So you've got an awesome set of earbuds, but you're looking for a pair just as astounding with an in-line microphone for chatting it up. Thanks to the growing popularity of such a request, there are a few options on the market. Question is, which is supreme?

"I have this new music phone (it's a flush-jacked iPhone 3G) and I'm thinking about getting a new set of phones. I've used some high quality headphones before, but I'm currently using Apple's included headset because of the mic / remote. I've been looking at the Shure MPA kits, but what do you readers recommended?"

Thanks for the inquiry, dandaman. Let's hear what you've got, readers! Afterwards, feel free to send in a puzzler of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.

Audiovox's extravaganza is closing up with the introduction of the Acoustic Research ARNC01 ($59.99) earbuds, which promise to use whiz-bang active processing to reduce noise for airline addicts and those with a crib full of rambunctious youngsters. The circuitry is housed in an in-line module with an On / Off button and a compartment for a single AAAA (yes, AAAA) battery, which should last you around 50 hours. You know, plenty of time to head off to Akihabara and back for a few new Japanese exclusives.

The thing we hate most about in-ear headphone designs is their tendency to fall out during our fits of high-impact irritability and coffee-fueled snark. That, and the ache from wearing so-called "sport" ear buds which can be a bit too unforgiving to our sensitive side-mounted, man-holes (aka, ears). Enter JVC's HA-FX66 Air Cushion headphones which incorporate a soft silicone rubber air cushion into the earpiece body and your choice of three different sized, silicon rubber and memory foam earpieces for that snug, comfy fit we all aspire to. Just $30 beans for US Americans.

It's been far too long since our ears could listen to a new pair of JAYS, but the company is finally introducing a brand new set dubbed q-JAYS. Deemed the "smallest earphones on the market," these diminutive buds boast dual micro armatures, the bass-enhancing AirBooster, silicon sleeves in a variety of sizes, and a flexible cable setup to boot. Additionally, the q-JAYS arrive with a white leather case, two extension cords, a flight / stereo adapter, and seven total pairs of sleeves. The price? Just $180 -- and those in the UK can look forward to a probable release in the not-too-distant future. Click on for a couple closeups.

[Thanks, Adam]

One of our gripes with the iPhone are those ill fitting earbuds shipped in the box. Unfortunately, you don't have many options at the moment unless you're willing to live without the convenience of the mic / music toggle built into Apple's headphone cable. Even then, there's a good chance that your third party audio-only headphones won't fit the non-standard, standard jack. No worries, assuming you're not afraid of a wee bit (promise!) of soldering, you can fit the Apple cable with another set of buds of your choosing. Really, it doesn't look too difficult and James Papadopoulos even worked up a video tutorial which you can peep after the break.

LTB Audio Systems has been doing this wireless headphone gig for quite some time, and while its products don't exactly appear as the most prestigious in the world, all's fair if it gets the job done. The firm's latest contraption, dubbed the Q-Bean, consists of a wired transceiver that plugs into your computer via USB and a wireless key fob-sized device that pumps out tunes to the connected headphones or earbuds sans wires. The system operates on the 2.4GHz band and LTB promises that the stream is completely uncompressed, and if the idea of cordless headphones weren't enough to sell you on it, it also includes a built-in microphone for Windows Live communication or other VoIP duties. Reportedly, users of Windows, OS X, and Linux won't be bothered to install any fancy drivers for this here apparatus to function as advertised, but it still seems a bit lackluster considering the $119.95 asking price.

If you're a driver prone to nodding off and awakening to oncoming traffic, Revex's Drowse Prevention Alarm would be well worth the (non-wallet-crushing) ¥1,200 (about $10.30) investment. Dare to tilt your head 10 degrees and an alarm sounds off, reducing the chances of accidents and collisions. The battery-operated, in-ear device has an off, low, and high setting -- potentially dangerous if you fail to choose wisely. Obviously if it's turned off, your chance of barreling off a bridge greatly increases. Try out the low setting, and if you still fall asleep and live through it, you'll know to use the high setting on your next excursion. And if that doesn't work, we suggest you take the bus.

[Via Plastic Bamboo]

Possibly setting the record for most interchangeable pieces in a set of earbuds, the SA6 from Sleek Audio packs a number of features unique in the high-end headphone market. Using "treble tips" and "bass ports" that can be swapped out, Sleek claims that the single-driver SA6 rivals the performance of two- and three- driver models from competing manufacturers by offering frequency response that can be tuned to the listener's preference. Also unique is the set's cord, which disconnects right at the bud -- allegedly for a potential upgrade to A2DP down the road. Look for the SA6 in March for $250 ($230 on preorder).

Here's the tired buzzword, catch-all product for the day: Pegaso's waterproof, bone-conducting VIBONE EZ-80WP headset. Besides being yellow and dark gray to camouflage your ear-grub, these babies vibrate the skull, not the air, in order to bring the beat to your auditory nerve. It's that little trick which makes 'em ideal for use underwater, or in space for that matter, you decide chief. Available starting July 15 in Japan for ¥19,800 or a whopping $170 bills. Hmm, reminds us this little ditty: the skull-bone's connected to the, Vi-bone, the Vi-bone's connected to the, ass-hat...or something like that.

[Via Impress]

Sure, it's nice to feel that rumble from the game controller, but wouldn't it be better if your ears were doing the ringing after a crushing EA Sports-induced blow to the head, instead of your hands? Why not try on a pair of these itan ITN-VR10 headphones from RWC then, which vibrate in your ear (like a mosquito?) in reaction to what they perceive to be a large, booming force. These buds feature a standard 3.5-millimeter mini-jack for connecting to your favorite handheld game console and will last about 15-hours off battery. Available in Japan starting June 26 for about ¥3,980 or $35.

[Via Impress]