Now live: New headphone Ratings

The headphones that came with your MP3 player might not do justice to your tunes, but it won't cost you an arm and a leg to give your ears a treat.

Our latest headphone tests found a number of models that can upgrade your listening experience, whether you’re on the go or relaxing at home. (Headphone reviews and Ratings are available to subscribers.) One of our recommended portable models, a Sony, costs just $20. The best-sounding headphones we tested, two Grado home/studio models, cost about $100.

For portable use in situations where you want to reduce external noise—while sitting in a crowded airplane, for example—you may want an isolating model that physically blocks out those sounds. But keep in mind that this makes you less aware of your surroundings. A non-isolating model would be a safer choice when you’d want to hear external sounds, such as station announcements on a train or a car approaching when you’re walking or jogging.

For the ultimate in sonic serenity—to block out the screaming baby in the next row or the mind-numbing cellphone chatter on the commuter train—check out the active noise-canceling models we tested recently.

With any headphones, don't forget about fit. Heads and ears come in all shapes and sizes, so make sure headphones fit yours comfortably, especially if you'll be wearing them for extended periods of time. —Eileen McCooey

Related: Headphones Buying Guide (with video)

Comments

[John]

A few months back a friend suggested i try out a pair of the "in ear" Tri-Port Bose headphones, i did and i was absolutely amazed by how different the music from my ipod sounded. I ended up going out to the store later that day and picking up a pair -- granted, they weren't really cheap (I paid around $80) -- however, since they sound so good and are much more comfortable to wear, i use them much more often than my old headphones.

I kind of wish however that i did a bit more research online before buying, because i've found a few online stores that sell them for considerably less than what i originally paid. For instance ZingSale showed that they were as low as $20 a couple weeks back.

http://www.zingsale.com/search/Everything/All/bose+headphones/

All in all though, the headphones are amazing and I'd definitely recommend them!

[Paul Rivers]

I'm not a big fan of how the new ratings page doesn't distinguish between open and closed headphones. Despite what the audiophile crowd may think, most people simply expect their headphones to be "closed".

For most people, if we were willing to deal with the drawbacks of "open" headphones we'd just play out music through speakers. Imagine I bought headphones for listening to music at work based on your chart - open headphones are NOT going to be appropriate here as my coworkers would not be happy having to listen to my music. Or if I want to use headphones to listen to music and block out external sound, well again - open would not work. Let's imagine I'm at home and want to listen to some music - either I want closed headphones to block out external noise, or I'd just turn on my stereo and not deal with a headphone cord.

Open headphones don't have a lot of use for your average person, except for the average person who also wants to be really annoying to the people around them. It would be nice if you at least separated the closed headphones from the open ones.