Beats by Dre Executive Headphones

With the introduction of the Executives, Beats by Dre is finally trying to compete with Bose's control of the business professional crowd. Up to this point, I have never been a huge Beats by Dre fan due to the lack of quality products, however, the new Executive's are a definite step in the right direction.

In general, Beats products are known for their lack of sturdiness and poor construction. That has changed with the Executives, as they are made with a different material with a harder finish. The Studio's and Solo's feel flimsy and cheap, but the Executive's feel hefty in the best possible way. The finger-print prone glossy finish has thankfully been replaced with a scratch-proof metal surface. The Executives have a double hinge, which allows you to fold them flat and up for maximum portability. Comfort-wise, the padding on the headband and earcups is excellent. I felt no ear fatigue after hours of use.

The noise-canceling feature works well, but not at the same quality as a Bose Noise Cancelling Headphone. When the noise-cancelling feature is on, it produces a very slight hiss, which isn't noticeable when listening to music. So, if you are the type of person who likes to use noise-cancelling headphones for silence on airplanes or trains, these are not for you.

Overall sound quality is also much better than other Beats models. Since these are intended for a more upscale clientele, the headphones have a much more balance sound level, with less emphasis on bass. Anyone who enjoys rap, house, pop, rock music will surely be satisfied with the sound quality of the Executives.

Going in, I didn't think I was going to like the Executives, but I was wrong. The difference between these and the Studio's is night and day. Beats by Dre has done a great job updating their product with much better quality all around.

Price: $299
Available Now

Pros

• New Design
• Carrying Case
• Hefty and Sturdy

Cons

• Slight Hiss with Noise-Cancelling
• Expensive

Overall Rating: 8/10

 

Kicker Audio Cush Over-Ear Headphones

Today, I will be reviewing the Cush Headphones by Kicker Audio. These are the second Kicker Headphones I will have reviewed, the first being the TJ Lavin HP541 Headphones. Now, let’s get into the review.

When you put the headphones on you will notice right away just how comfortable these headphones are. Kicker made the perfect choice in calling them Cush, as they have a ridiculous amount of cushion and padding, making them one of the most comfortable headphones on the market. Although they are made entirely of plastic, they feel sturdy and durable.  They are also extremely light for their size. The cord is similar to a Beats by Dre cord: flat, thick and non-tangling. For the most part, Kicker has done a great job with the design, however I did fine a few negative aspects.

First, the headphones do not include an in-line mic, something I wish they would have include it as a feature in a premium model.  Second, the headphones don’t collapse or come with a carrying case, making them difficult for traveling. Finally, the large amount of padding on the earcups makes them look especially large when worn, especially on those with smaller heads.

Without getting into too much detail, the Cush Headphones have great sound quality, especially for their affordable price.  The bass is strong, yet not overpowering. There are many headphones double the price that don’t sound nearly as good as the Cush, and, unless you’re willing to spend over $150 to get yourself a V-Moda Crossfade or a Skullcandy Aviator, the Kicker’s are about as good as your going to get in terms of sound quality.

After reviewing Kicker’s first products, the TJ Lavin Headphones, I wasn’t expecting much, but the Cush Headphones are a pleasant surprise, and at only $70, are a bargain. If you are looking for an affordable headphone that combines style, comfort and good sound quality, the Kicker Cush Headphones are for you.

Price: $70
Available Now

Pros

• Extremely Comfortable
• Affordable
• Sound Quality

Cons

• Not Travel-Friendly
• No In-Line Mic
• White Leather Gets Dirty Easily

Overall Rating: 8/10

SOUL by Ludacris SL300 Headphones

Today, we will be taking a look at the flagship model of the SOUL by Ludacris line, the SL300’s. Die to their styling and price tag, the SL300's are direct competitors with the Beats by Dre Studio Headphones and SMS Audio's STREET by 50 Headphones.

To start, the SL300’s stylish packaging makes you feel better about dropping hundreds of dollars on a pair of headphones. As for their design, there are several aspects that I love, one in particular being SOUL's signature argyle stitching on the nner portion of the headband. The second pertains to the new color options. There are now three colors to choose from, as opposed to the outrageous gold color promoted during the company's launch. Also, if you don't dig any of the colors, you now have the option of getting a Usain Bolt or Cesc Fabregas limited edition SL300 Headphone! I personallly love the design of both, but if pressed, would probably go with the silver Fabregas ones.

With regards to comfort, the SL300's are superior to the Studio's and comparable to the STREET's, and, while they are rather large in size, the left and right ear-cup arms fold into the headband, making them extremely portable. As noise-cancelling headphones, they do require 2 AA batteries, but there are included and are hidden behind the SOUL logo on the left ear-cup. The SL300's can also be used without batteries, something the Studio's cant. Although the noise-cancelling feature isn't perfect, the strong bass and overall loud volume will help you eliminate any ambient noise.

 

As with most CelebHeadphones, sound quality is primarily focused on music genres like hip-hop, R&B, pop, and electronic music. Chances are, if you're thinking of buying a Ludacris headphone, you're not so much into jazz or classical music. Like with Beats by Dre Studio’s, the bass is predominant, however after testing each side by side, I enjoyed the bass more in the SL300’s. Despite its many positive features, Ludacris' flagship headphone is not perfect. My biggest problem is that the SL300's leak a good amount of sound, and isn’t the whole point of using headphones to be the only one listening to your music? It’s not terrible by any means. It’s just something I had to point out.

All in all, the SOUL by Ludacris SL300’s outperform its competitors, making them the undisputed champ of the celebrity hip-hop premium headphone market.

Price: $300

Available Now

Pros

• Travel-friendly
• Comfortable
• Bass

Cons

• Pricey
• Glossy Finish Attracts Fingerprints
• Leaks Sound

Overall Rating: 8/10

Skullcandy NBA Mix Master Mike Throwback Headphones

Until recently, SkullCandy had never had an ultra premium headphone that could be considered the flagship of the brand. With a $300 price tag, the Mix Master Mike's trump the RocNation Aviator's as SkullCandy's most expensive headphones. For those of you who don't know, Mix Master Mike is a west coast DJ who is most well known for his work with the Beastie Boys. 

The Mix Master's are a full-size, over-ear headphone that are made both for DJ's and music enthusiasts. The design isn't shy as its command attention with its bold style. The best way to describe these headphones is: big, blocky, and glossy. From the large SkullCandy logo on the headband to the over sized earcups, everything about these headphones is BIG (2012 NBA Theme).

My favorite part of the headphones is that they are both comfortable, and don't flare out, unlike both the Beats by Dre Studio's and the Pro's. Because the earcups are longer as opposed to wider, the earcups on the Mix Master Mike's are much more streamlined than most. Although the headphones have a snug fit, soft foam covers nearly every part of the headphones which avoids discomfort from the overall tight fit. Another feature that I like is that either one of the two included cables can not only be detached, but can also be plugged into either earcup. Also, the included carrying case is the most stylish one I have seen to date.

Now onto the reason you're buying these headphones: Sound Quality. First off, the SkullCandy Mix Master Mike's do sound good, just not what I expected. With the bold style and target young demographic, I expected a strong bass with mediocre high's and lows. What I got was an average bass with balanced high's and lows. In my opinion, the people that would buy this headphone are more interested in punchy bass and not as concerned with proper sound quality. With this said, I was impressed with the sound quality, but by no means was I blown away.

Back in 2010, SkullCandy gave away personalized Mix Master Mike's to each NBA All-Star. Now, SkullCandy has brought them back and made them available to the public with its NBA Throwback Series. They are currently available in 5 NBA Teams: Lakers, Bulls, Knicks, Celtics and Heat. I chose to purchase my favorite team, the newly crowned world champion Miami Heat.

Overall, the SkullCandy NBA Mix Master Mike Throwback Headphones don't excel in any one feature. However, they do have several positives, making them a good choice for anyone who wants a premium headphone with bold style. 

Price: $300

Available Now

Pros

• Durable
• Carrying Case & Included Accessories
• Balanced Sound Quality

Cons

• Expensive
• Not Much Bass
• Style Not For Everyone

Overall Rating: 8/10

YurBuds IronMan Inspire Headphones

The YurBud company's mission is to make a product for athletes which don't hurt and will never fall out. Many athletes have a tough time finding an in-ear headphone that can keep up with them with every sprint, jump, or bike ride. All of the YurBud earbuds feature their signature Twist-Lock Technology, which I will elaborate on later in this review. Today, I will review the YurBuds IronMan Inspire model.

From the shape to the red silicone, the design is totally unique. These headphones don't look like any other, and they shouldn't since they are designed for a different purpose. The red silicone is sweat proof and flexible enough to be comfortable, yet stable. The earbuds are waterproof as well. This means there is no reason to worry about that thunderstorm when your halfway through that 14 mile run.

The signature Twist-Lock Technology is the biggest selling point for the product.   What you have to do is put the earbuds in your ears at a 45 degree angle and then twist up to lock them into place. For a full video demonstration on how to use the headphones, Click Here. I found that, depending on the person, it could take 10 seconds or hours to put the earbuds in the right way. Personally, I had a tough time getting the technique down while friends of mine had no problems from the first try. Once you are successful, the earbuds are going nowhere. There's no way you will have problems with these earbuds falling out, regardless of whatever activity your doing. With this said, these wouldn't replace your regular headphones as they would be inconvenient to use during daily use.

If your a serious athlete and are looking for a headphone that you can be sure will never fall out, the YurBuds IronMan Inspire Headphones are a great option.

Price: $50
Available Now

Pros

• Waterproof
• Never Falls Out
• Unique

Cons

• Ear Tips Are Flimsy
• Some Might have difficulty with Twist-Lock
• EarBuds Aren't Light

Overall Rating: 8/10

Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie

There are a number of apparel companies who are now integrating headphones into clothing. There is the InSound Headphone Hoodie line and Rusty’s Wired Series Clothing line, just to name a few. This blend of fashion and technology is a nice idea in principal, but till this point hasn’t worked well because either they look awkward or break easily. With this said, Aerial7’s Sound Disk Beanie is different from the rest.

The Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie is just as it sounds, a beanie with 2 small speakers. With the heart of winter quickly approaching, what better way to listen to your music then inside a warm, soft beanie? They are a must have for any skier or snowboarder as they might be that extra help you need to land that tough trick you’ve been trying for years.

Because of my doubts about the collaboration of clothing and technology in the past, I was skeptical about testing out the Sound Disk Beanie. However, after testing them out for a few days, I have a renewed confidence. Inside of the beanie there are 2 small slits where you place each of the sound disks, which are basically small speakers. Once the sound disks are inside the beanie, you can adjust them to fit as close to your ears as you would like. I was expecting the beanie to leak a lot of sound, but I was completely wrong. Unless you have your MP3 player at max volume, not even the person sitting next to you on the ski lift up the mountain will know what song your listening to. I really liked that the beanies, even with the speakers, aren’t bulky at all. One flaw is that there is no way anyone could know your beanie is different from anyone else’s. Sound quality is definitely not one of its pros, but were you really expecting great sound with beanie headphones?! 

I tested out 2 styles of the Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie: Blue Bonfire & Black Perisher. The Blue Bonfire beanie is an oversized beanie that is much thinner than the Black Perisher. Both are made of an extremely comfortable material with the black one being a little thicker and warmer. Overall, the Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie is a great gift for anyone who loves music and enjoys winter sports. They are available in 14 different colors and styles.

Available Now

Price: $60

Pros

• Easy to Use
• Extremely Comfortable
• 14 Designs

Cons

• Expensive
• Average Sound Quality

Overall Rating: 8/10

Able Planet Extreme Noise Canceling Headphones

Able Planet is a relatively well known company for their premium audio and communication devices. In the past, most of their headphones have sounded great but haven't featured that uniqueness in style and design that we look for here at CelebHeadphones.com. All of this changed with the release of their Extreme Noise Canceling Headphones.

The Extreme headphones feature a plaid exterior which I personally enjoy but may not be for everyone. The overall styling might be better suited for a woman. The headphones are made of plastic but don't feel cheap like many plastic ones. Being over-ear headphones, these are not made to be used at the gym or anything similar. The headphones are much larger than I expected after seeing pictures online. For being such large headphones, Able Planet has done a great job in making sure they can be compact. They can easily be stored in a compact form and placed in the included cloth carrying case for travel. The Extreme's are extremely comfortable. While worn, they have a snug fit, but nothing that causes any discomfort. The earcups encompass your whole ears and create a tight seal which helps with sound quality.

When fist testing them out, they reminded me of the Bose Quiet Comfort 15's because of the noise canceling feature. Obviously, the Extreme's don't cancel out nearly as much ambient noise as the Quiet Comfort 15's, but they are also a third of the price. Even still, it's hard to hear much at all when using the Extremes. The noise canceling feature does require the use of a battery, but unlike with the Beats Studio's, they can be used without batteries. The power switch will also increase the volume a significant amount. When listening to songs with the power off, I had to keep the volume at the highest setting on my iPod, and even that wasn't very loud. As soon as you turn the battery power on, the volume increased ten fold. Music can be played with a medium volume as these headphones can be extremely loud.

I have heard nothing but praise over the sound quality of Able Planet products, so I was extremely excited to finally test them out for myself. I'm happy to report that my high expectations have been met. Every song that I tested sounded excellent. The noise canceling feature helps gives you the illusion that the music is surrounding you. The headphones provide a perfect amount of bass for my liking. After testing the Extreme's out for a few hours, I found myself having a tough time finding any problem whatsoever with them. It wasn't till I finally took them off that I could find their flaw. The headphones sound great when worn, but they also don't sound half bad to the person sitting to the left or right of you. Unfortunately, the Extremes leak a great deal of sound. While listening to one of my favorite songs, I saw a friend sitting 20 feet away from me mouthing the words to the song.

Besides this flaw, there wasn't much I disliked about these headphones. At only $100 (and you can find even cheaper online), the Able Planet Extreme Headphones are a great option for anyone looking for a stylish great sounding headphone. They are available in 5 colors: Green, Red, White, Pink & Black

Price: $100
Available Now

Pros

• Sound Quality
• Affordable
• Noise Canceling Feature

Cons

• Leak a lot of Sound
• Style might not be for Everyone
• No In-Line Mic

Overall Rating: 8/10

Call of Duty MW3 9mm Billets Headphones

With the recent release of one of the most anticipated video games in recent history, Modern Warfare 3, it comes as no surprise that there have been a number of newly-released, special edition Call of Duty-licensed products. We have seen Special Edition COD everything, ranging from gaming devices to headphones, to even a car! Yes, it's true, there is a Call of Duty Car! Munitio has hopped on the bandwagon to make it's own COD CelebHeadphone! Munitio is an audio company based in California that specializes in earbuds. Today we will be taking a look at the Munitio Call of Duty MW3 Special Edition 9mm Earphones.

First off, the packaging of these earbuds is one of the best I've seen. Munitio has made a strong effort to mimic the look and feel of something out of Call of Duty with the great packaging design. The earbuds themselves are made of aircraft-grade billet aluminum which give them that bullet look and feel. What I like most about these headphones is that they are the perfect weight. They don't feel light and cheap while also not being too large and heavy like many more expensive earbuds. To further emphasize the Bullet theme, the earbuds have a Kevlar reinforced rubber cable which actually works great. The earbuds come with six sets of silicone ear tips. Each size ear tip comes in two colors, lime green and black. I had never seen an in-ear headphone which included different color ear tips for customization. Although the different color ear-tips don't make that much of a difference since they rest inside your ear and are hardly visible, I still appreciate the option. Unlike other brands of headphones, Munitio has done a great job with the Call of Duty brand on the headphone's design. Since I'm assuming not many people want to walk around the street with a huge Modern Warfare 3 logo on the side of their heads, Munitio had to make sure it was subtle. The MW3 logo is laser etched into the back of the in-line mic which is the perfect amount of product branding.

Comfort can be a big issue with in-ear headphones. Some tend to fit too far inside the ear-canal and cause discomfort while others are too small and fall out easily. In my opinion, the Munitio Billets are the perfect size and are extremely comfortable. If they don't feel comfortable when worn, all you have to do is switch in another sized ear-tip. Sound quality won't disappoint but also won't win any awards. Unlike similarly priced earbuds, the Billets don't get as loud or sound as crisp. With this said, the headphones still sound much better than any inexpensive earbuds and will satisfy most.

Price: $70
Available Now

Pros

• Stylish Design
• Included Carrying Case & Earhooks
• Ear Tip Color Options

Cons

• Expensive
• Don't Get Too Loud

Overall Rating: 8/10

Sol Republic Tracks Headphones

Sol Republic is a relatively new headphone company that was created by Kevin Lee, who is the son of the founder of Monster Cable. Mr. Lee saw an opportunity to make great sounding headphones for the masses with affordable prices. While Kevin's dad sells premium headphones which sell for over $250, the most expensive product in the Sol Republic line is $130. The Sol Republic brand is an anagram for Soundtrack of Life.

The Sol Republic Tracks are the on-ear model. One of the big selling points of these headphones is that they feature swappable headbands, speakers, and cables in different colors and designs. This feature is possible because the wires and earcups can be detached. While I have seen detachable cords before, I have never encountered a headphone that allows the earcups to be taken off the frame. This definitely takes some getting used to and will feel strange at first. I am not yet sold on this whole "swapping idea" because the company currently doesn't sell individual pieces. Therefore it means the only way you could swap something would be to buy a completely new set of Tracks headphones. However, the company does plan on releasing an assortment of different color headbands.

When worn, the headphones look different depending on the size of the person's head.  The smaller the head, the more the bottom portion sticks out and and visa versa for larger heads. However the design does make sure that any person is able to get a perfect fit every time. Before trying on the Tracks, I was most worried about the comfort of the design since I find the Solo Beats extremely uncomfortable. However, after trying them out for a few minutes, I was extremely pleased to find that they were not uncomfortable whatsoever. In conclusion about comfort, I much prefer the Tracks over the Solo's even though the Tracks are about $80 cheaper.

A problem with the design, that I noticed, is the ultra-glossy finish that is on the outer portion of each earcup. Avoiding fingerprints and smudging is difficult, but not impossible. Durability is not an issue because they are made of an indestructible material called FlexTech. The Tracks include a built in microphone for cell phone calls or playing/pausing songs.

These headphones were made to target the same young demographic as the Beats by Dre line does. So it's no surprise that they have good bass and the audio sounds loud and aggressive. I tested the Tracks against the Solo's and found that most songs sound crisper with the newcomer: the Tracks. This seems to be the case probably because they have less overall bass.  In conclusion, the Sol Republic Track On-Ear Headphones are a great option for those looking for an on-ear headphone with style and very good sound quality. They are available in 3 colors: Black, Red & White

Price: $100
Available Now

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Comfortable
• Stylish Design

Cons

• Currently No Interchangeable Parts
• No Carrying Case
• Prone to Finger Prints

Overall Rating: 8/10

BlueAnt Embrace Headphones

The BlueAnt company is known for their Bluetooth wireless products but as with most electronic companies, they have entered the headphone market with one of their own. The design is very modern and stylish. The rectangular ear cups are well padded for maximum comfort. The Embrace headphones are all black with silver accents. One design touch that I really like is the detachable blue cord that it comes with. The headphones are perfect for storage because they fold in half and come with a carrying case.

Most music sounds very good but those who like a strong bass should look elsewhere. Songs sound crisp and natural which is nice for those who primarily listen to genres like classical music and jazz. At $200 they are pricey, but overall the Blue Ant Embrace Headphones are a solid choice.

Price: $200
Available Now

Pros

• Crisp Sound Quality
• Blue Detachable Cord
• Comfortable

Cons

• Pricey
• Not Much Bass

Overall Rating: 8/10

Vivienne Tam Butterfly Monster Headphones

The Butterfly Headphones by Monster are designed by fashion designer, Vivenne Tam. These headphones are very different than any other of Monster's in-ear headphones like the Miles Davis Tributes or the Tron T3's. While we are used to cutting edge and sleek looking headphones from Monster, the Butterfly's are have a feminine and elegant look. The champagne gold metal combined with the little Butterfly design is unique, yet feminine.

While the Butterfly headphones sound really good, but the bass could be a lot better. I understand why they wouldn't put such an emphasis on bass with these headphones since the target demographic is different than their other products. The people that are buying the Butterfly Vivienne Tam headphones probably aren't going to want as much bass as those who are buying Beats by Dre in-ear headphones like the Diddy Beats. While the Vivienne Tam Butterfly Monster In-Ear Headphones aren't for everyone, those who like the overall design will be happy with the overall sound quality of the product.

Price: $105
Available Now

Pros

• Unique Artistic Design
• Accessories (8 Ear Tips Included & Beautiful Case)
• Affordable

Cons

• Not Much Bass

Overall Rating: 8/10

Soul by Ludacris SL150 Headphones

There has been alot of buzz over the Soul by Ludacris line so I was extremely excited to check them out. The SL150's are a direct competitor of the Solo Beats by Dre so as I was doing my review, I couldn't help but compare the two. These headphones have a very sharp and clean look to them. My favorite part of the design is the leather stitching on the inner portion of the headband. The diamond pattern in the leather gives it that premium car interior look which I love. Just like with the Beats by Dre headphones, the top of the headband has the Soul by Ludacris logo. Although the comfort of on-ear headphones is always a concern, the SL150's are very comfortable because they are a little larger than most. In my opinion, the SL150's are much more comfortable than the Solo's.

Sound quality is about what I expected. Just like with the Solo's, there is a good amount of bass and a significant difference in sound quality depending on the genre. Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B and House music sounds pretty good while classical, jazz and rock music sound average at best. The Ludacris SL150's were made to compete with the Solo Beats by Dre's and after reviewing both headphones, the Soul's are a much better option.

Price: $200
Available Now


Pros

• Leather Stitching
• Travel Case
• Better Sound Quality than Solo's

Cons

• Durability
• Causes Ear Sweats
• Other Options With Better Sound Quality

Overall Rating: 8/10