THE TOP 10

Entertainment on-the-go demands quality cans that cut out unwanted sound. Try these for the absolute best audio.

Phonak Audéo PFE 012 3960 It’s not easy creating the perfect headphone. Music is so subjective that one human’s perfect pitch is a little lacking in bass for 
    another, and too bright-sounding for pedant no.3. The PFE 012s do about as good a job of satisfying disparate tastes as any in-ears we’ve tried. Building on the success of the pricier 111s, they dig up bags of detail, deliver sweet vocals and a palpable soundstage, and up the bass to party-worthy levels. They’re also barely-there lightweight and subtly attractive. They could easily sell for twice the price.

Klipsch Image X10i 12,000 Though the X10s were our favourite in-ears for years, the X10i now looks too pricey for the no.1 spot. Built-in iPod/iPhone controls are useful, but it’s the sound and size that really impress – the buds are slim as lolly sticks but sound thrilling and insightful.

Sennheiser CX300-II 2790 Thanks to amazing price reductions, the CX300-IIs represent even better value for money. Replace your bundled headphones with these and you’ll find out what you’ve been missing: deep bass, sparkling detail and dramatic dynamics. You’ll thank us later.

Powerbeats by Dr Dre 15,000 We never had Dr Dre down as a fitness fan, but the headphones he’s designed for sweaty gym sessions are seriously impressive. Expect powerful, weighty and dynamic sound, then be pleasantly surprised by the in-line mic and three-button iPhone remote.

Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10vi 24,995 Offering audio that’s full-bodied and punchy, with excellent levels of detail, the 10vis will stay firmly nestled in your lugholes thanks to a shapeable over-ear band. With phone controls on-hand, they’re a marvellous choice for affluent iPhone owners.

Bose QuietComfort 15 21,263 Bose’s latest long-haul headphones are its finest yet. Wearing a pair is as comfortable as binding pillows to your head with silken thread, and both sound and noise cancelling are exemplary. For a louder, more rocking listen, try Monster’s Beats Studio.

Shure SE530 35,000 Shure is the pioneer of the sound isolation game, so when it came to designing the best in-ear monitors in the world, it knew what to do. Each earpiece has three separate drivers, delivering a staggering soundstage and insight across the spectrum.

Shure SE535 31,000 Your eyes don’t deceive – that is how much Shure’s flagship threedriver IEMs cost. They look and feel it, though, with a thick, replaceable cable that attaches to the buds via articulated joints. And the sound? Unbelievably detailed, utterly uncompromising.

Klipsch Image S4 4490 The chaps at Klipsch sure know how to make a sound-isolating headphone. Combining the bass attack of the yoof-oriented “street” headphones with the refinement and clarity you’ll find in audiophile IEMs, these are great fun and stonking value for money.

AKG K701 from 19,990 With a swanky headphone amp, these referencequality, open-backed headphones create a sound to rival hi-fi speakers ten times the price. Got more dosh? Try the supremely revealing Sennheiser HD 800s or breathtaking Grado GS1000is.