on-earheadphones
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Audeze's Sine are lightweight planar magnetic headphones
Usually, planar magnetic headphones aren't the most portable cans. At this year's CES, Audeze unveiled its much more portable Sine planar magnetic on-ear headphones. What does that mean exactly? Well, the planar magnetic tech uses a thin diaphragm rather than typical headphone drivers, touting higher accuracy and more detailed sound. These particular cans are also lightweight and don't pinch in on your head, which sometimes can be a struggle, especially with the extra heft you have when dealing with audiophile-grade headphones.
Samsung's new wireless headphones are a worthy contender
Last summer, I spent some time getting to know the first four entries in Samsung's "Level" audio line. There's a new item this year, though: a wireless version of the original Level On headphones. In case you missed the first roundup, this model is an on-ear option, and it ended up being my favorite of the bunch. But with the bulk of the features being the same, is the extra $80 worth it to go wireless?
V-Moda XS On-Ear Headphones provide comfort, incredible sound
With apologies to the folks at Apple-owned Beats, I think V-Moda makes some pretty nice headphones. I've been using a pair of custom Crossfade LPs for years, and the sound quality and comfort of the 'phones always makes me glad I've got 'em. Today I tried out a pair of the company's new XS On-Ear Headphones (US$212.00), a model that's made for the "Modern Audiophile." Are they better than the V-Moda Crossfade LPs? Let's give them a test. Specifications Driver: M-Class Dual Diaphragm 40mm Cable: 1-button SpeakEasy Mic cable, Kevlar-reinforced Warranty: 2 year + 50% "Immortal Life" warranty Dual inputs Cliq-fold design with Exoskeleton carrying case Sound character: Balanced, precision bas, vivid mids, crystal clear ultra wide highs, 3D sound stage Design Highlights One thing you can say about V-Moda's headphones is that they are durable. In the three years or so that I've had my Crossfade LPs, I've dropped them countless times, smashed them into backpacks and suitcases, and they still look brand new. Compared with the "over-ear" Crossfade LP, the XS headphones look tiny. They're made to ride on the ear, not to enclose it, so the ear cups are much smaller. The Steelflex headband is also not as wide as that on the Crossfade LP, and it's padded just as well as its bigger brother. The XS comes in two colors -- matte black and white silver -- but audiophiles can customize the 'phones with metal shields that go on the ear cups in 14 different colors, 15 different designs, or you can send in your own design. The Kevlar-reinforced cables are orange, so you probably want to find a color that compliments that tone. I love the little turtle-like Exoskeleton carrying cases that V-Moda provides, and the XS folds neatly into the case for secure carrying. Functionality Highlights Enough talk about how they look; what about the sound quality and comfort? To make the call, I compared the XS headphones to the Crossfade LPs, listening to the same music on both pairs of headphones. In terms of sound quality, I'd rank the XS headphones higher than the Crossfade LPs. The sound quality was solid across the range, with kicking bass tones and crisp highs. It didn't matter what genre of music I was listening to; the XS headphones gave me consistently better sound quality. Of course, sound is somewhat subjective, so your mileage may vary. When it came to comfort, I think the XS headphones really stood out. I wasn't initially thrilled about the idea of on-ear headphones since I find the over-ear type to be very quiet. But having less weight to carry around really made the XS 'phones more comfy in the long run. Wearing on-ear and over-ear headphones in public seems to have caught on, so if you're still stuck with your pair of earbuds, you need to stop. Spend the quid on some decent headphones like the V-Moda XS and you'll increase your listening pleasure for years. Conclusion The V-Moda XS headphone is the latest of the company's M-class series, which is aimed at modern audiophiles who appreciate what the best electronic equipment can do with sound reproduction. These headphones are incredibly comfortable and produce sound that will surprise and delight you. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
SMS Audio outs an on-ear option for its Street by 50 headphones, ships October 7th for $180
If you're a fan of emcee-endorsed headphones, you're in luck. SMS Audio -- the folks behind the SYNC by 50 line -- has just announced another portable audio option that gets the recommendation of Mr. Jackson himself. The Street by 50 moniker now sports a wired, on-ear option to go alongside its current over-ear and in-hear offerings. These cans house 40mm pro-tuned drivers, folding hinges and memory foam cushioning while sporting Shadow Black and Ghost White color schemes. Anxious to snag some? Well, you can pre-order a set now, but they'll start shipping on October 7th -- if you're willing to shell out the requisite $179.99, of course. As for us, we're patiently waiting on the Keenan Cahill model.
Harman Kardon trots out five iPhone-matching headsets, keeps you in high Apple fashion
There's no shortage of iPhone-friendly headsets. Not many are actually designed to match an iPhone's looks, however, and Harman Kardon is counting on that urge to coordinate to draw a few listeners into a new line of very tersely-named headphones and headsets. The more conspicuous resemblances to Apple's creation come through the wired CL on-ear headphones, the Bluetooth-equipped BT over-ears and the noise-cancelling NC over-ears, all of which share a distinctly familiar-looking leather-and-steel design. Subtler listeners will still get a trace of similarity with the in-ear NI and upgraded AE buds, although most of the iPhone friendliness at their size comes through an in-line microphone and remote. Both the BT and NC are battery-powered and last for 12 and 30 hours for their respective special tricks; they'll both keep working through a wire if you've forgotten to charge up just before that Hong Kong vacation. In step with the iPhone-heavy focus, Harman Kardon is only selling the quintet of headphones through Apple's online and physical stores, where they start at $100 for the NI and peak at the NC's $299. One caveat: we wouldn't factor the NC into any short-term trips, as it won't show until the late summer. %Gallery-158092%
Engadget Giveaway: win one of five pairs of Skullcandy Hesh on-ear headphones!
We're not going to lie: we sometimes wish our giveaways could extend out to us as employees. Skullcandy just released its latest lineup of new gear, and the Supreme Sound Hesh -- billed as a mid-tier on-ear headphone that has the sound of sets twice its cost -- looks pretty tempting. The Hesh aims to enhance the bass, natural voice and precision highs, regardless of what you're listening to (we know you enjoy the occasional Air Supply, no need to be ashamed). As always, just read the rules and hook us up with a comment below to enter. There's five sets of headphones to be won this time around! Update: due to some technical difficulties, we're extending the deadline for submitting your comment to 11:59AM on May 9th. Thanks!
Engadget Giveaway: win one of five V-Moda Crossfade M-80 on-ear headphones!
Are your grandmother's decade-old earbuds just not cutting it any more? Time to get a pair of your own. V-Moda's got five pairs of its latest on-ear headphones, the Crossfade M-80, to give out to our dear readership. Each of them normally would run you $230, so this opportunity is a pretty sweet alternative to having to shell out a benjamin or three just to get some solid sound pumping into those fragile eardrums of yours. You know the drill: head below, read the rules and leave a comment to win!
IRL: Nikon D3S, iPod 4G and Klipsch's Image One headphones
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. We almost don't want to talk about our tablets and phones this week, just because one or two show-stoppers here and there have made pretty much everything we own seem wholly inadequate. So we'll tell you about the stuff we won't be trading in anytime soon. For James, that means a good pair of over-ear headphones, for Darren it's a $6,000 camera and for Daniel it's a 40GB iPod with "Dan Cooper is awesome" engraved on the back (19 year-olds, right?). No complaints this time: just a trio of Engadget editors sounding off on what's been worth it.
SOL Republic intros Amps and Tracks headphone lines, we go hands-on
Oh my is this interesting. Monster Cable's VP of marketing Kevin Lee (a key figure involved with its Beats by Dre headphone line) has co-founded a new headphone company dubbed Soundtrack Of Life Republic, and we were able to get a very brief hands-on with some handmade prototypes. It's no secret that we're not fans of Monster around these parts, but being that SOL Republic isn't directly tied to it -- and because the headphones bring with them some interesting features without being crazy expensive -- we've decided to give them a quick whirl. It's all detailed just past the break. %Gallery-131400%
V-Moda remixes headphone lineup with Crossfade M-80 supra-aurals, yours for $230
V-Moda's been in a vampire swing recently, sinking its design teeth into some True Blood branded headphones. It's finally seen the light though -- one of its existing on-ear headphones, the V-80, has now officially been re-released as the Crossfade M-80. The metal-clad M-80 looks nearly identical to the company's veteran LP over-ear headphones, but this noise-isolating set is actually 53-percent smaller using 40mm dual-diaphragm drivers (down from 50mm) equalized to 31 points for more versatility across musical genres. There's memory foam padding on the earcups with an ultra-flexible headband wrapped in suede to keep things comfy, and vents on the swappable faceplates for a wider soundstage. Two kevlar-wrapped cables with a microphone and different in-line controls are included to support most smartphones. When it's finally time to take them off an included hardshell case will keep 'em safe -- though V-Moda claims they can survive over 70 six-foot drops onto concrete. Hot stuff, and thankfully above the collar. The M-80s are available now for $230 from V-Moda -- PR with more details after the break. %Gallery-130484%
