Headphone Round Up
By David Ireland

So as you might have noticed recently there are a LOT of new headphones on the market these days. It seems that this is now a lifestyle accessory to go with your iPhone/pod that you keep tucked away in your skinny jeans and/or vintage rucksack / messenger bag.

So chances are you are going to need a couple pairs for your different moods and moments, we can help you out with your choices in this particular dilemma.  Over the last couple weeks we have reached out to just about every headphone company we could think of and we have cobbled together this report.  We are judging on all the important things that you would consider when making a purchase:

Design, price, sound, comfort and overall value all judged on best of five stars.

Iphone Compatiblility: This means that the headphone is equipped with a mic so that you can use the heaphones for a phone conversation. All these headphones will work on the iPhone 3G for listening to music but not all of them will allow you to speak.

Let’s begin shall we.

Brand: Eskuche
Model: 33 1/3
Driver Size: 40 MM
Price: $58.00
Iphone Compatible:  Yes
Website:  http://www.eskucheme.com/

Design: 5 Stars
Price Range: $$
Sound Quality: 4.5 Stars
Comfort:  5 Stars
Overall Value:  5 Stars

New to the category this year is Eskuche and they are already coming out of the gate very strong with their first model the 33 1/3. This is one of the coolest looking headphones we have seen on the market and the overall sound quality, comfort and price are yet to be matched.  It also works with the iPhone which is a nice little plus, the mic can also be removed if you don’t want that kind of action. This one is a great buy in every way, one of our favorites.

Brand: WESC
Model: Alp Horn
Driver Size: 44 MM
Price: $134.00
Iphone Compatible:  No
Website:  www.wesc.com

Design: 5 Stars
Price Range: $$$
Sound Quality: 4.0 Stars
Comfort:  5 Stars
Overall Value:  4.0 Stars

This is WESC’s real solid play at the “weird Swedish guy” look and there is no doubt you will get some looks if you are rocking the Alp Horns.  These headphones are incredibly comfortable, very stylish and have a nice flat even sound that will satisfy even the pickiest listeners. Along with the Eskuche 33 1/3 these are the coolest looking headphones that we tested, so if you want the whole package these are a great buy.

Brand: WESC
Model: Bongo
Driver Size: 40 MM
Price: $84.00
Iphone Compatible:  No
Website:  www.wesc.com

Design: 3 Stars
Price Range: $$
Sound Quality: 3.5 Stars
Comfort:  4 Stars
Overall Value:  3.5 Stars

This is WESC’s work horse model and offers up the basics that your average music fan will appreciate. A very clean design, not too bulky and some very solid audio performance. The price is a little high for what these are but you definitely getting a clean looking pair of headphones, so if that’s worth it to you for the extra $20 or so then who are we to argue.  No frills basics here, but good basics.

Brand: WESC
Model: Bag Pipe
Driver Size: 57 MM
Price: $190.00
Iphone Compatible:  No
Website:  www.wesc.com

Design: 4 Stars
Price Range: $$$$
Sound Quality: 5 Stars
Comfort:  4 Stars
Overall Value:  4.5 Stars

WESC has come into the headphone game with guns blazing offering 7 models in  some great colorways and collaborations such as DIM MAK, Ed Banger, Bloody Beatroots, etc.  Their DJ headphone is par for the course and offers up what you would expect for a pro DJ unit. The bass is loud and it’s just as comfortable as all the other DJ headphones on the market with better colors and style. So if you are a DJ looking for a more stylish set up these are worth a look.  If you are not a DJ, don’t be a poser and wear these, that’s just lame.

Brand: Skull Candy
Model: Smokin Ear Bud
Driver Size: 9 MM
Price: $29.00
Iphone Compatible:  No
Website:  www.skullcandy.com

Design: 3 Stars
Price Range: $
Sound Quality: 4 Stars
Comfort:  3.0 Stars
Overall Value:  4.0 Stars

This is SC’s cheapy ear bud but for the price it’s really not a bad buy at all. The units are very basic but have great sound for the price and are pretty comfortable for a bud of this price. If you need some buds for running or something that might get thrashed  these are a good play and an amazing value for the money.

Brand: Skull Candy
Model: TI
Driver Size: 40 MM
Price: $79.00
Iphone Compatible:  No
Website:  www.skullcandy.com

Design: 3 Stars
Price Range: $$
Sound Quality: 3.5 Stars
Comfort:  4.0 Stars
Overall Value:  3.5 Stars

Skull Candy pulls no punches on the TI with metallic gold swappable ear cups and full DJ style “here I am” design. While it’s a bit flashy for this Dodgers fan it might appeal to the more bling minded Oakland fan,  there’s a headphone out there for everyone and Skull Candy makes just about every single type you can think of with more on the way.  The TI is loud, decently comfortable and very in your face so if that’s what you are going for these are for you.

Brand: Nixon
Model: Master Blaster
Driver Size: 50 MM
Price: $199.00
Iphone Compatible:  No
Website:  www.nixonnow.com

Design: 5 Stars
Price Range: $$$$
Sound Quality: 5 Stars
Comfort:  3.5 Stars
Overall Value:  3.5 Stars

The Master Blaster is for the serious player that wants top shelf in materials, design and sound. This is the Rolls Royce of the line and it’s apparent immediately when you take them out of the molded carrying case.  Real leather on the headphone cups, ball and socket pivot action on each ear cup and some crystal clear sound that does stand out from the rest.  The only thing that is a bit of a downer on this headphone is its bulk  which can impede on the comfort and overall listening experience.  If you want to be “That” guy then these are the ones for you no doubt.

Brand: Nixon
Model: The Wire
Driver Size: 8 MM
Price: $100.00
Iphone Compatible:  Yes
Website:  www.nixonnow.com

Design: 4 Stars
Price Range: $$$
Sound Quality: 4 Stars
Comfort:  4 Stars
Overall Value:  4.0 Stars

Nixon has really made a strong effort to stand out from the pack, and The Wire is no exception even though it’s a classic bud style.  The cord is nice and doesn’t tangle up unlike other buds, sound quality is very solid and it works with the iPhone. The only hang up I had with these headphones was that the disk/mic portion of the headphone was bulky (although cool looking)  and if you are walking or running it can be a bit annoying.

Brand: Aerial7
Model: Tank
Driver Size: 57  MM
Price: $79.00
Iphone Compatible:  Yes
Website:  www.aerial7.com

Design: 2.5 Stars
Price Range: $$
Sound Quality: 4.5 Stars
Comfort:  4 Stars
Overall Value:  4.0 Stars

At first look the Tank looks a little suspect, like a cheap DJ style headphone for wanna be’s and posers. The design is very whatever although they are fairly comfortable for a bulky DJ style headphone. Where the real whopper comes in is the sound, this model had the biggest drivers of all the headphones we tested and really delivered on sound especially for the cost.  So if you don’t mind the bulk this is a good buy for the rocking sound despite average aesthetics.

Brand: Radius

Model: Atomic Bass
Driver Size: 10  MM
Price: $49.00
Iphone Compatible:  Yes
Website:  www.radiusearphones.com

Design: 3.0 Stars
Price Range: $$
Sound Quality: 4.5 Stars
Comfort:  4 Stars
Overall Value:  4.5 Stars

The Atomic Bass is kind of a plain Jane on the outside but when you pop these buds it’s actually quite impressive.  As the model name states “Atomic Bass”  these little bad boys deliver with their 10 mm drivers and rich bass, great overall sound for such an inexpensive unit and iPhone compatible to boot.