivity (at 1 kHz): 95 dB
• Impedance (at 1 kHz): 39.00 ohms
• Price: $240

Review:

The Phiaton PS200 sports a superb design, the back of the earbuds resemble jet turbines while the front end is capped with silicone eartips. The design is very different from the regular ones and is sure to appeal to many youngsters. With the earbuds, you get 2 sets of detachable silicone eartips which ensures a comfortable fit. It comes with a 4.2 feet long cord which should be enough for everyone. The earbuds are very compact and light. THey have dimensions of just about 1.1 x 0.6 x 0.7 inches and weigh only 0.18 ounces.

The sound quality of the Phiaton PS200 is very nice. They perform equally well across the full spectrum but some may find it a bit lacking in bass. The sound is very rich and the volume levels are also nice, listening to your favorite songs on a good PMP coupled with the Phiaton PS200 will be a pleasure. The Phiaton PS200 also blocks out outside noise quite efficiently so that you can enjoy your music completely. You can experiment with the 3 silicone eartips to find which one gives you the best fit and blocks out external noise. But the Phiaton PS200 also leaks out sound when pumped to 90% – 100%; anyone within a radius of 4-5 feet can hear what you are playing clearly.

All in all, the Phiaton PS200 offer superb sound quality, have a very nice design and are very comfortable. They are priced a bit high though; $150 – $200 would have been a better pricing option.

Pros:

• Nice Design
• Superb Sound Quality
• Noise Cancellation

Cons:

• Expensive

Our Rating: 3.5 / 5.

Able Planet

Able Planet NC200 Clear Harmony Foldable Specs:

• Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.8 x 2.0 inches
• Weight: 432 grams
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Price: $80

Review:

The Able Planet NC200 Clear Harmony Foldable has a simple standard design and looks much like all the other headsets out there. It is pretty compact and weighs about 432 grams which is normal. The earcups are very well padded which makes the headset comfortable to wear even for long periods. It has an adjustable headband with rotatable cups which further contributes to the comfortable feel. The build quality is pretty nice and should easily last long. It is ideal for frequent travellers and rough users.

It comes bundled with a long detachable cord and a home stereo adapter. The headphone jack has a volume control embedded in. The sound quality of the Able Planet NC200 Clear Harmony Foldable is pretty nice but definitely not as good as the higher end headphones. The volume levels are pretty good, in fact it can also be heard by others at higher levels. The noise cancellation lets out a small hum that can be heard clearly during the silent periods. These headphones won’t satisfy audiophiles but it will do for normal, casual listeners who don’t want to spend a lot on headphones. All in all, a nice set of affordable headphones with nice sound quality.

Pros:

• Nice Design
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Average Sound Quality

Our Rating: 3 / 5.

Audio Bone 1.0 Specs:

• Frequency Response: 50 to 20000 Hz
• Weight: 37 grams
• Colors: Black, Blue, White, Orange
• Price (Approx): $189

Review:

The Audio Bone 1.0 headphones are available in Black, Blue, Orange and White. They sport a sleek design and look very sporty. The U shaped design wraps around the back of your head quite comfortably and sits tightly next to your skull for proper conduction. It is very light – just about 37 grams and feels very nice. It comes with a 4 feet long cord to connect to your PMP. They are also water proof till 3 meters. All in all, nice design and superb build quality which should easily last for a couple of years.

As opposed to normal earphones, Audio Bone 1.0 headphones convert the sound waves into vibrations and transmits it to the cochlea directly, bypassing the ear drums. The volume levels don’t reach high as the normal earphones, but the quality is just as good. Also as the Audio Bone 1.0 headphones don’t cover your ears, they don’t obstruct external noise too, providing no noise cancellation. This can make it difficult to ehar in noisy places.

The Audio Bone 1.0 headphones provide great sound quality almost comparable to that of regular headphones. The volume is a bit low though. But it gives you freedom from having to wear earbuds all the time. They are definitely worth a try.

Pros:

• Nice Build and Design
• Comfortable Fit

Cons:

• No Noise Cancellation
• Low Volume

Our Rating: 3 / 5.

Southwing

Southwing SH241 Specs:

• Dimensions: 2.2 x 0.7 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 12 grams
• Range: 30 feet
• Battery Life (Talk / Standby): 7 hours / 8 days
• Price: $19

Review:

The Southwing SH241 does quite good in the looks department. It looks very stylish in its black avatar and is very compact. It has dimensions of 2.2 x 0.7 x 0.4 inches. It is also very lightweight at just about 12 grams. It is composed mostly of black plastic, but the build quality is very durable. The smooth rounded edges and the long hook ensure a nice and comfortable fit. It is available in three colors – burgundy, lavender and gunmetal gray.

The Southwing SH241 is very easy to use. It has two volume controls on the front right next to the logo. The headset comes with a single earhook but comes with 3 sets of eartips, to fit all sizes. The eartips provide a very comfortable fit. Much of the external noise is blocked out. The audio quality is decent, not the best I have heard. But it is pretty good for a cheap headset. The call quality is pretty good too. It comes with a unique Whisper Mode feature which aids in hads free operation. It says out the number of the caller so you don’t have to check out your phone display. It has a range of about 30 feet. The sound quality starts deteriorating from about 20 feet and completely cuts off at about 35 feet. It has a battery life of about 7 hrs for calls and a 8 day standy time.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Nice Battery Life
• Whisper Mode

Cons:

• Average Sound Quality

Our Rating: 3 / 5.

Jabra

Jabra BT8030 Specs:

• Dimensions: 7.4 in x 2.6 in x 7.1 in
• Weight: 10.9 oz
• Headphones: Dynamic Binaural Convertible
• Transmission Range: 33 ft
• Battery: Rechargeable Lithium ion Battery, 32 hours
• Bluetooth Profiles: Headset Profile (HSP), Hands Free Profile (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
• Additional Features: Speaker mode, Volume control, Answer/end button, Built-in amplifier
• Price: $150

Review:

The Jabra BT8030 is rather bulky, it has dimensions of 7.4 in x 2.6 in x 7.1 in, and weighs around 10.9 ounces. It owes the extra flab to its dual personality – as a headset and as stereo speakers. It is composed of hard plastic and metal. It looks stunning in shiny black and is hard to resist. The build quality is superb and durable. It should easily last for a long time if handled properly. The inner portion is covered with a black padding and the earphone area has a very soft spongy covering. The Jabra BT8030 is very comfortable and has a adjustable headband, so it can fit a variety of head sizes. The Jabra BT8030 is very easy to use and has simple controls. On the left earpiece, you find the Answer / End button, Volume rocker and the Power button.

The sound quality of the Jabra BT8030 is superb and the volume levels are also great. It is one of the best Bluetooth headphones. However, that’s not all it can do, it also doubles up as stereo speakers. On the right, there are the Play / Pause and the Next / Previous keys. They have a nice feel too. Pressing two quick release buttons near the headband converts the two earpieces into portable speakers which spread out. The volume is good and loud enough for any portable speaker.

The Jabra BT8030 also supports basic functionality like answering, ending, and rejecting calls, last number redial and voice command support. It supports the following Bluetooth profiles – Headset Profile (HSP), Hands Free Profile (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP). The call quality is pretty good with no disturbance. It is powered by a rechargeable battery with a rated battery life of 32 hrs. With normal usage, it should last for 2-3 days easily.

Pros:

• Dual Functionality
• Superb Sound Quality

Cons:

• Bulky

Our Rating: 3.5 / 5.

Sony MDR V500 Specs:

• Frequency Range: 10 Hz to 25 kHz
• Sensitivity: 102 dB
• Impedance: 40 Ohms (at 1 kHz)
• Weight: 8 oz
• Price: $79.99

Review:

The Sony MDR V500 headphones are dressed completely in black and have a decent design. They are very comfortable and ergonomic and also sport great build quality. On normal usage, they should easily last you more than a couple of years. They are very flexible with the earcups and the headband connected by a series of movable joints. They can be adjusted to fit a variety of ear sizes, ranging from from small to large, and still provide a comfortable fit. They are also very light weight at just 8 oz.

The Sony MDR V500 offer very nice sound quality but lack when it comes to volume. The highest volume level isn’t very high which can be a deal breaker for some. They have a decent frequency response and output clear and balanced audio. They also block out external noise to some extent. It is also priced relatively low, at just $80 which makes it a decent deal.

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Flexible
• Nice Sound Quality

Cons:

• Low Volume

Our Rating: 3 / 5.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD595 Specs:

• Frequency Response: 12 – 38,500 Hz
• Nominal Impedance: 50 ohms
• Max Spl: (1kHz, 1Vrms), 112dB
• Transducer Principle: Dynamic, open
• Thd: < 0.1%
• Weight: 9.5oz
• Characteristic Spl: 104dB
• Ear Coupling: Circumaural
• Connector Type: 6.3mm stereo jack with 3.5mm adapter(both gold plated)
• Price: $299.95

Review:

The Sennheiser HD595 are a nice set of headphones which offer you superb sound quality. They have a nice fit and you can wear them for hours together and still feel comfortable. It should appeal to the younger, music-loving generation with the solid design and sturdy and durable build. It is very light at just about 9.5 oz.

The HD595 has a nice frequency response and is balanced over the whole spectrum equally. The sound reproduction is uniform throughout the graph and very accurate. You can just plug em in and start listening, there is no need to waste time fine tuning it. You shouldn’t need an amp, if you are using them with a computer or laptop, the volume is pretty high. They fit perfectly, and also block out some of the external noise. There is no noise cancelling mechanism though.

Pros:

• Sturdy, Durable and COmfortable
• Nice Sound quality
• Balanced Sound
• Good Frequency Response

Cons:

• No External Noise Cancellation

Our Rating: 3.5 / 5.

Razer Moray specifications :

• Type : Headphones – binaural
• Form factor : In-ear ear-bud
• Sensitivity : 110 dB
• Impedance : 17 Ohm
• Connector : 3.5 mm
• Cable length : 4.3 feet
• Accessories : Carrying pouch, 3 silicon sleeves
• Approx. price : $30

The in-ear form factor comes with portability and Razer has done well to include a carrying case in the bundle. Also you get three different size silicon sleeves to match your ear size. It also has a two pronged adapter included the accessory bundle. Having a couple of accessories with budget earphones is definitely welcome.

Razer describes these earphones as one having powerful bass and having clear mids and highs. The fit of the headphones is good and they fit snugly in to the ear. They however accumulate wax fast and you need to clean them up regularly.The jack of the earphone is a right angle one which can take a few blows without detaching itself from the cord.

The sound quality of the Rzaer Moray earphones is good and does deliver on the words mentioned to promote it. It has deep bass but at high volumes it starts cracking up. The mids and highs are clear and overall the performance matches the price tag. Although the earphones do not have noise isolation feature, it manages to block out considerable amount of noise.

Pros :

• Comfortable and good fit
• Carrying case
• Good sound quality

Cons :

• Bass cracks at high volume
• No noise isolation feature

Final Thoughts

The Razer Moray in-ear earphones provide good sound quality at a respectable price. Razer has also included a couple of accessories such as carrying case and two pronged adapter that add value to the package.

Klipsch Image X5 Specs:

• Headphones Type: Binaural In-ear buds
• Sensitivity: 110 dB
• Impedance: 50 Ohm
• Sound Output: Stereo
• Weight: 0.4 oz
• Headphones: Standard 3.5 mm
• Price: $220

Review:

The Klipsch Image X5 has a superb yet simple design. The earbuds are very compact and portable as well as light weight. They should fit nicely in the ears of most people and provide a comfortable fit. The build quality is also very nice and the earphones durable. The Image X5 has silicone tip earbuds which provide a snug fit and a comfy feel to your ears. The low weight ensures that you won’t feel the earphones much which lends to a better music experience. The earbuds comes with a set of 5 tips of different sizes to fit everyone.

The Klipsch Image X5, along with superb sound quality, also provide you very nice external noise blocking with complete isolation. The sound quality is superb and detailed throughout the spectrum.

It comes with a black pouch and a long cord of about 4.3 ft with a curved 3.5 mm plug. It also comes with a airplane adapter bundled. The earphone cable seems a bit flimsy and will need some care. Overall the earphones are great and do what they are meant to, very well.

Pros:

• Great Sound Quality
• Nice and Comfortable

Cons:

• Relatively Expensive

Our Rating: 4 / 5.

1. Shure SE420-K Earphones

Price: $350

The Shure SE420-K are the most expensive on this list. But the high cost is totally accounted for by the superb audio quality and the very stylish and ergonomic design. You could wear these earphones for hours and not feel even the slightest discomfort. It is a very good option for all the audiophiles who take their music seriously.

These earphones feature dual TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers – a dedicated tweeter and woofer. The SE420 earphones treat you to detailed sounds. An internal crossover sends lower and higher frequencies to dedicated drivers so that lows, mids, and highs are distinct and defined, for accurate reproduction of all your music. They include features like a sound isolating design – the sleeves block more than 90 percent of the surrounding noise and also ensure a snug fit, Dual TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers which are optimized for listening to high-quality recordings and lossless formats and a detachable, modular cable. You get the following accessories and stuff with the earphones – an extension cable, different types of earpiece sleeves, a carrying case, airline adapter, volume control and a wax guard.

Specifications :

• Speaker type: Dual TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers (dedicated tweeter and woofer)
• Frequency range: 20Hz-19,000Hz
• Impedance (1kHz): 22 Ohms
• Sensitivity (1mW): 109 dB SPL/mW
• Cable length (with extension): 18.0 in./45.0 cm (54.0 in./137.1 cm)
• Weight: 1.04 oz./29.5 g

2. Klipsch Image X5 Earphones

Price: $250

The Klipsh Image X5 earphones are the among lightest and smallest earphones in this list. They are also among the most comfortable earphones available. They offer a balanced, full-range armature driver design with a tuned bass-reflex system that lets you experience crisp, clear highs and deep impressive lows, all in all superb sound quality.

These earphones sport proprietary Contour Ear Gels which naturally fit the shape of your ear canals, reducing ear fatigue and producing a perfect acoustic seal that minimizes outside ambient noise. It includes five different sizes so that virtually everyone can find a perfect fit.

Klipsch has also gone to great lengths to ensure the long-lasting durability of the Image X5 earphones. All the earphones are put through extensive testing and feature strain relief at every connection point to help prevent wire damage.

It sports features like a small, lightweight in-ear design, a precise, comfortable fit for long-term wear, balanced full-range driver, a tuned bass-reflex system and noise isolation. Bundled with the earphones, you get five sets of different-sized ear gels, a nice premium carrying pouch
and a near gel cleaning tool.

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 110 dB
• Nominal impedance: 50 Ohms @ 1kHz
• Noise isolation: -26 dB
• Drive components: Balanced full-range driver
• Enclosure material: Aluminum body; 50-in. vinyl cable
• Finishes: Anodized aluminum
• Input connection: 1/8 in./3.5mm
• Weight: 0.398 oz./11.3 g

3. Sennheiser PX 100 Headphones

Price: $60

These are among the cheaper headphones in this list which offer value for money and are meant for those who can’t afford the ones mentioned above but want good sound quality. They aren’t earphones like the others in the list, but offer great performance at a low price,hence we had to include them in the list. The Sennheiser PX 100 headphones offer true home audio sound quality. They are an ideal choice for use with your iPod, iPhone, or other portable player. Their warm, natural sound and foldable design make them perfect for travel and outdoor activities.

They offer features like dynamic stereo mini headphones, iPod and iPhone compatible connector, a foldable design which lets you close the headphones, excellent sound quality for mobile audio sources, high resolution sound from Sennheiser “Duofol” diaphragms with spiral embossing, strong Neodymium magnets for extremely low distortion, balanced and detailed sound image for all types of music, a crisp and fast bass response due to system “twin damping” with 80ppi polyurethane and special perforated elements, a headband with split padding and durable earcup connections to the headband.

Specifications :

• Nominal impedance: 32 Ohm
• Frequency response: 15Hz to 27kHz
• Maximum sound pressure level (SPL): 114 dB
• Ear coupling: Supra-aural
• Transducer principle: Dynamic, open
• Audio connector: 3.5 mm jack plug
• Carrying case dimensions: 5.7 x 2.95 x 1.1 in./145.0 x 75.0 x 27.0 mm
• Weight (without cable): Approx. 2.12 oz./60.0 g
• Cable length: 4.59 ft./1.4 m

4. Sony MDR-EX75 Stereo Headphones

Price: $50

The MDR EX75 are the lightest earphones in this list at just 3 gms. They are also extremely value for money and give you robust sound in an innovative design. They feature high sensitivity 9mm driver units, which provide a wider acoustical range, and angled shape, which offers maximum comfort in the ear. And for an even more comfortable fit, the housing is constructed of silicone.

The features of the Sony MDR E75 include comfortable fit and deep bass sound, silicone housing for softer, better fit and a nice cord length.

Specifications:

• Type: Closed, dynamic
• Diaphragm: PET
• Magnet: Neodymium
• Plug: Gold-plated, L-shaped stereo mini plug
• Frequency response: 6 to 23,000Hz
• Sensitivity: 100dB/mW
• Impedance: 16 ohms @ 1kHz
• Driver unit: 9mm diameter, dome type
• Power handling capacity: 100mW
• Cord length (approx.): 3.9 ft./1.19 m
• Weight (without cord): 0.11 oz./3.0 g

5. Ultimate Ears Loud Enough Earphones

Price: $40

These are the cheapest earphones in this list and are very durable – after all they are meant for kids. They feature built-in sound pressure protection that reduces any music source by up to 40 percent. Coupled with the earphones noise-isolating design, they ensure that the volume can’t be increased above a certain limit, perfect for small kids.

The volume control element isn’t visible, so the ear buds look like the cool ear buds that they are. And the 3.5 mm connector works with most portable music sources (iPod, iPhone, etc), DVD car entertainment systems, and gaming devices (Sony PSP, Xbox, Nintendo DS, etc). These earphones are not only aesthetically pleasing, they’re also environmentally friendly because they’re PVC free. It includes three sizes of soft silicone ear tips.

It has a built-in volume control that limits any music source by up to 40% of its maximum volume, with a rugged construction with small and lightweight form factor, three sizes of soft silicone ear tips and an ergonomic, stylish design. It also comes with a carrying case.

Specifications:

• Earphone type: In-ear
• Speaker type: Hi-definition diaphragm
• Input sensitivity: 83 dB SPL/mW, 1kHz
• Impedance: 25 Ohms @ 1kHz
• Input connector: .125 in./3.5 mm gold plated
• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
• Noise isolation: 16 dB
• Cable length: 46.0 in./116.8 cm
• Weight: 0.5 oz./14.0 g

Klipsch Custom 2 headphones specifications :

• Type : Headphones – Binaural
• Weight : 0.5 oz
• Connectivity : Wired
• Output Mode : Stereo
• Sensitivity : 112 dB
• Impedance : 16 Ohm
• Cable : 4.3 feet
• Accessories : Carrying case, Airplane adapter
• Approx. price : $199

The Klipsch Custom 2 headphones have a streamlined design with futuristic looks, with each earpiece having a dual-balanced armature. A thing peculiar about these earphones that you will notice is that the cable pops out of the earpiece from the top rather than the back and has an extra 2 inch of molded cable to go around the ear. The overall length of the cable at around 4 feet is long enough.

The earphones have a oval shaped rather than a regular circular shape adopted by most manufacturers. The fit of the earphones is quite good but it is highly subjective and you need to try one to see if you like it. Klipsch has bundled five different sized silicone tips. The molded wire really helps to quickly snap them on and secure them in place.

The performance of the headphones is sublime. The headphones provide you with balanced sound even at higher volumes. The bass response of the headphones is great. The sound quality is crisp and crystal clear. At lower frequencies, you can probably make out a few distortions but they are not a major concern. You can bank on these earphones to provide you with a rich sound experience which would put your money to good use.

Pros :

• Great performance
• Good build quality
• Five different silicone tips
• Great noise isolation

Cons :

• Big large in size
• Fit highly subjective
• Low frequency distortions

Final Thoughts

The Klipsch Custom 2 headphones are part of the the Custom series which has three set of headphones and Custom 2 are placed in the middle. These offer a balanced sound that completely justifies the price that Klipsch is charging for it. A great buy for anyone looking to buy headphones in this range.

My Rating : 4.25/5

Shure SE530 Earphones specifications :

• Type : Headphone – Binaural
• Form Factor : In-ear ear bud
• Connectivity : Wired
• Response Bandwidth : 18 – 19000 Hz
• Sensitivity:  119 dB/W
• Impedance : 36 Ohm
• Warranty : 2-years limited warranty
• Approx. price : $449

Shure has always net new industry standards with its earphones. The Shure SE series is based on sound isolation feature and has some good earphones under its belt. The first thing you would probably notice about them is their rather large size. The large size is due to the integration of tweeter and two woofers in each ear bud. Although large, the earphones don’t look ugly and have a shiny finish to them.

Three sets of silicone sleeves are available in the package to match your ear size. The cable measuring 18 inches is thick and does not tangle easily. If you find the cable length to be short, Shure bundles two extender cables of lengths 9 inches and 36 inches to extend the length of the cable. There is also an airplane adapter apart from regular one, a  carrying case and surprisingly an earwax cleaning pick too!

Everything else takes a back seat when you plug in the earphones to a music phone. These earphones deliver exceptional quality of sound leaving you mesmerizedre by the quality of music you have experienced before. Passive noise isolation works perfectly and they deliver deep bass without any distortion. The clarity can be experienced even at high volume without any signs of distortion. Highs and mids of these earphones will put others to shame. The sound quality justifies the high price tag.

Pros :

• Good build quality
• Amazing sound quality
• Deep bass
• Extremely comfortable
• Good accessory bundle

Cons :

• Large ear buds
• Extremely expensive

Final Thoughts

The Shure SE530 offer never heard before experience but at a hefty price tag. You can hardly find anything wrong with this headset except its price. The accessory bundle with the earphones has a lot of things to offer such as an airplane adapter and the earwax cleaning pick! If you have loads of free cash to burn, get these earphones without second thoughts.

My Rating : 4/5

Callpod Dragon V2 specifications :

• Dimensions  : 2.6″ x 1.3″ x 2.2″
• Weight : 0.9 oz
• Color : Carbon Fiber
• Headphone Type : Headphone – Aural
• Headphone form factor : In-ear ear-bud
• Connectivity : Wireless Bluetooth 2.0
• Microphone : Built-in
• Transmission range : 330ft
• Battery : Lithium-ion Rechargeable
• Run-time : 8 hours
• Standby time : 300 hours
• Approx. price : $100

The Callpod Dragon V2 retains the same shape as V1 which is a circular design. The fit of the headset is comfortable and fits snugly onto the ear. The headset is light weight and won’t feel heavy on your ear. The dimensions are a bit large but understandably so considering the circular disc which accounts for it.

The volume rocker is placed on top of the headset which also doubles up as a power button. It also has a multi-function button placed right in the middle of the headset for easy access. Two LEDs can also be found above the multifunction button which act as indicators. There are a couple of microphones beneath the LEDs which need to be aligned for proper noise suppression.

The other side of the circular disc has an ear-bud, quite similar to the previous version, although it is made of rubber and metal and is adjustable unlike the older version. The ear-bud fits comfortable and securely into the ear. Aligning the microphones into place for optimal performance can be troublesome.

The features on the headset are essentially the same as the previous version. It has an amazing range of 330 feet, and can also act as a walkie-talkie when paired with other Callpod Dragon headset which is an uber cool feature to have. You can also upgrade the firmware on the headset using the bundled USB cable.

The incoming sound quality of the headset is very good without any distortion. When aligned properly the outgoing sound quality is good too. The headset automatically pairs itself with compatible device when turned on. The battery life is good enough for medium-heavy usage.

Pros :

• Nice design
• Comfortable and secure fit
• Great range
• Walkie-talkie functionality
• Supports multi-device pairing

Cons :

• Volume rocker too close to ear
• Microphone alignment needed

Final Thoughts

The Callpod Dragon V2 bluetooth headset has a unique design that gives comfortable and secure fit. It offers great range and has walkie-talkie functionality too. Multi-device pairing is another feature which can be utilised to full effect. The microphone alignment requires time and if you need to remove the headset frequently then you better skip this one.

My rating : 3.5/5

Hi ,

I would like to know how I could connect my CPU to the TV(instead of getting a monitor),Using the video/Audio in port.

Thanks in advance

This can be done quite easily but remember that the display quality will depend on what port you use to connect the CPU to the TV. To get the best possible results, one should connect CPU to a LCD TV using HDMI cable. If you use a normal TV, then the quality will be bad and only good enough for viewing movies etc.

To get started you CPU needs to have either of VGA, RCA, DVI, HDMI or S-Video outputs.

1. Using VGA is not recommended due to low quality and high cable cost. VGA cable has RCA connectors at other end but it hard to find.

2. RCA to cable is also an option but again has same down points as the above method. Also there are hardly any  graphics card that have RCA connectors these days.

3. S-Video is the most used connector for connecting CPU to TV as cable costs are low and quality is decent. But remember that it is extremely important to find the right kind of cable, otherwise there can be loads of problem.

4. DVI and HDMI are the newer ports used to connect CPU to LCD TVs. DVI has different versions, so check it out before buying one. Using a HDMI cable is the best way to do this but both your PC and TV need to have HDMI connectors.

Also you will need to set the mode of display output in graphics card settings if not detected automatically. For this purpose you will need a monitor, and you can not do without it.

The second query is by aman pal :

i want to know about window installation.

A bit more elaboration could have certainly helped a lot. Assuming you are asking the basic procedure of windows installation, it is very simple. Just get your hands on a bootable Windows CD/DVD and put it up in the drive and boot from it. This will begin the installation. Select the partition or make one in which you want Windows to get installed and enter the key when asked to. You might have to set up a few things like country, internet settings etc if you are installing Windows XP. This is it, Windows will be set up automatically in a few minutes depending on your PC configuration. If this isn’t what you were looking for, put your query in the comment below!

Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset specifications :

• Dimensions : 0.2″ x 0.5″ x 2″
• Weight : 6.5 gms
• Talk Time : Upto 5.5 Hours
• Standby time : Upto 72 hours
• Range : Upto 33 feet
• Battery : Rechargeable lithium-ion
• Charging time : Around 1.5 hours
• Approx. price : $99

Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset compliments the iPhone especially the new 3G version. It is elegantly simple and small in size. But that has its disadvantage too as it offers less support for staying fit in your ear. Recently Apple had announced a cut in the price of the headset a week back or so making it an attractive buy.

The headset is sleek and small and in a black outfit looks smart and professional. It hardly carries any weight on its shoulders, so don’t forget you have it on when its in your ear! The exterior is made of metal and has a glossy finish with clean lines. There is just a single button as a control which is a multifunction button.

The headset’s earpiece fits easily into the ear but there is hardly any support to keep it in there for rather too long. Keeping it simple has its disadvantages as well as a single button can handle only a handful of tasks and important tasks such as volume control don’t make the cut. Pairing it with iPhone couldn’t have been easier. There is also a battery indicator on the headset.

The button can receive and end calls or switch between the headset and the iPhone. Call quality is good but unfortunately not loud enough for noisy environments. No noise cancellation or any such feature to improve the call experience, but thats Apple for you. The battery backup time is very good and close to what is mentioned in the specifications.

Pros :

• Looks elegant
• Simple,sleek and light weight
• Can be easily paired
• Works with other phones too
• Good battery life

Cons :

• Less functionality
• Just a single button
• No volume control
• Not loud enough
• Bit expensive

Final Thoughts

Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset is one accessories that iPhone users should look to buy it they need a bluetooth headset. It is simple, sleek and elegant with hardly any weight. It goes about its job silently without much fanfare. So if you not one of those who need high functionality, then this might just be perfect for you.

My Rating : 3.75/5

V-Moda Bass Earphones specifications :

• Type : Headphones – Binaural
• Form factor : Ear bud
• Response Bandwidth : 8Hz-22KHz
• Magnet material : Neodymium
• Three silicone fittings
• Warranty : 1-year
• Approx. price : $40

The V-Moda Bass earphones have different color combination than from the regular white or black earphones. They are available in eight colors from which you can chose your favorite one. They truly have a fashion-forward design which will attract a lot of attention when you wear them in a public place!

The V-Moda Bass has a cable length of 1.2m which is long enough for most devices but if you intend to use with PC, you might find it short. The gold plated connector ensures that there is minimum distortion of sound at the connection interface. It has three sets of silicone ear fittings to match your ear size. It is highly important for you to choose the right set of ear fitting as it deeply impacts your sound experience. The V-Moda Modawrap prevents the cable from tangling, a nice accessory to have.

Coming to the performance, the most important aspect of any set of earphones. The V-Moda Bass truly lives up to its name by producing excellent bass. They produce deep thump in your ears. The bass produced is not only from drums but from all sources. The heavy bass did not interfere with the mids and the lows and they were also reproduced pretty well. The volume on the earphones is very loud and you won’t need to jack up the volume often. Overall they managed to produce a good sound experience.

Pros :

• Eight available colors
• Nice design
• Great bass reproduction
• Overall good performance

Cons :

• Cables tend to tangle
• Too heavy bass for some
• Amplified sound(too loud)

Final Thoughts

The V-Moda Bass Earphones are a good set of earphones to invest in. But I would suggest that you try them out before ordering them. They fit perfectly into the ear and then there is no looking back.

My Rating : 3.75/5

Plantronics Discovery 925 blueooth headset specifications :

• Type : Headphone -monoaural
• Form factor : Ear bud
• Dimensions : 2.7″ x 0.9″ x 0.5″
• Inbuilt microphone
• Range : 33ft
• Power adapter : External
• Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
• Run time : Upto 5 hours
• Standby time : 168 hours
• Approx. price : $100

The Plantronics Discovery 925 sports a flashy design that is bound to attract attention. It also got displayed at the NY Fashion Week 2008. Plantronics also provides a leather case with the headset to store it.  The design of the headset bears a striking resemblance to a paper clip! The boom mic is at the tip of a long triangular shape which also houses the antenna. It is lightweight which won’t stress your ear out even if you intend to use it for long hours.

There is a small diamond at the top also holds the multifunction button along with the LEDs. The volume control button is located at the top left side of the headset which is easy to access, but the sad part is that you only have three levels of volume to choose. It also comes with three different ear sizes of small,medium and large.

A really cool feature that this headset supports is the Multipoint technology allowing you to use this with two handsets simultaneously, which is great for people having more than a single cellphone.

The pairing of the headset with a phone is easy without any hassles due to the inbuilt QuickPair system which puts it in pairing mode. The call quality was excellent without any distortion or break of connection. The headset also filters out background sound for a better experience. It has a talktime of 5 hours on a single charge which is decent.

Pros :

• Fashion-centric design
• Comfortable fit
• Multipoint technology
• Excellent audio quality

Cons :

• Only three volume levels
• Funky design might not appeal everyone
• Bit expensive

Final Thoughts

The Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset features a funky design and at the same time offers excellent performance. The multipoint technology is also a nice feature to have but takes a toll on the standby time. The comfortable fit makes it usable for long hours at a stretch. One of the best bluetooth headsets buts comes with a slightly expensive price tag.

My Rating : 4/5

The Panasonic RP-HJE300 stereo earbud headhpones are one of the best earbud headphones I’ve ever listened to. They produce an excellent sound and bass, and haven’t broken yet after a few months of use (like most earbuds do).

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Panasonic Stereo Earbud Headphones:

• Street price: $39.99 approx.
• 3 ear pad sizes
• Frequency response: 6Hz – 24kHz
• Power handling capacity – 200 mW
• Impedance: 16 ohms / Sensitivity: 200 mW
• 0.6m cord

Things I like
Like I said above, these are probably the best earbud headphones I’ve ever used. Normally I destroy these type of headphones within the first couple of weeks, but I have now been listening to the RP-HJE300 headphones for just over 2 months without any problems.

These headphones fit extremely snug in your ears and if they don’t, Panasonic has included 3 different ear pad sizes just to make sure that they’ll fit perfectly in your ears. The pro of this is that they block out sound much better than most other headphones, but unfortunately the con is that they do tend to become uncomfortable after a couple hours of use.

The sound quality is very high with these Panasonic headphones. Normally the bass is rather lacking in earbud headphones but luckily Panasonic made sure that these produced a very clear and impressive sounding bass. I think this is what I like most about these headphones.

Things I don’t like
The thing I like least about the Panasonic RP-HJE300 is the cord. The cord only measures 0.6 meters and splits at the front instead of going around the back of the head like most normal cords do. The only other thing I dislike is the price. Coming in at $40 these are fairly expensive compared to most earbuds (but the quality is definitely worth it).

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Good bass
• Don’t break
• Snug fit

Cons:

• Short cord
• Expensive

Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for new headphones and you don’t want the large, heavy over-ear ones, the Panasonic earbuds are definitely a solid buy.

Rating: 4 / 5