Get the full music experience with earphones

Here at Earphone Solutions, we’re always on the lookout for the best earphones to ensure that you get the listening experience that you’ve always dreamed of. Whether you’re a runner, a student, or into meditation, you’ll be able to find the perfect headphones right here. But what about the music? We know that you’ve all got different music tastes—but some songs just sound so much better with earphones than they do over regular speakers. You can really get the full effect of stereo sound when the music is flowing directly into your ears through some of our quality earphones.

When bands go into the studio to record music, each instrument is recorded individually, and the tracks all get manipulated by the engineers. This is where the magic really happens, if you ask us. The engineers control which speaker (or speakers) will play each part. Some sounds will only come out of the left speaker, some out of the right, and some out of both. Stereo production is truly its own unique art form, and this art form is best appreciated with earphones. With that in mind, we thought we’d give you a quick rundown of some of our favorite “earphone tunes.”

Put on your earphones and listen to these cool tracks

• “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. Pink Floyd really put a lot of thought into making sure their music had some excellent layers to it. You can really experience that on this track—but it’s all around the Pink Floyd discography. Long story short, Pink Floyd sounds great on earphones.
• “2112 Overture” by Rush. The same can really be said about Rush. There was so much progressive attention paid to the different channels and sounds that it can really only be appreciated through quality earphones.
• “Moving in Stereo” by The Cars. With a title like “Moving in Stereo,” would you expect anything less?
• “Crash Into Me” by the Dave Matthews Band. While we can all agree that DMB is best enjoyed live, listening to their music on your earphones is certainly a close second.

What are your favorite earphone songs?

Amp up your creativity with music in the office

Have you looked around modern office buildings these days? More and more often, workers are spending their days listening to their favorite tunes while they go about their business. For the younger generation, wearing headphones on the job is a great way to focus and tackle the tasks at hand. In some organizations, a good pair of earphones might be just as common as a box of pencils or a stack of sticky notes!

If you ask us, we’re all for it. Here at Earphone Solutions, we have a variety of high quality earphones that are designed to keep you comfortable and happy while you’re working. Many workplace headphone advocates believe that listening to music can help with concentration by blocking out distractions. Still others use their earphones as a sort of “do not disturb” sign while working away in their cubicles.

In fact, it’s been said that music can contribute to productivity. Listening to music can boost the level of dopamine in the brain; and that can help workers focus. So we say, wear those headphones!

Our top workplace headphones

Since you’ll be wearing them for a while, comfort is key when it comes to headphones in the workplace.

• The Shure SE535 metallic bronze headphones are comfortable, and they offer the sound quality that you’re looking for.
• Westone 2 Dual Driver earphones can really help you get your work done.
• Shure SE215 clear earphones offer extreme comfort with flush fit—and they’ll also fit nicely into your budget.

Tips for using your headphones in the workplace

No matter what your music is or how great your earphones are, there are a few things you should keep in mind when you’re using your earphones in the workplace.

• Keep your music at a moderate level, so you won’t disturb anyone else.
• When you’re speaking with someone, remove the headphones.
• To ensure that you don’t miss your phone ringing, put a visual alert on your office phone.

#1: Block Out Stressors.

You might not be able to avoid everything that is unpleasant in your life, but you can take a step towards avoiding those overhead tunes in the office that just aren’t your taste, the loud voices of co-workers on the phone, or other people’s conversations as you commute back and forth via public transportation. Noise reducing earphones, like our Westone 4 Earphones, fit securely in your ear and have features that actually impede outside sound from interfering with your listening.

#2: Get Active.

It’s pretty ironic that getting into fast-moving activities like running, aerobics, yoga, cycling, and other fitness activities can actually calm you. Exercise truly does get the blood pumping and increases endorphins, which can bring about a sense of positivity and calmness. Get those sneakers on and get active!

#3: Bring Focus Back.

We’re constantly doing three things at once, meaning we focus on…none of them. Spend at least ten minutes each day focusing on just one activity. It could be as simple as enjoying a cup of tea with no distractions, or going to your local cinema and catching the newest flick. The focus should be on indulging yourself, and believe me – even the smallest of indulgences can make a world of difference!

#4: Plan a Vacation.

Studies have shown that the actual planning of a vacation is often just as rewarding as the vacation itself when it comes to reducing stress. Whether the vacation is a weeklong trip to island paradise, a weekend trip to a local beach, or simply a day off from work, take at least two weeks to plan the trip (or day off!) and think about all the fun activities you’ll partake in. Don’t forget to pack those Audeo PFE232 Earphones, of course!

Take back control of your life this Spring. The weather is getting warm, and even if life goes on as busy as it ever is, you’re taking control over feeling relaxed, no matter how many meetings are scheduled on your calendar. Listening to music you love is a great way to boost your mood – what are your Springtime picks to ease the mind and calm stress?

Best Earphones For Running

The keys to excellent earphones for running come down to their ability to provide you with crisp sound to carry you through every step of your run, while staying comfortably within the ear. Say goodbye to the frustrating feeling of your earphones falling out!

Our Editor’s Choice picks:

• Shure SE535 Metallic Bronze In Ear Headphones
• Shure SE425 Chrome Earphones w/ Removable Cables
• Westone 4 Earphones

Earphones are an important investment, and we aim to take the guesswork out of earphone shopping via our “best earphones” for your lifestyle blog post series, so you can choose the best earphones for your lifestyle, and choose right the first time! Want the latest and greatest? Who doesn’t! Knock yourself out over our 2012 Best Earphones rankings, tested and rated by a panel of 12. Get back to doing the things you love while listening to the music you love – with the help of Earphone Solutions.

The Crème de la Crème

Our best earphones for 2012 picks all produce exceptional sound quality, but there can be only one who takes the top spot – or so we thought! The Shure SE535 In Ear Earphones have consistently wowed our test participants and customers alike, but we’re proud to announce we had a three-way tie this year – Shure SE535 Earphones, Audeo PFE232 Earphones, and Westone 4R Earphones all secured our Editor’s Choice Award. These best earphones for 2012 are the reigning champions due to their dynamic sound quality, comfortable feel, and snug and secure fit inside the ear.

Deconstructing The Test

We don’t mess around when it comes to ranking the best earphones for 2012 – we gather 12 people, made up of Earphone Solutions staff members, friends, and family, with 8 males participating, and 4 females. We aim to make our rankings as unbiased as possible, and don’t reveal which earphone and earphone brand the tester is using until we’ve gathered all of their responses.

Each participant grades the earphones on the following criteria: sound clarity, sound quality, comfort, and ability to stay in the ear. We had each person listen to the following songs, allowing them to scroll through them at their leisure:

• Cello Concerto in A Minor
• Gymnopedie No.3
• Take Five (Dave Brubeck)
• It’s a Beautiful Day (U2)
• Paradise (Coldplay)
• Good Girl (Carrie Underwood)
• Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash)
• Feel So Close (Calvin Harris)
• Wild Ones (Flo Rida)
• What a Wonderful World ( Louis Armstrong)
• Shadow Days (John Mayer)
• Bully (Shinedown)

Our testers were excited to share their results, and we’re so proud to announce our Best Earphones For 2012! We’re certain you’ll be just as impressed as we are with the earphones that made the cut this year. Have you personally tested out any of these earphones yet? If so, share your experience by leaving a comment!

Tips for starting:

1. Start Gradually. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with advanced poses, positions and stretches. Remember, even the instructor was a beginner at one point.

2. Concentrate on Breathing. You’ll need to focus on techniques and rhythmic breathing. Ask an experienced friend or instructor for pointers.

3. Warm Up. It is important to stretch before yoga class so that you do not cramp up in poses.

4. Relax. Yoga should be calming for the mind and body, encouraging positive thoughts. Do not make it a pressure; enjoy the time of meditation.

Another essential aspect of serenity is soothing music. Music allows your brain to wind down and rids negative thoughts and energy. Use only the best headphones for yoga and meditation, which stay in your ear even if you’re twisted like a pretzel.

Here are a few popular headphones for yoga and meditation:

1. Shure SE535 Metallic Bronze In Ear Headphones With Replaceable Cables

• “Stay in the ear design”
• Extreme comfort with flush fit
• 2 Year Warranty/2-Way crossover design
• Fierce bronze ear buds

2. Westone 1 Earphones

• Small and light so you can focus on relaxing
• Ergonomically designed to fit in your ear
• One balanced driver for full, robust sound

3. Shure SE425 Chrome Earphones With Removable Cables

• Comfortable “stay in the ear design” fit
• 2 Year Warranty/2-Way crossover design
• Sleek chrome design

These high quality headphones for yoga and meditation have state of the art “stay in the ear design” and cozily fit into your ear so you can focus on meditation without distraction!

While most of us reach for earphones when we’re listening to music, an audio book, a television show, or any of the other many things we tune into, there are still many among us who prefer going over the ear rather than into. And, of course, there are people like me who see benefits to both and switch between earphones and headphones from one day to another. For portability purposes, I’m earphones all the way. However, if I’ll be spending the bulk of the day at my desk, or relaxing on the couch at home losing myself in YouTube videos, high-quality headphones are usually within reach. If you appreciate headphones as well, and appreciate luxury and style that packs sweet sounds, consider the stunning Edition 8 Palladium from Ultrasone.

To say the Edition 8 Palladium is luxurious is an understatement. In fact, looking at the materials used in its construction, you might imagine it was a couture design dreamed up by a celebrity. The sheen of the outer ear cups comes from the Ruthenium covering – a precious, durable metal. As for what makes the interior ear cups so unbelievably soft? That would be the finest, most isolative leather available – sumptuous Ethiopian sheepskin. If you can imagine what it would feel like for a puppy to give your ears a hug, you’re on the right track. The headband is also wrapped in this supremely soft sheepskin, leaving bald men rejoicing! But what to do when you’re done listening for the day – where to store your premier headphones? Oh, we think the included, exclusive Madras goatskin storage bag produced in France should keep them safe and sound.

But before you go thinking the Ultrasone Edition 8 headphones are just a pretty face, think again! Hand-made in Germany, and backed by a 3-year warranty, these headphones were crafted to fuse audio quality with appealing aesthetics. Sure, their pretty face is important, and it was meant to be. But the sounds and superior sound isolation are important, too. A richer, balanced, three-dimensional sound is achieved through Ultrasone’s S-Logic Plus Technology, which just might become your favorite type of logic following your first listen.

If you’re like most people in their late twenties and above, you have at least dozens, if not hundreds or even thousands of CDs just waiting to be added to your iTunes or other digital music library. Day after day, month after month, and year after year they sit there, reminders of a past when music was more tangible that it is today.

I still remember the first CD I bought in my early teens. I remember the excitement of opening it, the care with which I handled it, and the countless hours spent listening to it as I followed along with the included lyrics memorizing every ‘a’ and ‘the.’ For every CD that joined my collection thereafter, this process was repeated. There were no YouTube lyrics videos or lyrics web sites – all I had was a carefully tuned ear and a list of words. And, of course, there was the artwork, pictures and notes within as well. Without those and videos on MTV, we might not have had any idea what our favorite artists even looked like.

As digital music moved to the forefront, our CDs quite literally got a lot less play. Our absolute favorites were usually added to our digital library, but those that had fallen from heavy rotation were left to collect dust, and may still be collecting. And – quite frankly – it’s a shame. We’re not pointing fingers –we’re right there with you! We too never got around to uploading Hootie & the Blowfish or those sometimes-amazing compilations from BMG. But this is the year we will put an end to our slacking. This is the year we will make an event of it!

While many of us have similar musical collections to our friends, the chance of even a 70% overlap would be quite a rare occurrence. Yes, for all the hidden gems of your own you’ve been sitting on, your friends surely have gems you never plopped down $15 for in the first place. For me, this would include the self-titled Blind Melon, and iconic Pearl Jam Vs. I know, I know – I have no excuse that will make this even close to OK. But I comfort myself knowing there are must-have albums we’ve all somehow managed to skip, and that if I put together a get-together with friends, asking that everyone bring along their laptop and a snack, we can have a pretty great night trading music and uploading like mad! We can reminisce about all the great music we grew up with, beef up our digital musical libraries, and add quite a few gigs of fresh tunes to our iPods and iPhones once it’s all been uploaded. In fact, if you’re a friend of mine and you’re reading this, let me know a night and time that works for you!

As for what will happen after this music party (and I hope you’ll host one for your friends, too!) – I anticipate my new Westone 4R earphones will be pumping out some Goo Goo Dolls and classic Nirvana at a level of quality I couldn’t have imagined in the 90s! Maybe I’ll even break out my old flannel shirts and JNCO jeans and see if anyone is up for hitting the skate park after work.

While most of us listen to a wide variety of music, and a favorite playlist can find hip hop and pop right on top of one another, there is often one type of music we listen to most often. Or, at the very least, there is one type of music whose audio crispness and quality matters most. That quality comes from the recording itself, of course, but also from the speakers or earphones through which we listen to it. And as it turns out, those earphones might have some musical preferences of their own!

We decided to run a little experiment to determine the best earphones by music type. Working with our staff and some carefully-chosen friends and family members, we put together a 12-person team of testers – 8 males and 4 females. The mission they were given was simple and sweet; to listen to a variety of songs from a chosen group of popular musical genres. These genres included Classical, Rock, Hip Hop, Techno/Trance, Acoustic, Latin, Country and Jazz. Each was given an assortment of popular high-end earphones through which to listen to the music and asked to rate each set on its sound for the songs they listened to in each genre. Each tester had the same earphones, same songs. And once the results were in, we tallied them up to find the best of the best!

You can scroll to the bottom of our best earphones by music type page to see all the results and read more about the test itself, but we’ll provide you with a quick summary here…

You ready to Rock? Then Westone 3 and Westone UM3X should top your list! In fact the Westone 3 was the most popular of all the sets we tested, being the hands-down selection for Hip Hop and Techno/Trance, and one of the 2 top picks for Rock, mentioned above, as well as Country music. For Classical, testers’ ears were pleased as punch by the Shure SE535 and Westone 4. The Shure SE535 also joined the Westone 3 for Country tunes, the Westone UM3X for Acoustic tracks, and the Shure SE425 for Jazz. Who took home the most honors? Let’s have a look at which phones will best meet your musical needs, and which have the most well-rounded sound…

Westone 3 – Rock, Hip Hop, Techno/Trance, Country
Shure SE535 – Classical, Acoustic, Jazz, Country
Westone UM3X – Rock and Acoustic
Westone 4 – Classical
Shure SE425 – Latin

We all know the importance of a perfect fit for earphones, but fitness goes far beyond the ear! If you’re among the countless teens, men and women working hard at keeping your New Year’s Resolution to get in better shape, one of the important tools you can add to your arsenal of motivation is a serious set of workout-ready earphones. Whether you’re keeping it indoors at the gym, or with workout DVDs, or venturing outdoors for walks, jogs, hikes and runs, Earphone Solutions has the best earphones to help you take some tunes along on your journey!

The Best Earphones for Running and Sports

When it comes to a snug fit that won’t quit, two brands that are always at the top of their game are Westone and Shure. Fumbling with your earphones at the gym or on the track or trail isn’t only annoying – it can be downright dangerous to you and your earphones. Dangling cords can easily get caught in a machine or trip you up on the treadmill if they slip free. Plus, as we said, it’s annoying! You’re trying to stay in the zone with your carefully-chosen playlist of motivating music and your earphones keep trying to make the great escape. Not cool, earphones. Not cool at all. So skip the cheap sets and treat yourself to some quality earphones in our selection of recommended options from Westone and Shure. It’s an investment in keeping your annoyance level low and your motivation high!