One of them offers bone conducting technology, two are from the same manufacturer, one was about to be discontinued until Apple saved them. They offer brilliant sound, they’re compact, some of them fold and I believe they’re the best portable headphones on offer.

For those traditionalist that can’t get used to sticking small, badly fitting pieces of plastic into your ears, then don’t despair, because they is a classy alternative.

Audio Technica ATH-ES5

With a neat foldable package, we begin with the Audio Technica ATH-ES5 headphones. in their own way, they are rather stylish, and if the Audio Technica ATH-ON3 headphones that I reviewed earlier, are anything to go by, you’ll be in for something special.

style wise, they’re no beauty, and certainly not in the league of the Ultrasone iCnas or the Teac, but they do have a certain purposeful look about them. The Audio Technica ATH-ES5 looks like it means business.

Ultrasone HFI 15

Next is the first of two Choices by Ultrasone, although the HFI 15 headphones, doesn’t get as much attention as the icans. Not quite as stylish as the icans, I’m in no doubt that the HFI 15 will satisfy your listening needs. But i think these might get bypassed because of the Ultrasone iCans.

There are plenty of reviews for the iCans, as for these, they look like a poor relation. They probably don’t sound it though!

Bang and Olufsen Form 2

From the most stylish audio manufacturer in the world bar none, this is there offering. Yes probably not destined or considered for portable use, doesn’t mean they can’t be used for portable use.

Bang and Olufsen do get a bit of stick from audiophiles, challenging the the price against the sound quality. most of the time your system will be on standby anyway, and whilst it’s on standby, it won’ look as good.

With that said the A8 headphones has won quite a bit of praise, the Form 2 however seems to have been overlooked in the wake of the A8’s.

Ultrasone iCans

Although the Ultrasone iCans have had a fair bit of criticism over the sound quality, that shouldn’t deter you. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, but at the end of the day, you should make your own decision and come to your own conclusion.

I’ve yet to buy the iCans, and that is in no means because of the negative comments they’ve received, it’s because as they’re on my ‘to buy’ list, which is huge.

TEAC HP-F100 Filltune HiFi Bone Conducting Headphones

If you have deep pockets, and a certain eye for lifestyle headphones, then the (take a deep breath) TEAC HP-F100 Filltune HiFi Bone Conducting Headphones, has to be the high on your shopping list.

How, what, where and when, I know not, but I do think that they’re one of the most stunning and innovative pair of headphones on the market. don’t ask me to explain the bone conducting technology, just love ’em.

The Ultimate portable headphone, for the person with the ultimate budget.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to portability, you need something lightweight, great sounding, stylish (well why not) and preferably something you can use at home as well.

These headphones score on each of these accounts, with some doing better than others in certian areas. Each of these headphones are well worth your consideration for hooking up to your mp3, walking around town or plugging into your system or computer at home.

You don’t have the same tastes as me I’m sure, and when it comes to headphones, I’m a bit of a traditionalist. Full size headphones please, with big cups and cable thicker than an anchor rope.

But with the ipods and now mobile phones able to multi task, headphones these days are required to do the same. Home, office, on the bus, in the air, taking a phone call, playing Grand Theft Auto or watching X-Men, headphones must now cater for everything.

I’m not sure there’s a perfect solution, but nevertheless headphones designers have tried their best to keep up with the times. Unfortunately I haven’t.

My mobile cost me £15, I can’t take a photo with it, and I don’t really know how to use it. If I had a bluetooth mobile phone, or I wanted a lighter way to listen to my music, on the walk to uni, then these are the headphones I’d use.

1)Westone um1

I’ve had my eyes on these babies for a few weeks now, and I’m quite intrigued, far more than I am about any other IEM. When you buy from earphonesolutions.com, you’ll should be able to save some money, especially if you live in the UK like me (we pay too much for everything).

2) Sony DR-BT50 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

I’ve got a few Sony suggestions today, and I’ll start with the Sony DR-BT50 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones. For the obvious reason that it’s a full size headphone, this is the main appeal.

3) Bose Triport IE

Bar the Westones, the Bose Triport IE would probably be next on my ‘nearly’ list. I’m a great fan of the original Triports and in the earphone incarnation; they look a worthy prospect.

Audiophiles don’t approve, but that’s their problem. The argument is that you can buy better for the price, but I say it’s immaterial.

Instead of buying a Ferrari, I could buy a nice, reliable BMW, put a healthy deposit down on a nice house, and maybe go on a cruse, but is that better than having a Ferrari?

The only thing with Bose, is that except for buying used stuff from ebay, there are rarely any savings. The main saving would be on shipping. I’d still prefer to buy from Bose themselves.

Go on, be adventurous!

4) Sony DR-BT21G Bluetooth Headphones

I don’t want to make this a Sony fest, but let me finish with two Sony bluetooth headphones, as Sony seems to take them very seriously. Well it’ll compliment your Sony mobile phone.

Let me start with the only neckband headphones that would attract me, not because of the neckband, but as a bluetooth owner, these are stunning pair of headphones. Simple but purposeful design that makes a joke of the competition.

You need a pair of cool but serious bluetooth headphones, the DR-BT21G (say that three times really quickly) are the ones to have.

I would bow at your feet if I saw you with a pair of these!

5) Sony DR-BT30QB

Given my stats, these have been selling very well, but it doesn’t say whether those who brought them were Star Trek fans.

A very futuristic design if ever there was-one, but a fine design. As far as Sony bluetooth headphones go, I would, because I love Star Trek. I don’t think that they would work the same as they do in star trek, but with the technology in them, they’re not far off.

Final Thoughts

This 5 headphones might have been dominated by the Sony bluetooth headphones, but I think that’s it’s an ever growing niche market that needs to be taken seriously. I’m not going to enter the debate about sound quality, as these seem to be very functional headphones.

As for the Bose, you have my full blessing, and good luck to you! There might be a fitting factor (or not fitting comfortably factor) to them, but that’s nothing new for the IEM market I’m afraid, so choosing another brand might not be the solution.

For every good IEM review, I see a barrage of negative comments about fitting. but at least I’ve stated my two considerations.

good luck with all and any of your headphone purchases.

Until the next 5 headphones, happy headphoning.

Disclaimer: I’ve endeavored to find the best international prices, but with an international audience the prices in each country will vary.

This however has not affected my goal of trying to bring you what I feel is the best deal for you. I’d rather find you the cheapest deal, and gain your trust, than find you a more costly deal for the sake of a commission cheque!

proaudiosolutions.com - Best price for Equation Audio RP21 headphones

audiocubes.com - Stax, Audio Technica, Denon, low, low prices.

audiocubes.com - Home of the Audio-Technica ATH-ON3 Casual Headphones

Cheapest Price For the Denon AH-D1000 Headphones

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Be sure to read the new headphonedeals ‘Quick Review’ Section

After rating what I feel are the five best looking headphones, I feel it only fair to point out what I think the first worst looking headphones are. Some of these headphones are superb performers i hasten to add, but on a design level, they are among the most offending performers. These are some of the most unblingiest designs in the headphone world.

The only problem with this is that some of these suggestions happen to be the most formidable, best sounding pieces of audio equipment in the audio world today. And don’t start quoting big figures from bizarre audio manufacturers because I’ve heard a £11,500 CD based system, a £55,000 turntable based system, and a Linn system costing £70,000 and I’d still go for a pair of stax any day.

1) DirectSound Extreme Isolation Headphones

Maybe I’m being a bit harsh on the DirectSound Extreme Isolation Headphones, but I’m trying to work out where we would actually wear our noise canceling headphones. On a plane, train, bus or some sort of public transport?

It’s not that I don’t believe in the capabilities of these headphones, not at all, and I wouldn’t mind having a go on these myself. But I’m not sure that I’d want to be seen out in public with these on.

As for it’s usefulness, I’m a believer, as for the design…..hum…..ha…….uh….I’d feel more comfortable wearing my Sennheiser HD25 headphones, which more than adequately block out the noise.

2) Custom IEM’s including future sonics and Westone

I have enough nightmares about alien invasion, without buying a pair of their headphones, thank-you very much. No disrespect to any aliens who want audiophile quality.

I have no doubt, these IEM’s are absolutely mind blowing in terms of sound quality, and the custom colours make them all the more funky, but I have no wish to wear headphones design for Jabba the Hutt.

Sound? yes. Design? No

“Princess Leia, save me from Jabba’s headphones!”

O.K. Design aside, I would secretly love a pair.

3) Electrostatic headphones……

.. do sound amazing, but look like Robocop’s rejects, they really do. From Koss to Stax, they just look like something from the dark ages. Again, they are at the top of the headphone world in terms of performance, but the design leaves a lot to be desired.

Of all the headphones available, I just wish someone in the electrostatic camp would say,

“O.K. people, let’s design a stunning pair of electrostatic headphones today.”

instead of,

“I found this piece of plastic in a skip, I got the wire from my wife’s bra, and I managed to retrieve this vinyl effect cloth from the seat of a 1976 vauxhall viva. Lets design a pair of headphones.”

Some of the designs are more palatable, like the Stax SR-001 MK2. As for the rest, they’re in a design world of their own.

However, anyone that knows me, knows that I would love to have any pair of electrostactic headphones. Not because they look good, but because they sound as ‘out of this world’, as they look unattractive.

4) Skullcandy headphones

Now I don’t really want to upset the design team at Skullcandy, but they seem to be trying abit to hard, if you know what I mean. I’m sure that Skullcandy has a target market for their products, but you have to ask yourself if you want to be a part of that market.

I think snow-boarder’s, and people who are into heavy rock music, know that there are better choices on the market. You’ll stand out from the crowd, but is that a good thing?

5) igrado

Oh dear, oh dear, it’s all gone wrong. I thought these were going to be stunners when I first heard that Grado was bringing out a new baby headphone. ‘Lovely’ I thought ‘with a traditional headband and using the same drivers from the amazing Grado SR60’s, these are going to be Sennheiser PX killers.’

How wrong I was. With a less than bearable neckband design, and with looks that please my grandmother, I’m afraid these have to be the most eagerly awaited, but the most disappointing headphones to date. Not in terms of sound, just in terms of finally seeing what I thought would be the perfect product.

They remind me of those headphones you get on the patient line thing, in hospital.

Sorry Grado, but the SR60’s are the ones for me.

Final Thoughts

Now again this article has nothing to do with sound, and on that level there are many that are at the top of their class. Not only that, there are some in this selection that I really dream of having, but the wife wants a new kitchen instead.

I’m brave enough to put my hand up and say, “I think looks are important.” Again, people in the audiophile world would probably scream and hurl abuse at me, for saying such things, but what’s wrong with wanting audio products to look good.

We want our homes to look nice, people spend thousands making their cars looking nice, why does audio have to be different? Is it beyond the reach of audio manufacturers to produce good looking products?

Because my wife is in hospital for a few weeks, I might not have the time to update everyday. With, that in mind let me give you the best five deals that I think you should cash in on.

Now because of my inexperience with IEM’s I’m going to quickly point out my recommendations for five of the best deals on full size headphones.

Click the images for more info

1) Grado SR60

The reason for my picking the Grado SR60 is that I truly believe that when it comes to the RRP, as for clarity, nothing else will touch these under the hundred pound mark. Not the most comfortable option though.

What can they do for you?

As well as give you stunning sound, it’s the gratification that your buying into a more prestigious mark. So if you want to be heads and shoulders above the rest, for not much outlay, the Grado SR60 headphones are the ones to have.

But……

2) Sennheiser HD595

…… we never pay the full price on headphonedeals.com do we? And so for and extra few pounds, the Sennheiser HD595 would seriously be a tempting offer. Far more comfortable, smooth delivery, if not the most open. For long term listening at home, and for the huge saving, I’d say yes please.

What can they do for you?

Massage your ears with silky sound.

3) Sennheiser HD25

You have to remember, that for the most part, I’ve either brought or was going to buy these headphones at the full price, and I brought my HD25 headphones more than ten years ago for £165. You can get them for a ton you lucky people.

What can they do for you?

Well they sound sublime, and powerful. Probably not in the same detail as my (ex) Grado SR125, but they’re not as fatiguing either. But, what they do better than any other headphone I know is that you can have great headphones at home, and stunning performance on the move with your ipod.
At the end of the day we’re talking about a £160 odd pair of headphones here, but they aren’t really full size as such. So if you want to walk about town, you won’t look like a total twit.

4) Sennheiser HD650

One of the cheapest ways you can get into the audiophile world and gain the respect of many around you. Mention the fact that you have a pair of Sennheiser HD650 headphones, and people will look upon you as a connoisseur.

Some don’t agree with the Sennheiser thing, but under their breath they’ll probably respect you. But, don’t forget to buy a headphone amp. It’s a must have accessory with these headphones.

What can they do for you?

Open you world to new listening experience, and all for a disgustingly low price.

5) Ultrasone Proline 750

I just want to mention the love of my life, and the reason this site came to be, the Ultrasone Proline 750 headphones.

Originally, I was going to buy them at great expense from the Ultrasone UK website, when I discovered iheadphones.com and saved around fifty pounds.

The headphones themselves are brilliant. Read my quick report here.

What will they do for you?

If you’re a bass fan they are a must. Again, a headphone amp would be an advantage, but if you’re using them at home, it’s not a necessity. And you will be using them at home, because the sheer size of them, seldom means you’ll plug them into your mp3 player and go jugging.