Extra Extra: Consumer Reports Electronics Buying Guide is on sale

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It may be a tad early to start your holiday shopping, but there’s a good chance you’ve at least been thinking about it. Maybe you’ve had a big-ticket gift—like a new TV or home theater—in mind for a while now, but are putting off the purchase till November or December. If it’s sales you’re waiting for, you probably know what you want and how much you’re willing to pay. On the other hand, you might just a teeny bit leery of throwing so much cash at something you know very little about. Which is better: a plasma or LCD TV? Should you upgrade to a Blu-ray player or stick with standard-def DVDs?

If you find yourself in need of expert advice, consider the newest edition of the Consumer Reports Electronics Buying Guide. Inside you’ll find a wealth of information on everything from televisions and computers to smart phones, GPS units, and much more. For each product, the Consumer Reports editors walk you through the basics, explaining what’s available, which features matter, brand profiles, and offering tried-and-true shopping tips.

In addition to product information, the guide offers advice on how to shop smarter, including:

• Netting the best deals online, and protecting yourself when you shop on the Web


• When to repair and when to replace a broken item


• How to haggle effectively


• Finding the best electronics retailer based on our comprehensive annual survey


• How to save—and what to be wary of—with refurbished or open-box products on store shelves


• Where to get free office software, free computer security programs, and more useful freeware

New headphone Ratings: New brands, wider price ranges

Whether you’re attempting to listen to music or movies at home without disturbing others, or trying to hear the beat in noisier environments, a good set of headphones can come in handy. We’ve just completed our testing of several new headphone models, which range from portable insert-style earphones to over-the-ear headsets designed to be used at home. When you combine our evaluations of home and portable models with those that use active noise-canceling technology, there are now almost three-dozen tested models in our headphone Ratings (available to subscribers).

While you can easily spend more than $200 for a highly rated model, you don’t have to—we found several models with excellent or very good sound for less than $100, and a few for considerably less. The two least expensive recommended models in our Ratings cost only $20 each.

Our latest tests include not only new models from established brands, such as Bose, Grado, Koss, Sennheiser and Sony, but also some headphones from newer brands, such as Skullcandy, Ultimate Ears, and Monster. We also tested a new model from Auvio, RadioShack’s new headphone/cable brand.

Also, you might also notice that our headphone Ratings now include not just sound-quality scores, but descriptions of the overall sound. We hope this additional information is helpful when choosing between models that might have similar sound-quality scores, but different sound attributes (such as better bass response or a boosted midrange). Keep checking with our blog for other headphone news, including Ratings updates. —James K. Willcox

In the CR Test Labs: New headphones

Things are once again cranking up in our audio testing labs, where CR’s engineering team is already testing a new series of headphones, and KEMAR—CR’s test mannequin—has been called back from summer vacation.

We’re currently reviewing nine new headphone models, ranging from portable insert-style earphones to over-the-ear headsets designed to be used at home, with designs that run the gamut from staid to stylish. When completed, the results will be published in our Headphones Ratings (available to subscribers).

Here’s a list of the models currently being tested:

• Auvio, portable insert-style earphones. Auvio is RadioShack’s new brand for cables and headphones. Comes with three pairs of foam ear cushions and a black leather case.


• Skullcandy TI, home/studio-style over-the-ear headphones with headband. Comes in several color schemes (a few of them quite striking).


• Koss MV1, home/studio style over-the-ear headphones with headband. Ear cups fold flat for storage.

Give Dad the gift of entertainment on Father’s Day

[ Photo courtesy of Paula Pandey Chhetri ]

With Father’s Day just 3 days away, here are some last-minute suggestions that don’t include either a Sham-wow or a Snuggie. Instead, get your Dad or husband something he’d actually want—a gadget to make his entertainment more, well, entertaining. Here are a few suggestions for any budget.

$50 or less: Consider a set of decent earbuds (the Sony MDR-ED21LP, $20, is one example), or a DVD or Blu-ray disc of his favorite flick or series. An iTunes gift card, $15 to $50, will let him download music as well as movies and TV shows he can watch on an iPod, iPhone, or computer.

$50 to $100: A pair of noise-canceling headphones can deliver satisfying sound while providing a sonic sanctuary from unwanted outside noises, whether he’s on the go or just hanging out at home. We found several that fall into this price range in our last headphone Ratings (available to subscribers).

If you can spend $60, consider a basic Netflix subscription, which entitles Dad to two DVDs a month for a year. That translates to 24 movies, or a compilation of a TV series he might have missed. (A few critically acclaimed series to consider: Friday Night Lights, 30 Rock, Mad Men, The Wire, The Shield, and Dexter. And allow me one personal recommendation: If he’s into history and mystery, I think he’ll love Foyle’s War, a PBS series about a police inspector dealing with espionage, sabotage, propaganda, and everyday crimes on the English coast during World War II.)

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)

From awful to earful: Choosing a good pair of headphones

A pair of good headphones can be a godsend, whether you want to listen to music without disturbing anyone or get some sonic sanctuary from others. If you're in the market for some, check our latest headphone Ratings (available to subscribers) of several types.

The type of headphones you buy will likely depend on your lifestyle and perhaps on your budget. You may decide to buy different types of headphones for different uses, such as a portable sports model to wear at the gym or a larger over-the-ear set for listening to music at home.

If you'll be listening anywhere extraneous sounds could be distracting—in a crowded airplane or train, for example—you may want a noise-reduction model that can diminish unwanted ambient noise. Make sure the headphones fit comfortably, especially if you'll be wearing them for extended periods of time. (Click on the player above to watch our Guide to Buying Headphones video and get more buying advice.)

The good news is you don't have to pay a fortune to get good sound. One of our recommended portable models, a Sony, costs just $20, and our top-rated noise-canceling model, an in-ear set from Panasonic, is $60. The best-sounding headphone we tested, a Grado, costs less than $100.

We've separated our latest headphones Ratings and recommendations into two sections. One section features Ratings of home and portable stereo headphones along with our Recommended models. The other includes Ratings of noise-canceling headphones and our Recommended models. (Ratings and Recommendations are available for subscribers.)

Don't see a model you like? Check back with us this summer when we'll be updating our headphone Ratings with newer models. —James K. Willcox

iPods and headphones: The gift of deafness?

If you gave or received an iPod or any other portable headphone-equipped digital media player as a gift this holiday season, listen up. When used unwisely, they can result in permanent hearing loss.

Our colleagues over at the Consumer Reports Health Blog reported on a new medical study from the European Union which found that 5 to 10 percent of MP3 listeners are at high risk of developing hearing loss after five years of exposure. This latest study's findings fall in line with what researchers have previously reported with U.S.-based studies.

Obviously, headphone users can reduce the risk of hearing loss by managing the amount of time and volume they use with their portable media player. And some MP3 players feature “volume limiters” that can be set to prevent overly loud sound from reaching the headphones. (Our Ratings of MP3 players, available to subscribers, denotes which models have this feature.)

In their post, iPods can be a hazard to your hearing, the health experts at Consumer Reports have listed other helpful safe listening tips.

Headphone Ratings: Noise-canceling models

Headphones seem to be everywhere these days. Whether you're looking for a pair to use on the go with an MP3 player or at home when you're watching a DVD movie, you have a growing variety of options for keeping the decibels to yourself.

At Consumer Reports, we've been trying to keep up with the various types and models that have become available over the past few months. While we're still working on finalizing the new information, we can offer some help if you're shopping for headphones this holiday season.

We've completed testing and Ratings of noise-canceling headphones (available to subscribers). This is a more complete list of models than those mentioned in our January 2009 issue, which featured only selected, Recommended noise-canceling models. (Subscribers clicking on either of these links will also give you a sneak peek at the new online format for all our information about headphones, coming soon.)

We also have Recommended headphones from our annual Electronics gift guide, along with other great ideas for holiday shoppers. For more shopping information, see our video: Buying guide to headphones.

In our video (right), expert tester Rich Sulin discusses the types of headphones available, from the small buds that joggers tuck inside their ears to the over-the-ear, noise-canceling models seen on frequent flyers trying to drown out engine noise.

Rich also talks about our methods of testing headphones—we get a lot of help from our mannequin friend, KEMAR—and how performance can vary by type.

Related: 10 money-saving shopping tips for electronics Which video game system: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, or Wii? Our review of six netbooks Black Friday deals on HDTVs Our first impressions of the BlackBerry Storm cell phone

For more detailed information on the performance of specific headphones, check out our full Ratings.

—Nick K. Mandle

Recommended electronics gifts: Top HDTVs, digital cameras, GPS, and more

Just in time for the holidays, here's a quick way to find electronics gifts that are sure to please: Our free Electronics Gift Guide. We've picked out dozens of the newest and best products from our labs and conveniently listed models and prices for each product category.

Here's what you'll find:

• 11 HDTVs
• 7 Blu-ray players
• 16 digital cameras
• 11 laptops

Plus the latest portable DVD players, digital picture frames,  MP3 players and sound systems, headphones, GPS, desktop computers, netbooks, and binoculars.

Related: Which video game system: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, or Wii? Our review of six netbooks Black Friday deals on HDTVs Our first impressions of the BlackBerry Storm cell phone 10 money-saving shopping tips for electronics

—Jeff Fox

Ratings: Bluetooth headsets for one and all (ears)

You see it more frequently now. That sharp-dressed man or woman walking down the street, talking, wildly gesturing and maybe even laughing hysterically—with seemingly no one around them.

Blame it on Bluetooth technology.

Wireless headsets are becoming much more affordable and shrinking in size so they're barely noticeable. But Bluetooth headsets are doing more than making cell phone users appear to be (apparently) talking to themselves. They're letting mobile music listeners cut the cord as well.

Consumer Reports has just posted updated Ratings of Bluetooth headsets (available to subscribers). Tested headsets ranged from $30 to more than $100 for the smaller, inconspicuous types. But among those 25 new models, four are stereo headsets for use with phones that have built-in music players.

They're usually heavier than mono headsets, but some of the stereo models (such as the Jabra BT3030, seen at right) feature a wireless remote control, eliminating the need to fumble with your cell phone's MP3 player buttons.

If you're in the market for a wireless headset, check out our latest Bluetooth headset Ratings report to see how mono and stereo wireless headsets fared in our tests. Our Quick Recommendations (available to subscribers) highlight our top picks.

And if you're new to the world of wireless walking and talking, be sure to read our wireless headset buying advice which will help you choose the right model for your needs.