earphones

Audio Technica CK10 earphones: The drivers of your life

Two drivers in each earphone have always offered a powerfully seductive sound--sweeter even than the screams of Duffy Springfailed as she's bundled into the guillotine for crimes against music. Now Audio Technica's getting in on the action.

No, it's not commissioned the beheading of pop's greatest wrong-doing since Dale Winton provided the vocals for the Supermarket Sweep pop song (yes, there was one. And yes, we actually have the CD). What Audio Technica has done is shove a woofer and a separate tweeter into each of the new CK10 earphones.

Now it's not the first … Read more

Skullcandy partners for a softer touch

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Skullcandy's latest earphones is that they were designed jointly with another company. Why, we wonder, would an outfit that already produces headphones with gunbelts and neon colors solicit help in coming up with a new design?

Maybe they needed a more delicate touch from the designers at La Vie en Rose for "all shades of the pink rainbow" in fuchsia and magenta, as Shiny Shiny says. These pink additions seem somewhat ingruous for lines with names like "Full Metal Jacket" and "Lowrider," but maybe that's the … Read more

MP3 Mailbox Monday: iPod software alternatives and EU-worthy MP3 players

Believe it or not, there are iPod owners out there who don't like to use iTunes. Luckily, you're not stuck with Apple's own software if you have the player. Read on for some alternatives. Also this week, MP3 Insider fans from Europe need new MP3 players.

Q: Do you have any recommendations for alternative programs to iTunes to use with the iPod? I have a iPod Classic after using the Creative software (which wasn't great by any stretch of imagination) and cannot stand the fact that iTunes tries to do everything for me.--John, via e-mail… Read more

Reduce outside noise with sound-isolating MP3 earphones, $6.99

Many moons ago I wrote about Etymotic's fancy noise-isolating earphones, which were a pretty good deal at $69.99. Still too rich for your blood? Here's your chance to try something similar for one-tenth the price. HandHeldItems has the iSolate Hi-Fi Earphones on sale for $6.99 (plus a very reasonable $2.85 for shipping). You also get a free Fishbone cord-wrap gizmo.

Because the tips nestle into your ear canal, the iSolate earphones block out a fair bit of ambient noise--meaning you don't have to crank the volume as much when riding a bus, plane, train, … Read more

MP3 Mailbox Monday: Headphone adaptation and AM radiolessness

Interoperability between stereo headphones and music cell phones is a popular concern, but how about using your cell phone headset with other, standard audio sources? At least one person wonders how to make this happen with no sound issues. Also on deck today: a sports fan wants an MP3 player with AM radio built in, and a discerning listener is curious about file quality and compatibility.

Q: I found your address on CNET and was hoping you can help me with a question that seems to be hard to get answered. I have the LG VX8350 phone from Verizon. I … Read more

MP3 Mailbox Monday: Music and podcast management software

It's software-mania this week, and I'm all for it. First up, we have a question about veering off the iPod path and onto something new, but anxieties about non-iTunes software abound. Then, find out about managing music for the Zune, and get a chance to check out some great podcast managing software for the Creative Zen.

Q: I enjoy MP3 Monday Mailbox and thought I'd send along a question. I've got a 3-year-old iPod that has bit the bullet and is heading off into retirement. I have been looking at players comparable with the 8GB Nano, … Read more

MP3 Mailbox Monday

Welcome to MP3 Mailbox Monday, a recurring feature where I answer a selection of questions about MP3 players and accessories, such as headphones, speakers, and music services and software. Each week, my in-box is flooded with questions from around the world, and while a handful of them are very particular to the individual asking, most apply more generally to a certain use or scenario to which many people can relate. Check back often to see if the advice presented here might be of some use to you, or send your questions directly to me. (Note: We never include last names, … Read more

My headphones are better than yours

Koss has a bad reputation for manufacturing terrible audio products, but it struck gold back in 1984 with one set of headphones, the PORTAPROS. They're still being produced with continued success after 23 years and are, in my opinion, the most underrated headphones on the market, and here's why:

Price: $35 with free shipping on Amazon. Maybe less on eBay. Sound quality: Best sound I've heard out of sub-$200 cans. Instead of telling you how awesome these are, I'll let these 249 people do the work for me:

CNET Review (Review on its way, but … Read more

Ears-on with Panasonic's new sports earphones

There are loads of affordable earphones in the world, and many of them sound rubbish. But there's still a market for budget earphones because--and lets be absolutely honest here--most people don't realize the bundled ones that come with their MP3 player are about as capable of reproducing decent audio as my cat is at performing the Heimlich maneuver.

In fact some are so bowel-emptyingly bad, it's easy for some people to hear what they think is their favorite song, only to find out that through a half-decent pair of cans it sounds wholly different, and not in … Read more