GeekSugar

Stay Put: Reviews of 5 Earphones Designed For Your Workout

Leta Shy — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:38:17 PST

When running, any old iPod earbud just won't do. Earphones that slip off easily can distract you and keep you from meeting your workout goals, and who wants low-quality sound when they need an extra heartbeat-raising boost from their playlist?

That's why you need a good pair of earphones that are designed to stay snugly in your ears while you work out. We tested out five types of workout-designed earphones meant to stay put while elevating your auditory experience. Keep clicking to read the reviews, and check out more earphones designed to stay put. Motivated to don a pair and go for a run? Don't forget to enter our Get Fit For 2012 giveaway for fabulous prizes that will also revamp your workout.

Zipbuds Help You Say Sayonara to Tangled Headphone Cords

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:25:27 PST

Tossing your earbuds in your bag in a rush only results in a headache later. Thankfully these headphones and earbuds from Zipbuds will prevent your cables from ending up like a rat's nest so you can grab, go, and tune in without spending time unraveling.

Compatible with your iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and other mobile devices and MP3 players that accept 3.5mm headphone jacks (like, all of them?), the Zipbuds transform into one tangle-resistant cord for easy storage. The brand-spankin' new L.A.B. Headphones (pictured here, $60–$200) are perfect for immersing yourself in your music, while the earbuds are great for everyday listening, commutes, and hitting the gym. Zipbuds has a number of earbuds available to purchase now, while the L.A.B. line will be out this Spring.

Ludacris Shows His Soul at CES

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:01:22 PST

What's the Consumer Electronics Show without a sprinkle of celebrity-endorsed gadgets? This year, hip-hop mogul Ludacris was on hand to introduce the latest additions to his Soul by Ludacris headphone line.

In 2012, the new finishes are all about shine. The SL300 noise-canceling headphones come in chrome gold, and the SL150 hi-def headphones are chrome silver. The SL100 model now has a white finish with gold accents. Soul's line of earbuds, the SL49 and SL99, also has new color options including a green and black combo, red and black, pink and white, and platinum.

We spoke to the musician-restaurateur-actor-entrepreneur for more on his life in the tech industry:

Style meets Soul - Ludacris said his life is "all about setting trends and pop culture," which is infused into the design of the Soul product line. He draws inspiration from a little bit of everything including fashion and cars.

Listening must-haves - Though it's like naming a favorite child, Ludacris keeps a pair of the SL99 earbuds in his pocket for whenever, wherever, and the SL300 when traveling for the noise-canceling experience.

Apple fan - He names the iPhone 4S and iPad as the nonheadphone gadgets he can't live without.

Pricing and availability for the new Soul headphone and earbud designs hasn't been announced, but the current line on sale ranges from $70 to $300. Check out photos of the Soul line in the gallery.

iLuv Sweet Cotton Headphones: Surprisingly Big Sound For Such a Small Package

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:30:29 PST

iLuv never fails to provide cute and crave-worthy accessories for your mobile devices, but I never really thought of them as a supplier for audio products. Until now, that is. I checked out the iLuv booth at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week and caught sight of these small Sweet Cotton ($40) headphones, which have a hint of '80s style in sweet candy-colored hues. I wasn't expecting much from what seemed to be a thin pair of ear covers, but when I heard the warm and deep bass sounds they produced, I was hooked.

Even better, the sounds of the noisy CES crowd behind me were nearly drowned out, another feature I wasn't expecting. I guess you could say that you shouldn't judge a headphone by its size?

I'm hoping to get my hands on these for a further review, but until then, check out the array of Sweet Cotton colors available now from iLuv in the gallery!

Fashion Starts at the Ear on Monster Headphones

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:21 PST

In a gadget-accessories market filled with the latest, greatest, slimmest, and lightest gear, how do you get a headphone to stand out from the crowd? Put a bird on it. The Inspiration headphones, one of several headphone lines announced by Monster this week at CES, push fashion to the forefront with a style sure to be noticed.

Available in Spring 2012, the Inspiration headphones feature a removable headband, which is where your creative fashion powerhouse can rule. Eight additional headband styles of brightly colored leathers and textured material will be an additional $30 beyond the Inspiration's $280 base price. For those in need of a bigger ear statement, Monster showcased limited-edition headbands with peacock feathers, electric blue mystery bird feathers, and large studs that will guarantee some respect on the morning commute.

Pricing and availability of the limited-edition headbands is not available. Would you rock the feathered headphone look on a daily basis?

Source: Monster

Monster Unveils 7 Celeb and Fashion Headphone Lines

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:07:12 PST

Placing the emphasis on the personal music experience, Monster unveiled seven (!) new lines of headphones at CES. After their success with the Beats by Dre line, the company continues to focus on musician-approved technology with an added emphasis on fashion-forward headphones. With product collaborations from musicians Nick Cannon and Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as fashion company Diesel, our ears are in store for a more trendsetting year as the new headphones debut. Check out the gallery for a tour of all of Monster's latest ear gear.

Beats by Dre Goes High-End With Oscar de la Renta

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:34:41 PST

Not to be outdone by any possible new celebrity-endorsed gadgets at this year's CES, Beats by Dre has partnered up with designer Oscar de la Renta for the ultimate in fashion and performance - a limited-edition set of silver fox-covered Beats complete with CloudTalk so you can chat on your iPhone and walk the urban catwalk at the same time.

These plush cans remind me of earmuffs I used to wear as a kid, but are definitely more expensive. They come with an equally luxurious price tag of $695. Your music had better be on point.

Hear Hear! Headphones For Every Ear

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:22:27 PST

Between a public transit commute and the need to concentrate on streaming music while seated in the office, the one thing we hate to forget every day is a trusty pair of headphones. While audiophiles require something to keep the delicate balance between instruments and vocals clear, a casual listener may just need an earbud with style. Here are our seven picks for headphones for every ear on your list.

Urbanears Gets Into the Fall Season With Warm New Colors

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:34:11 PDT

You could say that Urbanears makes more than headphones - they also make some pretty sweet art with their product photos! Urbanears is kicking off the Fall season a little early with its lineup of headphones in new shades. Mustard, raspberry, and indigo make the perfect addition to your warmer Fall wardrobe, and the prices are still right on target - $40-$60 for over-the-ear models while the in-ear versions run just $30. (Fun fact: the Plattan version comes with an additional jack, so your friends can plug in and listen to your tunes as well.)

I can tell you right now that the indigo color is going to be my new favorite obsession, but you can take a look at all the new shades in the gallery.

Look Fly in Fanny Wang Headphones

GeekSugar — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:22:40 PDT

If you are looking for a sleek headphone set with versatile sound, check out the Fanny Wang On Ear Wang's ($170) edition. These headphones offer a simple sophisticated design and excellent instrumental differentiation. The On Ear Wang's come in white, red, and black hues to suit your tastes and feature a glossy, wave design. You can effortlessly share music with the Integrated Duo Jack (in-line cable splitter), and remove the cord and fold the headset into itself for quick storage.

I found the the sound to be crisp and clear, whether I was listening to acoustic tunes, dance, rock, or hip-hop. With a hefty bass, the headphones are intended for hip-hop fans, but the good new is the bass never overpowers or muffles the other instruments no matter what genre you're listening to.

Find out what I thought about comfort and fit (which is especially important for music geeks who wear glasses) after the break.