Top 10 Headphones: A Range of Styles

I've had more than a few bad headphone experiences in my life, from shoddy cords to tinny sounds and even immediate malfunctions. These mishaps have led me to believe that this is not an arena where you should sacrifice quality for a cheap price tag. After all, if I'm investing in the latest gadgets and audio technology, why would I ruin the sound on sub par headphones? With that in mind, I've rounded up ten of my favorite headphone pieces, in a wide range of styles. I've tried to select options that lie well below the exorbitant price range, but still offer quality and style to suit your needs. Whether I'm traveling, exercising, or trudging through the daily commute, I've always found music makes the experience much more enjoyable. Clearly I'm not alone: you can simply look at the sales of portable players and music downloads to spot the trend, and luckily headphone technology is right there with it.

If you're listening to music in a range of environments, it's a wise decision to invest in several kinds of headphones. While cushioned full-sized headphones are great for home and travel, you wouldn't want to lug them to the gym. Also keep in mind that headphones make a fabulous gift, especially when paired with a selection of great new music. I hope you enjoy this list, and since I've narrowed it to ten--which was a struggle--inevitably a few worthy options did not make it. If you know of any great headphones that I neglected to mention, I'd love to hear about them.

[image above: Bang & Olufsen Earphones $160]

[left: Grado Prestige Series SR-60i $79 (at Amazon) right: Sony MDR V6 Monitor Series $68]

STUDIO OPTIONS: These two styles offer rich, detailed sound for a great price, and are a great option for travel, at home, or in a studio. The Grado brand is known for their amazing quality sound; having owned a pair of SR60s I can confirm the rumors. The Sony MDR V6 style is a classic: nothing fancy, but great sound and comfort and the fold up design and durability makes them a great full-size option for travel.

[left: Shure SE115 Sound Isolating Earbud Headphones $100 right: Audio-Technica CKM50A Earbuds $60]

EARBUDS: Personally, I've never quite gotten used to earbuds, but the closest I've come is with Shure earbuds. They have amazing sound quality, a comfortable fit, and pack up nicely into a carrying case. If you're looking for mega portable travel headphones these two styles would be perfect. Both the Shures and the Audio Technica come in a range of colors and provide excellent sound for a good price.

[left: Koss Pro4AA Titanium $100 right: Koss PortaPro Headphones $33]

KOSS BRAND: Koss brand headphones are a favorite of mine; they have great sound and are some of the most comfortable headphones out there for a reasonable price. The PortaPros are a very popular style and feature great bass and a fold-up design for easy portability.

[left: Adidas + Sennheiser PMX680 Sport Headphone $46, right: Sennheiser CX380 Sport Series II Noise Isolating Earbuds $32]

SPORT OPTIONS:  These both come from Sennheiser, which is known for their durable high quality headphones. The Adidas ones have an on-cord remote and volume control, as well a comfortable neckband that stays put during running or other fast movement. If you're and earbud fan, try the CX380 style, which features the same sweat and water resistance and high quality sound as the PMX680.



[Urbanears Plattan in Aubergine $60]

FASHION STYLES: Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Urbanears offers three styles of headphones that come in a 14 amazing color options. These headphones make a serious fashion statement and offer good quality sound and comfort for a very reasonable price. Another personal favorite of mine are the Bang & Olufsen Earphones (pictured in the title image). These are perfect for the minimalist, and the wrap around style stays, which stays snug on the ears, is a great lightweight and non-obtrusive option--perfect for wearing under hats or helmets. These also come in a range of great colors and would be a great option for the stylish and sophisticated audiophile.

So, what are your favorite brand/style of headphones?
 
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