ClarityOne™ earphones aim to deliver the clearest, truest, best sound on the market today. Developed out of the belief that better speakers are needed to accurately reproduce what the artist has recorded. The technology for sound reproduction has not had any major advancement in decades. It took 12 years, 6-patents with more pending, but they believe they have come up with the perfect solution, enter the PureSound Processor and the ClarityOne™ earphones. Here is the short version of how they do this.

“Your music is a signal. Every other speaker in the world is made the same, based on ideas dating back to before there were cars. When your player sends the signal to your earbuds a field is built around the voice coil and it robs you of harmonics, volume and creates distortion. Our patented processor holds this field in a magnetic gap and does not allow it to alter the signal in any way so you have all the music that was recorded in perfect Clarity. The industry benchmark for testing this is a square wave test. The reason is the only a square wave has all harmonics and the associated sub harmonics. We are THE ONLY audio reproduction company that can achieve this and promise perfect sound quality. Square wave in, square wave out. A bonus is that it actually makes your players battery last longer because we can use 8 ohms, less resistance, and we have no counter EMF back to your player.” - ClarityOne

This is breakthrough technology. The earphones sound incredibly clean - So clean they make you question what you have heard from every single earphone you have previously spent time with. The difference is so shocking its hard to even make comparisons in the same price bracket, in fact, the general feel of Electrostatics and Magna-planers is the closest I can come.

PureSound Processor - IEMs may never be the same!

The PureSound Processor circuit provides an economical solution for achieving perfect phase unity between amplifiers and multiple driver systems, it is not a crossover, it is a coupling unit. Unlike traditional crossovers, PureSound Processor´s patented technology cancels out the Counter EMF and at the same time provides a two way magnetic brake on the voice coil which “couple” it to the amplifier, therefore allowing it to operate freely with no added distortions allowing for pure sound to enter the system (at Crossover) and pure sound to exit (to the speaker).

The sound signature is a gentle smile curve with tons of bottom end and a rich cool feel to the mids and highs. Talking about sound with this product is tough because they really do sound very different, really open and spacious. The result is a very natural sweet sound which is really quite compelling. The worst part is going back to your original earphones, I have what I consider to be very good earphones but it is just not possible to feel that the ClarityOnes’s are anything other than a huge step forward.

“Modern day speakers use a simple voice coil or a single coil crossover, a technology that was developed almost a century ago. Its original design was for electric motors. Early audio engineering pioneers found a way they could make it work in a new speaker design at the time but in doing so they also created audio’s greatest Achilles heel. The reason is that all audio signals that go through a voice coil or a coil crossover are subject to interference. We know of this evil as distortion and loss of harmonics or your sound.” - ClarityOne

ClarityOne™ aim to test all traditionally accepted limits of technical beliefs and design, they say they didn’t want to create just good headphones, they wanted to create the best headphones ever. ClarityOne™ are well aware that sound is a very subjective area, the best IEM in the world is a noble goal, at the moment they will have to be happy with possibly revolutionising the market.

More Information

More information on the full range of ClarityOne™ can be found here.

STAX Earspeakers return with a new range of their world famous STAX Electrostatic headphones for 2011

Founded in 1938, originally manufacturing high frequency condenser microphones and later Record Player cartridges, in 1960 STAX launched the Electrostatic Earspeaker with the STAX SR-1 and has been building amazing headphones ever since.

Electrostatic Technology

Electrostatic drivers consist of a very thin electrically charged diaphragm, typically stretched and coated polyethylene terephthalate (a unique STAX polymer formula) is used for its high tensile strength to create the membrane. This is suspended between two perforated metal plates (the electrodes), when an electrical sound signal is applied to the electrodes, creating an electrical field, the diaphragm is drawn towards one of the plates depending on the polarity of the field. Air is then forced through the perforations, when combined with the continuously fluctuating electrical signal driving the membrane a sound wave is generated.

Due to the extremely thin diaphragm membrane, which is only a few micrometers thick, the frequency response of electrostatic headphones usually extends far beyond the normal human hearing range of up to 20kHz. The high frequency response means that the low mid band distortion level is maintained right to the top of our audible frequency band. The peaks regularly seen in higher frequency regions with moving coil drivers is almost completely absent with the result being much more stable and accurate sound reproduction.

Electrostatic headphones are powered  by a special amplifier that is required to create the signal to deflect the membrane and needs electrical potential in the range of 100 to 1000 volts, these are often referred to as energisers. With this amount of power in proximity to a user’s head the usual method of making this safe is to limit the possible fault current to a low value with resistors.

What do they sound like?

Well, they sound great! Fast and fluid with superb separation - it is this separation of the instruments which really provides the difference between dynamic headphones and Electrostatics. You have the same sense of space normally associated with open backs but each instrument really feels contained in its own bubble, the incredible detail gives the sharpest image that seems vivid and realistic, strangely natural in its lack of grain. The precision of the sound, their natural airy feel and the sculptural solidity they give to instruments lends itself to Classical music, Vocal and Choral music, Folk and Acoustic and Jazz. Classic Rock and Pop mostly work well but the Contemporary love of heavy limiting and compression means many recent recordings have too little space and punch too hard to take advantage of the subtlety on offer.

STAX New range for 2011

This is the biggest shake up of the STAX range for a very long time. New features include -

-10 position ratchet adjustment on headband   (SR-507 Only)

-New Diaphragm assembly (higher resolution)

-Casing is now a less resonant resin formula

-Sheepskin cushions   (SR-507 Only)

Basic System SRS-2170-This is a combination of the SR-207 Earspeaker and SRM-252S compact size Driver unit. The SR-207 employs the same elements developed for the new Lambda Series. The LC-OFC cable of the SR207 gives clear high-frequency sound and lowered capacitance. The SRM-252S Driver unit incorporates an all-stage balanced circuit DC amplifier configuration despite its diminutive size.

Classic System SRS-3170- This is a standard combination of SR-307and SRM-323S with all-stage direct-coupled balanced output. The SR-307 has a completely new diaphragm, now sharing more features with the Signature System there has been a fundamental change of specification, low capacity PC-OCC cable, gold plated terminals and open air enclosure all appear in the Classic System.

Signature System SRS-4170- This is the high-quality combination of the SR-407 Earspeaker and the SRM-006tS Driver unit with balanced input. The SR-407 features the same membrane technology as the SR-507, the top model of the lambda series. The SRM-006tS Driver unit with balanced input boasts a fully balanced circuit configuration from input to output through the custom made double-axis 4-gang volume controller.

More Information

For more information on the STAX Earspeakers range please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

ACS have completely redesigned their T1 triple driver Custom In Ear Monitor for 2010, below is our review of this exciting new earphone.

At the top end is a combined unit providing specific drivers for the highs and mids engineered into a single unit with an ultra-compact crossover optimising the response for each, this is then combined with a clear and powerful bass driver to deliver rich and full-bodied bottom end. All driver builds are hand-made and individually tested by the technicians in Banbury to ensure that each configuration is a perfect fit.

Using carefully selected drivers from Knowles Electronics the T1 utilises a combined unit with independent high and mid-range speakers to give the optimum definition, clarity and punch without being overbearing. Next to this, the T1 engages the biggest bass driver in the range providing rich, smooth and deep bass that perfectly compliments its partner drivers. The finishing touches to the T1’s sound are applied by two acoustic filters giving a smooth and balanced signature.

Fit and flexibility

The shape of your ear canal changes with the movement of your jaw and having a flexible earpiece not only gives you the obvious benefits of greater comfort but also helps to maintain a more consistent seal, particularly during vocal performances. Not only that, but using a softer compound means that your monitors warm to body temperature more quickly giving you complete comfort, flexibility and isolation in just a few minutes.

Tailored from top to bottom

Making sure that the right cable is used to deliver your sound is as important as every other aspect in the design of in ear monitors so ACS make sure they are just as well thought out. Starting with the best conductive core they then add kevlar threads for strength and flexibility, each cable is sheathed with a special finish that reduces the transmission of friction noise to the earpieces so there’s as little interference as possible. The cable is then clamped at the Y divide with a custom pressed lengthened binder to give it extra strength where you need it most. Finally, each cable is finished with a custom moulded right-angled plug offering high levels of resilience as well as quality with a gold-plated 3.5mm connector and iPhone compatible shoulder design.

All in the detail

It’s the finishing touches that make every pair of hand-made monitors completely unique from a choice of cable colours to a selection of bespoke silicone finishes. Every monitor can be laser etched with lettering or logo of your choice and is supplied in a customised rugged case to ensure your monitors are protected wherever you might travel.

Your ears on file…

ACS has introduced of a new state of the art scanning technology that means all customers that order custom made hearing protection and in-ear monitoring products from ACS will have their ear shape on file at ACS for up to 4 years. The device will scan the impressions and save as a file on the database so customers can order new products or replacements instantly without the need to have new impressions taken. What’s more, this service will not cost customers anything extra on top of the standard product charge!

The scanning service began on May 1st 2010 so will only apply to customers that ordered thereafter.

ACS T1 Custom IEM Review

What do you get for your money?

Options - Silicone and cable colour
Audiologist appointment for impressions
Ear impressions kept on file
Personalised options - Engraved name / logo
Excellent hardcase

Comfort - Soft silicone helps make the T1 incredibly comfortable, though not immediately. In the first few minutes after insertion they feel weird and intrusive, however this sensation quickly evaporates and within the half hour they feel like a part of your body. Eventually when you remove them it is as if you have lost a finger.

Sound

The ACS T1 reproduces each section of the audio spectrum with subtlety and confident definition. The isolation provided by the medical grade silicon is second to none so nothing gets between you and the music. I gave the T1’s a good 50 hours burn in time which made a significant difference from new.

Bass - There is weight and texture in their reproduction of the bottom end, providing the sensation that the bass notes really move with emotion, that kick drums punch the chest, and that kettle drums and low toms feel full but don’t linger. Bass is felt as tough and visceral in nature, articulate and involving. It is continually enjoyable that they describe so much detail in the lower register - whilst being beefy and solid there is no flab to trim here.

Midrange - A sweet spot here, forward and detailed in their presentation of this part of frequency spectrum, the midrange is a wide powerful backdrop against which the treble is layered carefully over the top. Vocals are sweet, dry and emotional, guitars and strings impressive and never woody, pianos feel real, and horns are particularly vivid without becoming oppressive. I initially worried this power would become fatiguing, but actually the balance is really good and listening compulsive so I really don’t want to remove them from my ears. Make no mistake - the T1’s faithfully reproduce every detail and go about it very boldly.

Treble - Immediately noticeable were the slightly rolled-off highs. The T1’s reproduce treble frequencies faithfully and they do not feel recessed - but some tracks which are normally painfully bright were really tamed. I’m not sure how this is achieved without total relegation of the treble frequencies to the background but there is something very clever at work here. Cymbals and high-hats still cut through and articulate well without becoming harsh and overbearing. To my ears this felt odd at first, I like music bright but I could not detect a loss in detail. As I listened further this initial subjective impression faded as I just really started enjoying the music.

The new ACS T1 is an impressive piece of sonic engineering. With it’s chunky but measured bass, a revealing and solid midrange coupled with a detailed and delicate top end you get the impression the technicians listened to a lot of IEM’s and a lot of peoples criticisms of them. Nothing here feels overcooked and there is no sense that you are missing anything either, the longer I listen the more impressed I become. There is excitement and finesse here in measures that scream musicality.

Stereo imaging - The other point worth mentioning is that they image about as well as I’ve ever heard from any IEM. The music pans through the corridor of Left to Right without stutter, there is a natural ease which stops you from questioning the position of a sound, thereby preventing distraction. The T1’s provide each instrument with it’s own space without completely isolating elements and preventing detailed harmonic interaction. Everything sounds highly intimate and emotional without resorting to the sort of fireworks which detract from the music itself.

Professional application - The first job that the T1’s were invited on was the recording of a live performance music video for a seven piece soul band. I knew it would be a noisy affair as the video part would mean a lot of extra people in the room. There was to be no audience which I initially was pleased with - later I realised the T1’s isolation was so good it wouldn’t have mattered how many screaming folks filled the venue. I took a pair of HD 25’s and some Beyer DT100’s but never touched either, I’m not sure I’ll even pack them in the future. I’ve since rehearsed drums with them and will not be playing using anything else.

Who uses ACS Customs? - Well quite a lot of musicians as you might expect, Pendulum, Pink Floyd, U2, Lily Allen, The Prodigy, Paulo Nutini, Radiohead, Stephen Fry, Ash, Basement Jaxx, Muse, Ladyhawke, The Futureheads, Super Furry Animals, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and lots of other people - I’m sure you get the idea.

Overall - So whether you are purchasing T1’s as a pro audio monitoring tool or an extremely high end headphone, can you be confident that this is £650 well spent? I think this type of purchase isn’t about a product being perfect (for this we would surely all need our own laboratory), it is more about the elimination of imperfection. What ACS have done is to take a wish list common to both the audiophile and the musician of what is necessary, of what is desirable and what is inexcusable to include in an contemporary IEM and worked very hard to balance these elements with clinical precision. Whilst using the T1’s a colleague recently asked me “What do you think of your new monitors?”, over mouthing the words as he knew I couldn’t really hear him. “Yeah! They’re perfect” I shouted back without thinking.

More Information

To read more about the ACS T1 Custom IEM or the rest of the ACS custom range please visit the HiFi Headphones web store.

CN6BYWX7JBRN

The new Audéo PFE Perfect Bass 012 and 022 from Phonak offer music lovers not only perfect bass, but also an extremely natural and defined sound experience.

Audeo PFE earphones suppress external noise for undisturbed musical enjoyment. This guarantees precise, crystal-clear sound even at lower volume, without causing damage to hearing.

All Audéo PFEs offer excellent sound quality and will bowl you over with comfort and their unique design. The ergonomically-shaped earphones sit perfectly in your ear and can be adapted to your ear canal thanks to the different-sized silicone ear tips included.

Audéo PFE is one of the lightest earphones on the market, weighing only 14 grams.

Our Opinion

We think that £ for Pound this must be a future champ, with improved bottom end grunt the PFE sounds chunkier and more contemporary. Having heard the new Audeo 012 Perfect Bass it is hard to believe that such a refined balanced armature earphone will be on the market for less than £80. They also feature the same updated cabling and strengthened materials found on the Award Winning Audeo PFE 111, 112, 121 and 122.

More Information

For more information on the PFE Perfect Bass and the Phonak range please check out the HiFi Headphones web store.

It appears that the high end portable headphone market has recently become the target for the established serious audio brands, with the B&W P5 gaining some very positive reviews and plenty of high profile press.  Beyerdynamic have obviously done their homework and with the launch of the T50p they look set to make their mark with a stylish design and high end audio performance.

Below are some initial impressions of the T50p.  We’ve also included comparisons with the B&W P5 that we recently had on loan for evaluation.

Sound

Well balanced with plenty of accuracy, the T50p will appeal to those who love to hear all the detail in their music.  The clarity is really very impressive, with excellent instrument separation and wide soundstage for a closed back portable headphone. Bass response is well defined and punchy - much less warm and fuzzy than the B&W P5.

The T50p’s sound signature is no surprise when compared with the rest of the Beyerdynamic line up.  We are big fans of the Beyer sound.

Comfort

The headphones themselves weigh very little and the headband has a soft leather pad that runs over the top of the head to keep the headphones comfortably in place. The T50p is an on-ear design, but pressure is actually quite light and the pads are soft. Not as comfortable as a fully over ear (circumaural) headphones, but a lot more practical for using out and about.

Compared with the B&W P5 the Beyer T50p is a little less soft on the ears (the P5 has large, flat, ultra soft ear pads), but we don’t see comfort being a major issue with the T50p.

Noise Isolation

Listening to the T50p in a noisy office with people chattering nearby the sound isolation is good. The ear pads are sufficiently thick and soft to ensure a good seal on the ears. The T50p would be fine to use as a travel headphone because the closed back design prevents sound leakage in and out of the ear cups.

Design

We love the industrial design of the T50p and prefer it over the more reserved design of the B&W P5.  The T50p is designed and built by hand in Germany, with the quality of workmanship being very evident when you hold the headphones in your hands.

More Information

To read more about the Beyerdynamic T50p or the rest of the Beyerdynamic headphones range please visit the HiFi Headphones web store.

The SoundMAGIC PL11 has pushed the boundaries of what can be expected from an entry level in-ear isolating earphone.  For less than the cost of a Playstation game the PL11 offers high end audio clarity, with enough low end power to satisfy the biggest bass-head.

Looking and feeling like an earphone that comes from one of the established brands, the SoundMAGIC PL11 is a newcomer that deserves a second look.

Sceptical At First

Before we received samples of the SoundMAGIC range to try out we were sceptical about the way they would sound and even more doubtful about build quality.

How wrong we were!  Like the rest of the SoundMAGIC range, the PL11 is very well made and sounds like an earphone with a much higher price tag.  Holding the earphones in your hand you would be mistaken for thinking they are manufactured by one of the well established earphone brands.

SoundMAGIC PL11 with included accessories

Built To Last

With cabling and strain relief that has obviously been thought about by someone who understands how earphones are going to be used, the PL11 is built to a similar specification as high quality brands like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic.

Here at the HiFi Headphones store we have a pretty good idea how well a headphone or earphone is going to last by looking at the strain relief on the cabling.  Over 90% of faulty returns we receive are caused by cabling faults.  In our opinion the PL11 is an earphone we are not going to see returned often.

The SoundMAGIC PL11 has high quality cabling with a rubberized finish for extra durability.  The strain relief is also well thought through, with highly flexible support where the cable enters the earphone body and at the jack plug.

How Do They Sound?

Most importantly, does the SoundMAGIC PL11 sound any good?  Yes, the PL11 sounds superb!  When we first received samples I spent a week listening to the PL11 on my walk to and from the office.   The sound is immediately appealing as there is plenty of warmth at the bottom end and the trebles are well balanced and clear.

The obvious comparison that is going to be made is with the Sennheiser CX300-II.  In many ways the SoundMAGIC PL11 is very similar to the CX300-II, with plenty of bass and a clear high end.  Just like the CX300-II, the PL11 has a slightly recessed midrange, which actually helps reduce long term listening fatigue.

Many headphone brands, including high end headphone manufacturer Grado, are known to drop the midrange frequency response slightly to provide a more enjoyable listening experience.  The reason for this is that the human ear resonates at 2.9Khz, making it particularly sensitive to mid-range treble notes.  If the headphone or earphone is less responsive around this frequency then the ear tires less quickly and you can enjoy your music for longer.

Summary

The SoundMAGIC PL11 is an earphone that is a very enjoyable listen.  Good bass response and a superb degree of resolution at higher freqencies make the PL11 an earphone to be reckoned with.

The sound is similar in some respects to the highly regarded Sennheiser CX300-II and beats the Sennheiser hands down on price.

Good build quality rounds off a well thought out earphone package that we are happy to recommend.

More Information

For the full range of SoundMAGIC Earphones and many other high quality brands please visit the HiFi Headphones store.

If you’ve been following the world of headphones you may have noticed that headphone amplifiers seem to be cropping up more often than ever, but what’s the point?  Do they just increase volume, or is there more to it?

Below are a few good reasons to upgrade your audio setup with a headphone amp.

Ability To Power ‘hard to drive’ Headphones

Some headphones are notoriously hard to power.  A headphone amplifier gives your audio source a boost in output power, which gives the headphones a more full sound, improves bass kick and often makes trebles more defined.

For example the Sennheiser HD650, HD600, HD595 and many Beyerdynamic headphones have relatively high impedance ratings, which mean they need more power than most to drive the headphone speakers.

Interestingly, many lower impedance headphones and earphones (normally the high end models) also appear to benefit from the use of a headphone amplifier.  For example the low impedance Grado GS1000 or Grado RS1 can be easily be driven by a humble iPod, but add a headphone amplifier such as the Grado Slee Solo to the equation and the improvement in sound can be very satisfying.

Avoiding Cheap Headphone Outputs

The headphone output on many portable audio sources, such as iPods, iPhones and laptops, can be very poor indeed.  The electronics used often leave much to be desired and are obviously designed with budget, rather than sound quality, as the major design factor.  A headphone amplifier offers ways to avoid the noisy headphone output completely.

The iPod and iPhone headphone socket can be avoided completely by using a Line Out Dock (LOD) cable.  These cables take the un-amplified line out signal from the 30 pin dock connector provide a way to drive a headphone amplifier with this better quality signal.

Laptop and computer owners can avoid the often breathtakingly bad headphone output with the addition of a Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier.  The DAC is connected to the computer’s USB port and the conversion to analogue audio signal is done well away from the noisy electronics inside the computer.  Some products, such as the iBasso D2, combine a DAC and headphone amp into a single unit.

More Information

For a full range of headphone amplifiers & DACs and iPod & iPhone line out dock cables (LODs), please visit the HiFi Headphones online shop.

We often get asked about earphone and headphone safety here at the HiFi Headphones store.

The question is, are in-ear headphones safe, and do they cause hearing loss or damage?  Especially of concern is the safety of children if they listen with earphones for long periods of time.

In-ear sound isolating earphones (also known as ear canal earphones or in-ear monitors - IEMs) create a seal within the ear canal that blocks out external noise. The concern is whether ear canal earphones cause sound pressure levels that are too high and therefore cause hearing damage. Below is our opinion on the subject.

Poor Fitting Ear Buds

If you listen with badly fitting earbuds, such the standard iPod ear buds, then there is a tendency to increase volume to drown out external noises. This means you are exposing your ears to unnecessarily high sound pressure levels.

If you wear correctly fitted ear canal headphones that seal out external noise you have a lower volume delivered to your ear drum as you are not competing with the external noise.

De-Sensitisation Of Your Ears

A good way to illustrate this is the example of listening to the radio while driving a car on a long journey. Because of the external road noise you gradually turn the volume up and up to drown it out. The following day you come back to your car parked on the street, turn the key and get quite a shock when you hear how loud the radio is. While you were driving the previous day your ears became de-sensitised to the increases in volume level. This is what happens with poorly fitting earphones.

Air Tight Seal - does it create too much pressure?

So, if it’s true that ear canal earphone form an “air-tight seal” then surely no matter what level the volume is the pressure between the earphone and the ear membrane has nowhere to release itself and is, therefore, dangerous to the fragile ear membrane?

No, not at all. Your eardrum experiences pressure differences all the time - that’s how it works! When a sound wave hits your eardrum, it causes a momentary increase in air pressure on that side of the eardrum, which causes the eardrum to move and the volume of the sound you hear is proportional to the pressure. Your eardrum can’t tell whether the pressure it experiences is due to a speaker 3 metres away or an earphone transducer 1cm away, and it doesn’t really matter - the only real difference is that the transducer is only having to move a very small volume of air to get the same effect as the speaker moving a very large volume of air.

If you were to seal a full size bass driver in an airtight seal to your eardrum and turn that on then yes, you could massively over pressurise the eardrum - but the miniature transducer in an ear canal earphone only moves tiny distances by comparison, and so it only introduces tiny changes in pressure.

Headphone Safety Summary

Exposure to high sound pressure levels for any period of time can permanently damage your hearing. Obviously you should always take care when listening with headphones or earphones. Many famous musicians have admitted that they have permanently damaged their ears by listening to headphones in studios for extended periods of time at unnecessarily high volume levels.

Our opinion is that a good quality set of ear canal earphones that fit well are safer than a poorly fitting set of standard iPod ear buds.

More Information

For more information on the different types of headphones and earphones please see our Headphone Buying Guides or visit the HiFi Headphones online store for a huge range of in ear headphones.

How about an alternative to all this expensive HiFi? Imagine owning an audio setup that sounds like it costs thousands of pounds, but actually costs just a few hundred! It’s actually really simple. It’s no secret that the budget route to achieving sonic excellence is via headphones. You really do get dramatically more ‘bang for your buck’ with headphones.

Take for example the Sennheiser HD650’s Audiophile series headphones. These headphones are widely regarded as the ultimate pair of Sennheisers! The Sennheiser HD650’s have an RRP of £329 (approx $650) and you can find them for less than £250 (approx $500). Where would you find a pair of truly audiophile speakers for that kind of money?

Sennheiser HD650 Headphones

Yes, you can spend thousands of pounds on headphones, but for normal HiFi listening a pair of £300 headphones can offer astonishing levels of detail and audio dynamics. Paired with a good quality headphone amplifier you enter a world of high fidelity audio that would normally cause serious financial trauma.

Take a look at our broad range of high quality HiFi headphones from Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, Grado and many other top brands at the HiFi Headphones store.

If like many iPod owners you’ve imagined that your standard headphones are pretty good, then you really have been missing out! Unfortunately Apple chose to supply relatively poor quality ear bud earphones with their little musical marvel. There is a level of detail and audio clarity that is simply missing with these standard issue earphones. We would always recommend upgrading the standard iPod headphones to something with a more musical punch.

So what are the iPod headphone upgrade options? Below are a some ideas:

Sennheiser MX 500 ear bud headphones

If you must stick with ear bud headphones then the Sennheiser MX 500’s give good performance and are very competitively priced.

Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 Studio Sound Isolating earphones

The audio quality on these sound isolating ‘ear canal’ headphones is light years ahead of the standard iPod ear buds. The Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 Studio headphones give a smooth, even response across the entire audio range and decently-articulate mids and highs. Their bigger brother the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Studio’s have even better high end response.

AKG K 26 P foldable headband headphones

The AKG K 26 P’s offer an alternative to the normal in ear varieties, with a neat and tidy foldable head band. The bass responses on these headphones is truly astonishing! The convenient design and killer sound make the AKG K26 P’s a serious contender for best portable headphones at this price point.

Considering an iPod can set you back hundreds of pounds (or euros, dollars, etc), it really is worth investing a little bit extra in a decent set of headphones.

For a huge range of headphones and earphones for the iPod and much more please visit the Hifi Headphone online store.