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April 8, 2008 at 03:22:00 PM | more stories by this author
How to pamper your ears.
Sound quality is an important factor when picking out headphones, but it's not the only thing you should consider when you're investing in a decent pair. If you are the type of person who likes to listen to music for long stretches of time--and if you're plunking down a decent chunk of change on a quality set of 'phones, you probably are--you want to make sure that they're not going to snag on your hair or rest uncomfortably on the cartilage of your ears. As such, I set out on a mission to find some of the most comfortable headphones that CNET has reviewed over the years. A good rule of thumb is to pick out a full-size--but lightweight--pair with soft padding and plenty of it, and that includes on the headband, as well as on the ear cups. Earbuds usually aren't totally comfy for most people--they get caught on things and pull out easily, and they can irritate some people's ear canals--but I threw one set in for good measure in case you need ultraportability. Our reviewer found them to be more than adequate in the comfort department. There's also one Bluetooth pair for those who find wires to be a serious hindrance to their comfort.
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 8.0 Excellent |
1. Bose QuietComfort 3
With the QuietComfort 3s, Bose has done a remarkable job of shrinking its popular noise-canceling headphones while achieving similarly impressive sound quality--but that engineering feat doesn't come cheap.
Price: $349 (check latest prices)
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| 8.5 Excellent |
1. Denon AH-D2000
For at-home listening, the Denon AH-D2000 headphones provide plenty of oomph, masterful musicality, and a solid, well-constructed design.
Price: $251-350 (check latest prices)
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 7.0 Very Good |
1. Creative Aurvana Live
The Creative Aurvana Live headphones offer balanced audio response and a comfortable, closed-back design that won't leak sound. They're a great choice for the average listener who wants to enjoy private audio in the home.
REVIEW: Creative Aurvana Live .
Price: $104-122 (check latest prices)
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| 7.0 Very Good |
1. Audio-Technica ATH-EW9
Audio-Technica's ATH-EW9 clip-on headphones combine graceful looks and sonics, but they won't rock your world.
REVIEW: Audio-Technica ATH-EW9 .
Price: $140-199 (check latest prices)
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| 7.0 Very Good |
1. Cardo S-2 Bluetooth Stereo headphones
The Cardo S-2 Bluetooth stereo headset is a great and affordable wireless music solution for those with stereo Bluetooth-enabled phones or music players.
REVIEW: Cardo S-2 Bluetooth Stereo headphones .
Price: $60-64 (check latest prices)
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| 7.0 Very Good |
1. Klipsch Image Headphones
The pricey Klipsch Image in-ear headphones combine rich sound with superior comfort.
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