So your looking for a brilliant but very, very cheap pair of headphones, earphones, no IEM’s. the Sennheiser CX300 is your dream come true.

Whilst others around the world are still paying a huge amount for these, here in the UK, they’re mind-bendingly cheap. In-fact they’re now available for under a fiver. As someone who uses the Sennheiser CX300’s on a regular basis, let me tell you that’s a shed load of performance for not much outlay.

For the price they are my only suggestion for you. Even of you do want headphones, I’d say buy these instead, and coming from a hardened full size headphone lover, that’s saying something.

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

Bid For A Bargain Price On Headphones

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

Superb low price that you can’t ignore. usually these retail for around the $170 range, but if you hurry you can get over a third of that price.

As for my fellow headphone enthusiasts in the UK (and around the world), international shipping is available, which is my main reason for announcing this deal.

A deal to be missed? I don’t think so. The Westone UM1 is now a real affordable earphone solution.

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

Bid For A Bargain Price On Headphones

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

For those who are headphonedeals.com regulars, i’ve ordered the Stax SR-001 MKII System, my wife has put me on a 3 month headphone buying ban, boo hoo! But i have put a little money aside for one more pair of headphones.

So it’s your turn to choose Which one of these choices you’d like me to buy.

Now i’m going to limit the budget to $100 (US) or £50 (UK) and this is between you and me. Please don’t mention it to the wife. Actually she wants me to buy a pair of the Skullcandy Skullcrushers to review. Yeah right!

Please put forward any other suggestions that fall within the budget.

Rules for suggestions.

1) Try and keep within the $100 budget, including shipping if possible. I don’t want to spend too much on shipping.

2) Give a little explanation to back up your choice. Example: It could be that you’re thinking of buying these for your ipod.

My suggestions;

1) Audio Technica ATH-A500 Art Headphones.

Why?

Because I can’t find another merchant that has these headphones at anywhere near the price that audiocubes has them. Also, I was most impressed with the Audio technica ATH-ON3 headphones, and if they’re anything to go by, then the ATH-A500 headphones I’m sure will be out of this world.

2) Audio-Technica ATH-ES5

Why?

Because there is a greater need for high quality portable headphones. Much as I want the ATH-A500’s, your not going to wear them around town that much, where as the ATH-ES5’s would be more suited for both home and away use.

3) Shure E2c Earphones (clear)

Why?

I did promise a while ago that these would be my next headphones, so I kind of owe it to those who are interesting in them.

Also I need to broaden my headphones collection just a little bit more and include a few IEM’s (In-Ear Monitors). Curiosity has also got a hold of me as well. They are one of the cheaper of my options.

4) XtremeMac FS1 Earphones

Why?

One of my more expensive options, maybe a little bit over budget, but curiosity once again has got me thinking about them.

5) Skullcandy Skullcrushers (white)

Why?

it’s my wives suggestion, so cut me some slack!

6) Grado igrado street style (white)

Why?

For you and no-one else. Yes, the headphones that I vowed never to buy, but if any of you want comparison test against the Sennheiser PX100 and 200, and maybe against the AKG K27i as well, then I’ll do it, I’ll buy them!

7) Ultrasone icans (white)

Why?

To add to my lonely Ultrasone Proline 750 headphones, because I think they’re the most stunning pair of headphones on the market, because I’d rather have them than the igrado.

They have been criticized for their performance, but I’m willing to give them a go for you. What a burden it would be to buy and review the icans for you……..not!

To make your suggestion…

….leave your suggestions in the ‘comments’ box below, with a brief reason why you’ve suggested the headphones, or earphones you have. It doesn’t have to be a suggestion from my list remember, it could be a pair that you’re interested in, but need an opinion on, before you hand over your cash.

Your choice and the reason behind it, will determine the winner.

Click the ‘comments’ box below, and make your suggestion.

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

Bid For A Bargain Price On Headphones

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

Sorry for not keeping you up-to-date with some great savings, but after seeing the Grado SR60 price increase (but still the cheapest UK price l could find) I checked a few others.

Luckily for you the Shure e2c just got a whole lot cheaper, even with shipping costs, they still represent a great deal. Again you’re getting a £59 or so, pair of headphones for much less than that. It’s a win, win for you.

Great pair of earphones, great price, but unfortunately I can’t cash in on the Shure e2c deal quite yet, because I’ve just brought three pairs of headphones, and I’ve spent £30 renovating my Sennheiser HD25’s. But, you can cash in on this deal.

I will make a solemn promise that the Shure e2c will be my next purchase, so I can bring you a full report, and so I can get some decent quality sound as well.

But there again there is the Ultrasone icans, the Sennheiser HD650’s……the……………

For those who are looking to replace their standard ipod earphones for a decent pair of earphones or IEM’s (In Ear Monitors), the price for getting into one of the most established names in IEM market, is becoming even more affordable.

Shure is available from your friendly amazon website, for an eye wateringly low price. It’s a great chance to buy into a prestigious mark in the headphone world, for not much money.

For anyone who knows me, I’m not an IEM fan, but at these prices I could be tempted into buying and trying……. let me think about a future review. For home and away the Sennheiser HD25 headphones are still my favourite.

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?