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Do you think Dr. Dre still has love for the streets? Probably, considering those streets are filled with people wearing his $300 headphones. Thanks to Dre, the premium headphone market has exploded over the last few years. The NPD Group says U.S. sales of headphones that cost $100 or more increased 73% year-over-year in 2012.
At a time when consumers can buy cheap earbuds and headphones at nearly any gas station in the country, many people are going the other way with premium, expensive ear goggles. High-end headphones account for 43% of all headphone sales. According to the NDP, people who own premium headphones have an average of 2.3 pairs.
With this in mind, Yahoo Shopping compiled the following list of headphones with a variety of cost and features.
1. Beats by Dre Studio Wireless Headphones ($380)
The man who co-founded N.W.A., led Eminem and Xzibit to greatness, and helped found the West Coast G-funk rap style is also the leader of the premium headphone movement. Perhaps the finest example of his headphone empire is the Beats Studio Wireless cans that cost a lot but deliver even more.
The Bluetooth, over-the-ear wireless headphones offer excellent sound – especially for a wireless set up – and come with noise-canceling technology that actually works. This is how the king stays the king – giving people what they pay for, especially when they’re paying this much.
Eddie Murphy and his AKGs2. AKG K 240 MK II Pro Studio Headphones ($149)
If only Eddie Murphy could have seen the Beats by Dre thing coming. Back in the 1980s, Murphy can be seen wearing AKG 240s in his video for “Party all the Time.” Rick James is even heard telling Murphy to put the headphones on before they start recording.
“I first bought a pair more than 30 years ago. The music seems to come from in front of you — like a live performance — rather than from the extreme left and right,” says writer and audiophile Jim McGaw.
“Very natural sound with nice bass, and they’re self-adjusting and very comfortable to wear. Also famed for their use in many recording studios.”
The AKG K 240 MK II dynamic, around-ear semi-open headphones and ideal for studio monitoring, but are right at home with your music library as well. They feature both leatherette and velvet ear pads, self-adjusting headband, a detachable 10' straight cable and a 16' coiled cable, and offer a frequency range from 15Hz to 25kHz.
3. Bose Quiet Comfort 15 ($299.95)
People swear by Bose – especially people who commute or travel a lot – and they’re right to do so. They’ll cost you, but Bose consistently produces some of the best premium headphones you can buy.
This set is extremely confortable and provides some of the best noise-canceling technology on the market. Bose offers a 30-day home trial to back up their claim that these are the best headphones they’ve ever made.
STREET by 50 Cent4. STREET by 50 Cent Headphones ($150.58)
How did Curtis James Jackson (50 Cent) repay Dr. Dre for helping him blast onto the rap scene? He stole his headphones idea.
50 Cent’s line of headphones are some of the best looking on the market. That’s subjective, of course, but these cans have a nice balance of form and function that evokes a not too distant future. The sound quality is solid and the headphones are very comfortable. These may not be for the casual listener, but music fans that want to look the part will love them.
5. Sol Republic Jax Earbud Headphones ($40)
Not to be confused with those flimsy little buds that came with your portable music player, these inexpensive ear buds pump the sound right into your ear holes. Four sizes of ear tips are included to ensure a comfortable fit.
These ear buds do a great job of blocking outside noise and come with an effective, 3-button microphone for hands-free communication and easy control over compatible devices.
6. JVC Wireless Home Headphones ($55)
These unassuming headphones may be more retirement home than rap, but they’re a nice set at a good price for anyone who wants decent sound around the house. The wireless 900MHz headphones have a range of about 164 feet, and they can be used with virtually any TV, stereo or other audio equipment.
If you lose them – or you lose the person wearing them – just press the paging/call function button on the base, which also charges the headphones when not in use.
7. Sennheiser RS 160 Binaural headphones ($159.95)
These wireless cans are from one of the most trusted names in the business, and are a considerable step up from the adequate JVC set listed above.
Up to four pairs of headphones can work off this Kleer-based system, which offers uncompressed digital audio transmission with a range of about 65 feet. Sennheiser has made a name for itself by offering wireless headphones that provide CD-quality sound. These are no different. Audiophiles who want wireless sound from their home tech – from the AV receiver to the Xbox – should check these out.
8. Sony MDR-7506 headphones ($100)
These are old school in the best way. Sony introduced these headphones in 1991, with an eye to audio professionals – they say “Professional” on the side in a very matter of fact, understated font preferred by Sony. The public caught on, and these headphones have been a durable, quality purchase ever since.
For $100, these will be the last set of cans some people ever own. The ear pads are easy to replace, the headphones are comfortable and the sound calibrations is perfectly suited for any genre.
Ref:yahoo
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