Headphone buying guide

These headphones are usually larger models that look like earmuffs, with earpieces connected by a headband. Most are corded, with wires that run from 3 feet to 8 feet long so they can be connected to an audio source such as a receiver or TV. Some can fold for storage and come with carrying pouches. There are also battery-powered wireless models that pick up radio frequency or infrared transmissions from a base unit that connects to an audio source. Typical price: $20 to $200, though some cost more.

Home/studio headphones come in a few basic designs:

Available in a variety of styles, all are lightweight and small, and some can be folded and tucked away in a pocket or purse when not in use. Typical price: about $10 to $150, though some cost more. They come in a variety of styles:

Wireless models, once rare, are now increasingly common, and typically use RF, infrared (IR), or Bluetooth wireless technologies. Most home models have a battery-powered headset and an AC-powered transmitter that connects to your audio or video gear. RF models can transmit signals through walls and floors, so you don't have to be near your sound system, enabling you to use them in other rooms or even outdoors. But they are also subject to interference from other devices, such as cordless phones and microwave ovens, that operate on the same frequencies (often 900MHz or 2.4GHz). RF technologies include FM (analog) and digital spread spectrum. Typical price: $100 to $400.

Wireless headphones that use infrared technology, much like a TV remote does, require a direct line of sight to the transmitter. Bluetooth is a type of digital spread-spectrum technology, with a typical operating range of about 30 feet.

Portable wireless headphones generally use Bluetooth to connect to a smart phone, such as an iPhone or BlackBerry, or to a Bluetooth-enabled portable media media player, such as a second- or later-generation iPod Touch. Bluetooth technology used in headphones (and other hi-fi audio devices) should employ the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) or "advanced audio" feature, rather than the narrow-band voice-quality mode used for wireless cell phone headsets. Typical price: $300 to $500.

Noise-canceling headphones are a good choice for anyone who doesn't want to be disturbed by outside noise. Headphones that block noise by creating a seal (either over or in the ears) provide what's called passive noise reduction. Closed design over-the-ear and insert-style earphones tend to block more noise than do open design, on-ear, and earbud-style headphones. Active noise-canceling models go a step further. These battery-powered headphones use tiny microphones to monitor noise frequencies, and then produce those same frequencies out of phase in an effort to cancel them. Typical price: $90 to $200 for home-studio models; $40 to $400 for portables.

The effectiveness of noise-reduction technology can range from very good to poor. In general, we found the most effective noise reduction in models that combine passive noise blocking with active noise cancellation. Some models let you turn off noise reduction, so you can still use them if the batteries die. Others work only with noise canceling activated, so if the batteries die you can't use them. And in some cases, you can use the noise-canceling feature even when you're not listening to music, simply to reduce outside noise.

Adjustable headbands can provide a better fit on your head, while models with foldable and collapsible bands are easier to carry.

Models that have earcups that pivot or that come with different-sized adapters, foam pads, or canal tips can help you to achieve a proper, comfortable fit.

These can be replaced or washed, making it easier to maintain the headphones.

Smaller, lighter headphones are generally more comfortable than bulkier models, but you might trade sound quality for comfort.

Compared with a Y-exit cord, models with a single-exit cord reduce tangling. Also, some models come with asymmetrical cords, where one cord is longer or shorter than the other. This may be useful if you want to place the cord around the back of your neck, or the audio layer off to one side.

A volume control is useful, especially if you're sitting far from the source, such as a TV. Some controls are on the headphone's earpiece, while others are on the cord.

These let you answer and disconnect calls without even touching the phone. Some headsets offer a full set of functions only with specific cell phones, so be sure a given headphone will work with your phone model.

With the latest generations of iPods, controls on the headphones let you pause, play, and skip forward and back while listening to music. You don't have to take the iPod out of your pocket or purse to do so.

Altec Lansing sells headphones in all product categories and in all price ranges.

Apple sells low-cost and medium-priced headphones to accompany its iPod and iPhone products.

Audio-technica manufactures headphones in most categories in mid-to-high price ranges.

Audiovox offers headphones under several brands, including Audiovox, Advent, RCA, Jensen, Acoustic Research, and others. The prices throughout those brands vary from value to high.

While Bose's best-known headphones are noise-canceling models, it now makes several types, including earphones. Products are usually in the higher price range.

Coby is a value brand that is widely distributed through almost all retailers of consumer electronics.

Perhaps best known for its computer speakers and portable audio players, Creative manufactures headphones in all categories at all price ranges.

The Denon brand offers a full line of headphones in all categories, and its products are mid- to high-priced.

Etymotic's specialty is in-ear headphones. These products are in the higher price ranges.

Grado is known for its pro and mid- to high-end at-home headphones. Grado has recently introduced a "street style" around the neck product as it begins to move into the portable market, and now has several "i" models designed for use with iPods as well as in the home.

Insignia is Best Buy’s electronics house brand, exclusively sold by the retailer. Insignia’s products are positioned as a "value" line, offering customers a decent amount of features at a very modest price.

JBL, a brand of Harmon International (Harman-Kardon, Infinity, Lexicon, and Mark Levinson), makes mid-priced to moderately expensive ear buds, insert, and over-the-ear style headphones. The company partnered with women's surfwear company Roxy for a stylish, colorful line of JBL/Roxy Reference over-ear models.

JVC offers headphone products in all categories in the low to mid-price range. The company has merged with Kenwood, known for its automotive entertainment products.

Koss is an established headphone brand that offers a complete line of products with prices from the low to mid-price range.

The well-known cable manufacturer Monster has mid- to high-priced headphones in the in-ear, on-ear and over-ear categories. It also has a professional line of headphones. The company recently collaborated with Interscope Records to produce a line of artist-endorsed headphones, including Beats by Dr. Dre and Heartbeats by Lady Gaga.

Panasonic headphones cover all categories. They are competitively priced and widely available.

Philips has a large line of audio accessory products, including headphones in the low-to-mid-price range in all categories. The company has a joint venture with Nike to market Nike-Philips-brand sports headphones.

Sennheiser is a respected professional audio brand with a wide assortment of consumer headphones in all styles and price points, ranging from inexpensive in-ear models to expensive audiophile headsets.

Like Sennheiser, Shure is a respected professional audio brand that offers a wide range of consumer headphone products, especially a line of earphones with middle-to-higher prices.

Skullcandy is a relatively new company established in 2003. Its products have become very popular, with trendy designs that cover all categories of headphones at low-to-mid prices.

Sony is the leading brand in the headphone market. It covers all categories, with prices ranging from very low to very high price ranges.

Headphones should feed you clear, accurate sound with sufficient volume. Beyond that, you have to decide what sounds good to you. Like speakers, headphones might emphasize different parts of the audio spectrum, and you might prefer one sound over another. If you can, try headphones before buying. If you buy online, check return policies to make sure that purchases can be returned or exchanged for another model.

Most corded models are fine for less-critical music listening and for use with a TV, but in general, quality corded headphones are the best choice for serious music listening. You have to be a bit more choosy with wireless headphones. While some are quite good, many have background hissing and/or dynamic range compression that deadens the sound to some extent. We've found that digital wireless models can provide better performance than analog, and 2.4 gigahertz models often beat 900 megahertz headphones. But all wireless headphones are susceptible to interference from other devices, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, and computer hard drives that operate in the same frequency ranges. Also, look for headphones that use multiple channels. They tend to be less susceptible to interference and enable you to switch to another frequency if you do encounter interference.

Many headphones or earphones that seem fine at first could become quite uncomfortable during extended use. Comfort, of course, is subjective, depending in part on the size and shape of your head and ears and how much adjustment a headphone allows. The pressure from the earphones and the weight affect how a model feels. With any headphones, prolonged listening can make your ears warm and sweaty. Many on-ear models offer a good trade-off between comfort and quality. Some find earphones that are wedged in the ear become painful with prolonged use. Insert-type earphones usually come with different-sized tips to accommodate a range of ear sizes and shapes. Although less obtrusive than other types, they can pop out at times.

Consider how you'll use your headphones and get a model most appropriate for that application. Closed, over-the-ear models are great for listening at home but could be too large to be easily stowed when you're traveling. Portable models might sacrifice some sound quality for small size, but they are handy. Earbuds and insert models are great for listening to music on the go. If you'll be doing a lot of flying, or listening in a noisy environment, consider headphones with active noise-reduction technology. Keep in mind that you'll have to replace batteries with active-noise-reduction and wireless models.