Noise-canceling Headphones -- Music to Your Ears (or Not)

When you want to escape the sounds of the world, or head off to your own world of select music, you need noise-canceling headphones. These from Bose -- their Quiet Comfort 15 Acoustical Headphones ($300)-- allow you to do either with style and comfort. The around-the-ear design makes for complete comfort on a long flight, for example, and offers close to total external noise reduction by virtue of proprietary ear cushions and a pair of internal and external microphones that are powered by AAA batteries with an average life of some 35 hours. The headphones come with interchangeable audio cables -- for general use, and with select Apple products -- that may be detached when not in use; a 3-button remote controls the music and telephone call volume, and the headphones weigh in at a feather-light 5 ounces. Phone calls, tunes, or dead silence -- all yours, with these sweet Bose headphones.

Over-the-ear headphones may not be the best possible choice when you are at the gym and need a way to listen to your favorite music. In that case earbuds are your likely best option -- I own these Klipsch Image S4 In-Ear Isolating Headphones ($79). Love 'em. I use them daily; I especially like the flexible oval ear tips (the earbuds come with your choice of three different, washable, sizes); they fit me like a glove and knock out most of the external noise. These earbuds will fit any standard 3.5mm headphone jack -- just about any Apple or other portable device -- and are perfect for active wear. The great sound comes from the dual magnetic microspeakers; the strain relief cord keeps you from getting all wrapped up in the cord, and they are so light in weight that you'll forget you're wearing them. Nice.

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