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Like it or not, people wear earphones and headphones everywhere these days — on the train, jogging, at the gym and even (most dangerously) while cycling.
They’re the gift everyone seems to want this year — but which pairs are best for your loved ones?
The choice is staggering. For example, John Lewis sells 216 different sets of ear and headphones — from a £7.99 black plastic set to an all-mod-cons stainless steel pair at £1,000. VINCENT GRAFF offers a beginner’s guide. . .
BEST FOR COMMUTERS
LUXURY: Bose QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones, £299.95, bose.co.uk
Increasingly often sported by public transport users — and it’s obvious why: if you cancel out the clattering of your commuter train, you can hear your music so much better.
Commuter favourite: The Bose QuietComfort 3
Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones (£299.95, bose.co.uk) are often
seen on public transport users
Designed to reduce outside noise by forming a ‘flawless seal’ with your ear canal.
And if you’re not having to drown out the sounds from outside, you can have your music playing much more quietly — which will save your hearing.
Background: The SoundMAGIC PL11 headphones (£19.96, hifiheadphones.co.uk) have a 'flawless canal' to cancel out exterior sound
BEST FOR OUTSIDE
LUXURY: Frends Denim Light over-ear headphones, £110, selfridges.com
Covered with padded denim, they will keep your ears much warmer than smaller models.
The memory foam ‘remembers’ the shape of your ears, keeping them even more snug. Fully compatible with iPhones.
Soft-touch: The Friends Denim Light over-ear (£110, selfridges.com) will keep your ears much warmer than smaller models
VALUE: John Lewis Hear Hat beanie, £10, johnlewis.com
Theseare knitted into an acrylic beanie hat. You may look like Benny from Crossroads while you’re braving the snow — but you’re toasty warm, so what’s the problem?
Clever: The headphones are sewn into this John Lewis Hear Hat beanie (£10, johnlewis.com)
BEST FOR GIRLS
Urbanz Vibe Lightweight On-Ear Headphones, £9.99, argos.co.uk
Great value. Young girls will love their bright pink and brown design.
For girls: The pink and blue design of the
Urbanz Vibe Lightweight On-Ear Headphones (£9.99, argos.co.uk) is surely
to be popular
BEST FOR BOYS
Blue and yellow and plastered with Moshi Monsters, £18.99, argos.co.uk
They work not just with MP3 players but also computer tablets and TV games.
For boys: The Blue and yellow and plastered
Moshi Monsters, (£18.99, argos.co.uk) work on MP3 players, tablets and
games consoles
BEST FOR SMALL CHILDREN
JVC HA-KD10 Kids Headphones with Sound Limiter, £29.99, jvceshop.co.uk
Suitable from age three upwards, they have a built-in sound limiter — so your little one cannot damage his or her hearing by turning up the volume too high. The headphones, predictably, come in pink or blue. They’re easy to clean, comfortable and soft.
Young fans: JVC HA-KD10 Kids Headphones with
Sound Limiter (£29.99, jvceshop.co.uk) are suitable for youngsters aged
three and upwards
BEST FOR MUSIC FANS
Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD Headphones, £129, argos.co.uk
The rap artist Dr Dre is one of the highest-earning musicians in the world — not because of his music, but due to the headphones company he created five years ago.
His much-praised headphones range in price from £80 to £350. They’re ubiquitous: they were worn by members of Team GB as they trained for last year’s Olympics and they’re seen on the ears of celebrities (Lindsay Lohan, Will.i.am) and sports stars (Tom Daley, Laura Robson) galore.
Popular: The Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD Headphones
(£129, argos.co.uk) have become one of the most well-known designs in
the world
BEST FOR SPORTS LOVERS
LUXURY: Monster iSport Intensity In-Ear Headphones with ControlTalk, £79.95, johnlewis.com
Specially designed so they don’t slip out of your ears while you’re jogging.
They’re also sweatproof and hygienic. A special anti-microbial coating helps prevent ‘gym odours’ and you can even stick them in the washing machine.
Sporty: The Monster iSport Intensity In-Ear
Headphones with ControlTalk, (£79.95, johnlewis.com) are specially
designed so they don't slip out of your ears while you're jogging
VALUE: KitSound Audio SportsBand On-Ear Headphones, £19.95, johnlewis.com
Built into a sweatband, so you can go as mad as you like at the gym or running on the streets — and music won’t slip from your ears, nor will the sweat slip into your eyes. You can remove the electrical bits and pop the rest into the wash.
Athletic: The KitSound Audio SportsBand On-Ear Headphones, (£19.95, johnlewis.com) are built into a sweatband
BEST FOR CONNOISSEURS
1AKG K003 In-Ear Headphones, £1,000, johnlewis.com
These small headphones cost more than you’d pay for a 50in high-definition TV.
Why so expensive? Because each earpiece is made up of three separate units: one for high-frequency sounds, one for mid-frequency and one for bass. Even the cables are made of a specialist material that ensures they don’t make any noise no matter how much you move around.
But will you feel safe wearing them out and about?
Expensive: The 1AKG K003 In-Ear Headphones, (£1,000, johnlewis.com) cost more than you'd pay for a 50in high-definition TV
BEST FOR FASIONISTAS
LUXURY: Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear Headphones with Mic/Remote, £169.95, johnlewis.com
Lightweight mini headphones made from stainless steel wrapped in Alcantara, the luxury material used for the interior of the latest £200,000 Ferrari.
They’re soft, pink, fluffy and durable, and are bound to turn heads. Fitted with a microphone, they work perfectly with iPhones.
Stylish: The Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear
Headphones with Mic/Remote, (£169.95, johnlewis.com) are lightweight
mini headphones made from stainless steel wrapped in Alcantara
VALUE: Marc by Marc Jacobs headphones, £45, harveynichols.com
In-ear headphones in a groovy cat or dog designs, and the cable is fabric-covered, meaning that they’re less likely to get tangled.
Fashionable: The Marc by Marc Jacobs in-ear headphones (£45, harveynichols.com) come in a groovy cat or dog design
PS: AND THE WACKIEST...
Soundasleep pillow, £17.99, firebox.com
Want to listen to your music but you’re too lazy to get out of bed? These ‘headphones’ are, in fact, speakers built into a pillow.
The pillow works with virtually any contraption that makes a useful sound — TV, radio, MP3 player, phone.
Plug the (long) cable in and let the music send you to sleep. (Top tip: don’t wear these while you’re driving.)
Wacky: The Soundasleep pillow, (£17.99 from
firebox.com) works with virtually any contraption that makes a useful
sound ¿ TV, radio, MP3 player, phone
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