Plug in to keep the noise out

Noise-isolating earphones are something that we just had to try on. And believe us, it only takes a few seconds of listening to these — the very best in class audio-phones — to dump all fears of any discomfort of having a pair of earphones inside your ears. The biggest reason? These earphones also jam out external noise to deliver a distinctly better sound.

Creative Aurvana In-Ear 2
Price: Rs 5,999

The Aurvana In-Ear 2s are noise isolation earphones and easily fit into your ears, blocking out all background noise. These earbuds impressed us with the sound quality and are most certainly a step-up from budget earphones that come bundled along with phones and MP3 players.

Two sets of differently-sized ear-plugs are included to ensure you get the best fit and, therefore, the best possible noise isolation.

Upgrading from a cheap set of earphones used with a portable MP3 player (that plays an already compressed music file, reducing much of the sound range), you will notice how the extra cash you pay for Creative Aurvana pair pays off. You can really hear every little detail. In fact, even enjoying a favourite piece of music that you may have heard a thousand times before will be a new experience, as the earphones underline the subtle reverb, echo and tonal ranges. The overall satisfaction is worth paying the price for.

Klipsch Custom-3
Price: Rs 8,400

Listening with Klipsch Custom-3 in-ear earphones is a different experience from listening to speakers or full-size over-the-ear headphones. But the fact that the sound is being funnelled directly into your ears simply brings out small details in music that you didn’t know existed.

Klipsch uses oval silicon ear gels that match the shape of the human ear canal better than round inserts. The result is an extraordinarily snug and comfortable fit and comfortable isolation that improves bass and reduces ambient noise.

Besides enabling you to listen at lower volumes even in loud environments, the bendable, over-the-ear wire clips help in holding the earbuds securely in place. The included accessories are generous — three sets of different-sized ear gels, an airplane adapter, a quarter-inch adapter and a carrying case that can accommodate an iPod.

If you don’t mind paying the price of an iPod to own this pair, then this extremely comfortable design that Klipsch has created should make a compelling package for you.

Etymotic ER-4S
Price: Rs 7,900 (approximately)

The Etymotic ER-4S earphones are unlike any other headphone you would have ever experienced. These audio-buds fit tightly inside your ear canals. The result – if the ear-tips are properly seated in the canal, creating a tight seal – is a profound bass effect, direct and distortion-less response and phenomenal isolation from environmental noise. Your reaction to the Etymotics will very likely hinge upon how tolerant you are of putting something deep into your ear, with the eardrums being just millimetres away (see pic of the plugs!).

Best used with good-sounding devices like iPods and any music-dedicated phones with a 3.5mm jack, Etymotic ER-4S comes with a 0.25-inch stereo phone adapter plug.

The Etymotic ER-4S will deliver a sound that is more, well, real. They deserve to be included on your short list.