Califone Kids Stereo and PC Headphones – Children's headphones for home and school.

There's nothing fancy about these headphones in the sound department. They are created as much for listening to books and movies as they are for music. This tiger design is just one of a series, but seems to be the most popular. Califone does offer the same headphones with both a bear and Panda design, if one of those is more to your child's liking. In addition to their obvious cute appeal, these headphones have some design features that were created with kids in mind. First, they are sized for child-size heads, they come with a volume control, and have an extra long cord. Second, they are tough. The toughness matters because kids have a habit of being a little rougher with their things than we are. It's not deliberate, but stuff happens. Things get dropped or trodden on by mistake. Anyway, mindful of the punishment kids can inflict on their things, Califone has made these headphones with survival in mind. In fact, the warranty covers not only home use for a year, but use at school as well. That's different, because school use voids the warranties of most other headphones. At the end of the day, the real reason to buy these headphones is because your child will love the animal designs. And why not? They will have plenty of time to worry about bass and audio balance when they get a little older.

 

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Koss KSC75 Clip-On Sport Headphones – The best sound for the money when you're on the move.

Whether you're running, jogging, cycling, boarding, in the gym or simply on your daily commute, choosing the best away-from-home headphones is always something of a compromise. - You want the earpieces to stay in place, however much you move around around. - You want to be able to wear a helmet, lean back on a weights bench or take a snooze on the train without dislodging your headphones, or having them jab into your skull, neck or ears. - You want your headphones to be able to survive a little sweat or a sudden rain shower. - You want great sound, so you can get the best from the tracks on your iPod or other player. - You want them to be able to take a little punishment, and not break the first time your drop them, sit on them or drop them into your bag. - And you want all this for a reasonable price because you know you might lose them. Enter the Koss KSC75 Clip-On Sport Headphones. They not only have a following of brutal, energetic users who swear by them, but are also the favorite choice of serious music fans who love the fact that you get such a great sound for such a low price. My own pair is a huge improvement on what I had before. I particularly appreciate how the clips keep the earpieces snug against my ears. And I like that the cord is a little longer than average, so I don't get that tugging on my ears, even if I have my iPod in a jacket with low pockets. These are still a compromise, because you're not getting the sound quality you can get from a much more expensive set of headphones. But for sport headphones, at what is close to a throw-away price, this is about as good as it gets. The Deal: Get your Koss KSC75 Clip-On Sport Headphones from Amazon for $16.28.

 

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Koss Cobalt Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – Wireless, behind-the-head collapsible headphones.

The Koss Cobalt may be just what you are looking for if you want a pair of bluetooth headphones that are collapsible, stay firmly on your head and work with your computer, DVD player, mp3 player and many cell phones. The Coblalt comes with two separate transmitters, one with a USB for your computer and perhaps a portable DVD player, and the other transmitter is for your iPod, other mp3 player or cell phone. For use with your phone, these Koss headphones come with an inbuilt microphone. One nice feature is that these are behind-the-head headphones, so they stay securely in place, whatever you are doing. But they are also collapsible, so you can put them in your pocket or purse. The Cobalt package includes the headphones, audio transmitter, USB audio dongle, USB charging cable, AC charging adapter, and audio extension cable. If anything goes wrong, it is covered by the Koss No Questions Asked Lifetime Warranty. The Deal: Get your Koss Cobalt Wireless Bluetooth Headphones from Amazon for $299.99.

 

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Sony MDR-XD200 Stereo Headphones – Comfortable headphones for music, gaming and movies.

These Sony headphones are great for home entertainment, whether you are listening to music, playing a video game or watching TV or movies. They are not wireless, but have a 10 foot cable giving you plenty of room to sit back and enjoy. They even have a switch on the earcups which you adjust according to whether you are listening to music or watching movies. Feedback from people who have these headphones suggest they are great value for the money. And almost everyone comments on how comfortable they are. One last tip...the earcup fit is really soft, which makes these perfect for anyone who wears glasses. Headphone manufacturers don't seem to think about this much, but pressure on the ears can push the top of the ear against the arm of one's glasses and get really uncomfortable. If you want great sound for your home entertainment, and want headphones that are comfortable enough to wear for hours on end, you won't go far wrong with Sony MDR-XD200 Stereo Headphones. The Deal: Get your Sony MDR-XD200 Stereo Headphones from Amazon for $28.22.

 

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q-JAYS Dual Armature IEM Earphones – The smallest in-ear headphones you'll find.

They are small, but the q-JAYS deliver amazing audio quality. Plus they do a great job of sound isolation for when you're traveling or in some other noisy environment. And they are so light you'll love them for sport, travel and just relaxing with your favorite tunes. Jays may not be a big brand name among other headphone manufacturers like Sony, Bose and Sennheiser. But if you find yourself sitting next to a true audiophile one day, he or she will know about Jays headphones and earphones. The q-Jays are tiny, but include dual micro-armatures and an AirBooster than deepens the bass. I know, it sounds weird talking about something this tiny producing a deep, rich bass...but they do. When you buy your q-jays you get quite a package: q-JAYS Dual Armature Earphones I-shaped extension cord, 90 cm (~35 inch) L-shaped extension cord, 90 cm (~35 inch) 7 Pairs of Silicone Rubber Sleeves (L, 2 x M, 2 x S, XS, XXS) 1 Pair of Foam Sleeves 4 Pairs of Canal Filters Airline Stereo Adapter - for listening to in-flight entertainment systems Stereo Splitter - Used when listening two persons to the same sound source Leather Carrying Case And a user Guide As you can see, you get a lot of choices when it comes to the size of sleeves. This is a great feature as many in-ear headphone makers have yet to figure out the huge range of sizes in our ear canals. This is an area when the more choices you get, the better the fit you'll find. And the better the fit, the better the sound quality and the greater the comfort. These are not inexpensive, but they deliver amazing sound and both customers and professional audio critics agree that they are an excellent buy. The Deal: Get your q-JAYS Dual Armature in-ear headphones at Amazon for $189.99.

 

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Sennheiser HD 202 Headphones – Excellent over-the-head headphones for a good price.

These are full-size or circumaural headphones. (Circumaural simply means that the ear cups fully enclose your ears, instead of just pressing onto them.) The circumaural design gives you a certain amount of noise isolation, so while Sennheiser HD 202 headphones don't have any noise-canceling technology, you'll find that they naturally block out a fair amount of ambient noise. Beyond that, these are excellent headphones. The sound fidelity is excellent, although not a match for models in much higher price brackets. We're featuring them here simply because they are so highly praised by the toughest audience of all – the people who have bought them. Customer reviews are very positive and point to the high sound quality, particularly given that the Sennheiser HD 202 headphones are very reasonably priced. One other nice feature is that they come with a 10 foot cable with a wind-up belt clip. So you can move around a little if you are using them with your computer or even your TV. The Deal: Buy you Sennheiser HD 202 headphones at Amazon for just $24.93.

 

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Grado SR60 Headphones – Audiophile quality headphones for less than you'd imagine.

You won't find Grado headphones in many retail stores. They are not a "big brand" in terms or filling shelf space in local malls. But the name is very well known to serious music lovers around the world. Grado headphones are a favorite among audiophiles everywhere. They have some very expensive models for true aficionados. But they also have the Grado SR60, which include most of the high-end technology and design from their more expensive models, but are available at a very reasonable price. In fact, the price is more than competitive with many of the mass produced headphone models you can find in your local mega store. If you want to upgrade to a higher quality set of headphones, but don't have the budget to go crazy on your purchase, I can recommend the Grado SR60. The Deal: Get your Grado SR60 headphones from Amazon for $69.00.

 

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V-MODA Vibe Duo Earbuds/Headset – The perfect headphones for your iPhone.

As music players and cell phones converge, a new type of headphone is emerging – offering great sound quality for listening to music, and the functionality necessary to take phone calls. That's what the "Duo" is about. V-MODA Vibe Duo Earbuds are designed to fulfill both functions – great audio quality for your music and easy hands-free control for your phone calls. These are not inexpensive and you can by headphones for your iPhone or iPod that are cheaper. But V-MODA Vibe Duo Earbuds are beautifully made, very stylish, and they deliver excellent sound quality...from deep bass to beautiful highs. A discreet mic and call button are built into the cord, so you can quickly switch from audio to phone mode and back. The V-MODA Vibe Duo Earbuds come with silicon sleeves in three different sizes, to fit all ear sizes. A close fit in your ear canal and some noise cancelling technology mean you can enjoy your music and calls with little interference from ambient noise. V-Moda is heavily into fashion, as well as audio, which is why these earbuds look sharp and are popular among those for whom earbuds and headsets are more than just functional tools. It's OK to want to look good too! The Deal: Get your V-MODA Vibe Duo Earbuds/Headset from Amazon for $97.45.

 

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Klipsch Image X5 Sound Isolating Earphones – For outstanding audio quality and a comfortable earbud fit.

There are a few reasons why you might want to treat yourself to a pair of Klipsch Image X5 Sound Isolating Earphones. First, the sound is excellent - well balanced and detailed, with a surprisingly strong performance at the bass end. If you have big speakers in your home or car, it's a little counter-intuitive to imagine you can get great sound from earphones this tiny, especially the bass. But you can, and these Klipsch earbuds really deliver. Also the Klipsch Image X5 are very comfortable. They come with three sizes of sleeves and fit well in even the smallest ear canals. This is good news for a lot of people who do have smaller ear canals and find most in-ear headphones to be very uncomfortable. And the sound isolating quality is good too. Great for noisy environments, it means you can enjoy your music without having to crank the volume up too high. As for the price, it's pretty steep. But music lovers are coming to terms with the fact that for the best audio, you usually need to spend more on the headphones than you did on the player itself. Strange, but true. The Deal: Get your Klipsch Image X5 Sound Isolating Earphones from Amazon for $249.99.

 

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Shure MPA-3C Music Phone Adapter for the iPhone – Now you can use your favorite audio headphones with your music phone.

If you have an iPhone, you already know that the recessed headphone jack doesn't work with your regular audio headphones. And of course, your audio headphones don't have a mic or phone controls. The answer is simply to get the Shure MPA-3C Music Phone Adapter, and you're good to go. Plug one end of the adapter into your iPhone (it also works with other music phones), then plug your regular audio headphones into the other end. Presto...you now have an iPhone compatible set of headphones, and can listen to your music and use the controls and mic on the Shure MPA-3C to make and answer calls. This is a great way to upgrade from the earbuds that came with your music phone, without having to replace your favorite set of headphones. The Deal: Get the Shure MPA-3C Music Phone Adapter from Amazon for $31.44.

 

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Pioneer SE-DIR800C HDPH Dolby Digital 5.1 Wireless Headphones – For TV and home audio.

These Pioneer headphones up the ante in the area of wireless headphones for home audio and TV. Whether you are watching TV or listening to music, these headphones give you a level of audio quality that just hasn't been available before with a set of wireless headphones. In addition, the Pioneer SE-DIR800C HDPH features Dolby Headphone Processing. This includes: - Support for Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Surround formats, with a transmission range of up to 25 feet. - Produces up to 5 virtual loudspeakers in your head to create an immersive surround experience. - Small, medium, and large "virtual room" presets based on acoustical measurements of actual rooms. In other words, you get access to the same amazing Dolby surround-sound experience you enjoy when you go to the movies. These Pioneer headphones use infrared technology, so you do have to be within line of sight of the transmitter. And the range is only about 25 feet. So these aren't designed for roaming around the house and garden. But they are perfect for sitting down and listening to music, watching a movie or concert, and just enjoying surround-sound TV. The Deal: Get your Pioneer SE-DIR800C HDPH Dolby Digital 5.1 Wireless Headphones at Amazon for $266.11. (They go for up to $400 elsewhere.)

 

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Sony Mdr-222KD Children's Headphones – Pink headphones for your little princess.

Children often get a raw deal when it comes to headphones, getting hand-downs from older siblings or the no-name headphones that came with their player. With the Sony Mdr-222KD headphones, you can treat your child to something a little better. These kid's headphones are small, specifically designed for children's heads, and have a volume-controlling feature that ensures your child's hearing is protected. You may recognize the basic design from the original Sony Walkman headphones. Their construction is pretty much the same, right down to the not-so-great audio quality. If your child is a musician in the making, she might complain about the lack of bass these headphones provide. More likely, she'll appreciate the pink finish and the comfortable fit. As a parent you can relax in the knowledge that whether these are being used with an mp3 player, a DVD player or with a computer or laptop, the volume will never get high enough to damage your child's hearing. The Deal: Get your Sony Mdr-222KD headphones from Amazon for just $14.99.

 

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Audio-Technica ATH-EW9 Lightweight Cherry Wood Clip-on Headphones for your iPod.

There are several reasons to want a pair of these remarkable headphones. First of all, they are made from lightweight Japanese Hokkaido Cherry wood. In a world of mass produced goods, where everything is made from molded plastic and metal alloys, it's a rare treat to find something that is both hi-tech and also made from a beautiful polished wood. The wood is very light and contributes to the super-comfortable feel of these headphones. You can wear them for hours without any discomfort. That's pretty rare with headphones that clip on over your ears. The earpieces are mounted on adjustable earclips, allowing you to fine tune the fit on both sides. Another reason to get the Audio-Technica ATH-EW9 is that the sound is simply wonderful. Not so great if you are into hip-hop or heavy metal, but a highly detailed sound for classical music, rock, country, R&B, blues, jazz and just about anything else. These will be a real treat for when you're on the move with your iPod or other mp3 player. The Deal: Get your Audio-Technica ATH-EW9 clip-on Headphones at Amazon for $134.47.

 

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iHearSafe Earbuds – Safe headphones for kids.

When you buy an mp3 player for your child, chances are he or she listens to music with the earbuds that came free with the player. The danger is that children crank up the volume to a level that can cause progressive and permanent damage to their hearing. According to the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks, "Regularly listening to personal music players at high-volume settings when young often has no immediate effect on hearing but is likely to result in hearing loss later in life." As parents we can hear when the TV volume is too high. But we can't hear the volume being pumped through our children's earbuds. Which is why these iHearSafe earbuds are such a great idea. Whether your child is plugged into an mp3 player, computer, video player or even a cell phone, these earbuds limit the volume to 80 dB or less. So whatever they are listing to, the volume will never be high enough to cause damage to their hearing. The Deal: Get iHearSafe Earbuds for your children, or for yourself, at Amazon for just $19.99.

 

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Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones – More secure than earbuds, but not as intrusive as ear-canal headphones.

With Bose you expect that the sound quality is going to be good. In that regard, the Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones don't disappoint. The sound is rich, with a broad range and deep on the bass. But the real difference here is how these headphones fit in your ears. If you are one of the many people who want an earphone fit that is more secure than a regular earbud, but doesn't intrude deep into your ear canal, these are the headphones for you. The Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones are unusual in that they fit neatly into the opening of your ear canals, without going in too far. In a way, they offer the best of both worlds – more secure than earbuds and less intrusive than true in-ear headphones. This also makes the Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones one of the only in-ear headphones that are safe to use when out running or cycling. The fact that they don't fit deep into your ear canals means they have very little in the way of noise-reducing qualities. So you can use them on the street or other public places without having to worry about not being able to hear what's happening around you. One complaint people had with the first model was that the silicon sleeves kept falling off the earpieces. That problem has now been fixed. (You get three sets of silicon sleeves, S, M and L, so you can use the size that best fits your ears.) Overall, the sound is great, they are super-comfortable and are well loved by the people who own them. The Deal: Get your Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones at Amazon for $99.95

 

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Skullcandy SC-BHESH07 Hesh Headphones – Big sound, big bass and big around your ears.

Think big, loud music...throw in some skating, snow boarding and surfing. Think the opposite of the Bose and Sony technicians in their white lab coats. Skullcandy headphones are about the look, the sound and the people who wear them. The sound is delivered by 50mm drivers, which are about as big as you'll get in a pair of headphones. Sound-boosting parabolic ear-cups then intensify the sound and give you studio quality music. Are they better than similar Bose or Sennheiser headphone models at about the same price? There probably isn't a great deal of difference in the sound quality. But that's not the point.  You don't buy Skullcandy headphones because you've been comparing them with Sony headphones. You buy Skullcandy headphones because you want them. The Deal: Get your Skullcandy SC-BHESH07 Hesh Headphones from Amazon for $44.79.

 

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Sennheiser PMX70 Sport Line Stereo Neckband Headphones (If you like green headphones).

These are excellent sport headphones for anyone who isn't 100% confident that their in-ear headphones or earbuds will stay in place while running, jumping and exercising. This neckband model makes absolutely sure that the earpieces stay firmly in place. Users love these headphones for a variety of sports. They are very light, the sound is great and they are also water resistant for those rainy days. The only problem being reported so far is that if you use them on a bench for weightlifting, pressure on the back of the neckband can push the earpieces out of place. Oh, and one other thing. They come only in neon green. So if you can't stand the color, don't pass Go. And that's true for the entire Sennheiser sport line. They are all the same color. Which is a little weird. The bottom line for the Sennheiser PMX70 is that they are the perfect choice for anyone who wants to be absolutely sure that their earpieces stay firmly in place, however rigorous your exercise program may be. The Deal: Get your Sennheiser PMX70 Sport Headphones at Amazon for just $34.99.

 

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Bang & Olufsen A8 Earphones – High quality, adjustable ear clip headphones for sport and daily use.

If you know audio, you know the name Bang & Olufsen. The company has a long history of creating quality audio products. And now here they are with a decidedly different looking set of mp3 headphones. B&O A8 Earphones are constructed with anodised aluminum and hard rubber. As for the look, it's hard to categorize. Not quite retro, not really up-to-the-moment either. But being different counts for something. Runners and joggers love these headphones because that unusual looking over-the-ear clip is adjustable. In fact, each element is adjustable to some degree. This means you can adjust each one to provide the perfect, custom fit. A snug and secure fit for the earpieces means that the quality of the audio is consistent, and you won't have to worry about movement or loss of audio quality as you run, jog or cycle. Music lovers rave about these headphones, with the minor proviso that they may not be for you if you are addicted to bass. But for the rest of us, they breathe new life into our enjoyment of portable music. These are not inexpensive, but they do come with a 3-year warranty and a nice leather carrying case. The Deal: Get your Bang & Olufsen A8 Earphones from Amazon for $72.00. (You'll find them priced as high as $100 elsewhere.)

 

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Headphones Guide: How to choose sport headphones that suit your exercise routines, and keep you safe.

Sport headphones need to be chosen carefully, according to a number of different factors. Certainly, there are plenty of choices available and a wide range of prices. But you can narrow down the options by thinking a little about the nature of your sport or exercise, and some of your own preferences. Also, keep in mind that whatever your preferred exercise routine, your headphones won't be giving you the same quality of sound as you expect from your home headphones. There are always outside noises that will interfere, plus the sounds you make yourself as you exercise. Sport headphones are a compromise – combining good sound quality, plus lightness, comfort, and the ability to stay in position. Here are a couple of the questions you want to ask yourself. 1. Do regular earbuds stay in your ears? Or do they fall out if you move about too much? If you are among the luck few for whom earbuds will stay in your ears regardless of your head position, these can be a good choice for when running or cycling. If, however, earbuds have a habit of falling out of position, then you can look at earpieces that are better designed to stay in place. Options here include over-the-head headphones, neckband headphones, earclip and ear harness headphones and so on. Each of these designs ensures that the earpiece stays in place. 2. Do you exercise outside, on the street or on public pathways? If you run, jog or cycle on public streets or on designated trails in parks, there is a safety issue. You need to be able to hear passing cars, cyclists, pedestrians and other people around you. So when you choose your sport headphones, stay away from any kind of headphone with sound-isolating qualities. In other words, if you exercise in public places, don't wear in-ear headphones, also known as ear-canal headphones. It may be tempting, because the sound quality is generally better, and with the right fit they will stay in place as your exercise. But because they fill your ear canal, they can leave you vulnerable, simply because you won't be able to hear passing vehicles or spoken warnings from those around you. If you work out in a gym, this is less of a problem. For an idea of the various styles available, check out our sport headphones category.

 

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JayBird JB-200i Bluetooth Headphones for your iPod – Great for the gym and outdoors.

 

If you're looking for wireless iPod headphones, you may have found just what you're looking for with the JayBird JB-200i. These Bluetooth headphones are designed for use with your iPod and are perfect for when you're exercising in the gym or simply walking, running or cycling outdoors. Sound quality is good, although the bass response is not great. Also, because the JayBird JB-200i clips over your ears, you'll never get quite the same quality as you will with in-ear headphones. That said, the sound is plenty good enough for when you want to be out and about. (Back at home you have full-size audio headphones for high-quality listening, right?) The JayBird JB-200i comes with a transmitter that plugs directly into your iPod, and you can roam up to about 30 feet before losing the signal. The earpieces are very light, with a low profile, and they are water and sweat resistant. There are three buttons on the right earpiece: one that plays and pauses music as well as starts and end calls, and two more that alternate between volume controls (long press) and track shuttle keys (short press). If you are looking for wireless iPod headphones, the JayBird JB-200i is well worth trying out. (You get a 30-day return guarantee.) The Deal: Get your JayBird JB-200i-01 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones for just $136.94 at Amazon.

 

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