Sony X-Factor Headphones

Back in September, we heard that Simon Cowell had announced his own X-Factor signature Headphones. Over the past few weeks, I have finally been able to test them out and I found some great features and some definite drawbacks.

First and foremost, I am not a fan of the overall design of the X-Factor Headphones. From the shiny metallic earcups to the "X-Factor" branding, these are too over-the-top for my taste. I especially don't like the headband which looks a little too futuristic for me. I asked myself, "would I wear these headphones in public?" I can't say that I would. They draw too much attention and I feel like people would judge me for wearing Simon Cowell Headphones. 

However, I loved the actual headphones. Although I am usually not a fan of on-ear headphones, the Sony X Headphones are easily one of the most comfortable headphones I have ever tried on. Without question, they can be worn all day without any ear fatigue. They still might cause your ears to sweat, but that happens with all large headphones. Sony has also done a great job making these headphones portable by making them easily collapsible.

The best part of the headphones is its sound quality. Every music genre sounded fantastic and I had absolutely no complaints. With a similar price, these headphones sound much better than Beats by Dre Studio's or Soul by Ludacris SL300's. If it wasn't for the gaudy design and high price tag, the Sony X-Factor Headphones fantastic sound quality and supreme comfort would have made them a top choice.

Price: $199.99

Available Now

Pros

• Sound Quality
• Extremely Comfortable
• Lightweight

Cons

• Metallic Finish
• "X-Factor" Theme
• Carrying Case

Overall Rating: 7/10

 

QAK Thump Wireless Headphones

As made evident by the number of new products unveiled at this year's CES convention, the growing trend is bluetooth headphones and speakers. Another development has been the growing number of headphones made for athletes and runners.  With this in mind, today, I will be reviewing the QAK Thump Bluetooth Headphones, the Colorado-based company’s only product. 

I'm always a little apprehensive to use Bluetooth headphones for a number of reasons. First, wireless headphones mean that they need to be charged.  While this may not seem like the biggest deal, at the very least it's annoying to have to remember to charge your headphones, and, in addition, it will require purchasing and bringing along a second charger to travel.  That being said, I have to admit the Thump's charger is pretty small and the headphone battery life is pretty darn good. Their are a number of in-line controls next to the earbuds which I found worked well.

My favorite part of the Thumps is its durability and construction.  I've tested other around-the-head headphones before, and the Thumps have a much thicker plastic construction than the norm, making them more able to stand up to daily wear and tear.  Also, while the Thumps are not really adjustable, every person I had tried them on found that they sit comfortably and sturdily. My biggest issue rests with the ear tips.  After only about 15 minutes of wearing them, they started to cause discomfort and I had to take them out. As such, I wouldn't recommend these for runners, but they could still be a great fit for biking enthusiasts.  I hope QAK can alter the ear tips with the next generation Thumps.

As for sound quality, the Thumps are about what you would expect from affordable wireless headphones - not bad, not great. Personally, I prefer the tight seal you get from a good pair of traditional earbuds, but that's just me. However, if you're looking for a pair of around-the-head wireless headphones for biking or working out, the Thumps are a pretty good option.

Price: $79
Available Now

Pros

• Durability
• Affordable
• Battery Life

Cons

• Ear-tips
• Not Available in Stores
• Average Sound Quality

 

 

I-Mego Throne Gold Headphones

I-Mego is a new headphone company known for having unique-looking products. Today, I will be reviewing their Gold Throne Headphones.

First off, these headphones are definitely not for shy folk as their bold design will surely attract a couple second glances. The Throne’s blend a classic throwback 50’s retro look with a modern feel. The ear cups resemble those iconic old-school mic’s that we all remember. Even though the headphones are made nearly entirely of plastic, they look more like metal. On the upper portion of the headphones, the I-Mego logo is stamped in the leather.

The Thrones have the perfect amount of pressure when worn. Besides causing a little ear sweat after prolonged use, they are extremely comfortable and measure up well against similarly priced headphones. The Throne’s come with a built in in-line mic which I found worked well. Unfortunately, the headphone cord is not detachable, which means you’re going to want to make sure to not yank on it.  Also, the Throne’s don’t fold up, which means they aren’t great for travel.

The sound quality of the I-Mego Throne’s is about what you would expect from a $100 dollar headphone. If you’re looking for the best sounding -$100 headphone, these aren’t for you. However, if you’re willing to compromise on sound quality for bold unique styling, then the I-Mego Throne’s aren’t a bad option.

If you’re looking for a pair of headphones which will attract a lot of attention, the I-Mego Throne’s are about as good as it’s going to get.

Price: $130
Available Now

Pros

• Retro Design
• Comfortable
• Square Ear cups

Cons

• Cord Not Detachable
• Cloth Carrying Case
• Average Sound Quality

Overall Rating: 7/10

 

MotorHeadphones Trigger Earbuds

In the past, we've seen rappers, country music stars, even reality tv stars with their own headphones. Now, we can finally add a rock band to the list. MotorHead is an English rock band that was wildly popular in the UK during the 1980's. The band has released its own headphones with their slogan being, "For rockers, by rockers," and today, I will be reviewing their Trigger In-Ear Headphones.

The earbuds are made of Swedish metal, and have a design very similar to the Munitio 9mm SITi Earbuds. The shape of the earbuds resembles a bullet, and on the outer portion, the MotorHeadphones logo is imprinted. The only recognizable between these and the Munitio's is the medal piece, which hold the headphone wires togeather and can be adjusted to make the cord sit tighter or looser to the earbuds. The Trigger Earbuds also do come in 3 color options: Silver, Brass and Black.

In terms of sound quality, the MotorHeadphones are, surprisingly, pretty good. While these earbuds aren't fully noise canceling, when in use, you basically cannot hear anything but whatever your listening to. The earbuds themselves are loud, really loud, meaning there's really no reason your ever going to need to have your MP3 player volume setting on anything louder than medium. The problem with the volume is that, over time, it could damage your hearing, but hey, rockers don't care about hearing problems, right? That being said, the sound quality is pretty darn good for the price.

Overall, the MotorHeadphones Trigger Earbuds are a decent option for any classic rock fans in the market for a new pair of earbuds.

Price: $50
Available Now

Pros

• Affordable
• Comfortable
• Color Options
  

Cons

• Extremely Loud
• Heavy
• Cord Tangles Easily

Overall Rating: 7/10

HiFiMAN HE-300 Headphones

HiFiMan is a highly regarded audio company known for superior studio quality audio equipment. Today, I will take a look at their entry level headphone, the HE-300's. Unlike other CelebHeadphones, style isn't a selling point with HiFiMan. Their claim to fame is 100% premium sound quality. With that said, design-wise, these are not your average set of headphones. At first glance, it's impossible to not notice the sheer size of the ear-cups. When worn, there's almost impossible no way of looking "cool." However, the size does have its benefits.  I can say without question, the HE-300's are the most comfortable headphone I have ever reviewed. HiFiMan has been able to make them extremely light for their size. At only 270 grams, the weight of the HE-300's are more on par with headphones half their size. My biggest problem lies with its cable. Not only do you have to screw in both cables into each ear-cup, the cable itself is simply way too long. I understand that these are are studio headphones. I just wish they came with a cable that was atleast a foot or two shorter.

Since these are more of a studio headphone, premium sound quality is critical. After testing all genres of music, I found something completely different than with any other previous CelebHeadphone I have reviewed. The HE-300 sound fantastic when listening to acoustic music, jazz and most "classic" genres. The headphones make listening to classic music a pleasure since they offer clear reproduction of each individual instrument. Pop, rap and electronic genres don't sound bad, they just don't sound nearly as good compared to other similarly priced headphones.

If you're someone who is really into acoustic music or any of the "classic" music genres, someone who does not expect to travel with your headphones, and someone who is willing to spend the extra money, the HiFiMan HE-300's are for you.

Price: $250
Available Now

Pros

• Extremely Comfortable
• "Classic" Music Genre Sound Quality
• Durable

Cons

• Massive Ear-cups
• Pricey
• Cable is too long

Overall Rating: 7/10

Quarkie "Audio Art" Headphones

Their slogan is, "You've never seen headphones like this before," and it couldn't be any more true. Quarkie Headphones are the result of a team of widely imaginative and creative British and Asian-Pacific artists, music lovers and electronic engineers who wanted to combine each of their passions into one project.

Their first line of headphones, the "Audio Art" line, have got to be one of the most eye-catching pieces of technology ever. With designs like yellow viper snakeheads, cat eyes, purple gemstones, and rusty bolts, there's nothing "normal" about them. Since they are in fact art, each headphone comes individually numbered and detailed by hand. I received the Snake Eyes model, and they look so real that you might just be able to convince some to think they were real.

Although the unique design is the primary focus, these headphones are not just all show. The folks behind Quarkie also wanted them to sound great as well. Although not at the same audio quality of some similar priced earbuds, the Quarkie Headphones aren't far behind. As with most premium earbuds, the Quarkie's have sound isolation technology which makes them good for plane or subway rides, but not so good for walking around crowded cities. They do, however, come stocked with an inline mic, which I found worked well. My only gripe is with their heftiness. I know they are art, but I wish Quarkie could have found a way to lighten them up a bit.

If your into fusing technology and art, and are looking to shock your friends, the Quarkie Headphones are for you.

Price: $109
Available Now

Pros

• Extremely Well-Crafted
• Unlike Anything Anyone Has Ever Seen
• Inline Mic

Cons

• Design is Not For Everyone
• Heavy
• Average Sound Quality

Overall Rating: 7/10

AudioFly AF33 In-Ear Headphones

AudioFly is an Australian Headphone company that currently sells 4 in-ear models. Today, I will be taking a look at their entry level headphones, the AF33's.

The overall style of the AF33's reminded me a lot of the House of Marley earbuds which I really like. However when compared to the design of the House of Marley earbuds, I prefer these due to their sleek  look and great options in color combinations. After taking a look at all the varieties available, I didn't find any I disliked (which is usually tough to do).

As with most earbuds these days, you have the option to either buy the AF33 without the inline mic or spend the extra $10 to include it.   The earbuds are much lighter than I expected and they fit comfortably in my ears. The plastic cord isn't a tangle free cord so you'll still have to spend time getting those knots out from time to time. Now onto sound quality.

The AF33's aren't going to win any sound competitions, but at only around $30, you shouldn't expect them to. I found the overall sound quality to be decent. If you compare them to the Apple earbuds, they are much better, but if you compare them to a higher priced model like the Sol Republic Amps or Velodyne vPulse Earbuds, there's no comparison.

If you're more interested in style over sound quality, and don't want to break the bank, the AudioFly AF33's are a good option.

Price: $30-$40
Available Now

Pros

• Color Options
• Lightweight
• Comfortable

Cons

• Mediocre Sound Quality
• Hard to Find
• Mic Costs Extra

Overall Rating: 7/10

Ultrasone Signature Pro Headphones

Ultrasone's top of the line headphones, the Signature Pro's, are one of the most extravagant music accesories money can buy, set at $1,299, and, though not affordable, the Signature Pro's do all they can to live up to such a price.

The design is much more subtle than most headphones, as Ultrasone has focused on sound quality over flare. The majority of headphone is made of matte black plastic with some black glass trim along the ear cups. The ear cushions are covered in premium leather to avoid any ear fatigue. What might lack in flashy design, though, is more than made up in overall durability. Ultrasone has made sure to make your investment last as the headphones can withstand repeated drops to stone floor from up to 10 feet. Even if the headphones were to somehow break, don't worry. The Signature Pro's come with a 5-year warranty.

Despite these aesthetic features, let's be honest. The reason you buy these headphones isn't for the durability, style or warranty. It's to own the best sounding headphone money can buy. The Signature Pros are one of the best sounding headphone on the market, and, unlike other ultra-expensive headphones, the sound quality is still fantastic with MP3 players. Every genre of music sounds fantastic. If you have $1300 lying around, and you're a serious audiophile who won't settle for anything less than exceptional sound quality, these are definitely the ones to get.

Price: $1,299
Available Now

Incipio Forté F38 Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones

Incipio is another electronic accessory company which has entered the headphone market. I have used some of their products in the past and have loved the quality so I was extremely excited to check out their first headphones, the F38's.

Overall, Incipio has given the F38's an old school look. In regard to the design, I'm a big fan of the vintage feel. The headband is covered in a meshed synthetic fabric and the earcups have a matte finish. The Incipio logo is displayed on both sides and with the Espresso model, the logo is red which compliments the tan and brown design well.

My favorite thing about these headphones is the comfort. The earcups are large enough to fit around your ear which makes them much more comfortable than say the Matix Domepiece Headphones. After using them for a few hours, I hardly noticed I was wearing them which can't be said for most headphones.  One problem I have with them is the amount of sound leaked. Even though this is common with most inexpensive headphones, it's still extremely annoying.

Sound quality is about what you would expect for $50 headphones. They will satisfy most, but they aren't great by any means. However, they can get really loud, which I liked. The F38's include a black carrying case and are available in 5 colors: Matte Black, Neon Pink, Bright Turquoise, Vintage White, and Espresso.

Price: $50
Available Now

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Color Options
• Thick Tangle Free Cable

Cons

• No In-Line Mic
• Leak Sound
• Mediocre Sound Quality

Overall Rating: 7/10

InCase Sonic Headphone

InCase is another technology accessory brand that has developed their own line of headphones. In the past, I have been a big fan of InCase products, so I was especially excited to check out their Sonic Headphones. Unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of the overall minimalist design that InCase was going for. That being said, there are some who might find the smooth look attractive. One good feature about these headphones is that they have a matte finish, which means that fingerprints will never be a problem. The ear cups are made of memory foam and covered with suede. The overall comfort is surprisingly impressive. One problem that I found was that the cord length was a few inches shorter than I would have liked. This small problem is something that I'm sure they will fix in their next series of headphones.

Truthfully, I had very low expectations for the sound quality of these headphones. Usually, technology accessory brands don't make the best sounding headphones (See iFrogz, iHome, BlueAnt). After checking out the Sonic Headphones, I was pleasantly surprised. While they weren't the best, they definitely weren't the worst. The amount of bass is on the low side, especially compared to other $200 headphones. The InCase Sonic Headphones come in 3 colors: Black, White & Grey.

Price: $200
Available Now

Pros

• Comfortable
• Lightweight
• Matte Finish

Cons

• Short Cable
• Expensive
• Average Bass

Overall Rating: 7/10 

iFrogz Vertex Headphones

The company iFrogz is primarily known for their digital media accessories, but they also have a line of headphones that not many know about. Today, I will be reviewing their most expensive headphones, the Vertex's. These are more on par with the SkullCandy Hesh Headphones than the Beats by Dre Solo's. In my opinion, the build quality is almost as important to a headphone as its sound quality. The plastic shell feels cheap and not very durable. One positive about the Vertex Headphones is the incredibly comfortable ear cushions. iFrogz uses what they call, "AeroFoam ear cushions" to give them that extra comfort that other similar headphones don't have. One design feature that is often overlooked with headphones is the in-line microphone that allows you to talk on the phone without having to take off your CelebHeadphones.

Since these are not premium headphones like a Bose or Beats by Dre, the sound quality isn't premium either. They will sound much better than any stock headphones, but don't expect much more. These are a great option for someone who wants a stylish headphone but is not looking to break the bank. They are available in 2 colors: Black/Red & Iron.

Price: $32

Available Now

Pros

• Inexpensive
• AeroFoam Ear Cushions
• In-Line Mic

Cons

• Average Sound Quality
• Durability
• Plastic Construction Feels Cheap

Overall Rating: 7/10

Subjekt BlockParty DJ Headphones

The Subjekt BlockParty DJ Headphones are a very colorful over-ear set of headphones that have a SkullCandy type of design. Instead of having a skull on the side of the headphones, these have a little alien head. One positive with these headphones is that there is a lot of padding on the ear cups which makes them very comfortable for extended periods. The only drawback to this design feature is that it makes the headphones seem bulky while worn. While I expected a headphone with major bass and mediocre sound quality, I got the complete opposite. The bass is minimal and the high's and mid's were not as bad as I expected. While they are called DJ Headphones, I wouldn't recommend these headphones for any DJ. Overall, the Subjekt Block Party DJ Headphones are a good option for parents who want to buy their young teens a stylish headphone that doesn't break the bank. They are available in 2 colors: Black / Red & Green / White.

Price: $25
Available Now

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Comfortable
• Stylish for Young Teens

Cons

• Minimal Bass
• Large
• No Case

Overall Rating: 7/10

Aerial7 Royale Luxury Headphones

The Royale series headphones by Aerial7 are not intended for the causal music enthusiast. This pricey model designed by Aerial7's top series, A-List, is definitely not messing around. At first glance, the professional over-the-ear DJ style Royale's seam a bit large and imposing. The large size assures a comfortable listening experience with an adjustable patent full-grain leather headband that is complemented by soft premium ear cushions.

These headphones provide sound of highest quality, delivering crystal clear low's, mid's, and high's through their 50mm speakers. The over-the-ear headphones allow for clear isolation of beats to repel any ambient noise. What I like about these headphones is that while they seem optimal for DJ's, they are also a fashionable alternative for any music-listener. While there is no doubt that the quality of sound delivered by the Royale's is great, the $400 dollar price tag is anything but great. The high price tag isn't warranted, as there are other options with similar sound quality for half the costs. Unless you love the Aerial7 Royale design, there are several alternatives that are much more affordable. They are available in 2 designs: Bourbon & Absolute White.

Price: $399.99

Available Now

Pros

• Great Sound Quality
• Comfortable
• Unique Look

Cons

• High Price Tag
• Boxy Design
• Large Size

Overall Rating: 7/10

Sony PiiQ Marqii Premium Headphones

I have been impressed with the Sony PiiQ Headphones that I have previously reviewed, so I was especially excited to check out their top of the line headphones. All PiiQ headphones feature an eye-popping design, and the Marqii's are no exception. I like most of the design features like the square ear-cups, flat cord and the speaker-like fabric that lines the outer portion of the ear-cups. The biggest problem I have with these headphones is with the color combinations, or lack there of. Sony decided to only come out with one color for there premium headphones. Every other headphones in the PiiQ line, besides the Marqii's, comes in a number of colors. The vibrant pink color is not for everyone and I wish Sony would come out with these headphones in red, blue or another more universal color.

The Sony PiiQ Premium Headphones are extremely light at only 9 oz. There is a good amount of leather padding on the earcups to make comfort a non-issue.  Bass is plenty enough to satisfy most people. The amount of bass in the Marqii's is not at the level of Beats by Dre headphones, but not very far behind.  For the price, sound quality is above average. Most songs sound accurate enough for most listeners. If you can get over the pink accent, the Sony Marqii Premium Headphones are a great option due to their unique young design, comfort, bass, and reasonable price tag.

Price: $64
Available Now
Pros

• Square Ear-Cups
• Overall Design
• Good Bass

Cons

• No Color Options
• Don't Collapse

Overall Rating: 7/10