Headphones for Your iPod
The iPod changed everything: The portable audio world went from believing that an 10-lb boom box was just fine to accepting the notion that spending $350 bucks on a tiny digital music repository was a swell idea. We agree!
While it is sadly missing the digital output interconnectivity we'd like to see as hardcore audio geeks, it is (by a very slim margin) the best-sounding portable hard-disk digital player we've heard. To be fair, most hard-disk Mp3 players are also similarly good-sounding as long as the file quality / bitrate remains high. We have found that the proprietary upscale Apple/MAC file formats (like Apple 'LossLess' and 'AIFF') are quite good-sounding as are the higher numerical [non-Apple] bitrate/bitdepth files rated at 320k and 256k. Of course, digital uncompressed .WAV files also sound superb but they are typically too bulky for the smaller-storage player devices to deal with effectively and thus remain better suited to computer-based hard-drive listening applications.
Headphones
We consider the recently upgraded iPod Apple 'earbuds' to be passable given their design, so we don't think it's all that worthwhile to recommend a mostly lateral switch to the Sennheiser MX 560 which are slightly more ergonomically-fitting earbuds at a great price. However, the Yuin PK1 and PK2 earbuds are probably the best-sounding we've heard in the category and although not cheap, they're worth it for demanding earbud listeners. The Sennheiser CX300 are decently -performing earbud/ECH 'hybrids' that provide variously-sized disposable/replaceable eartips for a more personalized fit versus normal "one-size-fits-all" earbuds. The Denon C452 are also worth considering as 'hybrid' earbuds with impressive sonics given their terrific $59 pricepoint. We also think there are a few other upgraded 'low-cost' headphone options to consider for folks wanting to improve the sound of their iPod or Mp3 player source. The Sennheiser PX100 we've recommended for years as a very durable, collapsible/foldable, portable-application, inexpensive headphone that sounds really good. The PX100 is an 'open' earcup design so it won't block out the rest of the world. If you want inexpensive, small 'sealed' headphones for better isolation and ambient noise-blocking purposes, we recommend the Sennheiser HD228, delivering a great fit and a clean beefy bass response.
Ear Canal Headphones
You'll get the very best possible isolation /noise-blocking ability from an "ear canal headphone" (aka 'ECH'), and for use directly out of an iPod /Mp3/ laptop computer we recommend the amazing midrange clean-tones (albeit w/ lean bass) and deep isolation of the inexpensive Etymotic ER6i or -- at a bit more sizeable investment -- the smooth, well-detailed across all frequency ranges sound of the Shure SE310. The venerable audiophile-grade Etymotic ER4 earphones also sound truly terrific at a fair price and are recommended for listeners into lovely clarity & supreme musical detail resolution in the mids & treble ranges. Another very strong earphone candidate entering this demanding iPod / Mp3 "on-the-go" category is the Sleek Audio SA6 ear canal headphones, especially when partnered with their nifty Sleek SW1 wireless accessory. Not only is the SA6/SW1 pairing perfect for untethered, cord-free active iPod listening but the Kleer-enabled wireless transmission sound performance provides full CD-quality uncompressed audio for about a 60ft wireless range from basically any audio source.
Headphone Amps
If you want to seriously improve the sound of your iPod, Mp3 player, or laptop computer, you'll have to buy better headphones and also likely consider a portable headphone amp and/or DAC [Digital-to-Analog Converter]. A great way to start is with one of our own HeadRoom 'Mobile Line' amps, either the Total AirHead or Total BitHead amp (for computer sources) and a HeadRoom GigaBag carry/travel bag accessory to complete the whole mobile audio shebang... If seeking a MAJOR 'audiophile-grade' sonic improvement over our entry-level "Mobile Line" products, you'll want to consider our Portable Micro Amp and the awesome HeadRoom Micro Strap travel system for use with our specially-designed Micro Bag tote-bags! Once you have an amp along for the ride, you can consider the higher-impedance/low-sensitivity Denon AH-D1001 or the Sennheiser HD280Pro as superb sealed-earcup headphone contenders for this application. Both will sound fantastic mated with your portable player + head-amp combo; Expect slightly better ambient noise isolation with the bigger earcups on the HD280Pro while the smaller earpad-sized, mobile-oriented DENON D1001k offers excellent sound quality 'bang-for-the-buck'. With any headphone amp, you can take the headphone output of your iPod / Mp3 and run the volume setting up to one or two clicks short of full power to interconnect to the amp.
Other Accessories
iPod does offer a dedicated audio/digital line-out connectivity when placed in an Apple, Wadia, or other iPod docking station -- which are useful only while plugged in to AC power at your home /office.
For the best sound out of your iPod listening on-the-move, use a portable line-out to the headphone amp like the inexpensive but high-performing SIK line-out dock. The SIK will greatly improve the audio connectivity of the iPod by providing a direct line-level analog 3.5mm [1/8"] output via the iPod's bottom pin configuration, thus by-passing the player's low-grade, noisy headphone jack out. For further in-depth information on iPods, how to navigate iTunes effectively, and also some good recommendations for iPod accessories probably the best place to go is the thick book "iPods & iTunes for Dummies" which serves as an excellent reference guide for iPod beginners and intermediates. Also well worth checking out for the more skilled iPod-ista is www.ipodlounge.com or www.ipodding.com; if you're a true geek www.ipodhacks.com will get you deep into your machine's innards, but if you're a REAL geek, then you probably already knew that!
