beats

I had the pleasure of reviewing the Monster Beats by Dre headphones back in 2008 and was excited when Monster recently sent me a pair of Beats Solo HD ($230) over-ear headphones to check out. Truth be told, I'm already a Monster fan (with a pair of Heartbeats still taking top billing on my wish list), and it only took a few listens to convince me that these ultra-portable cans were superior to all the other headphones I've owned.

What makes these headphones so fab? Well, if the celeb musician endorsements don't do it for you — Will.i.Am and Katie Holmes are fans — then feeling like you're in a sound studio will. The over-ear cushions keep outside noises out so all you hear is the bumping bass and clear highs of your favorite tunes . . . just like they were designed to be heard.

Find out why else I'd throw down my cold, hard cash for a pair of Solo HDs (and one reason I wouldn't) when you read more

As if I needed another reason to talk about Lady Gaga, it turns out she's planning to become quite the regular in the tech scene. In addition to last year's collaboration with Beats by Dr. Dre to produce the in-ear headphones seen in her "Bad Romance" video, she's the newest creative director for Polaroid! The film and camera company just announced she'll be serving as creative director for a specialty line of Polaroid Imaging products. She'll be speaking on behalf of the company at CES on Thursday morning. "Lifestyle, music, art, fashion: I am so excited to extend myself behind the scenes as a designer, and to as my father puts it — finally, have a real job," she said in a press release.

Speaking of Beats by Dr. Dre, Billboard magazine is reporting that Lady Gaga will also be making an announcement related to the line of headphones. A new design, perhaps? While spokespeople for the trade show say she's not scheduled to perform, I'm hoping that she characteristically surprises us with a performance!

When he's not perfecting his rumba or two step moves on Dancing With the Stars with partner Chelsie Hightower, professional snowboarder Louie Vito can be spotted with his high-class headphones — the Beats by Dr. Dre — which offer amazing audio clarity and extra large speaker drivers for exceptional deep bass. A pair will cost you $300, although you can pick up the in-ear Beats by Dr. Dre for only $150. For those hefty prices, you better use them for more than just a stylish neck accessory!

Singer and songwriter Lady Gaga — the queen of constant transformation with all of her outrageous outfits and intricate head accessories — has teamed up with Monster to debut her first pair of earphones.

Labeled "heartbeats," these in-ear headphones were designed by Lady Gaga herself and are said to be like no other headphones out there (not hard to believe, especially since they have her name attached to them!). And if the sound quality is anything comparable to the high-class Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, you're guaranteed to get your money's worth. They also feature ControlTalk functionality so you can listen to your music and easily answer a phone call while on the go.

These headphones will be hitting store shelves this October, although you can pre-order a pair in black, red, and bright chrome from Best Buy for $100.