Top Headphones for Back To School

Students are music lovers who demand the best sound from their iPhone or other MP3 players.  There’s little doubt that the set that came with their phone or music player just won’t cut it. So, help them step up their audio quality with one of these headphones or earbuds. They are not only well-built with impressive designs, but they just generally rock.

Skullcandy/Roc-Nation Aviator

Skullcandy headphones have always been hot with students, and the Roc-Nation Aviator is no different.  Fully endorsed by Jay-Z and Roc-Nation, these over-the-ear headphones with memory-foam earcups include a 40mm audio driver, and are made with a stainless steel frame.  The tangle-free nylon cable sports built-in music and mic controls.  Choose from black, white, or brown.

$149.99; www.skullcandy.com

Jabra Clipper

Your favorite student will love Jabra’s combination of stereo Bluetooth with quality sound in the Clipper.  These earbuds are connected to a small remote with a button that lets you quickly switch between listening to music on your MP3 player and taking calls on your cell phone.  And because the Clipper automatically pauses music for incoming calls, they won’t miss your weekly chat while they’re away from home.  In addition, the Clipper’s remote also allows the user to control his MP3 player without even taking it out of his backpack.

$59.99; www.jabra.com (Available at www.verizonwireless.com)

Monster Diddybeats

Hip-hop fans will love that you spent top dollar on them for these quality earbuds, endorsed by the (in)famous P. Diddy. Monster Diddybeats are specially designed to provide excellent sound quality when listening to rap and R&B.  During our hands-on, we were impressed by the clear emphasis of bass without overwhelming the treble.  The Diddybeats also come with Monster’s ControlTalk headphone cable, allowing the user to answer phone calls on an iPhone by simply pressing a button on the cable.  These stylish earbuds stayed in our ears and were comfortable for all-day wear.

$180; www.monstercable.com

Able Planet Extreme XNC230

Serious gamers are always in search of the most immersive experience possible.  And thanks to Able Planet’s active noise canceling technology, your young fragger need not be distracted by roommates (or homework, for that matter) because they’ll be surrounded by the sounds of gameplay.  The Extreme XNC230 comes with award-winning LINX AUDIO technology that enhances sound quality and speech clarity.  They may look bulky at first glance, but these over-the-ear plaid headphones–available in pink, red, green, or white–fold flat and weigh a mere 14 ounces so they can go anywhere your student goes.

$149.99; www.ableplanet.com

Sony PIIQ Qlasp

The Qlasp, part of Sony’s new line of PIIQ headphones, provides a smart answer for students who hate earbuds slipping out of their ears.  The bottom of each bud contains a clip which fits snugly (but not too tightly) around the earlobe, making them perfect for gym-rats.  In addition, the Qlasp comes in five different color combinations (white, yellow, green, pink, and multicolor), making them as stylish as they are practical.

$24.99; www.sonystyle.com

Shure SE115m

Like the Clipper, the SE115m allows the user to switch between a cell phone and an MP3 player on the fly.  The cable includes a button that allows her to answer a call, talk, and hang up without ever touching her smart phone.  The SE155m comes with Shure’s MicroSpeaker II, allowing for rich and detailed sound.  Available in three earbud-sleeve sizes (small, medium, and large), your student can choose the best fit for her ear.

$149.99 www.shure.com (Available at www.amazon.com)